By
Rebecca Gibson |
Costa Cruises has joined with train operator Trenitalia to facilitate cruise passenger rail transfers to several of its embarkation and disembarkation ports in Italy.
Signed by Michael Thamm, CEO of Costa, and Gianfranco Battisti, director of the passenger division at Trenitalia, the Rail & Cruise agreement becomes effective on 1 July 2014 and ends in December 2015. It covers services on Trenitalia’s Frecce train network, which includes stations in Naples, Civitavecchia, Bari, Venice and Trieste.
“Thanks to this initiative, Costa Cruises’ guests will be able to comfortably reach several Italian embarkation ports, with a network of 245 Frecce trains per day, in addition to the Frecciabianca connection Turin-Trieste, our main innovation of 2015,” said Battisti. “It also allows the customers to book a train and cruise via a single travel agency.”
As part of the Rail & Cruise initiative, passengers and travel agents will be able to book a cruise with a special train fare on Trenitalia’s Frecce train service, which includes the new Frecciabianca connection from Turin to Trieste. Costa’s guests will travel in reserved coaches and benefit from inclusive services, such as door-to-cabin luggage handling, a station-port-station transfer service, assistance from Costa at the departure station and onboard luggage insurance.
“With this strategic agreement, Costa Cruises continues to set its sights on innovation and develop cutting-edge products and services, which will help to enhance the experience, comfort and satisfaction of its guests,” said Michael Thamm, CEO Costa Cruises.