Brand's flagship is the first of four ships to resume sailing in the Mediterranean
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Costa Smeralda has become the first Costa Cruises ship to resume service in 2021 after departing on a week-long Italian itinerary from the port of Savona on 1 May.
The LNG-powered ship will sail to Civitavecchia (Rome), Naples, Messina, Cagliari and La Spezia. Guests were able to book the entire itinerary or split it into three- and four-day mini-cruises to experience a shorter holiday.
“The restart of Costa Cruises on the occasion of the Labor Day takes on a strong symbolic value and must be a good omen for the recovery of an important economic sector such as tourism,” said Ilaria Caprioglio, Mayor of Savona. “The municipality of Savona is pleased to celebrate this restart with Costa Cruises, after very difficult months of health, economic and social crisis, in the 25th year of the company's presence in Savona.”
Costa Smeralda is the first of four Costa vessels that will resume cruising with week-long itineraries in the Mediterranean this summer. Costa Luminosa will begin voyages to Greece from 16 May, Costa Deliziosa will offer cruises to Greece from 26 June and new ship Costa Firenze will provide sailings around Italy. On 3 July, Costa Smeralda will resume international itineraries and sail week-long cruises in Italy, France and Spain.
“We are delighted to be starting off again from a Ligurian port, from the region that has been our home for over 70 years. The cruise and tourism sector is essential for the recovery of the Italian economy,” said Mario Zanetti, president of Costa Cruises. “Suffice it to say that, before the pause due to the Covid-19 emergency, our company generated an economic impact of €3.5 billion ($4.2 billion) at national level, with over 17,000 direct and indirect jobs, working with about 5,000 partners. We hope that today's restart will be a sign of a return to normality, for us, for our guests, whom we are pleased to welcome back onboard, and for all the suppliers working in our sector.”
All guests and crew will follow the new Costa Safety Protocol, which includes measures such as enhanced sanitation and medical services; swab tests for all guests before embarkation and halfway through the cruise; swab tests for the crew before embarkation and regularly during their stay onboard; and temperature checks every time guests disembark and re-enter the ship, and when they enter the restaurants. In addition, guests must adhere to social distancing onboard the ship and in terminals, wear masks when necessary and only take specific protected excursions.