Costa Offers Kids Free On Select Sailings Thru November 2012

Costa Offers Kids Cruise Free Promotion

Now through Nov. 24, 2012, Costa Cruises is featuring a "Kids Sail Free" program where junior cruisers ages 17 and under can take a cruise vacation and only pay government taxes and fees when sailing as the third or fourth guest in a cabin.

Available on most cruises on 11 ships in Costa’s fleet, the Kids Sail Free program is an ideal opportunity for families to take advantage of significant savings and take a once-in-a-lifetime vacation to Europe or the Mediterranean.

The line features sailings from the fjords of Norway to the sun-kissed coasts of Greece, so whether traveling families are looking to take a vacation to educate, relax or go on an adventure, there is sure to be an itinerary that pleases everyone.

Aboard a Costa cruise even the youngest cruisers are big guests. For children and teens ages 3 to 17, Costa features an extensive complimentary youth program broken into four age groups: Mini for ages 3 to 6 years, Maxi for ages 7 to 11, Teen Junior for 12 to 14 and Teen for ages 15 to 17.

 -------------------------------------------------------------------

Additional Links:

Cruises From New York and New Jersey - Main Page
Cruises From New York and New Jersey - Cruise News

Cruises From Boston
Cruises From Baltimore
Cruises From Norfolk

Sign Up for Free Cruise Newsletter

Nick's Cruise Corner Blog

Costa Cruise On Track to Take Ownership of the New Costa Fascinosa

Costa Cruises New Costa Fascinosa

Costa Cruises has announced that it is on target to take delivery of its newest cruise ship, the Costa Fascinosa. The official delivery is expected to occur on May 5th at the Venice Passenger Terminal.

The Costa Fasinosa, which is undergoing final touches at Fincantieri's  Marghera yard, has successfully completed her sea trials.

On May 6, the $520 Million Euro Costa Fascinosa will set sail from Venice bound for Slovenia, Trieste and Croatia.

 -------------------------------------------------------------------

Additional Links:

Cruises From New York and New Jersey - Main Page
Cruises From New York and New Jersey - Cruise News

Cruises From Boston
Cruises From Baltimore
Cruises From Norfolk

Sign Up for Free Cruise Newsletter

Nick's Cruise Corner Blog

Costa Voyager Replaces Costa Allegra

The Costa Voyager was expected to sail Red Sea Cruise throughout the winter and spring season - but this was not meant to be. All the remaining Costa Voyager Red Sea Cruises have been cancelled and guest will be offered an equivalent cruise according to a statement made by Costa.

The Costa Voyager will assume the cruises originally anticipated for the Costa Allegra which was damaged by a fire off the coast of Africa.

Costa Voyager will take over the Northern Europe and Mediterranean itineraries originally planned for Costa Allegra starting today (March 18) thru the end of the summer. The Costa Allegra was to operate the spring, summer and fall under a charter to a French Tour Company. The charter has now been assumed by the Costa Voyager.

Costa Allegra will not be returned to service and is for sale.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Additional Links:

Cruises From New York and New Jersey - Main Page
Cruises From New York and New Jersey - Cruise News

Cruises From Boston
Cruises From Baltimore
Cruises From Norfolk

Sign Up for Free Cruise Newsletter

Nick's Cruise Corner Blog

Costa Allegra Being Towed to Mahe Seychelles

Costa Allegra is in the process of being towed to Mahe in the Seychelles by a French Fishing boat after a fire disabled her electrical panel.

The ship is expected to arrive in Mahe by morning local time (3/1).

Statements from Costa Cruises Website Concerning Costa Allegra Fire Below.


Wednesday, February 29th 2012

Time 5.30 pm (CET)
Members of Costa Cruises’ Care Team have reached and boarded Costa Allegra.

Team members met with guests to assess their needs upon disembarkation.

So far, 376 guests out of 627 have accepted Costa Cruises’ proposal to continue their
vacation in Seychelles. They will be accommodated at Costa Cruises’ expense, in high-quality
hotels on the following islands: Praslin, La Digue, Silhouette and Cerfs.
Costa Cruises also will arrange homeward flights at the end of their vacation. The
remaining 251 guests decided to return to their homes on flights arranged by Costa Cruises,
departing Mahé Thursday evening, March 1.


