Costa Cruises announced a unique onboard designer boutique concept on the Costa Victoria in Asia.

As part of Costa’s “Italy at Sea” theme for the Asian market, it will be the first in Asia to boast of designer fashion boutiques selling top brands at duty-free prices.

Costa Victoria will depart for four- to seven-night cruises from the new Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal with calls along the South Korean and Japanese coastline.

“Costa Victoria adds a new twist to the Asian cruise market – onboard boutique shopping” explained Mr. Buhdy Bok, Vice President Pacific Asia and China, Costa Cruises. “There’s a large array of high-end fashion stores and boutiques plus there will be a fashion show modeling onboard wares. We are thrilled to be able to bring the new Costa Victoria to Asia and excited at how this ‘fashion cruise’ will be received by our esteemed Asian guests. 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 center in the region.”

Costa Cruises was the first international cruise company to enter the Chinese market and has used this experience to create a bespoke service onboard Costa Victoria. The one-of-a-kind boutique area will call to discerning guests, fashionistas and bargain-hunters alike. There are four fashion boutiques in this part of the ship selling duty-free Gucci accessories, , Longines watches，cosmetics and fine leather goods. Other breakthroughs will also be seen at the other stores, bringing together some of the world’s most desired brands, cosmetics, watches, sunglasses, accessories as well as liquor and tobacco.

Refined tastes and faultless fashion is a theme that runs through the very heart of Costa Victoria. The cruise ship has been attentively furnished in an Italian, elegant style. Each deck has been named after an Italian opera and this theme of graceful Italian splendor is found in every element of design. The tranquil Spa pool has been inspired by the splendor of Pompeii and the Capricco bar is tiled with Emilio Tadini’s mosaics. Even the natural beauty of the ocean has been fully exploited and can be savored by walking along the panoramic walks on either side of the ship or in one of 242 veranda cabins.

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

While taking the ‘Italy at Sea’ idea to heart, Costa Victoria has many concurrent Asian elements to immediately put its guests at ease. One of these elements is in the dining options available to guests. Costa Victoria offers a range of complimentary cuisines 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. Whereas the fifth restaurant, the Club Il Magnifico, provides a sophisticated setting for the perfect romantic evening.

In the evenings one of the world’s top Michael Jackson impersonators, ICE, will perform MJ’s greatest hits in the Festival Showroom. Plus there’s the fashion show that offers guests a more refined form of entertainment in this cavernous, two-deck theatre. Live music, games and competitions complete the nightlife scene in Costa Victoria’s 10 bars and disco.

Costa Victoria will stop at several destinations in Japan including the tropical paradise Hososhima/Miyazaki, Wakayama, which boasts the largest hot spring resort, in Japan’s second largest city, Osaka, 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 harbor town of Yeosu and South Korea’s second largest city, Busan.