Costa Cruises, the leading Italian tourism group and Europe’s number one cruise company, and Fincantieri, a global leader in cruise ship construction, have celebrated the technical launch of the Costa Deliziosa at the Marghera yards. This is the first time the ship touched the sea following the flooding of the dry-dock where she is under construction. Costa Deliziosa, the fifteenth ship of the Costa Cruises fleet, with a total tonnage of 92,700 and a capacity of 2,828 passengers, is scheduled to be delivered at the end of January 2010, following the completion of interior fitting out operations. Along with her sister ship, Costa Luminosa, she will be the fleet’s “flagship”, the most exclusive and innovative vessel designed for Costa’s high-end customers. Costa Deliziosa will be the third new Costa Cruises ship delivered by the Fincantieri yards in less than a year.

Costa Luminosa, also built in Marghera, will be delivered at the end of April 2009, while Costa Pacifica, built in the Genova-Sestri Ponente yards, will be delivered at the end of May 2009. In Genoa, on 5 June 2009, both ships will be involved in a record-breaking event as, for the first time ever, two ships will be christened at the same time. The official technical sea trials of the two ships were successfully completed just a few days ago, confirming the operating efficiency of the systems, equipment and engines. The tests were conducted during the first crossing of the Costa Luminosa and the Costa Pacifica.

 

“The launching of Costa Deliziosa is real proof of the soundness of our company” declared Gianni Onorato, President of Costa Cruises. Despite the current difficulties in the tourism sector and overall economy, we are continuing the expansion plan of our fleet - with five new ships this is the world’s largest - for a total investment of €2.4 billion. The strength of our brand, backed by more than 60 years of experience, and the quality of our product, are highly appreciated by our customers, who compel us to look toward with the future with confidence. A future in which, thanks to the Costa Deliziosa, the Costa Luminosa and the Costa Pacifica, we will be able to expand the number and, above all, the quality of our products”. 

 

Enrico Buschi, chief officer of operations of Fincantieri, commented: “The launch is a highly significant moment in the construction of a ship. We build to schedule and reach an unrivalled quality standard, creating ships which are unique in the history of shipbuilding and bring together cutting edge technological solutions and high standards of construction. The relationship between Fincantieri and Costa Crociere is well-established, a partnership of over twenty years and one which bears witness to the capacity of the Italian industry to work as a system.”

 

Costa Cruises has the world’s biggest fleet expansion plan with five new ships (including Costa Luminosa, Costa Pacifica and Costa Deliziosa) to be delivered by 2012 for a total investment of €2.4 billion. Built in Italy by Fincantieri, each ship requires the professional expertise of about 3,000 workers from Fincantieri with roughly 500 linked industry companies, the majority of which are Italian. The five new ships represent a 50% increase in the capacity of the Costa fleet. In 2012, the fleet will consist of seventeen vessels with a total capacity of 46,400 passengers.

 

The technical launch ceremony

Costa Deliziosa’s technical launch ceremony was carried out according to seafaring tradition. The shipyard director invited the godmother - an employee from the Marghera yard - to cut the ribbon and break a bottle of champagne on the bow. Once the dry-dock, where the ship took shape over the last few months, had been filled with water, the hull touched the sea for the very first time. The launch ended with the welding of a coin at the base of what was once the mainmast, by tradition a gesture of good luck.

 

Costa Deliziosa: Costa Cruises’ newest flagship

Costa Deliziosa will weigh in at 92,700 dwt and carry a total of 2,828 guests. Along with her sister ship, Costa Luminosa, they will be the fleet’s “flagships”, the most exclusive and innovative ships dedicated to Costa’s top clientele. This starts with the avant-garde design and use of premium materials, such as marble, wood, mother-of-pearl and Murano glass. Important works of art, like the “Sphere by Arnaldo Pomodoro”, will adorn the atrium of the ship. There are a multitude of things to do on board that are based on the use of cutting-edge technology: 4D cinema; roller skating track; golf simulator with “putting green”; Gran Prix race car simulator; the exclusive 3,500m? “Samsara Spa” wellness centre with Technogym Kinesis room, making its world debut.

 

Exclusive itineraries include cruises throughout the 2010 winter season. Starting in February, Costa Deliziosa will sail seven-day cruises in the Arabian Gulf visiting the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Bahrain, a unique destination that Costa Cruises was the first to offer. During the summer 2010 season, Costa Deliziosa will depart from Copenhagen for seven-day cruises to the Norwegian fjords and the Baltic capitals.

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