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Costa plans double ship launch
Costa Cruises plans a double float out of two news ships at the same time next month.
The 2,828-passenger Costa Luminosa and the 3,780-passenger Costa Pacifica are to be launched on the same day at two Fincantieri ship yards in Italy.
The double float out is set for June 27.
Following the launch operation, which involves flooding each ship’s building dock, work will begin on the fitting out and interior decoration, which is expected to take about a year.
Costa Luminosa is due for delivery at the end of April 2009, with Costa Pacifica the following month.
The arrival of the two new vessels will bring the number of ships in the Costa fleet to 14, with total passenger capacity of approximately 36,000, confirming its position as the biggest in Europe, according to the company.
Costa Luminosa will include a 4D cinema, a show lounge with special effects, a golf simulator featuring 37 virtual golf courses plus an outdoor area of 90m² with a putting green as well as a jogging and rollerblading track. There will be 772 balcony cabins out of a total of 1,130.
Costa Pacifica, at 114,500 gross tonnes, will become sister ship to Costa Concordia and Costa Serena.
Costa’s fleet expansion covers five new ships, including Costa Luminosa and Costa Pacifica, due to enter service by 2012 with a total investment of almost €2.4 billion.
The five new vessels will result in a 50% increase in the size of the Costa fleet, which by 2012 will be 17-strong with a total passenger capacity of 46,400.
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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