Costa Romantica Enters Dry Dock for a Total Restyling

 

The 90 million euro renovation and restyling of Costa Romantica began yesterday at the San Giorgio del Porto shipyard, a division of Genova Industrie Navali Holding Company, supported by its sister company, T. Mariotti shipyard. The work is scheduled for completion in February, when Costa Romantica will be renamed Costa neoRomantica. The extensive makeover includes creation of new shipboard areas and the introduction of services that represent a major evolution in the Costa product. The renovation includes adding two half-deck extensions, 111 new standard cabins and 120 cabins and suites with private balconies. Costa neoRomantica’s total guest capacity will increase to 1,800, the number of cabins from 678 to 789, and the refit will increase the ship’s size to approximately 56,000 gross tons. Costa Romantica currently is 53,000 gross tons and can carry up to 1,697 guests.

Of the total 90 million euro investment, some 40 million euros will be spent in the Province of Genoa. Nearly 40 Genoese companies are participating in the project, confirming both the importance of shipbuilding and repair to the local economy and the range of technical know-how and expertise available locally. The refurbishment is expected to involve almost a thousand naval architects, marine
engineers, project managers, shipboard managers and skilled workers. Tillberg Design, which has a 40-year history in marine interiors, and London master planners Syntax, who specialize in hotels and prestigious spa resorts, are cooperating on the redesign. Among new areas being added is a wine and cheese bar offering 100 vintner labels and a selection of cheeses from around the world, a coffee and chocolate bar, an Italian pizzeria, a cabaret lounge and a nightclub.

Costa neoRomantica also will have Costa’s branded Samsara Spa — a 45,200-square-foot (4,200 square meters) wellness facility with a gym, thalassotherapy pool, treatment rooms, sauna, Turkish bath, 50 spa cabins and six spa suites as well as a dedicated spa restaurant. The restyled ship will debut Feb. 20, 2012, setting off from Savona, Italy, on a series of 11-day cruises to Spain, Morocco, the Canary Islands and Madeira, through April 4. From April 4 through May 2, and
then again Sept. 5, Costa neoRomantica will offer 15-day cruises to the Atlantic capitals of Spain, France, Potugal, U.K., Belgium or the Netherlands. During the summer Costa neoRomantica will operate in northern Europe, sailing 15-day cruises that for the first time will offer the fjords and Baltic Capitals, and two cruises to the Spitzbergen Archipelago.

Sept. 19, 2012, Costa neoRomantica departs on a Grand Cruise from Italy to Australia and New Zealand via the most fascinating places in the Eastern Hemisphere. The 107-night cruise is proving to be one of the most popular new round-the-world voyages offered by Costa. For more than 60 years Costa Cruises’ ships have sailed worldwide, offering the best in Italian-style hospitality and cuisine. The line’s 14 ships visit 250 destinations throughout the Mediterranean, northern Europe, the Baltic, Caribbean, South America, United Arab Emirates, Far East and Indian Ocean. Two new ships are on order from Fincantieri shipyards for delivery in 2012 and 2014.