Italy’s largest tourism group and Europe’s number one cruise company, Costa Cruises has designed its first Costa liner called the Costa Venezia, specifically for its Asian guests.
Operated since 2006, the grand ship which offers the best of Italy is the largest ship introduced by Costa to Asia, with a gross tonnage of 135,500 tons, 323 meters in length and a capacity for over 5,200 guests.
Costa Venezia celebrated its maiden call to Port Klang, Malaysia last week. The event was attended by Malaysia’s Minister of Transport, Yang Berhormat Tuan Anthony Loke.
The fancy cruise 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,” he continued.
Experience Venetian and Italian culture and food
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.
Shop for the world’s most celebrated brands
Featuring more than 8,000 square feet of retail space amid a 2-deck Venetian-style shopping pavilion, the premier retailer at sea Starboard Cruise Services is curated with some of the world’s most celebrated 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.
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.
Exclusive onboard entertainment
Guests can look forward to be 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. There are also themed parties such as the “Golden Party” and “Carnival of Venice” masked ball which will recreate the magical atmosphere of “The City of Canals” onboard.
Soccer fans can enjoy a 360-degree Italian football experience at Asia’s exclusive Juventus Football Club at sea which features special facilities including an outdoor soccer field, an indoor academy, a museum showcasing historic trophies and memorabilia, jerseys and signed shoes, as well as a retail shop selling limited edition 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.
Our experience on Costa Venezia
During Costa Venezia’s maiden call to Malaysia, Hype was invited to board and experience the facilities and services available on the cruise. We have to say that we’re extremely impressed by the professionalism of the crews and the attractive layout of the ship’s interior and exterior. It really does feel as though we have been transported to Venice, Italy.
During the session, we also get to fine dine at one of the specialty restaurants on the ship, where we were served traditional Venetian meals. The menu includes Baccala Mantecato as the appetiser, La Sopa Coada and Spaghetti Alla Busara as the first course, Masorin Col Pien as the main course, and Frittelle as the dessert.
Our thoughts on the cuisine? All of the dishes were presented in simple style but all of them taste exquisite and delightfully pleasing. Our favourite dish has to be one of the first courses, the La Sopa Coada which is a typical dish of the Treviso cuisine. The dish is basically hot broth with layers of soaked bread and boneless chicken.
Costa Venezia embarked from Trieste for the start of its inaugural cruise on 8th March, 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.
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