List of cruise news articles updates on Costa Cruises thoughtout the day en-gb http://www.iglucruise.com 2010-09-03 Costa Cruises officially inaugurated Costa Deliziosa into its fleet of ships at a ceremony held in the Middle Eastern destination of Dubai.

Some 2,200 maiden voyage passengers and thousands of other guests were on hand to witness the launch of the vessel, which is capable of catering for 2,100 cruise lovers, with an accompanying crew of over 900.

Members of Dubai's royal family were also present as the launch coincided with the official opening of Dubai's new cruise terminal, which is expected to handle 125 cruise ship calls this year.

Alongside sister ship Costa Luminosa, Costa Deliziosa will be based in the emirate, which is looking forwarding to receiving around 325,000 passengers this year alone.

Costa chairman and chief executive Pier Luigi Foschi highlighted the company's track record in serving the destination.

He is quoted by TTG Live as saying: "We were the first company in the world to offer regular cruises from Dubai in 2006 when we carried 44,000 people. This year, it will be 150,000."

Written by Chris Smith.

]]> http://www.iglucruise.com/news/costa-deliziosa-now-in-service_a19645478 2010-03-02 Costa Deliziosa will be able to sample Europe' first ever real gold facial mask, which is now available on the brand new ship.

Made from 24-carat gold leaf, the world's most luxurious facial treatment can be enjoyed on the ship's Samsara Spa, which also boasts being the largest health retreat afloat.

According to Costa Cruises, the mask is "heralded as the ultimate in rejuvenation" and those treating themselves to it will have the gold "applied and massaged into their skin until it disappears".

The firm said that the 24-carat application "is reputed to lift and firm skin, reduce wrinkles and clarify the complexion by speeding up cell renewal through powerful magnetic forces".

The treatment draws inspiration from Egyptian Queen Cleopatra, who is believed to have applied a gold mask every night.

Costa Cruises operates 15 ships offering a wide range of itineraries to various destinations around the world.

Written by Chris Smith.

]]> http://www.iglucruise.com/news/costa-deliziosa-to-offer-gold-facial-mask_a19620963 2010-02-17 Costa Serena.

The 3,800-passenger vessel, which is operated by Costa Cruises, is to be featured in a six-part documentary on the National Geographic Channel, making its premier Sunday February 7th at 7:00pm.

Cruise Ship Diaries will explore how the ship's 1,000 crew members go about ensuring holidaymakers on the Italian vessel have the experience expected of a holiday at sea.

Behind-the-scenes footage will allow cruise lovers to access all areas of the ship, including restricted segments, which they would not be able to view on a routine voyage.

As well as four pools and 14 guest decks, the luxury cruise ship has 230,000 kilogrammes of food each week, 2,500 kilos of which are tomatoes, according to the documentary.

More Brits are choosing to take cruise holidays as the sector expands with the introduction of new ships and a greater choice of itineraries.

Written by Chris Smith.

]]> http://www.iglucruise.com/news/costa-serena-in-new-national-geographic-channel-documentary_a19600221 2010-02-05 Costa Cruises' luxury vessels.

The company said a relaxing Samsara Spa break on the sea is an ideal way to bring in the new year and recommended its vessels, home to some of the largest and most luxurious spas afloat.

Costa Concordia, Costa Serena, Costa Pacifica and Costa Luminosa all boast Samsara Spas, which feature a Thalassotherapy bath, a rock sauna, a Turkish bath and a host of treatments.

Holidaymakers can also get a healthy start to the year by spending some time in the onboard fitness centre or pop into the dedicated wellness restaurant for some healthy treats.

Several voyages ranging from seven-night cruises to 11-night itineraries are currently being offered across the aforementioned ships in early January.

Prices start from £949 per person on a cruise-only basis, with all meals, entertainment and activities included.

Cruise holidays are expected to hit 1.65 million in 2010, according to the Passenger Shipping Association.

Written by Chris Smith.

]]> http://www.iglucruise.com/news/kick-off-2010-with-costa-cruises-samsara-spa-breaks_a19514157 2009-12-15 Costa Cruises is inviting holidaymakers on "an incredible journey" taking in destinations such as Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, Oman and Abu Dhabi as its new vessel goes on its inaugural voyage.

A 20-night itinerary makes up the first voyage of Costa Deliziosa, which will depart Dubai on February 5th 2010 after its naming ceremony.

Holidaymakers opting for the voyage will be among the first people to enjoy "some of the most fantastic facilities in the world of cruising", such as an exceptional 4D cinema, according to Costa Cruises.

Other features in the new ship include a Grand Prix driving simulator, a roller-skating track, an exclusive golf simulator complete with an outdoor putting green and a PlayStation Experience.

Those eager for some pampering while at sea will have their wishes fulfilled in the Samsara Spa, which is one of the largest spas on a ship, according to the cruise operator.

More than 1.65 million British people are expected to take a cruise holiday next year, according to the Passenger Shipping Association.

Written by Chris Smith.