Time 11.30 am (CET)
Following the latest contact with Costa Allegra — currently under tow to Mahé, Seychelles —
Costa Cruises reports that the situation on board is stable and weather conditions are good.
Arrival time of the ship at Mahé on Thursday, March 1, is subject to change according to
speed and sea weather conditions. Currently, arrival is expected at 9 a.m. Seychelles time
(1 a.m. ET). Costa is constantly updating authorities involved in the operation following
each contact with the ship.

Within the next few hours Costa’s "Care Team" will reach the ship, and team members will
immediately begin working to achieve repatriation of all guests. At the same time, members
of "Care Team" based on the island are organizing hospitality services for guests and arranging
air charter transfers. Costa has optioned more than 600 airline seats to facilitate guest
travel and more than 400 hotel rooms have been reserved for guests’ accommodations needs.
On board soft drinks and cold foods such as fruits, cold cuts and cheeses are being served.
Mineral water is provided for personal hygiene needs. Fresh bread is delivered daily via helicopter.

Tuesday, February 28th 2012

Time 07.00 pm (CET)
This afternoon around 12:30 p.m. CET (3:30 p.m. Seychelles time; 6:30 a.m. ET) the two tugs and a
second ocean-going fishing vessel reached Costa Allegra to assist the ship. Costa Allegra
continues to be towed by French-flagged fishing ship Trévignon and is maintaining a speed
of about 6 knots. At the current speed and with stable weather conditions Costa Allegra is
expected to arrive at Mahé, Seychelles, in the early morning of Thursday, March 1.
Wednesday Costa expects the arrival of a helicopter to deliver about 400 flashlights
and fresh bread. There is sufficient food and other comfort items on board. Also, thanks
to the arrival of a small generator delivered by a local Navy ship that is present on site,
the ship crew is doing everything possible to make the situation on board more comfortable
by trying to restore basic services.
Early this afternoon Costa Cruises’ Care Team arrived at Mahé. The group of 14 people
includes executives and managers as well as specialized technicians. The team is tasked
with providing assistance to the ship, guests and crewmembers on their arrival at Mahé.
Upon arriving Care Team members immediately met with local authorities and those
responsible for rescue coordination to arrange operational details of guests’ arrival
at the island. Top priority was given to securing necessary accommodations at local
hotels and organizing an efficient process for making guests’ travel arrangements.
Eight members of the Care Team will board Costa Allegra tomorrow morning via a local
Navy ship to meet guests and discuss arrangements with them and to assist the ship’s
staff in thorough technical inspections. With the Costa Care Team will be two officers
from Seychelles Immigration to facilitate customs procedures.



Time 1.00 pm (CET)
Costa Cruises informs that in view of extensive and accurate checks carried out with
local maritime experts’ support, in order to ensure the safety of our guests on board,
the disembarkation on Desroches island cannot be performed and therefore it has been
decided that the ship will be towed to Mahé / Seychelles. The disembarkation in
Desroches does not assure the necessary and adequate security conditions for mooring
the ship and guests’ disembarkation. In addition, logistics and hotels on the island
are not enough: it would require an immediate transfer from Desroches to Mahé through
Ferries after disembarking the ship through tenders. Thus the ship will be towed to Mahé,
also with the assistance of two tugs that are approaching the ship and that would allow to
increase the speed. The arrival in Mahé expected during the morning (local time) on Thursday,
March 1, just few hours after the possible arrival to Mahé from Desroches through Ferries.
Helicopters will ensure continuous supply of food, comfort items, flashlights in order to
mitigate guests discomfort given the difficult conditions on board. Costa Cruises is working
with all the Authorities responsible for the coordination of the emergency, to ensure the
best possible assistance to all our guests and make their discomfort as short as possible
and to reach their next destination. The Company is sincerely sorry for the inconvenience:
absolute priority is to make it as short as possible.

Time 09.30 am (CET)
The risk of fire is the one traditionally considered most seriously risk on board a ship
or a boat and is therefore the subject of special preventive measures, training of personnel
and plans for active protection.All ships, from the design and building stages in the yard,
are built using criteria and materials making them safe and reliable from the point of view
of fire prevention.

As provided for by the various international regulations and the Company’s
procedures, all fire protection systems and equipment are subjected to regular
tests, trials and inspections. In the event of a fire, the ship’s structure itself
is designed in order to isolate the fire, thus making it more manageable and less dangerous.
To this end the ship is divided into main vertical areas, separated by special metal bulkheads
of large thickness equipped with special fire doors with the same characteristics as the bulkheads,
which, once closed, manually or from the navigating bridge, are fire-retarding divisions.

