Costa Romantica Begins Conversion into Cost neoRomantica

Work has commenced at T. Mariotti shipyard in Genoa on a major refurbishment of Costa Romantica.

Costa Cruises signed a contract with the San Giorgio shipyard in Genoa worth around €90m for the restyling work which it will carry out with the assistance of affiliate T. Mariotti.

The work on Costa Romantica – involving drydock, quay and fitting out – is due for completion in mid-February when the vessel will re-emerge as Costa neoRomantica.

This extensive make-over will include the construction of new areas and the introduction of services that represent a major evolution in the Costa product. The objective is to offer a renewed cruise experience.

The restyling works include two new half-deck extensions, 111 new cabins plus 120 cabins and suites with balconies. The ship’s total capacity will increase from 1,697 to 1,800 and the number of cabins from 678 to 789. The new gross tonnage will be around 56,000, up from 53,000gt.

Architects for the interior makeover are Swedish company Tillberg Design and London planners Syntax. Among the new areas on the ship are a wine and cheese bar, a coffee & chocolate bar, a new pizzeria, a cabaret lounge and a nightclub. Another addition is Costa's signature Samsara Spa.

The new-look ship will spend February and March sailing from Savona on 11-day cruises to Spain, Morocco, the Canary Islands and Madeira. Summer will be spent in North European waters.

In September 2012 the ship embarks on a 107-night voyage from Italy to Australia and New Zealand.

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

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 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.