Costa Venezia launches Shenzhen voyage

December 16, Costa Cruises announced that its Costa Venezia officially launched its maiden voyage at the Shekou cruise home port of Shenzhen, bringing authentic Italian cultural infiltration to consumers in South China and creating a good time at sea. Leaders from Shenzhen Communications and Transportation Bureau, Shenzhen Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports Bureau, Shenzhen Merchants Shekou International Cruise Home Port Co., Ltd., leaders of Costa Cruises, mass media, and peers of travel agency attended the grand inaugural ceremony.

Guests participate in the lighting ceremony of Costa Venezia (Source: Costa Cruises)

"I am very glad to witness the first voyage of the Costa Venezia in Shenzhen's home port. The Costa Cruises knows the strategic significance and development potential of the South China market for us, and has always been committed to promoting the development of the cruise industry." Ye Peng, senior vice president of sales and commerce in China and Southeast Asia, said, "The arrival of the Costa Venezia is believed to be able to meet the travel needs of consumers in this region through a special mode of travel. Pure Italian culture and aesthetics can also bring you more surprises and different perspectives. We also wish Costa Venezia to achieve new success in the Shenzhen market. "

Fantasy Venice lights up the Fancy Year at Sea

Costa Venezia from Shenzhen will span Christmas, New Year's Day and the Chinese Lunar New Year, opening a veritable "fancy year at sea". Holiday-themed decorations, year-round food and various New Year special events will also be staged on the cruise. At the inaugural ceremony, distinguished guests participated in the lighting ceremony and expressed their blessings to Costa Venezia .

Costa Venezia joined the Asia Costa fleet in May this year and officially went into operation. Since the maiden voyage, with its unique immersive Italian cultural experience, Costa Venezia has been loved by consumers. The cruise takes Venice as its design inspiration, and integrates Italian culture and style into every aspect, presenting tourists with a fantasy Venice journey covering food, entertainment, sports, fashion and many other aspects. Whether it's the love story of “the water city” in the Italian musical "The Love of Venice", the football competition with the family on the Juventus sea green field, or enjoys the wonderful fashion trip with friends in the colorful Bulgari fashion show, and experiences the world’s charming flavor on the tongue in a gourmet paradise that includes multi-national characteristics. Costa Venezta e is committed to creating intimate sea time for passengers and loved ones.

Costa Venezia docked at Shenzhen Shekou Cruise Home Port (gross tonnage 135,500 tons, passenger capacity 5,260)  (Source: Costa Cruises)

Multi aspects gathering in Shekou, deep ploughing market to promote cruise development

The presence of Costa Venezia in the Shenzhen Shekou Cruise Home Port demonstrates the confidence of Costa Cruises in Shenzhen market and its commitment to deeply cultivate the South China market.

Shenzhen Shekou Cruise Home Port has a superior geographical advantage, occupying a key position in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and relying on convenient inland transportation facilities, suitable climate conditions and rich tourism culture, it has great potential for development in Chinese cruise tourism market. As the first international cruise brand stationed in China, Costa Cruises has always regarded Shenzhen as an important part of China's strategic layout. In 2017, Costa Atlantic entered the Shenzhen Shekou Cruise Home Port and started regular operations.

At the same time, this is also a move by Costa Cruises to actively respond to the government's "Belt and Road" initiative and promote cultural communication and exchanges in coastal countries. In the context of the positive development of the marine economy in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Costa Cruises will work with the local government to promote the construction and development of the cruise ecosystem, while bringing genuine Italian cultural infiltration and cruise vacation experience to consumers in South China.

Diverse choices and convenient travel upgrade cruise experience

At the inaugural ceremony, Costa Cruises also announced that after the cruise from December 2019 to January 2020, Costa Venezia will return to Shenzhen from April to July next year. Costa Atlantic, known as the "art cruise" will also be deployed in Shenzhen from February to March and August to October next year. The variety of route choices and travel dates covering holidays will further meet the needs of tourists from Shenzhen and South China markets for cruise travel and vacations, and also demonstrate the full confidence of Costa Cruises in the market.

The first "Smart Cruise" project in China that came to Shenzhen with Costa Venezia will also benefit consumers. Through the full cooperation with Alipay, tourists can save two-thirds of the time of boarding and customs clearance by simply checking the boat online through a small program, and the cruise travel experience of tourists will be even better. At present, the “Smart Cruise” project of Costa Cruises is only available in Shenzhen and Shanghai.

Ye Peng, Senior Vice President of Sales and Business, Greater China and Southeast Asia  (Source: Costa Cruises)

Next, Costa Venezia will depart from Shenzhen from December 2019 to January 2020 to port destinations such as Japan and Southeast Asia. It is worth mentioning that except for 5 days 4 nights / 6 days 5 nights Voyages, 3 days 2 nights weekend cruises will also be offered during this period. Costa Cruises will meet different cruise travel needs with various routes and serve consumers in Shenzhen and even the entire South China region.