The ventilation, air extraction and conditioning ducts are equipped with special fire dampers
which automatically close in the event of high temperature in order to stop the air flow,
in order to avoid to feed the fire.

All ship spaces, including crew and passenger accommodation spaces, are equipped with fire
detectors automatically signalling the presence of smoke or high temperature to the navigating
bridge. Moreover, any person aboard can signal the outbreak of a fire by means of the numerous
manually operated alarms located throughout the vessel. If the temperature reaches high levels,
thousands of sprinkler heads (atomisation plants/sprinklers), located on ceilings, are automatically
activated. Some particularly hazardous spaces are protected by fixed fire-extinguishing systems
(i.e. carbon dioxide for machinery spaces, steam for the galley kitchenette hoods, nebulized water
for the deep-fryer, etc.).

Throughout the vessel and in all spaces there are also hundreds of portable fire extinguishers
of different kinds (for use in different types of fires) and permanent stations equipped with
fire hoses connected to a pressurised water plant.

The effectiveness of all fire-fighting equipment is ensured by regular maintenance and testing
according to a precise schedule with set intervals. Fire-fighting teams, consisting of highly
qualified trained experts are always aboard and take part in regular drills. In addition, all
crewmembers participate in practical training sessions and theory courses during which they are
taught how to react in case of fire or smoke, the use of fire-fighting equipment and procedures
to be followed.

These measures allowed to bring promptly under control and extinguish the fire broke out in the
local generators on Costa Allegra.

Time 08.30 am (CET)
An helicopter took off from Mahè this morning and it is arriving to the area where Costa Allegra
is located, bringing to the ship both food and communication devices (satellite phones and VHF radios).
The weather is good. Guests were invited to prepare their luggage in order to be ready for the
time of disembarkation. The ship is expected to arrive to Desroches island tomorrow morning.

Time 07.30 am (CET)
Costa Allegra, since last night, has been towed by the French ocean-going fishing vessel Trevignon.
The ship is being towed in the direction of Desroches Island. Guests on board are continuously
informed and assisted by the captain and the staff; a cold breakfast was served this morning.

Time 00.00 am (CET)
The French ocean-going fishing ship reached Costa Allegra and the two captains are in radio contact.
At dawn Costa will evaluate the assistance operations the fishing vessel can provide.


Monday, February 27th 2012

Time 11.00 pm (CET)
As of 10 p.m. CET, Monday tonight, after having contacted all the 627 passengers contact emergency
numbers, Costa Crociere reached families or relatives of 402 passengers (excluding the nine Italian
marines on board for security reasons). All the crew families/relatives have been contacted, either
directly by the company or through its manning agent.

Time 10.00 pm (CET)
The first boat expected to reach Costa Allegra during the next few hours is a French-flagged,
295-foot-long (90 meters) ocean-going fishing ship. Another ship of similar size currently is
sailing toward Costa Allegra and will join two merchant ships and two tugboats expected to arrive
tomorrow afternoon.

Upon arrival of the first ship, its captain will decide how to operate, depending on weather
and ship conditions, to best support Costa Allegra.
Currently, Costa Allegra is steady and conditions are safe.
Costa Cruises is keeping in touch with guests' families via their emergency-contact numbers.
The line also is communicating with the families of crew, most of whom are Italian and eastern
European, through local crew-recruiting organizations.
Costa Allegra is in compliance with all certificates required by both national and international
regulations. Moreover, in October 2011 the ship received its regularly scheduled maintenance in dry dock.

Time 6.30 pm (CET)
The number 954-266-5693 is active.

Time 4.00 pm (CET)
Costa Cruises confirms that today at 10:39 CET a fire broke out on board Costa Allegra in the
electric generator room. The shipboard fire-extinguishing system and emergency procedures were
activated promptly and special fire-fighting squads extinguished the fire.
The fire did not spread to any other area of the ship. There were no injuries or casualties.
Inspections of the engine room are ongoing to determine if the equipment can be restarted.

As a precaution, the general emergency alarm was sounded and all passengers and crewmembers not
engaged in the management of the emergency reported to their muster stations.
Currently the ship is more than 200 miles southwest of the Seychelles and approximately 20 miles from
Alphonse Island. Tugboats and other naval and aerial units have been dispatched to Costa Allegra.
According to standard procedures, Costa Allegra transmitted a distress signal and the relevant authorities
were alerted, including the Maritime Rescue Control Center in Rome, Italy. Costa Crociere and the relevant
authorities are actively the situation.

