Renowned Samsara Spa aboard Costa Serena and Costa Concordia will next debut on Costa Luminosa and Costa Pacifica

Costa Cruises’ renowned Samsara Spa was named “best spa” in the Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards. The awards honor the world’s top cruise lines for outstanding performance in 10 major areas. Costa won in the “Best Spa, Recreation and Fitness” category as “best spa” for the Samsara Spa, which is featured on our Costa Serena and Costa Concordia. The spa will also be featured on our Costa Pacifica and Costa Luminosa, our two newest ships that will be jointly inaugurated in June 2009.

Innovative and revolutionary, the Costa Serena and Costa Concordia offer an exclusive style of cruising with the luxurious Samsara Spa, one of the largest spas at sea. Extending over two decks and boasting panoramic views of the ocean, the 23,000 square-foot haven of relaxation and rejuvenation on both ships offer your clients the ultimate wellness experience at sea.

“We’re honored that Cruise Critic has named the Samsara Spa as “best spa”  in their Editors’ Picks Awards,” said Maurice Zarmati, President and CEO of Costa Cruise Lines—North America. “The concept has been incredibly successful since it was introduced in 2006 on the Costa Concordia and in 2007 on the Costa Serena, which is reflected in the fact that we’re featuring it on our two new ships set for delivery in 2009 as well.”

For those who want to fully immerse themselves in the Samsara Spa ambience, 87 cabins and 12 suites aboard the Costa Serena and 55 cabins and 12 suites aboard the Costa Concordia provide a veritable extension of the experience at all times with direct access to the spa via elevator and stairs. Guests who reserve these accommodations will have access to exclusive privileges including flat screen televisions, a special set of Elemis bath accessories and a “Welcome Ritual,” all included in the cruise price. The “Welcome Ritual” features unlimited access to the spa and Thalassotherapy pool, two complimentary fitness classes, a personalized wellness consultation with a spa expert, two treatments, two sun-lamp sessions in the solarium and an invitation to a special spa tea ceremony.

In addition, guests who reserve exclusive Samsara Spa accommodations will have access to the wellness cuisine in the Ristorante Samsara. This specialty restaurant features spa-friendly cuisine in private surroundings. The Samsara Spa features numerous treatments inspired by aromatic herbs, essential oils, exotic plants and Ayurvedic essences. Ayurvedic-inspired treatments include the Shiorodhara Body Glow, a sea salt exfoliation combined with an essential oil compress; and the Shiorobhyanga Massage, which includes a combined relaxation technique using aromatic frangipani essence and reflexology. All spa guests have access to Thalassotherapy baths, a rock sauna (a hotter version of classic saunas) and a Turkish bath (either traditional or scented with gently fragrant rosemary, eucalyptus and lavender). An expansive fitness center and wide variety of wellness classes complete the spa’s facilities.

We will also feature the Samsara Spa on our two newest ships due for delivery in 2009:  the 92,700-ton Costa Luminosa (delivery in April 2009) and the 114,500-ton Costa Pacifica (delivery in June 2009). The ships will be jointly inaugurated in June 2009.

Launched in October 1995 by the Independent Traveler, Inc., Cruise Critic was the first consumer cruise site on the Internet. Cruise Critic is an online guide to cruises with cruise reviews and an active community where travelers can share opinions and experiences. In the last five years, traffic on CruiseCritic.com has grown 350 percent; the site currently attracts more than five million visitors a year.

Costa Cruises is Italy and Europe’s number one cruise line.  For the past 60 years our ships have sailed the world, offering the best in Italian style, hospitality and cuisine and providing dream vacations with the best in fun and relaxation. In 2007 over 1.1 million guests chose to cruise with us, a record for the European cruise industry.  Our 12 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, South America, the United Arab Emirates, the Far East and the Indian Ocean.

Five more vessels have been commissioned and will enter service by 2012. Costa Cruises has been certified by RINA (Italian Shipping Register) with the BEST4, an integrated system of voluntary certification of corporate compliance with the highest standards governing social accountability (SA 8000, issued in 2001), environment (UNI EN ISO 14001, 1996), safety (OHSAS 18001, 1999) and quality (UNI EN ISO 9001, 2000). All of our ships have been awarded RINA’s voluntary “Green Star” notation based on the highest environmental protection standards.  We are also an official partner of the WWF for the protection of the marine ecoregions of the Mediterranean, the Greater Antilles and Brazil.