Luminosa joins Costa fleet

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Published on Friday, 15 May 2009 12:56

Costa Cruises has taken delivery of Costa Luminosa from Fincantieri’s Venice Marghera shipyard. At 92,600 gross tons, Costa Luminosa represents the smaller Panamax size, rather than post-Panamax size the Italian cruise line has concentrated on introducing to its fleet during the last few years.  This offers more flexibility for deployment, which is necessary, due to Costa’s increased presence in various markets around the globe.

Costa Luminosa is the first of three new ships that Fincantieri will deliver for Costa during 2009 and 2010. The 114,500 gross ton Costa Pacifica will be delivered from Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard on May 29. At the end of January 2010, a sister ship to Luminosa, the Costa Deliziosa, will be handed over.
Costa is scheduled to take delivery of two more ships by 2012. In total, these five new ships represent a 50% increase in capacity for the Italian line. By 2012, the fleet will consist of 17 vessels, with a total capacity of 46,400 passengers, if any current ships in the fleet are not sold.

 

Costa Luminosa represents a hybrid design – taking the best parts from Aker Yards’ built Costa Atlantica and Costa Mediterranea, and from Holland America’s Vista class ships. Luminosa is the first ship in Italy, and one of the first in the world to be fitted for “cold ironing”: with this special system, ships berthed at the dock can receive power from shore without having to keep their engines running to feed the onboard generators.

The style of the interiors, designed by Joseph Farcus, is inspired by the concept of light in all its forms. Costa Luminosa anticipates contemporary design trends, thanks to a distinctive avant-garde style, interiors decorated with premium materials (20 different types of marble, wood, mother-of-pearl, granite, 120 lamps made with La Murrina Murano glass) and the use of LED lights. In addition, prestigious works of art – 288 originals, and more than 4,700 multiples – were specially commissioned for the ship. Sculpture by Fernando Botero “Donna Sdraiata 2004” (Reclining Woman 2004) dominates the central hall.

Costa Luminosa will be christened, together with Costa Pacifica, in Genoa, on June 5. Cruise Business Review will be at the event, and regular updates can be followed at www.twitter.com/cruisebusiness
Costa Luminosa will also be a cover feature in the summer issue of Cruise Business Review.

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