On board Costa Allegra are 636 passengers of various nationalities and 413 crewmembers.
The ship departed Saturday, Feb. 25, from Diego Suarez, Madagascar, and was cruising toward
the port of Victoria (Mahè, Seychelles) where it was scheduled to arrive tomorrow Feb. 28.

NATIONALITY NUMBER OF GUESTS ITALIAN 135 FRENCH 127 AUSTRIAN 97 SWISS 90 GERMAN 38 BRITISH 31 MAURITIAN 15 RUSSIAN 15 SPANISH 15 CANADIAN 13 BELGIAN 13 SLOVENIAN 12 AMERICAN 8 CROATIAN 6 CZECH 4 LATVIAN 3 PORTUGUESE 2 POLISH 2 ROMANIAN 2 BRAZILIAN 2 HUNGARIAN 2 LUXEMBOURGER 1 ALGERIAN 1 URUGUAYAN 1 IRISH 1 GRAND TOTAL 636 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Additional Links: Cruises From New York and New Jersey - Main Page Cruises From New York and New Jersey - Cruise News Cruises From Boston Cruises From Baltimore Cruises From Norfolk Sign Up for Free Cruise Newsletter Nick's Cruise Corner Blog

Carnival Corp and Costa Re-iterate Commitment to Those Impacted By the Costa Concordia Disaster.

Genoa, Italy and MIAMI – January 18, 2012 – Costa Cruise Lines and its parent company, Carnival Corporation & plc, today confirmed their commitment to provide full support to those passengers, crew and families of the victims of the Costa Concordia grounding.

“I give my personal assurance that we will take care of each and every one of our guests, crew and their families affected by this tragic event. Our company was founded on this principle and it will remain our focus,” said Micky Arison, chairman and CEO of Carnival Corporation & plc.

In this spirit, Costa has been arranging lodging and transportation for affected passengers and crew members to return home. Every passenger and crew member or their family is being contacted and the company has offered its assistance and counseling as needed, and will be addressing personal possessions lost on board. Costa has also begun the process of refunding all voyage costs including both passenger cruise fares and all costs incurred while on board. Our senior management teams are working together to determine additional support.

“During this time of tragedy, we are doing our very best to provide the needed support to the Costa Concordia passengers, crew and their families,” said Pier Luigi Foschi, chairman and CEO of Costa Cruises.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Additional Links:

Cruises From New York and New Jersey - Main Page
Cruises From New York and New Jersey - Cruise News

Cruises From Boston
Cruises From Baltimore
Cruises From Norfolk

Sign Up for Free Cruise Newsletter

Nick's Cruise Corner Blog

Costa Cruises Costa Concordia Hits Rock

Friday night we were all taken by surprise by the Costa Concordia disaster. The Costa Concordia was steaming between Civitavecchia on her way to Savona when she reported hit an uncharted rock. At approximately 9:45 PM local time, passengers reported that the ship hit something and heard a loud noise. Almost immediately the ship began to list. The crew initially told passengers there were electrical issues and no reason for alarm. After the collision, the captain reportedly tried to beach the ship to prevent her from sinking further and allow for the evacuation of the ship closer to shore. Costa Concordia ran aground off Isola del Giglio, Italy. At approximately 10:30 PM, passengers started boarding lifeboats and the evacuation of over 4,000 people on board began.

The ship eventually took on more and more water until she eventually capsized, resting on her side. By morning a 160 foot gash was visible in the hull of the ship.

There are 3 people who perished and 41 still unaccounted for.

The Costa Concordia was delivered to Costa on June 30, 2006 by Fincantieri's Sestri Ponente yard in Genoa at a cost of $570 Million dollars. Costa Concordia is 952 ft long, 116 ft 6 in wide and has a draught 26 ft 11 in. She is capable of a speed of 19.6 knots

The cruise started from Civitavecchia had scheduled calls at Savona, Marseille, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Cagliari and Palermo.

