Costa Romantica to get $128 million renovation in Genoa shipyard

Costa Cruises has contracted  the San Giorgio del Porto shipyard in Genoa, Italy, for a major renovation of the 53,000-ton, 1,697 guest cruise ship Costa Romantica. The line, a Carnival Corporation brand, is investing approximately €90 million (about $128 million) in what it is calling a “restyling” of the ship, which entered service in 1993. San Giorgio del Porto shipyard, a division of Genova Industrie Navali Holding Company, will be supported by its sister company, T. Mariotti shipyard.

The restyling is to be carried out between late October 2011 and the end of January 2012. Costa Romantica will be completely renovated and renamed Costa neoRomantica.

The extensive makeover will include construction of new areas and the introduction of services that represent a major evolution in the Costa product. A sophisticated ambiance will be created throughout Costa neoRomantica, starting from a contemporary, elegant and refined interior design.

Sweden’s Tillberg Design, which has designed the interiors of approximately 130 luxury yachts and cruise ships over the last 40 years, and Syntax, a London-based company that specializes in hotels and wellness centers, have been commissioned to develop the interior design.

During the renovation in the Genoa dry dock, two new half-decks will be added along with 111 new cabins, and 120 cabins and suites with private balconies will be created. Total guest capacity will increase from 1,697 to 1,800, while the number of cabins will increase from 678 to 789. The ship’s total gross tonnage will increase to approximately 56,000 GTs.

New areas on the ship will include a wine bar with 100 different labels and a wide selection of cheeses from around the world, a coffee and sweets bar, a show lounge bar with dance floor, a cabaret and a nightclub.

Amenities also will include the Samsara Spa, a 4,200-square-meter wellness area with gym, a thalassotherapy pool, treatment rooms, sauna, Turkish bath, 50 spa cabins and six suites, and a special spa restaurant.

There also will be a club restaurant with menus created by award-winning chefs.

When the refit is complete at the end of January 2012, Costa neoRomantica will sail 11-day cruises to the Canary Islands, departing Savona, Italy. During the 2012 summer season, the ship will be positioned in northern Europe for two-week cruises on new itineraries.

August 9, 2011