Costa Cruises, Italy’s largest tourism group and Europe’s number one cruise company, today celebrated the maiden call of the Costa Venezia to Laem Chabang, Thailand.

Costa Venezia, a ship designed specifically to offer the Asian market the best of Italy, is the largest ship introduced by Costa to Asia, where the Italian company was the first to start operating in 2006.

With a gross tonnage of 135,500 tons, 323 meters in length and a capacity for over 5,200 guests, the Costa Venezia offers a series of unprecedented innovations designed specifically for Asian customers, introducing them to Italian culture, lifestyle and excellence, starting from the interiors, which are inspired by the city of Venice.

Mr. Roberto Verdino, Deputy Country Manager for Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia of Costa Group Asia, says: “Costa Venezia has been designed specifically with Asian travellers in mind.  While we continue to offer authentic Italian experience, there are many facilities and specialty restaurants that are catered to Asian guests. The joining of Costa Venezia to Costa Asia’s fleet will bring “The Best Time at Sea” cruise holiday to our Asian guests, and at the same time, demonstrate Costa Cruises’ confidence in the Asian market.”

On Costa Venezia, guests will experience the uniqueness of Venetian and Italian culture. The ship’s theatre is inspired by the world-renowned Venetian La Fenice opera house; the main atrium is reminiscent of St. Mark’s Square, while the main restaurants recall the traditional architecture of Venetian alleys and squares. Actual gondolas, made by the Squero di San Trovaso artisans, can also be found on board. Guests can savour the delicacies of regional Italian cuisines at the inclusive restaurants, as well as fine dining with menu curated by chef Umberto Bombana of the three-Michelin-starred restaurant, 81⁄2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana, at Restaurant Casanova, one of the five specialty restaurants. Guests will also feel at home with a wide choice of Asian food on offer, including hotpot, teppanyaki, dim sum and noodles.

Costa Venezia features more than 8,000 square feet of retail space amid a two-deck Venetian-style shopping pavilion which Starboard Cruise Services, the premier retailer at sea, curated with some of the world’s most celebrated brands.

Presented within an Italian-style shopping experience in keeping with the iconic Costa Cruises brand, the collection includes many famous Italian brands, including first-time-at-sea Max Mara, Salvatore Ferragamo and Bvlgari.

Costa Venezia further appeals to the Asian shopper with the largest beauty space at sea, measuring more than 2,500 square feet and including over 30 international brands, with the first-at-sea Clé de Peau Beauté and Hermès, Yves Saint Laurent, La Prairie, Bvlgari, Chanel, Dior, La Mer, SK-II and more.  Asian beauty brands include Dr. Jart+, Sulwhasoo and The History of Whoo. The Merchant of Venice, a refined perfumer that pays homage to the beauty of Venetian culture, also makes its debut at sea and available for the first time in Asia.

In addition, Bvlgari joins Costa Cruises and Starboard to present the first production of its kind at sea: “the Bvlgari Jewelry Show”, an evening of elegance and glamour highlighting the Italian jeweller’s masterful craftsmanship. During the show, Costa Venezia’s passengers will experience the epitome of “la dolce vita,” an Italian dream, presenting a dazzling display of Bvlgari jewels featured onboard at the Bvlgari boutique.

The luxury line-up also includes Cartier, Jaeger-LeCoultre Tiffany & Co., Mikimoto, and many more, making it even more irresistible when they can be purchased onboard tax and duty free.

Apart from shopping, guests are entertained by nightly shows and performances, including “Venezia Innamorata”, a musical inspired by the love stories of Venetian author and adventurer Giacomo Casanova, specially created for Costa Venezia’s Teatro Rosso. Themed parties such as the “Golden Party” and “Carnival of Venice” masked ball will recreate the magical atmosphere of “The City of Canals” onboard.

Soccer fans will find Asia’s exclusive Juventus Football Club at sea and enjoy a 360-degree Italian football experience with special facilities on Costa Venezia, including an outdoor soccer field, an indoor academy, a museum showcasing  historic trophies and memorabilia from as far back as the 1970s, magazine photos from all eras, jerseys and signed shoes from the club’s successful seasons, as well as a retail shop selling limited edition commemorative merchandise.

For guests who enjoy the outdoors, the ship has both outdoor and indoor swimming pools and jacuzzis, an aqua park with water slides, a mini golf course, a high-rope garden, outdoor fitness facilities, a wellness complex with gym and spa, clubs for teens and kids, and many more.

On March 8, the ship embarked from Trieste for the start of its inaugural cruise: an exceptional 53-day trip following the tracks of Marco Polo through the Mediterranean to the Middle East, South East Asia and the Far East before docking in Tokyo.

A second ship designed exclusively for the Asian market, a sister ship to Costa Venezia, is currently under construction by Fincantieri in Marghera and is expected to be delivered in 2020.  Together with Costa Venezia, the arrival of second new built will help boost the development of Asian cruise industry.