Following the success of “Christmas on a Cruise”, the Italian Christmas 2007 movie from Filmauro starring Michelle Hunziker and Cristian De Sica, filmed on board the flagship Costa Serena, Costa Cruises is back in another leading role. This time in Asia, and more specifically in the Philippines, where the film I.T.A.L.Y. (I Trust and Love You) has been released in the past few days. The film is almost entirely set on Costa Magica (102,600 tonnes, with a maximum capacity of 3,470 Guests), one of the 12 ships in the Italian fleet of Costa Cruises.

I.T.A.L.Y. is a romantic comedy and tells the story of 6 Filipinos who meet up on Costa Magica for a cruise in the Mediterranean that will change their lives forever. In addition to showing many areas of the ship, its interiors and life on a cruise, the film includes shots of all the tourist destinations included in Costa Magica’s summer 2008 itinerary, as many as 3 of which are in Italy; Savona, Naples, Palermo, Tunis, Barcelona, Palma and Marseilles.

Produced by GMA Films, an international movie production company, I.T.A.L.Y. includes some of the best-loved Filipino film stars in leading roles, including Jolina Magdangal, Dennis Trillo, Rufa Mai Quinto, Eugene Domingo, Rhian Ramos and Mark Herras. Premièred in Manila on 14 September and currently being screened in approximately 100 cinemas across the country, I.T.A.L.Y. will contribute to consolidating the reputation of Costa Cruises in the Philippines and Asia even further. In October 2007, the Italian Company opened a new training school for hotel staff in Manila, which has joined another school already operating in the Philippines to train deck crew and machine room personnel. Costa Cruises is currently the only company in the world to offer regular cruises in Asia. Beginning in Spring 2009, Costa Cruises will be doubling its supply in Asia with Costa Classica alongside the existing Costa Allegra.

Built by Fincantieri in Genoa Sestri Ponente, Costa Magica came into service in November 2004 and has been designed to offer the highest standard of hospitality: 1,358 spacious cabins fitted with all the latest comforts. The central swimming pool deck, which includes the Lido Maratea and Lido Palinuro, is shaped like an amphitheatre, while the stern pool area, called Lido Positano, is fitted with a removable see-through cover that allows it to be used in all seasons. A further pool is reserved exclusively for children. Costa Magica also offers a Spa measuring a good 1,300 sq.m. for anyone wanting to pamper themselves at sea. The 2 restaurants and buffet offer the best of Italian and international cooking. For more refined palates, the Club Vicenza “à la carte” restaurant is open every evening. There are plenty of opportunities to have fun with 11 bars, a three-storey theatre, a disco, dance halls, gambling halls, a casino and an Internet café. The interior, designed by architect Joseph Farcus, is primarily inspired by magical places in Italy. In keeping with the best tradition of Costa ships, art in all its forms also plays a leading role on Costa Magica. In fact the ship displays as many as 5,652 works of art, including 360 “originals”. Worthy of particular note is the presence on board of works by a number of lecturers and students of the Brera Academy of Fine Art.