Keel Laid for Costa Cruise Ship

Costa Crociere’s expansion program continued recently when a ceremony was held in Fincantieri’s Marghera yard for the keel-laying of the Costa Luminosa, which will be the 13th fleet member and is due for delivery in spring 2009.

The Costa Luminosa will be 92,700 gross tonnage and 292 meters in length with accommodation for 2260 Guests in dual occupancy cabins. The ship will have 772 veranda cabins out of a total of 1130 staterooms.

The vessel’s interiors, conceived by architect Joe Farcus, will be designed to offer settings that are refined and elegant, comfortable and user-friendly.

The Italian Company will also build a sister ship for the Costa Luminosa in Marghera; the running mate is scheduled to enter service in March 2010. The total outlay for these two liners is in excess of 800 million euros. Costa’s fleet expansion program includes the addition of a third ship, the Costa Pacifica, which will leave the Genoa-Sestri Ponente yard in spring 2009, together with the Costa Luminosa. By 2010 the Costa fleet will therefore have 15 members, all flying the Italian flag, confirming Costa Crociere’s European leadership.