Costa Cruises will celebrate Italian Republic Day June 2 onboard its Italian-flagged ships with celebratory events organized by Italian embassies and consulates in four Nordic destinations. The first event will be held May 30 in Copenhagen, Sweden, on Costa Favolosa, followed by May 31 in Kiel, Germany, on Costa Pacifica. An event will be held June 9 on Costa Fortuna in Stavanger, Norway, and June 11 in Oslo, Norway, on Costa Favolosa.

Italian gastronomic culture will be spotlighted during the events, with luncheons featuring tastes of the Italian culinary tradition and "made in Italy" brands of excellence, such as Caffè Illy, spumante Ferrari, and the Maitre Chocolatier Guido Gobino. In Oslo the company will offer a typical Italian breakfast with the best traditional Italian pastries.

"Our ships, all flying the Italian flag, have been the ambassadors of Italy's finest on seas around the globe for the last 67 years, allowing thousand of guests, mainly from abroad, to discover the excellence of our country in terms of style, hospitality and enogastronomic specialities," said Neil Palomba, president of Costa Cruises. "Each year during the festivities celebrating the birth of the Italian Republic, we renew the celebration of June 2, so that all our guests, and not only Italians, can share the values that distinguish the Italian spirit, an unmistakable lifestyle, that we are proud to express and represent around the world."

In addition to the events to be held in northern European countries, Costa Cruises will celebrate June 2 with all guests on its ships. The Italian Republic Day program includes special menus and cocktails inspired by the Italian flag, and the playing of the national anthem.

Costa Cruises also will provide support to the general consulate of Dubai for organizing the festivities celebrating the birth of the Italian Republic to promote the excellences of Italy with local communities.