Tag Archives: Costa fleet

Five Ships to Leave Costa Fleet by May 2021

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Costa Mediterranea (Photo: JD Schwartz)

Working to reduce capacity growth in Southern Europe, five ships will leave the Costa Cruises fleet by May 2021, according to Arnold Donald, CEO of Carnival Corporation, speaking on the company’s third-quarter earnings call on Thursday, Sept. 26.

Donald said that two Europe-based ships will leave the Costa fleet in 2020, and he added that two ships will leave the Costa fleet in Asia in 2020.

In addition, he confirmed the Costa Mediterranea will leave the fleet in May 2021. 

The ships will be replaced with more efficient capacity in the new Costa Smeralda, Donald underscored. 

Carnival’s CEO did not mention what other ships would leave the fleet, but based on other Carnival Corp. vessel transfers, these would most likely be the line’s older and less efficient vessels. 

“Some are being sent to China; some are being sent to other markets where we have strength,” Donald said, noting some would also leave the fleet. “When we sell them, we don’t sell them into competing markets.”

The Atlantica and Mediterranea are expected to transfer to Carnival’s joint venture in China with China State Shipbuilding Corporation, but the timeline is behind previously announced goals. 

Recent Carnival Corporation secondhand vessel transactions include not only Costa vessels, but the P&O Oriana, which was sold to Chinese owners and just transferred to the new Astro Ocean brand.

In addition, the Pacific Jewel was sold to Jalesh Cruises, the Pacific Eden moved to Cruise & Maritime Voyages, and the Prinsendam is now the Amera for Phoenix Reisen.

Carnival Corp: On Track to Slowly Remove Older Ships

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Adonia in her Fathom livery during a 2016 turnaround day in Miami
Adona (Fathom) is set to join Azamara Cruise.

Carnival Corporation remains on pace to remove one to two older, less efficient ships from its fleet on an annual basis following two recent transactions.

Carnival announced earlier in the week the P&O Adonia has been sold to Azamara for a March 2018 delivery. The Adonia joins the neoClassica, which will leave the Costa fleet around the same time.

Newer ships are not only generally larger, but burn less fuel and generate higher ticket pricing and onboard revenue.

The 2001-built Adonia is one of the smallest ships in the Carnival fleet, at 684 passengers. The neoClassica is also on the smaller side, with capacity for 1,308 passengers, having been built in 1991.

The sales are part of the company’s broader corporate strategy to remove older, less efficient ships, while moderating capacity growth in line with demand, according to executives.

“We remain on track with our strategically enhancement program as we continue to deliver more efficient vessels, while replacing less efficient ones over time,” said Arnold Donald, president and CEO of Carnival Corporation, on the company’s third quarter earnings call.

Last year followed a similar beat as the 1988-built Pacific Pearl left the P&O Australia fleet for a new home with Cruise & Maritime Voyages. Her capacity was replaced by the much newer 1997-built Dawn Princess, which was transferred to P&O Australia and renamed the Pacific Explorer.

Image result for pacific explorer

“As demonstrated by our April sale of Pacific Pearl, as well as our recently announced sale of Costa neoClassica, expected to leave the fleet next April, and our P&O Adonia, expected to leave the fleet next March. We remain on pace with our historical average of removing one to two ships per year,” Donald added.

In 2014, the company moved a number of ships off its books as the Voyager, which was operating for Costa was sold to Bohai Ferry.The Celebration went to Bahamas Paradise after her stint with Iberocruceros. The Grand Holiday, another Ibero ship, was sold to Cruise & Maritime Voyages, and finally, the Ocean Princess was sold to Oceania, a deal in which Carnival even provided financing.

Costa Classica set to re-join fleet after €22m overhaul

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After a complete redesign to the sum of a €22.5 million, the Costa Classica will join the Costa fleet as part of the Costa neoCollection that offers slow cruises to unique destinations.

Costa Classica – at 53,000 gross tonnage and 654 cabins – will join Costa neoCollection, alongside Costa neoRomantica and Costa neoRiviera, offering some of the most stunning and unique Costa neoCollection itineraries with a “slow cruise” style that use smaller ships.

The redesign took place at San Giorgio del Porto yards in Genoa, one of the international leaders for ship repairs and refitting.

The process began on November 8th and involved 600 technicians and 400 crew members.

The process included work on the hull and engine sections as well as a complete repainting of the hull.

Public areas and guests cabins were totally renewed, with a new design by Partner Ship Design, reproducing the atmosphere of the more intimate Costa neoCollection ships and providing the same type of unique cruise experience.

Fitness lovers will be able to take part in Total Body Resistance Exercise training sessions.

Features and services throughout the ship will reflect the brand’s ethos of providing “Italy’s finest”.

The ship will offer a broad selection of food and wine options including restaurant menus that will be inspired not only by Italian cuisine but also by regional foods local to the destinations being visited.

The Al Fresco Café has been transformed into a shipboard natural oasis, decorated with trees to create a peaceful park-like environment to relax.

The space includes a balcony area overlooking the sea as well as an indoor space for those wanting to enjoy an aperitif or a glass of Ferrari sparkling wine.

At the Dolce Amore Bar, guests can enjoy an array of specialty coffees from around the world throughout the day and then return in the evening to enjoy a selection of pizzas.

When in their cabins, refitted with bright, luminous colours, guests will be able to wake up to authentic espresso thanks to Illy coffee pod machines installed throughout.

There will also be Elemis amenities and beauty products to keep guests feeling pampered.

Sun-lovers will enjoy the renovated lounge areas on the open deck where they can enjoy a drink by the pool all day and into the evening.

Costa neoClassica will also offer a “Stargazer” experience, an original Costa neoCollection entertainment activity that will allow guests to admire the skies through high-quality telescopes, assisted by Costa experts.