Europe's number 1 cruising company, Costa Cruises,
together with the Consulate General of Italy in Mumbai, welcomed guests onboard
the Costa Luminosa, for an evening of celebration of Italian hospitality and
entertainment. The Costa Luminosa, which
is sailing around the world in 98 days, is currently docked at the Mumbai port
as part of its impressive itinerary. The event saw the launch of Festa Italiana
2016 in Mumbai and celebrated the upcoming homeporting of the Costa neoClassica
in Mumbai from December 2016.
For the first time, Indians can look forward to embarking
on a cruiseliner from Mumbai and going to enchanting destinations within India
such as Goa and Cochin and also to the very popular Maldives and Colombo. Costa
neoClassica will perform a series of weekly sailings from 16th Dec 2016 - 18th
March 2017.
Speaking about the launch, Mr. Buhdy Bok, President of
Costa Group Asia said, "We are delighted to bring cruising to Indians at
their doorstep. For many travellers, the holiday often starts after some sort
of a long journey. Now like never before, Indians will have the opportunity to
start holidaying -- right from their door-step -- from India's largest
metropolis, Mumbai"
Commenting on the home porting of Costa neoClassica in
Mumbai Port, Mr. Sanjay Bhatia, Chairman of Mumbai Port said, “It is a proud
moment for us to have Costa neoClassica to be homeported at India’s premier
Mumbai Port. The Mumbai Port has long been the principal gateway to India,
playing a crucial role in sea trade and the development of the national
economy, trade & commerce and the prosperity of Mumbai city in
particular."
Cruise Tourism has been termed as one of the most
potential and sustainable segments and now with the launch of cruising between
Mumbai and the Maldives, Costa Cruises has confirmed its strong interest in
India.
Costa neoClassica will be the very first large cruise
ship that cruises between Mumbai and the Maldives. This classic cruise ship has
a total of 654 cabins (with a capacity for 1700 passengers), including sea view
cabins and suites with private balconies. Fully-equipped with a Casino,
Theatre, Disco, Ballroom, Grand Bar, it aims to provide plenty in
entertainment. The wellness centre is spread across 1,300 sq. m with a gym,
treatment rooms, sauna and steam room. It also has an outdoor jogging track, 2
Jacuzzis and 2 swimming pools. For those who would like to go shopping, the
cruise ship has a huge duty free shopping centre, and also offers a wide
selection of books in the library for those who love to unwind with a book.
Enhancing the cruising experience further is the
gastronomy: the food & wine offer is based on Italian regional menus with a
choice of dishes representing different regions of Italy and proudly reflecting
the country’s rich and unrivalled culinary heritage. In addition to this vast
range, guests can also take advantage of tasty vegetarian and vegan dishes. On
board Costa neoClassica, guests will also have the chance to taste the real
original Neapolitan pizza at Pizzeria "Pummid'oro": thanks to an
agreement with the Università delle Scienze Gastronomiche di Pollenzo, Costa
Cruises offers pizza prepared using only sourdough and selected ingredients
such as San Marzano DOP tomato. In addition, cruisers will be able to enjoy a
variety of Indian cuisine and the restaurants on board are fully equipped to
cater to special diet requirements of Indians, which includes Jain food.
Ms. Nalini Gupta, Managing Director, Lotus Destinations
(GSA of Costa Cruises India) feels the modern Indian traveller is now seeking a
different kind of thrill and cruise holidays are now featuring on the Indian
traveler’s 'must-experience' list. She further adds, "The fact that
Indians can now embark directly from Mumbai, not only makes the process
hassle-free and visa-free, but also saves the traveler costs and time.”
Lotus Destinations (GSA of Costa Cruises India)
http://costacruiseindia.com/
Costa Cruises (www.costacruises.com) is the Italian
Cruising Company part of the Carnival Corporation & plc, the largest cruise
company in the world. For 68 years, the ships of Costa fleet have plied the
seas of the world being the ambassador of the pleasant mood of Italian
hospitality and the true Italian holiday, with delicious food, selected wines,
unique shopping experience, completed by a vast selection of Italian famous
brands. Currently the Costa fleet, the largest in Europe, has a total of 15
ships in service, all flying the Italian flag. Moreover two next- generation
cruise ships will be delivered in 2019 and 2021: they will feature a
revolutionary “green design” and will be powered by Liquefied Natural Gas
(LNG), the world’s cleanest burning fossil fuel, representing a major
environmental breakthrough. Other 2 new ships will be delivered in 2019 and
2020 to be deployed in Asia. Costa embodies the Italian excellence surprising
its Guests everyday with unique holidays, experiences and unforgettable memories
thanks to 19,000 Costa's associates worldwide who are passionately working
everyday to offer "Italy's finest" cruise vacations through 137
different itineraries, 261 destinations and 60 embarkation ports.
