At the Marghera shipyard in Venice, Fincantieri delivered Costa Cruises' newest flagship, the Costa Favolosa: the largest cruise ship flying the Italian flag. About 3,000 employees and 7,000 workers from linked industries contributed to the construction of the ship. Most of the companies involved in the shipbuilding activities, about 500, are Italian. The total cost of the investment in the new building undertaken by Costa Cruises is worth approximately 510 million euros (over $737 million).
Costa Favolosa features a wellness area extending over 6,000 m²; new suites with Jacuzzi and veranda; an Aqua Park for children; the wonders of virtual reality; Grand Prix race car and golf simulators; and Italian and international cuisine. The Costa Favolosa will depart from Venice on July 4 on her first voyage, a 3-day vernissage mini-cruise. Throughout the summer of 2011, Costa’s flagship will sail 8-day cruises in the Eastern Mediterranean, following the old routes of the “Serenissima”, calling on Turkey, Greece and Croatia. Next winter, the Costa Favolosa will sail to the United Arab Emirates and Oman.
Costa Favolosa is one of nine new ships that Costa Cruises ordered from Fincantieri since 2003. The next ship to enter service will be the Costa Fascinosa, the sister ship of the Costa Favolosa, also under construction in Marghera, to be delivered in the spring of 2012. Costa’s new ships are part of a fleet expansion plan developed by Costa Crociere S.p.A., involving 22 ships for a total investment of €9.6 billion (nearly $13.9 billion) from 2000 to 2013.
Following delivery, the Costa Favolosa will depart from the Venice Maritime Station on July 1 to kick off her naming festivities. During the night, the ship will be the protagonist of “Notte Rosa 2011”, or Summer’s New Year’s Eve, when the Adriatic Riviera in Emilia Romagna region turns pink: with her gala lighting on display, the ship will sail along the Romagna coast, recreating the scenic majesty of the legendary “Rex” in Amarcord, stopping in front of the town of Cattolica for an incredible fireworks show on the sea.
The next day, the Costa Favolosa will arrive in Trieste for her naming. This event, open to the entire city, will involve the beautiful setting of Piazza Unità d’Italia. The event, a tribute to Italian identity and to beauty, is included in the celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of the Unification of Italy. The ship’s godmother will be Margareth Madè, the Italian actress who became a household name thanks to her role in the movie “Baaria”. During the naming show the spotlight will also be focused on the famous pianist Ludovico Einaudi, the actor Alessandro Rossi and the School of Dance of the Accademia Teatro alla Scala. The Master of Ceremonies for the occasion will be TV journalist Cristina Parodi.