Onboard there were about 1.000 Italian passengers, 500 Germans, about 160 French and about 1.000 crew members.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Additional Links:

Cruises From New York and New Jersey - Main Page
Cruises From New York and New Jersey - Cruise News

Cruises From Boston
Cruises From Baltimore
Cruises From Norfolk

Sign Up for Free Cruise Newsletter

Nick's Cruise Corner Blog

New Cruise Ships of 2012

Like years from the past, cruise lines will be introducing new ships in 2012. Altogether, the newbuilds will comprise just over 19,000 new lower berths.

In 2012, seven new ships are expected to be introduced. To preview the new ships click here.



------------------------------------------------------------------

Additional Links:

Cruises From New York and New Jersey - Main Page
Cruises From New York and New Jersey - Cruise News

Cruises From Boston
Cruises From Baltimore
Cruises From Norfolk

Sign Up for Free Cruise Newsletter

Nick's Cruise Corner Blog

Costa Cruises' Costa Deliziosa Embarks on World Cruise

For the first time in 17 years, a Costa ship is undertaking a world cruise. Costa Deliziosa is departed Savona Italy on Wednesday 12/28 for a voyage that will visit 37 ports in five continents during 100 days.

The circumnavigation, which sold out months ago, will carry 2,300 passengers from around the globe. More than half are Italians and Germans, and numerous French and Spaniards will be aboard as well.

Bon voyage festivities in and around the Savona Palacrociere are planned. The terminal and port will be festooned with decorations related to the countries that are charted on the voyage, and a brass band is scheduled to play during embarkation. More than 12,000 white handkerchiefs with the Costa logo will be handed out on the decks of Costa Deliziosa and the two other Costa ships moored at the Palacrociere, and to people shoreside.

Actors dressed like Christopher Columbus and Queen Elizabeth will welcome the passengers, and the ship's central Lido area will stage a party with Neptune, the god of the seas, and past world cruisers appointed as ‘Senators of the Sea.’ The festivities will culminate with the presentation of the ‘Angels of the Sea’ played by 20 young guests who will signal start of the cruise.

Theme parties, celebrations, shows and special events will be offered during segments of the voyage.

The first, the 28-day Christopher Columbus segment, stretches from Savona to France and Spain, across the Atlantic to Madeira, the Antilles, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Panama Canal, Mexico and California’s San Diego and Los Angeles. The second segment is named for James Cook and includes San Francisco, Hawaii, Samoa, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia and Singapore. The third and final Marco Polo segment features the Orient, Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and the Red Sea.

Among the 250 optional excursions are adventures like a helicopter flyover of the Grand Canyon, a visit to the casinos of Las Vegas, Polynesian dancing in Honolulu, the Pinnacles Desert of Perth and Ayers Rock.

Costa Deliziosa is also scheduled for a second world cruise in 2013, departing from Savona on Jan. 6 and returning on April 16.

During 2012, two other long voyages will operate when Costa Victoria sails a 72-day odyssey from Brazil to China and Costa neoRomantica plys a 107-day journey from Savona to New Zealand. Costa Victoria departs Santos on March 7, and Costa neoRomantica leaves Savona on Sept. 19.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Additional Links:

Cruises From New York and New Jersey - Main Page
Cruises From New York and New Jersey - Cruise News

Cruises From Boston
Cruises From Baltimore
Cruises From Norfolk

Sign Up for Free Cruise Newsletter

Costa Voyager Officially Enters Costa Fleet

On November 20th, Costa Cruises introduced the Costa Voyager. The Costa Voyager is versatile and suitable for cruises to the Red Sea, a new destination that Costa Cruises
The Costa Voyager was transferred from Costa's sister Company Ibero Cruises to replace the departing Costa Marina.

Before entering into service for the Costa fleet, the Costa Voyager underwent renovation work, from November 9th to 19th costing around 2.5 million euros, at the San Giorgio shipyard at Genoa, Italy

The Costa Voyaged has 416 cabins in total, including 16 panoramic suites and 12 suites with private balcony. The ship has 3 restaurants, 4 bars, a theater, wellness center with gym, treatment rooms, sauna and Turkish bath, swimming pool, disco, shopping centre and Squok club (children's club).

The Costa Voyager's first cruise was a 15-day journey from Savona, leaving on 20 November 2011 and traveling to Sharm el-Sheikh in the Red Sea. The Costa Voyager will be offering week-long cruises in the Red Sea, starting on December 5th from Sharm el-Sheikh. After spending overnight in Sharm el-Sheikh, ports of call include Eilat (Israel), Aqaba (Jordan), Safaga (Egypt), Sokhna (Egypt).

