Costa Cruises jointly christening new ships Costa Luminosa and Costa Pacifica at a Guinness World Record breaking event in Genoa.
The 13th and 14th additions to the fleet represent an investment worth more than 900 million euros.
The 2,826-passenger, 92,600-ton Costa Luminosa, ‘the ship of light’, is described as the most exclusive and innovative member of the Italian line’s fleet.
Costa Pacifica, ‘the ship of music’, has a gross tonnage of 114,500 and a total capacity for 3,780 passengers and is the sister ship of Costa Concordia and Costa Serena, Costa Pacifica.
Costa chairman Pier Luigi Foschi said: “The double christening of Costa Luminosa and Costa Pacifica is a momentous occasion for Costa Cruises, for our country and for global shipping as a whole.
“For the first time ever, two new ships are being inaugurated together, thus setting a new Guinness World Record, and we are thrilled to be celebrating this event in the city where we’ve been based since 1854.
“It’s an achievement that reflects the strength of our company and its outstanding contribution to Italian-made excellence worldwide and to the domestic economy.”
Costa’s expansion includes three further new vessels due for delivery by 2012.
There was a gala dinner for 4,000 invited guests on Friday night, including some of the passengers on the maiden cruises of the two vessels.
by Phil Davies
