By
Rebecca Gibson |
Costa Cruises officially christened its new €550 million flagship Costa Diadema during a ceremony in Genoa, Italy, on 7 November.
Taking place at Ponte dei Mille in Genoa’s historic maritime station, the event began with a parade of the ship’s godmother Italian travel agent Carolina Miceli, who was chosen as part of a worldwide contest, and her international maids of honour from Germany, France, Spain and China.
Following a blessing by Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, archbishop of Genoa and president of the Italian Episcopal Conference, Miceli and the ship’s captain Massimo Garbarino christened Diadema from the onboard Emerald Theater.
Invited guests then enjoyed a light and fireworks display, an onboard gala dinner with a menu by Costa’s Michelin-star chef Fabio Cucchelli and a performance of the new Sapori d’Italia production, which features baritone Simone Baldazzi, the acrobatic duo Celia & Julien and the Phly Boyz. The night concluded with a masked party.
“Costa Diadema is our new flagship and she will set new standards in the European cruise industry and further strengthen Costa’s leadership in Europe,” said Michael Thamm, Cosat’s CEO. “She is the best expression of our new brand positioning: Italy’s finest – its passion and modern Italian lifestyle, hospitality and elegance.”
After her christening, Costa Diadema set sail for the Italian port of Savona, which will serve as the ship’s homeport until the end of the 2015 summer Mediterranean season. During the season, Costa Diadema will depart Savona on seven-night cruises calling at Marseille, France; Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca, Spain; and Naples and La Spezia, Italy.
Costa Diadema, which is the line’s 15th ship, was constructed by more than 1,000 shipyard workers, 2,500 subcontractors and around 400 Italian interior suppliers at Fincantieri’s Marghera yard in Italy.
Weighing 132,500gt and measuring more than 300 metres in length and 37 metres in width, Costa Diadema has 1,862 guest cabins and offers split-level and interconnected rooms directly overlooking the sea to evoke the atmosphere of an Italian coastal resort. In addition, the flagship offers a range of new dining and entertainment venues including Teppanyaki, Country Rock Club, an arcade with interactive games, Portobello Market Piazza, a three-level Samsara Spa and a 500 m open-air promenade with cabanas, restaurants and bars.