Costa Cruises has announced that Costa Victoria will depart on its maiden Asian voyage on 18 May 2012, from the new Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal in China. The ship will embark on four to seven night cruises, with calls along the South Korean and Japanese coastline.

Costa Cruises, the largest Italian travel group and Europe’s number one cruise company, was the first international cruise company to enter the Chinese market and have used this experience to create a bespoke service aboard Costa Victoria.

Mr. Buhdy Bok, Vice President Pacific Asia and China, Costa Cruises, said: “We are thrilled to be able to bring the new Costa Victoria to Asia. Choosing Shanghai as the home port for Costa Victoria is important for the growth of Costa Cruises in the Asia Pacific region and also demonstrates our commitment to promote the city as a leading international shipping centre in the region.”

“No other country is quite so renowned for its sense of fashion and style as Italy. This is a strength we want to emphasise in Costa Victoria, hence the decor and brands that can be found onboard. ‘Italy at sea’ is an apt way to describe the Costa Victoria as it embodies all of the qualities that make Italy great: fantastic food, fashion and friendly service.”

Costa Victoria has many Asian-inspired dining options available to guests. The ship offers a range of local cuisine in four of its five restaurants. In the largest of these restaurants, the Sinfornia, dinner will be served in two sittings - the first with traditional Chinese or Italian dishes, and the latter with a greater selection of Japanese and South Korean food to choose from. The second largest of these four restaurants, the Fantasia, will appeal to Chinese diners looking for a taste of home.

In the evenings, one of the world’s top Michael Jackson impersonators, ICE, will perform MJ’s greatest hits in the Festival Showroom. There will also be a fashion show that offers guests a refined form of entertainment in the cavernous, two-deck theatre. Live music, games and competitions complete the nightlife to be found throughout Costa Victoria’s ten bars and discos.

Costa Victoria will stop at several destinations in Japan including the tropical paradise Hososhima/Miyazaki, Wakayama; which boasts the largest hot spring resort, Osaka; Japan’s second largest city and the popular sightseeing cities in the Kanto Area Yokohama and Tokyo, the capital city. In the South Korean part of the itinerary, destinations include ‘island of the Gods’ Jeju, the picturesque harbour town of Yeosu and South Korea’s second largest city, Busan.