In another intrepid move by a major international cruise line, Costa Crociere, has just announced that it is to homeport its flagship, Costa Serena, in Shanghai, from next April. Alan Lam reports.

The 2007-built, 114,147gt ship will be another major unit to be added to the increasingly crowdedharbour of Shanghai, the city commonly regarded as the new Barcelona of the East in the cruise world. The deployment will be another forceful impetus for ports invicinity to speed up their facility upgrade programmes in order to better accommodate larger and mega ships.

One of the aims of this move, according to Bohdy Bok, Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific, Costa Crociere, is to bring Asian passengers an Italian lifestyle experience.

The Chinese actress Gao Yuanyuan, has been named as Costa Serena’s godmother.

Following the Shanghai premiere, Costa will host several roadshows with the vessel to Shanghai and other neighbouring cities.

After eight years of operation in China, Costa’s strategy is to maintain the leadership position in thefastest cruise market, as it faces stiffening competition from day to day.