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Costa Cruises’ Fifteenth Ship in Costa Fleet Set to Debut in Summer 2011
GENOA (August 6, 2010) – Costa’s newest ship, the Costa Favolosa, took to the sea for the very first time today at a ceremony held at Fincantieri’s Marghera ship yard in honor of the ship’s technical launch. The Costa Favolosa (114,500 tons; 3,000 dbl occ), will set sail on her first cruise in July 2011. She is the fourth of five new ships delivered or set to be delivered between 2009 and 2012 for Costa, which is Europe’s Number One Cruise Line. The total investment of these five new ships is worth 2.4 billion euros. In Spring 2012, the Costa Fascinosa, a sister ship to the Costa Favolosa, will complete Costa’s ambitious fleet expansion program.
“The launch of the Costa Favolosa confirms the strength and leadership of our company,” said Costa Crociere S.p.A. President Gianni Onorato. “Despite the ongoing effects of the economic downturn in 2010 and the uncertain outlook for global tourism, our fleet expansion program has continued uninterrupted. The strength of our brand, which comes with a guarantee of over 60 years of experience, and the quality of our product have proved to be winning assets, highly appreciated by our customers. That is confirmed also by the positive results in terms of bookings achieved this summer and forecasts suggest we will end 2010 with 2.1 million total guests for the group as a whole, which works out to an increase of around 17% compared to last year.”
The construction of each new build involves the labor of around 3,000 people, comprising both Fincantieri’s own employees and those of about 500 contracted suppliers, most of which are Italian firms. In overall terms, the fleet investment program launched back in 2000 by the Costa Crociere S.p.A. Group (comprising Costa Cruises as well as the number one brand for the German market AIDA Cruises and Iberocruceros, which operates mainly for the Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking markets) is worth some 9.3 billion euros.
Giuseppe Bono, Fincantieri CEO commented: “It is a source of great pride for us to launch this new jewel we are building for our friends at Costa, Europe’s cruise leader with whom we are pleased to further strengthen our long-lasting, successful relationship. This partnership, besides affording prestige, is absolutely vital, not only for the future of the tourism sector, but also for all the areas of business involved since, without the many ships built for Costa, Fincantieri would not be here today defending the company’s world leadership and the impact of the current serious crisis would be even greater. More than ever before it is important to develop the partnership, to ensure that our two companies may long continue to represent the excellence of Made in Italy around the world, the leading builder and the leading operator in the cruise ship market.”
The ceremony for the launch of the Costa Favolosa observed the protocol laid down for such occasions by seafaring tradition. The director of the shipyard invited the Godmother, Beatrice Siri, to cut the ribbon and the bottle of champagne duly broke against the bows of the ship. Betarice Siri, new building and special projects deputy of Costa Cruises, has been directly involved in the construction of the fleet’s last six ships, including the Costa Favolosa, and on March 8, 2010 she received the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic from the President of the Republic, Giorgio Napolitano. After the opening of the valves and the gradual flooding of the slipway where the ship has taken shape over the last few months, the hull of the Costa Favolosa was transferred for the first time to its natural element – the sea. The launch was preceded by the welding of a coin to the base of what used to be the mainmast in a ceremony traditionally considered to augur well.
As her name suggests(Favola is Italian for “fairy tale”), the Costa Favolosa is intended to interpret the excitement and emotion of people who view the cruise as a magical voyage in a “contemporary enchanted castle,” a perfect combination of fabulous atmosphere and state-of-the-art high-tech fun with a truly amazing range of amenities. The main innovations on board include: six new suites with private verandas and Jacuzzis; a new entertainment area for teenagers (other age groups are sure to enjoy it too), comprising 4D Cinema, PlayStation World, a bar with ice-cream, drinks and popcorn, and a Teens’ Dance Floor; a children’s game room, and a new open-air Aqua Park water playground with its own pirate galleon. Facilities will combine the very best of the Costa product: the Samsara Spa, one of the largest and most exclusive wellness centers ever built on a cruise ship; a large lido extending over two decks, with a sliding glass roof and giant movie screen; a Grand Prix driving simulator; and a golf simulator. A newly designed aft pool area will be particularly large and inviting with 1000 m2 of space dedicated to relaxation and entertainment with the added attraction of new raised whirlpool tubs.
The Costa Favolosa’s position at the cutting-edge of cruise ship building technology also extends to environmental compliance, which has always been a hallmark of Costa Cruises. Like some other fleet members, the Italian Company’s new flagship will be equipped for “cold ironing,” namely a system whereby the ship is plugged into shoreside electrical power, enabling generators to be shut down during stopovers in port.
The Costa Favolosa is set to make her debut on a three-day mini vernissage cruise departing from Venice on July 4, 2011, and calling at Dubrovnik (Croatia) and Koper (Slovenia). This will be followed by her grand inaugural cruise, which leaves Venice on July 7. This 10-day itinerary will visit Israel, Greece and Turkey with stopovers in Bari, Corfu (Greece), Haifa (Israel), Izmir (Turkey) and Dubrovnik (Croatia). Throughout the 2011 summer season the Costa Favolosa will offer seven-day cruises from Venice and Bari to Olympia (Greece), Izmir and Istanbul (Turkey), and Dubrovnik (Croatia).
Costa Cruises is Italy’s largest tourism group and Europe’s Number One Cruise Line. For more than 60 years its ships have sailed the seas of the world, offering the best in Italian style, hospitality and cuisine and providing dream vacations filled with fun and relaxation.
The company’s 14 fleet members, each with her own distinctive characteristics and unique style, all fly the Italian flag and sail each year to 250 destinations in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Baltic Sea, the Caribbean, Canada/New England, South America, the United Arab Emirates, the Far East and the Indian Ocean. Two more new ships are due to enter service by 2012.
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Originally Posted by Char
I knew the interior would have to be finished, but I didn't think it would take that long to complete once it leaves dry dock. 
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