Encouraged by the positive response to its Asia cruises, Costa Cruises, plans to position a second cruise ship in the region in May 2013. So far, the company operated the 1,680-guest Costa Classica in Asia, and the deployment of two larger ships will mean a combined daily guest capacity of 5,074.
The 75,200-ton, 2,394-guest Costa Victoria is slated to start operations in Asia May 17, 2012, from Shanghai. In May 2013 the 85,700-ton, 2,680- guest Costa Atlantica, a wonderful ship dedicated to Italian cinema and arts, also will be deployed cruises in Asia.
With the debut of Costa Victoria in May 2012 and Costa Atlantica in May 2013, Costa Cruises will offer a unique product for the Asian market called “Italy at Sea,” with Italian-style hospitality, design, shopping, art and cuisine.
The double positioning of Costa Atlantica and Costa Victoria will further expand the number of Costa’s Italian Style inspired cruises, with a 90 percent increase in the offering.
“Since 2006 when Costa Cruises started to market its cruise product in Asia, we have further strengthened and tailored our product to our local clients’ needs and wishes,” said Pier Luigi Foschi, Chairman and CEO of Costa Crociere S.p.A. “The successful results we have obtained until now are encouraging our Company to further expand in the region. Costa Atlantica and Costa Victoria will bring a piece of ‘Italy at sea’ to Asia as Costa has successfully done in all other countries, throughout its 64 years of history.”
As the first international cruise company to enter the Chinese market, Costa has become one of the best recognized and most popular tourism brands in Asia. Since the company began operations in Asia, Costa has carried more than 350,000 Guests in the region.
Costa Victoria and Costa Atlantica will offer a variety of short and longer itineraries departing from Singapore, Shanghai, Tianjin and Hong Kong that should appeal to both Asians and Europeans.
Costa Atlantica’s interior design celebrates Italian cinema and the arts: Fellini and La Dolce Vita, Madame Butterfly, the historic Caffè Florian in Venice, Via della Spiga, the 18th-century Tiziano Restaurant. The ship has 1,057 cabins, including 54 suites with private balcony, 620 cabins with private balcony and 40 Wellness cabins and four Wellness suites, with exclusive furnishings and maximum comfort, offering a customized spa experience.
From May to June 2013 Costa Atlantica will depart from Singapore on seven-day cruises to Malaysia and Thailand, and on three- or four-day cruises to Malaysia. The three itineraries also can be booked together as a 14-day itinerary, including Kuantan (Malaysia), Laem Chabang/Bangkok (Thailand), Koh Samui (Thailand), Langkawi (Malaysia), Penang (Malaysia), Port Klang (Malaysia), Malacca (Malaysia). From June through October 2013, Costa Atlantica will depart form Shanghai on short cruises to South Korea and Japan, calling at Cheju (South Korea), Pusan (South Korea), Fukuoka (Japan), Hososhima (Japan), Kagoshima (Japan).
Costa Victoria will debut in the region at Shanghai May 17, 2012, replacing Costa Classica. Costa Victoria will offer, for the first time, 246 cabins with balconies, enabling Guests to enjoy the splendid scenery of Asia from the privacy of their own cabins. Costa Victoria is furnished and designed in an Italian, elegant style, and each deck is named after an Italian opera. The Spa pool was inspired by the splendor of Pompeii and the Capricco Bar is tiled with the Italian artist Emilio Tadini’s mosaics. The natural beauty of the ocean can be savored by walking along the panoramic walks on either side of the ship on deck 12. Costa Victoria also will debut its unique on-board designer boutique concept, selling top brands at duty-free prices.
From May to October 2012 Costa Victoria will offer short cruises and seven-day cruises to Japan and South Korea from Shanghai, calling at Cheju (South Korea), Yeosu (South Korea), Fukuoka (Japan), Osaka (Japan), Kagoshima (Japan), Wakayama (Japan), Hososhima (Japan). From November 2012 to January 2013 the ship will be based in Singapore to offer seven-day cruises to Malaysia and Thailand, and three- or four-day cruises to Malaysia. The three itineraries can be combined into a 14-day cruise, including Kuantan (Malaysia), Laem Chabang/Bangkok (Thailand), Koh Samui (Thailand), Langkawi (Malaysia), Penang (Malaysia), Port Klang (Malaysia), Malacca (Malaysia).
Until October 2013 Costa Victoria will depart from Hong Kong, Shanghai and Tianjin for short cruises to Taiwan or South Korea, Japan and Vietnam, with calls at Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Da-Nang (Vietnam), Haling Bay (Vietnam), Sanya (China), Keelung (Taiwan), Taichung (Taiwan), Fukuoka (Japan), Kagoshima (Japan), Cheju (South Korea), Pusan (South Korea).
Costa Atlantica and Costa Victoria will be supported in China by Costa Crociere’s WOFE. In November 2011 Costa established the cruise industry’s first wholly owned foreign enterprise (WOFE) in China. The company, located in Shanghai, offers commercial and financial services to local travel partners and passengers, such as marketing, ticketing and collection.
