The 114,500-gt, 3,800-passenger cruise ship Costa Fascinosa touched the water for the first time at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Venice, a month after the delivery of the Costa Favolosa, her sister ship. Once the interiors have been fitted out, the ship will enter service in May 2012.
The Costa Fascinosa is the ninth ship built by Fincantieri as part of Costa Cruises’ fleet development plan that began in 2000. The Costa Fascinosa’s technical launch ceremony was carried out according to seafaring tradition. The launch started with the welding of a coin at the base of what was once the mainmast, a custom considered to bring good luck. Then, the shipyard director invited the godmother, Mirca Pizzato, an employee of Marghera shipyards, to cut the ribbon and break a bottle of champagneagainst the bow of the Costa Fascinosa. Once the dry-dock basin where the ship took shape over the last few months had been filled with water, the hull finally had the chance to touch the sea for the first time.
“The launch of the Costa Fascinosa, less than one month after the delivery of the Costa Favolosa, named in Trieste on 2nd July, confirms the soundness and commitment of our company. Costa Cruises continues to help to the sector’s development in Europe, creating jobs in Italian shipyards - declared PierLuigi Foschi, Chairman and CEO of Costa Crociere S.p.A. - I can say that the strength of our brand, guaranteed by more than 60 years of experience, and the quality of our product will once again turn out to be the winning factors in what continues to be a difficult economic and geopolitical scenario.”
