CRUISE LINES

Costa Serena Floats Out of Drydock in Genoa
5/8/2006
Ceremonies were held yesterday at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyards in Genoa, Italy for the technical launch of the Costa Serena, Costa’s future flagship, scheduled for delivery in Spring 2007. The festivities, which were attended by senior management from Costa and Fincantieri, come less than a month after the inaugural of the Costa Serena’s sister ship, the Costa Concordia. The official ceremony included a blessing by Monsignor Luigi Molinari from the Archdiocese of Genoa as well as other traditional festivities to mark the occasion. From there, the dry dock was gradually flooded and the hull of the Costa Serena was transferred to the sea for the first time.
“It’s very exciting for us to be back here in Genoa, confirming our growth and partnership with Fincantieri,” said Costa Crociere S.p.A. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Pier Luigi Foschi. “Less than a month after the Costa Concordia’s entry into service, the launch of the Costa Serena is a further step forward in the development of our company as we aim to expand in Europe and worldwide, offering more and more innovative ships that set Costa apart from other tour operators.”
Once moored at the dock, the Costa Serena will undergo the final stages of outfitting, due for completion shortly before her entry into service in May 2007. The ship will depart from Venice on her maiden cruise May 26, 2007. From June to November 2007, she will set sail every Sunday from Venice on seven-night cruises with stopovers in Bari, Katakolon (Greece), Izmir and Istanbul (Turkey), and Dubrovnik (Croatia).
When completed, the Costa Serena will be 112,000 tons and 951 feet long with a double occupancy capacity of 3,000. She will boast the same main innovations of her sister ship, the Costa Concordia, including the Samsara Spa—the largest spa at sea, a Grand Prix driving simulator and the largest enclosable pool deck on a ship.