Genoa (TAN): Italy-based cruise line Costa Cruises’ newest ship Costa Firenze will debut in October 2020.
Built specifically for the Chinese market, the 135,500 gross tonne-ship is the sister ship of Costa Venezia that was launched earlier this year. Costa Venezia too was designed for the Chinese market.
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“Costa Venezia and Costa Firenze are the proof of Costa Cruises’ long-term commitment to China market,” said Mario Zanetti, President of Costa Group Asia.
“Costa Cruises is also dedicated to bringing the Italian Aesthetic lifestyle to Chinese guests while delivering Italian culture and experience to them. Together with Costa Venezia, the arrival of Costa Firenze will help boost the development of Chinese cruise industry,” he added.
Currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy’s Marghera, the ship can accommodate over 5,200 guests.
Costa Firenze will sail through the Mediterranean for an entire month before being put into service in Asia. The first voyage, starting on October 1, 2020, will be followed by four more trips between Italy’s Trieste and Savona.
The ship will then embark on a 51-day voyage from Savona to Hong Kong through Dubai, Abu Dhabi and countries including India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Malaysia, among others, starting November 2.
President of Costa Cruises Neil Palomba said: “Given the success of the inaugural cruises of Costa Venezia, we have decided to keep Costa Firenze in the Mediterranean for a whole month before its positioning in Asia.”
“Costa Firenze is part of an expansion plan for the Costa Group that includes a total of 7 new ships being delivered by 2023, for a total investment of over 6 billion euros. The next ship to come into service, in October 2019, will be Costa Smeralda, a realtribute to Italy’s finest and our excellence,” he added.
Inspired by the Italian city of Florence that reflects centuries of history, the ship will channelise Italian aesthetics through its interiors, food, entertainment and hospitality.
The cruises are available for booking. Guests can choose from five to seven-day cruises and a 51-day cruise to China.