The Costa Voyager was built by Blohm & Voss, Germany for Royal Olympic Cruises. She entered service in 2000.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Additional Links:

Cruises From New York and New Jersey - Main Page
Cruises From New York and New Jersey - Cruise News

Cruises From Boston
Cruises From Baltimore
Cruises From Norfolk

Sign Up for Free Cruise Newsletter

Costa Cruises New Costa Fascinosa Floated Out

Friday, 29 July 2011- The Costa Fascinosa, the latest ship to join the fleet of Costa Cruises today touched the water for the first time during her technical launch ceremony at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera.

Once the work to fit out her interiors has been completed, the Costa Fascinosa (114,500 gross tonnage and a capacity of 3,800 total Guests) will depart on her first cruise on 2nd May 2012.

About 3,000 employees and 7,000 workers from linked industries are contributing to the construction of the ship, and most of the companies involved in the shipbuilding activities, about 500, are Italian. Costa Cruises’s total investment to build the Costa Fascinosa amounts to approximately $765M dollars.

The Costa Fascinosa’s technical launch ceremony was carried out according to seafaring tradition. The launch started with the welding of a coin at the base of what was once the mainmast, a custom considered to bring good luck.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Additional Links:

Cruises From New York and New Jersey - Main Page
Cruises From New York and New Jersey - Cruise News

Cruises From Boston
Cruises From Baltimore
Cruises From Norfolk

Sign Up for Free Cruise Newsletter

Costa Orders 1 Ship From Fincantieri and AIDA Orders 2 from Japan's Mitsubishi

Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK) today (August 3rd, 2011) announced it has reached agreements for the construction of three new cruise ships – one 132,500-ton vessel for its Costa Cruises brand and two 125,000-ton ships for its AIDA Cruises brand. The ships will be the largest ever constructed for these two cruise lines.

A contract has been signed with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for the construction of a 3,700-passenger ship for Costa that is scheduled for delivery in October 2014. The all-in cost for this vessel will be approximately €150,000 per lower berth.

A memorandum of agreement has been signed with Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to build two 3,250-passenger ships for AIDA which are scheduled for delivery in March 2015 and March 2016. The all-in cost for these vessels will be approximately €140,000 per lower berth.
The order for the two AIDA ships marks a return by Carnival Corporation & plc to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries which built two highly successful ships for Princess Cruises, both of which were delivered in 2004. The contract with Fincantieri continues the company’s longstanding and successful relationship with the Italian shipbuilder, which dates back nearly 20 years.

The new Costa ship order is subject to financing. The memorandum of agreement with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is subject to customary closing conditions, including execution of shipbuilding contracts and financing. Additional design and itinerary details for the three new vessels will be announced at a later date by Costa and AIDA.

Today’s AIDA order marks Carnival Corporation & plc's first new ship delivery for 2016 and continues the company's strategy of introducing two to three ships per year. Including the new orders for Costa and AIDA, Carnival Corporation & plc currently has 10 ships on order – three for 2012, two for 2013, two for 2014, two for 2015 and one for 2016.

The delivery of the new Costa ship in fall 2014 is expected to replace capacity from the sale of certain older Costa ships beginning with the sale of Costa Marina, which will leave the fleet in November 2011. In the third quarter of 2011, the company will record a loss on the sale of approximately $0.02 per share.

Carnival Corporation & plc is the largest cruise vacation group in the world, with a portfolio of cruise brands in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia, comprised of Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Ibero Cruises, P&O Cruises (UK) and P&O Cruises (Australia).

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Additional Links:

Cruises From New York and New Jersey - Main Page
Cruises From New York and New Jersey - Cruise News

Cruises From Boston
Cruises From Baltimore
Cruises From Norfolk

Sign Up for Free Cruise Newsletter

Costa Cruises Costa Romantica to Undergo $135M Refit

Costa Cruises' Costa Romantica will undergo an extensive make-over which will include the construction of new areas including a wine bar, coffee bar, show lounge bar, Samsara Spa and spa accommodations. The wine bar will offer 100 labels and a wide selection of cheeses from around the world, while the coffee bar will also serve sweets. The new show lounge bar will have a dance floor. Also planned are a cabaret and a nightclub. The Samsara Spa will consist of a wellness area with gym, a thalassotherapy pool, treatment rooms, sauna and Turkish bath. There will be 50 Samsara Spa cabins and six spa suites. A restaurant for passengers in Samsara Spa accommodations is planned, too. Costa neoRomantica will also have a club restaurant for fine dining with menus by award-winning chefs.

