Two Costa Ships Launched

The Italian Company Costa Cruises and Fincantieri have together set record: for the first time ever, two ships have been launched the same day.

The Costa Luminosa and Costa Pacifica, respectively the 13th and 14th members of the Costa fleet are the newly launched ships. Both will enter service next year. The Costa Luminosa, which will be able to accommodate 2,828 Guests and is 92,700 gross tonnage, was launched at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Marghera (Province of Venice) in the presence of the Honorable Renato Brunetta, the Italian Minister for Public Administration and Innovation. Meanwhile, the Costa Pacifica, total Guest capacity of 3,780 and 114,500 gross tonnage, was also launched in Genova-Sestri Ponente. Costa Cruises has invested over $1.4b in the construction of the two liners, with the labor of around 6,000 people, comprising both Fincantieri’s own employees and those of about 500 contracted suppliers. The two ceremonies held the launch by floating out. The Costa Luminosa is due for delivery at the end of April 2009, the Costa Pacifica at the end of May 2009. Their naming ceremonies will be another first for the cruise industry: the two new fleet members will be christened together on June 5, 2009 in Genoa, the city where Costa Cruises – this year celebrating its 60th anniversary – has always been headquartered. Also for the first time, Guests booked to travel on the maiden cruise of either ship will also be able to witness the christening ceremony.
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