Costa Luminosa and Costa Pacifica to Debut in April and May 2009

THE ROMANCE OF TRAVEL RENEWED: COSTA UNVEILS ITS 2009 WORLDWIDE VOYAGES ON MORE THAN 100 DIFFERENT ITINERARIES ABOARD 14 SHIPS  

MIAMI, FL – (February 19, 2008) –In 2009, travelers may experience the romance of travel renewed in 250 ports, on more than 100 different itineraries and in 78 countries when sailing with Costa, Europe’s Number One Cruise Line. New brochures detailing Costa’s special brand of “love, laughter and la dolce vita” on routes throughout Europe, Dubai, the Far East, South America, the Indian Ocean, Canada and New England are now available worldwide.  In 2009, Costa will increase its capacity by 12%, representing a guest capacity that totals 36,000. North American market brochures feature a completely new layout and design, including highlighted collections of “La Dolce Vita Sailings” for each region, which feature Costa’s most popular routes. Also new in 2009 – the Costa Luminosa and Costa Pacifica, numerous new ship deployments, select sailings to Canada and New England aboard the Costa Atlantica, and a new land tour program in Europe.

Costa Luminosa and Costa Pacifica to Debut in 2009

Costa’s Summer 2009 Europe cruise season will be highlighted by the arrival of its two newest fleet members – the 92,700-ton Costa Luminosa and the 114,5000-ton Costa Pacifica, a sister ship to the Costa Serena and Costa Concordia. The Costa Luminosa, which will debut in April 2009, will sail her 13-night inaugural voyage from Civitavecchia on June 3 with stops in some of the most stylish ports of call in Europe, including Savona (Portofino), St. Tropez, Barcelona, Lisbon and Le Havre (Paris), before ending in Amsterdam, where she will sail her first summer season on 12-night cruises through the Fjords and North Cape as well as the Baltic and Russia. Built for picturesque voyages, 68% of the cabins aboard the Costa Luminosa feature balconies – the largest percentage of veranda cabins in the Costa fleet.  With accommodations for 2,828 total guests in double occupancy cabins, and 1,130 staterooms (772 of which offer verandas), this one-of-a-kind ship offers the very best of the Costa product in terms of  wellness, entertainment, exclusive itineraries, art, intimate settings, as well as fine food and wine. In addition, she will feature a new Costa innovation – a golf simulator boasting 37 virtual golf courses as well as an outdoor putting green.

The Costa Pacifica, which will debut in May 2009, will set sail on her eight-night inaugural voyage from Savona (Portofino) on June 6 with stops in Marseille, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Tunis, Valletta and Palermo. She will sail this same route, shortened to seven nights, for her inaugural season through the Western Mediterranean. With accommodations for up to 3,780 guests, she will feature popular innovations found on her sister ships, including the revolutionary Samsara Spa, a covered swimming pool area extending over two decks, and a Grand Prix race car driving simulator and a design theme inspired by the very best in music from all periods. The ship’s design gives guests the opportunity to listen, read and live music in every

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Costa’s 2009 Voyages—2

area of the ship – a first on a cruise ship. A soundtrack composed exclusively for Costa will accompany this prestigious “musical” journey.

Costa’s True European Experience

As Europe’s number one cruise line with more ships, more sailings and the largest fleet in the region, Costa brings the biggest and best of Europe to its international guests from around the world, providing an authentic and “true European experience” both on and off the ship.

Eastern Mediterranean

In 2009, the Costa Fortuna and Costa Serena will depart from Venice on seven-night “La Dolce Vita Sailings” from April through November with the Costa Fortuna calling on Bari, Katakolon (Olympia), Santorini,  Mykonos, Rhodes, and Dubrovnik and the Costa Serena calling on Bari, Katakolon, Izmir, Istanbul, and Dubrovnik. From May through November, the Costa Victoria will sail seven-night voyages from Venice to Italy, the Greek Isles and Croatia, while the Costa Romantica will depart from Civitavecchia on seven-night sailings through Italy[Back to Press Releases Main]