By
Rebecca Gibson |
Costa Cruises' new €550 million flagship Costa Diadema is to be christened in Genoa, Italy, on 7 November 2014.
Celebrating Costa’s long-standing relationship with Genoa – the city where the company was founded and is currently headquartered – the christening ceremony will follow the ship’s delivery on 30 October. After delivery, the line will carry out a month of inaugural activities, including a preview cruise from Trieste to Genoa on 1 November, which overnights in Trieste, before calling at Dubrovnik, Croatia; Corfu, Greece; Valetta, Malta; and Naples, Italy.
After her naming ceremony on 7, Costa Diadema will sail three seven-day, western Mediterranean inaugural cruises. Departing on 8 November, the vessel will offer passengers stopovers in Marseille, France; Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca, Spain; and Naples and Savona, Italy.
Guests travelling on the 15 and 22 November departures will sail roundtrip from Savona to Marseille, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Naples and La Spezia (Florence), Italy. The ship will continue to sail this itinerary from 29 November throughout the 2014-2015 winter season.
Currently under construction at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard near Venice, the 132,500 gt vessel will offer a range of onboard features including dining areas and wine bars such as Vinoteca, Birreria, Japanese Teppanyaki, Piazza Pizza and Gelateria. The 3,724-guest vessel will also offer new entertainment venues including the Country Rock Club, the Star Laser room and the 11,840 sq ft Portobello Market Piazza with designer stores and retail outlets.