.During the Genoa drydock, two new half-decks will be added along with 111 cabins, and 120 cabins and suites with balconies will be created. Capacity will increase from 1,697 to 1,800 passengers, while the number of cabins will increase from 678 to 789 and gross tonnage will increase from 53,000 to approximately 56,000.

Costa Cruises selected San Giorgio del Porto shipyard in Genoa for a major restyling of its 1993-built Costa Romantica. San Giorgio del Porto, owned by Genova Industrie Navali Holding Co., will be supported by sister yard T. Mariotti for the transformation. Sweden’s Tillberg Design and London’s Syntax have been commissioned for the interior design.The $135m project, set to begin in late October with completion in late January, will be a full update with the ship to emerge renamed as Costa neoRomantica.

From late February, Costa neoRomantica will sail 11-day cruises to the Canary Islands from Savona. In the summer of 2012, the ship will be positioned in Europe for new two-week itineraries.

Romantica’s sister ship, Costa Classica, is next up for refurbishment, with the work to be performed next year. A contract for the job has yet to be awarded, though both Fincantieri and T. Mariotti are expected to bid.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Additional Links:

Cruises From New York and New Jersey - Main Page
Cruises From New York and New Jersey - Cruise News

Cruises From Boston
Cruises From Baltimore
Cruises From Norfolk

Costa Accepts Delivery of the New Costa Pacifica.

(May 29, 2009) Costa Pacifica, the 14th ship in the Costa fleet was delivered on May 29th by Fincantieri's Siestri Ponente Shipyard.

The handover follows the delivery of the Costa Luminosa on April 30th from the Fincantieri's Maghera yard.

The 114,500 grt Costa Pacifica, is the third ship in the Concordia series and can carry 3,780 passengers.

The Costa Pacifica is the third Costa ship delivered by Fincantieri in the last year. She will be followed by two identical sisters in 2011 and 2012. As well as the 92,600 ton Costa Deliziosa in January 2010.

In the past 9 years, Costa has invested 3.5 Billion Euros in new ships.

Costa Adds Costa Classica to Asian Operations

Costa Cruise has doubled the number of ships deployed in Asia with the addition of the larger Costa Classica joining her sister the Costa Allegra.

The 1,680 passenger Costa Classica joins the 1,000 passenger Allegra for year round sailings which were started by the Allegra in 2006.

The Classica which spent the winter in Dubai, sailed directly to Singapore for her first cruise.

Since Costa started sailing in Asia they have carried approximately 100,000 passengers with half of them of Chinese origin.

Costa will be offering short cruises as well as cruises as long as 15-days.

Showing confidence in the success of their Asian operation, Costa plan to replace the smaller Allegra with the Costa Romantica - the identical sister ship to the Costa Classica.

Costa Cruises Celebrates 50 Years of Cruising from Florida

When the Costa Fortuna sailed into Port Everglades on December 21, 2008, she celebrated Costa’s 50th Caribbean cruise season from South Florida. In 1959, Costa Cruises became the first cruise line to offer regularly scheduled Caribbean cruises from Port Everglades with the elegant Franca C, setting the stage for the modern day cruise vacation that so many travelers from South Florida enjoy today.

“We’re proud to bring a little bit of Italy to South Florida each year with our seasonal departures from Ft. Lauderdale to the Caribbean and value the loyal clientele we’ve established in this market over the years,” said Maurice Zarmati, president and ceo of Costa Cruise Lines—North America. “Our modern, state-of-the-art ships may differ from the smaller vessels that set sail in these waters 50 years ago, but one thing remains the same – our warm, authentic and genuine Italian hospitality and flair that keeps guests sailing with us year after year.

”The convivial atmosphere onboard back in 1959 aboard the Franca C was marked by Italians and Americans mixing and mingling against a glamorous tropical backdrop. The 552 berth ship featured sleek, elegant interiors designed by Nino Zoncada and accommodations, all in one class, featured bathrooms and air conditioning, heralding a new era of pleasure cruises. Guests sipped cocktails and played cards on the lido deck, creating the indelible impressions of cruising’s heyday that would eventually become a more accessible luxury for guests to enjoy.

Today, Costa Cruises is still bringing its signature style of “love, laughter and la dolce vita” to guests departing on cruises from South Florida.

