Costa Cruises’ future flagship, the US$739 million Costa Diadema, was floated out today during a technical launch ceremony at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy. The 132,500-ton, 3,724-passenger ship is scheduled for delivery Oct. 30, 2014.
“Costa Diadema will be our new flagship and our tangible commitment to the future success and growth of our company,” said Michael Thamm, chief executive officer of Costa Crociere S.p.A. “She is the 10th cruise ship built in Italy by Fincantieri for Costa since 2000, with a total investment worth almost US$6.7 billion.”
Costa Diadema’s technical launch ceremony followed a long-established seafaring tradition, beginning with the welding of a coin at the base of what was once the mainmast, a custom thought to bring good luck to the ship. The ship’s madrina or godmother, Franca Grasso, a member of CostaClub chosen from among more than 12,000 guests who sailed on Costa ships in the Mediterranean during October and November 2013, cut the ribbon to break a bottle of champagne against the bow of the ship. The dry-dock basin was filled with water, and the ship was floated for the first time.
Among many innovations on Costa Diadema will be food and wine venues Vinoteca, Birreria (beer house), Japanese Teppanyaki, Piazza Pizza and Gelateria. New entertainment offerings include Country Rock Club, featuring “classic rock” music, and the Star Laser room, offering interactive laser games including Laser Maze. Portobello Market Piazza is an 11,840-square-foot area with designer stores and retail outlets.
In winter 2014-15 Costa Diadema will be deployed on a seven-night itinerary departing Savona and calling at Marseille, France; Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Civitavecchia (Rome) and La Spezia (Florence), Italy.
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