]]> http://www.iglucruise.com/news/costa-deliziosa-to-offer-incredible-inaugural-journey_a19501067 2009-12-08 Costa Cruises, which has revealed that it is going into 2010 with "a big splash".

After taking delivery of its latest ship Costa Deliziosa, which has boosted its fleet to 15 cruise ships, the company is offering a variety of enticing itineraries and dates next year.

Costa Luminosa and Costa Deliziosa, which have been dubbed the "jewels of the Emirates", are offering cruise lovers seven-night voyages from £499, a saving of £230 off the full brochure price.

A new April sailing to Canada and the US is available through Costa Atlantica, which has an 11-night itinerary from £789, nearly £400 off the full brochure price.

Holidaymakers can also enjoy a saving of £670 off the full brochure price on Costa Romantica, which has 21 nights from £1,479, with "the most exotic and must-see places in the world" on the itinerary.

Costa Deliziosa is scheduled to be launched in Dubai on February 23rd 2010.

Written by Chris Smith.

]]> http://www.iglucruise.com/news/costa-cruises-to-begin-2010-with-a-big-splash-_a19489558 2009-12-01 Costa Cruises has completed the official technical trials of its latest vessel in the open sea, paving the way for its inauguration next year.

Scheduled to be launched in Dubai on February 23rd 2010, Costa Deliziosa came through her sea trials successfully after she was put through an endurance test and other exercises.

The luxury cruise ship, which is Costa Cruises' 15th vessel, will bring to the market a new level of refinement designed to deliver "an experience of 'sheer pleasure', according to the company.

Costa added that "this is readily apparent in her cutting-edge design and use of premium materials" including a variety of marble and granite, as well as hand-moulded stucco.

Other decorative interior finishes include "parchment scroll" lame, polished Zebrano wood and Wenge timber and Murano glass and stylish polished and glazed steel.

Ships operated by Costa Cruises, which is an Italian company, include Costa Europa, Costa Luminosa and Costa Atlantica.

Written by Chris Smith.

]]> http://www.iglucruise.com/news/costa-cruises-prepares-deliziosa-for-launch_a19480763 2009-11-26 Costa Cruises has announced the expansion of its fleet of ships with the naming of two new vessels that will make their debut in 2011 and 2012.

The company has named the ships Costa Favolosa and Costa Fascinosa after considering over 16,000 suggestions from more than 40,000 travel agents and cruise lovers around the world.

According to the cruise operator, the names for the 16th and 17th ships were chosen "based on their definition of the all-encompassing magic, glamour, emotion and passion" reflected across its line.

Part of a major expansion strategy, the sister ships will be capable of accommodating 3,780 passengers each and will enhance the company's reach across its 250 destinations including the Mediterranean and northern Europe.

While Costa Favolosa is meant to be the "the epitome of ship interior design" as well as a "contemporary enchanted castle", its sister vessel is design to represent the "glamour of a cruise ship".

Other ships operated by the company include Costa Atlantica and Costa Luminosa.

Written by Chris Smith.

]]> http://www.iglucruise.com/news/costa-cruises-names-two-new-ships_a19446118 2009-11-05 Costa Cruises.

Dignitaries, including the leader of Essex County Council Lord Hanningfield, were on hand to mark the opening of Harwich gangway on board Costa Atlantica in the ceremony held on September 8th.

The multi-million pound facility, which was officially declared open by Lord Hanningfield, now has an air-conditioned and flexible gangway capable of elevating up to ten metres with a range of 25 metres along the quay.

Costa Cruises managing director Marco Rosa said: "As Europe's leading cruise line, Costa Cruises is thrilled to see the UK making this level of investment into the industry.

"The gangway will be a great introduction to the UK for our international passengers, for whom Harwich is the gateway to London and the south of England."

Southampton port's new £19 million ocean cruise terminal played host to nine luxury liners over the August bank holiday weekend.

Written by Chris Smith.

]]> http://www.iglucruise.com/news/harwich-international-port-s-gangway-officially-opened_a19355195 2009-09-10 Costa Cruise has announced that it is to reduce its supplement for single passengers by as much as 50 per cent for cruises taken after the start of December.

Coming as the Italian operator moves to encourage more solo travellers to look into the joys of Caribbean and Mediterranean cruises, it has been revealed that its single supplements will be set as low as just 30 per cent of the usual cost.

For example, a single passenger will now be able to book a seven-night cruise-only package from Dubai in March of next year for £700.

For this price, the solo traveller will be able to enjoy a double room as they take in destinations such as Muscat, Fujairah, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain on the company's Costa Luminosa cruise liner.

Announcing the launch of the new promotion, Costa Cruise managing director Marco Costa said: "We have excellent entertainment, fantastic dining experiences and a wide choice of shore excursions, perfect whether you want to enjoy some alone-time or meet like-minded people."

Costa Cruises currently operates 14 ships, which sail around the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Middle East, South America and the Indian Ocean.

Written by Chris Smith

]]> http://www.iglucruise.com/news/costa-cruise-announces-reduction-to-single-supplements_a19319185 2009-08-19