Costa Pacifica Details Unveiled,

Inspired by music, the new Costa Pacifica – designed by renowned ship architect, Joe Farcus – will feature some of the line’s "Greatest Hits" both in music and product. For the first time on a cruise ship, guests will be able to enjoy a complete musical experience that is unique and matchless – not only will music provide the inspiration for the interior design and works of art on the new flagship, but it will also be heard, read and "experienced" throughout the liner. Guests will be accompanied on this exclusive musical journey by a soundtrack consisting of pieces specially arranged for Costa Cruises.

The central theme will be reflected in décor throughout the ship, including the main atrium, which will be decorated with musical symbols and instruments. The ship’s theatre will boast perfect acoustics and become the ideal venue for guests to enjoy the purity of sound, immersed in a unique atmosphere, and enhanced by the warm colors, Baroque design and adorned with a stunning Murano glass chandelier.

The Costa Pacifica will also feature the revolutionary Samsara Spa – one of the largest spas at sea, complete with accommodations that offer direct access to the wellness center as well as exclusive amenities. Costa was the first cruise line to introduce this innovative spa concept when launching the Costa Concordia in 2006. Elements of the spa’s invigorating treatments and stunning design are inspired by the meaning of "Samsara," which is associated with the path to spiritual enlightenment, bliss and balancing of life energies. A full menu of treatments based on Ayurvedic principles, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a specialty restaurant are just some of the spa’s innovative features.

The ship will also feature two pool areas on board, one expanding over two decks midship and another aft, both with retractable glass magrodomes. Guests may enjoy "dive in" movies with a giant movie screen in the central pool area featuring special technology that can be used for daytime projection of video clips as well as evening film screenings. The Costa Pacifica will also feature a Grand Prix race car driving simulator—the most accurate representation of Formula One driving available.

An à la carte restaurant, Club Blue Moon, offers an elegant and sophisticated setting for which guests may enjoy exceptional culinary occasions. Menus will be created by Ettore Bocchia, Costa Cruises’ Corporate Chef and Executive Chef at the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni in Bellagio, Lake Como. Bocchia, a Michelin-Star restaurateur since 2005, is the founder of Italian molecular cuisine.

Pacifica – Itineraries for 2009

Throughout the 2009 summer season, the Costa Pacifica will offer seven-night Western Mediterranean voyages calling on the port of Rome (Civitavecchia), Savona (Italy), Marseille (France), Barcelona (Spain), Palma de Mallorca (Spain), Tunis (Tunisia), Malta and Palermo (Sicily.) The maiden cruise will depart from the Savona on June 6, 2009, with a special two-day stopover in Palma de Mallorca. Guests on the maiden cruise who embark in Genoa on June 5 (limited number of cabins available) will be able to witness the Costa Pacifica’s christening ceremony, which will take place that day, together with the naming of the Costa Luminosa.

Costa Pacifica – Facts & Figures

• Shipyard: Fincantieri - Genoa Sestri Ponente
• Gross Tonnage: 114,500
• Length: 290 meters
• Breadth: 35 meters
• Decks: 17 (13 passenger Decks)
• Service speed: 21.5 knots (maximum speed: 23 knots)
• Passengers: 3,780 (total guest capacity)
• Cabins: Total of 1,504 cabins, including 91 Samsara, 521 veranda cabins, 58 suites with private balconies and 12 Samsara suites.
• Restaurants: Five, including the private à la carte "Club Blue Moon," and the Ristorante Samsara for Samara spa guests.
• Bars: 13, including the Cognac & Cigar Bar, the Coffee & Chocolate Bar and the Bar Sport
• Swimming Pools: Four, two of which feature a retractable magrodome and one with a slide
• Jacuzzis: Five
• Sports Facilities: Multipurpose Court
• Outside Jogging Track
• Wellness Center: Samsara Spa on two levels (over 6,000 m²) with gym, spa baths, thalassotherapy pool, treatment rooms, sauna, Turkish bath, UVA solarium, cabins and suites.

Entertainment:

• Theater on three levels
• Casino
• Disco
• Dance club and Piano Bar
• Internet Point
• Library
• Shopping Center
• Kids’ and teens’ areas: Mondovirtuale (videogames area), Squok Club (for children) with children’s pool
• Grand Prix Race Car Driving Simulator
• Large Screen on Central Pool Deck