Carnival Corporation’s Italian brand Costa Cruises held a coin ceremony for its newest ship, Costa Venezia, which is being built to service the Chinese market from 2019.
The new 135,500-ton cruise liner is being built by Italy-based shipbuilder Fincantieri, and is the first Vista-class ship specifically designed and built for China.
Michael Thamm, CEO Costa Group, CEO Carnival Asia gives speech at Costa Cruises New Ship Coin Ceremony (Photo: Costa Cruises)Fabrizio Ferri, CEO of Fincantieri China gives speech at Costa Cruises New Ship Coin Ceremony (Photo: Costa Cruises)Stefano Beltrame, Consul General of Italy in Shanghai gives speech at Costa Cruises New Ship Coin Ceremony (Photo: Costa Cruises)Guests unveil name of new ship, Costa Venezia, at the Coin Cruises New Ship Coin Ceremony (Photo: Costa Cruises)Mario Zanetti, President of Costa Group Asia gives speech at Costa Cruises New Ship Coin Ceremony (Photo: Costa Cruises)Davide Chiodini, Costa Group Asia Customer Intelligence and Innovation Director introduces the features of Costa Venezia (Photo: Costa Cruises)Bernie Ye, VP Sales & Commercial of Costa China announces Costa Venezia's inaugural world cruise (Photo: Costa Cruises)Guests toast to celebrate at Coast Cruises New Ship Coin Ceremony (Photo: Costa Cruises)Michael Thamm, CEO Costa Group, CEO Carnival Asia gives speech at Costa Cruises New Ship Coin Ceremony (Photo: Costa Cruises)Fabrizio Ferri, CEO of Fincantieri China gives speech at Costa Cruises New Ship Coin Ceremony (Photo: Costa Cruises)Stefano Beltrame, Consul General of Italy in Shanghai gives speech at Costa Cruises New Ship Coin Ceremony (Photo: Costa Cruises)Guests unveil name of new ship, Costa Venezia, at the Coin Cruises New Ship Coin Ceremony (Photo: Costa Cruises)Mario Zanetti, President of Costa Group Asia gives speech at Costa Cruises New Ship Coin Ceremony (Photo: Costa Cruises)Davide Chiodini, Costa Group Asia Customer Intelligence and Innovation Director introduces the features of Costa Venezia (Photo: Costa Cruises)Bernie Ye, VP Sales & Commercial of Costa China announces Costa Venezia's inaugural world cruise (Photo: Costa Cruises)Guests toast to celebrate at Coast Cruises New Ship Coin Ceremony (Photo: Costa Cruises)
Michael Thamm, CEO of Costa Group and Carnival Asia, said, “The Costa Venezia demonstrates our strong commitment and confidence in the world’s fastest growing cruise market. Her arrival in 2019 will further enhance our offerings for Chinese guests to reinforce our leading position in China.”
Costa Venezia, named after the city of Venice, is designed to entirely reflect her name and the city where she was built, Costa Cruises said. The ship will allow guests to immerse themselves in a multi-sensory Venetian trip featuring food, art, music and entertainment, complete with an onboard version of the Carnival of Venice.
“With the Costa Venezia, Costa Cruises is proud to showcase the allure of one of Italy’s most famous and culturally rich cities and regions to Chinese consumers,” said Mario Zanetti, President of Costa Group Asia. “The planned addition of the ship to our Asia fleet is part of our continued efforts to innovate and consistently exceed our guests’ expectations by providing authentic and memorable Italian experiences to everyone who sails with us.”
Costa Venezia will feature 2,116 passenger cabins and a capacity of 5,260 total passengers.
The vessel's inaugural world cruise will begin in Trieste, Italy, and end in Shanghai, calling along the way in countries such as Greece, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Vietnam and Japan to follow Marco Polo’s journeys. The ship will depart from Italy in early March 2019.
Costa Venezia’s addition to Costa Asia fleet in 2019 will be followed by an additional ship in 2020, which will also be specially designed for Chinese consumers.