The Costa neoRomantica left on its first cruise today after a 90 million euro refurbishment. Sixteen hundred passengers are onboard for the “inaugural sailing.”

Tillberg Design oversaw interior design changes, in addition Syntax, a London-based design firm.

The ship sailed from Savona with the line’s top management in attendance for a private christening ceremony, attended by His Excellency Vittorio Lupi, the Bishop of Savona, and together with highest local Civil and Military Authorities.

At the beginning of the blessing ceremony one minute of silence in respect and mourning for the victims of the sinking of Costa Concordia was observed.

Following the maritime tradition the bottle was broken. Costa neoRomantica’s godmothers were Francesca Scuffi, a top member of the “Costa Club,” and Gabriella Gentile, the most junior member of the crew onboard the Concordia on its January 13 sailing.