The laying of the first section of a 92,700 tons Costa Crociere new ship began at the Fincantieri Ancona shipyards. When completed the first section will be transferred to the Marghera (Venice) shipyards, where the construction of the ship will continue. The delivery of this ship is expected in spring 2010. This one is the sistership of Costa Luminosa, currently under construction in Marghera (Venice) and ready for delivery in Spring 2009.
Some highlights data of the ship: 92,700 tonnes, 292 meters long, 2,260 passengers capacity (in double occupancy cabins). This ship can offer 772 cabins with private balcony on a total of 1,130 cabins, which is the highest percentage of cabins with private balcony of the Costa fleet (68%).
The entry into service is planned by the spring of 2010.
Costa Cruises has currently 5 ships in order, more than any other cruise company in the world , which will lead the Costa fleet to a total of 17 ships and 36,800 Guests capacity (in a double occupancy cabins) by 2012. Besides Costa Luminosa and her sistership 3 other 114,500 ships are currently on order at Fincantieri. The first, Costa Pacifica, is under construction in Genoa (Sestri Ponente), while the other 2 in Venice (Marghera).
Overall, the expansion plan for the Costa fleet, which began in 2000, provides an investment worth 5.5 billion for 13 new ships from 2000 to 2012.