In recent weeks Costa Cruises has seen significant positive booking trends in Europe, and the line is shifting capacity to Dubai/United Arab Emirates and the Mediterranean for winter 2012-13.
The company will increase capacity in the U.A.E. by positioning a second ship in the region. From Nov. 17, 2012, Costa Classica, originally scheduled to sail in the Mediterranean, will join Costa Atlantica, offering weeklong cruises from Dubai to ports in the Emirates and Oman.
Additionally, capacity in the Mediterranean for winter 2012-13 will be increased by replacing Costa Classica (1,680 total guests) with Costa Magica (3,470 total guests). Starting Nov. 18, 2012, Costa Magica will offer 12-day cruises in the eastern Mediterranean calling at Greece, Israel and Turkey, and 11-day cruises to Portugal and Morocco in the western Mediterranean.
Costa Magica had been scheduled to deploy with four other Costa ships in South America. Even with the deployment realignment, Costa will offer the twin flagships Costa Favolosa and Costa Fascinosa along with Costa Serena and Costa Fortuna, representing a capacity increase of 13 percent on its popular South American itineraries.
Guests booked on Costa Magica in South America will be accommodated on a similar itinerary on one of the other four Costa ships.
For more than 60 years Costa Cruises ships have sailed worldwide, offering the best in Italian style, hospitality and cuisine, while providing holidays focused on fun and relaxation. The lines ships visit 250 destinations throughout the Mediterranean, northern Europe, the Baltic, Caribbean, South America, United Arab Emirates, Far East and Indian Ocean. The line has 15 ships in service and one new ship on order from Fincantieri for delivery in October 2014.
Costa Crociere S.p.A. is a member of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world's largest cruise operator. With revenues of 3.1 billion euros and 2.3 million total guests in 2011, Costa Crociere S.p.A. is the largest Italian travel group and comprises the brands Costa Cruises, AIDA Cruises and Iberocruceros.
