SINCE entering the Asian cruise market in
2006, Costa Cruises has carried 350,000 guests
in the region, a figure which it hopes to
increase extensively by more doubling its
capacity in the region next year.
Last week Costa replaced its 1,680-passenger
Costa Classica with its 2,394-guest Costa
Victoria, in the region, and now plans to
further increase its level of commitment to the
Asian market by positioning the 2,680-guest
Costa Atlantica in Asia from May next year.
The reasoning behind the move, according to
Costa is the strong “positive response” to its
Asia cruises.
“Costa Atlantica and Costa Victoria will bring
a piece of ‘Italy at sea’ to Asia as Costa has
successfully done in all other countries,
throughout its 64 years of history,” said Pier
Luigi Foschi, CEO of Costa Crociere.
Between the pair, Costa Victoria and Costa
Atlantica will offer a variety of short and longer
itineraries departing from Singapore, Shanghai,
Tianjin and Hong Kong.
As such, from May to June 2013 Atlantica will
depart from Singapore on seven-day cruises to
Malaysia and Thailand, and on three- or fournight
cruises to Malaysia; whilst between June
and October 2013 she will depart from
Shanghai on short cruises to South Korea and
Japan, calling at Cheju (South Korea), Pusan
(South Korea), Fukuoka (Japan), Hososhima
(Japan), Kagoshima (Japan).
Meanwhile between now and October 2012
Costa Victoria will sail out of Shanghai offering
a selection of short cruises and seven-night
sailings to Japan and South Korea; whilst
between November 2012 and January 2013
the ship will be based in Singapore to offer
seven-night cruises to Malaysia and Thailand,
and three- or four-night cruises to Malaysia.
Following this, and running until October
2013 Victoria will depart from Hong Kong,
Shanghai and Tianjin for short cruises to
Taiwan or South Korea, Japan and Vietnam.
