The ordinary general meeting of shareholders of Costa Crociere S.p.A, held March 31, 2004, adopted the financial statement for the period December 1, 2002/November 30, 2003. 2003 was a record year for Costa Crociere: the company topped the half-million mark for the number of passengers carried in a 12-month period (a historic achievement and a first for a European cruise operator) with 557,300 guests, compared to 462,036 the year before (+21%), amounting to 4,300,000 passenger days (up 19% on 2002). Sales rose by 7.2%, at euro 785.6 million. Operating income was also substantial, at euro 105 million, although down on the figure recorded in 2002 on account of the strong pressure on prices that occurred throughout the year.