Work is continuing at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Marghera (Province of Venice) on the construction of the Costa Deliziosa, the 15th member of the fleet belonging to the Italian Company Costa Cruises, the number one cruise line in Italy and across Europe, which is due to enter service in spring 2010.

In the last few days the keel of the new ship has been laid; this includes the first section, 100 meters in length, which was built in the Ancona shipyard and towed to Marghera.  The 92,700 gross tonnage Costa Deliziosa, sister ship of the Costa Luminosa, will be able to carry up to 2828 Guests.

Fincantieri is currently building three new Costa ships in its yards.  In addition to the Costa Deliziosa, the Italian ship builder is presently completing the Costa Luminosa and Costa Pacifica (total Guest capacity of 3780 and 114,500 gross tonnage), respectively the 13th and 14th members of the fleet, which are being fitted out in Marghera and Genova-Sestri P. and will be delivered in spring 2009.

Costa’s fleet expansion program includes the introduction of 5 new ships by 2012, all built in Italy by Fincantieri for a total investment worth 2.4 billion euros.  In addition to the Costa Pacifica, Costa Luminosa and Costa Deliziosa, two sister ships of the Costa Pacifica will enter service in spring 2011 and 2012.  The Costa Cruises fleet will then be 17-strong and able to carry some 46,400 Guests, an increase of 50% on present capacity.