Costa, Europe’s Number One Cruise Line, celebrated the arrival of the Costa Allegra in Shanghai for the first call of the Summer 2008 season from the port with a celebration for the opening of the “Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal” and our 100th cruise in China.

Costa was the first international cruise company to operate regular cruises in China and Asia, bringing our special brand of “Cruising Italian Style” to the Chinese market. Operations began on July 3, 2006 from Shanghai with the 28,000-ton Costa Allegra. Since then, we have completed a total of 121 cruises in Asia, 100 of which were in China with nearly 40% of these from the Port of Shanghai. The Costa Allegra has brought more than 60,000 cruise guests to Shanghai since operating cruises there. Given the success of Costa’s signature experience of “Cruising Italian Style,” we will bring a second ship, the 53,000-ton Costa Classica, to Asia and China in March 2009.

In 2008, the Costa Allegra will operate 19 cruises, 14 of these from the Shanghai port and four during the Beijing Olympic Games, which will be broadcast on board the ship on large screens in public areas and in cabins. For 2009, 34 cruises representing an 80% increase are planned for the Costa Allegra and 31 cruises for the Costa Classica.   

“China’s cruise market has good growth potential – Shanghai together with Tianjin (the port of Beijing) will play an important part in this sector due to their role as main ports and economic centers for China,” said Gianni Onorato, President of Costa Cruises.  “Costa was the first to offer cruises in China and chose Shanghai as its home port. This is the city where we began to develop our activities in China and the results of those decisions have gone beyond our greatest expectations.”

He continued, “Since 2006, the Costa Allegra has completed 121 cruises in China and the Far East. Overall, nearly 75,000 guests have taken a vacation on board the Costa Allegra, including nearly 50,000 Chinese guests.”

 “These figures are real proof of just how much China and Asia appreciate the quality of the service and the style of our cruises,” he added. It is also a concrete example of the worldwide success of our ‘Made in Italy’ product – 98.28% of our Chinese guests are satisfied or very satisfied with their Costa cruise vacation.”

Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal

The new terminal, which will become operational with the arrival of the Costa Allegra, was specially designed to dock international cruise ships. Located along the Huangpu River, it covers a total area of 350,000 m², extends over four floors and can dock up to four cruise vessels at the same time. An ultramodern terminal in terms of efficiency and safety, it will be able to complete immigration procedures at the rate of just 48 seconds per person. The area will also include business centers, hotels, offices and art galleries.   

Costa Cruises in Asia

In the Summer of 2008, the Costa Allegra will offer short 4- to 6-night cruises with departures not only from Shanghai but also from Hong Kong and Tianjin. The itineraries include the new destination of Fukuoka (Japan), in addition to Cheju (South Korea), Sanya (China), Da Nang and Cai Lan (Vietnam), Nagasaki and Kagoshima (Japan). These short voyages will be supported by longer 14- and 15-night cruises to the Far East, with calls to ports in Japan, South Korea, China, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Vietnam. These cruises are designed for Chinese and international guests.

Beginning on March 27, 2009, the Costa Classica will offer 31 cruises ranging from 4- to 14-night cruises, with departures from Singapore, Shanghai, Tianjin, and Hong Kong. The various itineraries will include visits to some of the best destinations in Asian countries.

“Cruising Italian Style” in Asia

The Costa Allegra offers its Chinese guests the best of “Cruising Italian Style.” Dining options range from the Italian-flavored Amalfi Restaurant, located in one of the ship’s most panoramic vantage points, as well as in two other restaurants and buffets. All include authentic Italian cuisine including fresh, home made pastas and pizzas. Guests may even enjoy Italian cooking lessons with topics including how to prepare the perfect “pasta al pesto” and more from Costa’s renowned Italian chefs.

Entertainment options feature Italian touches, including an “Italian Night,” complete with the election of a “Mr. Spaghetto” and a song competition during an “Italian Festival.” A special theater show called “Made in Italy” features entertainment inspired by Italian history and traditions. The Costa Allegra shopping area provides guests with the opportunity to purchase major Italian name brands including Armani, Bulgari, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci and Antica Murrina.         

Awards Received by Costa in China

Last March, Costa was named the “Most Popular Cruise Line" during the World Travel Fair, Eastern China’s most important tradeshow. We also won the "Award for Customer Management 2007" presented to our call center in China by the China Customer Management Forum. Costa also received the “Best Marketing Promotion Award,” dedicated to the best marketing campaign in China and awarded by Traveler magazine during the “Gold List Travel Awards 2007.”  We were also awarded  the “Top International Cruise Line Award 2007,” organized by World Traveller to pay tribute to the best international cruise company.