Costa Cruise Lines is in the final stages of negotiations for a new 70,000-ton, 1,900-passenger ship slated for delivery in mid-1996. The construction cost is estimated at $300 million.

While the yard has not yet been announced, it is speculated that the ship will be built by Meyer Werft.

According to Costa, the new ship will sail in both North American and European waters.

Profitable

Costa Cruise Line’s parent company, Costa Crociere, has reported net income of $23 million on revenues of $392.3 million for the year ended Dec. 31, 1993.

Worldwide, Costa carried 224,764 passengers in 1993 for a total of 1.847.300 passenger days. Costa is currently the fifth largest cruise line in the world with seven ships and 8.330 berths and the number one operator in Europe and South America with an estimated 24.5 percent and 37.6 percent share of those markets respectively.

The year-outlook is also bright. According to William Smith, Vice President of Sales, Costa will have a “phenomenal 1994 season.”

Deployment

For the 1994/95 winter season, Costa will mainly market two ships in North America, the Costa Romantica sailing out of Miami and the Costa Classica sailing out of San Juan.

The Costa Allegra is expected to homeport in Guadeloupe or Martinique sailing Caribbean cruises with European passengers. Both islands have excellent air connections with France. The Costa Marina will sail in South America with South American and European passengers.

As for the new ship, few details have been made available. “But expect it to be stunning, dramatic and European in design,” said a Costa spokesperson.

“Our strength is in new tonnage and our position in the market,” said Smith. “The European market is growing strong,” he added.