Costa Cruises and Fincantieri celebrated the official float-out of the latest cruise ship Costa Firenze. As part of the official float-out ceremony, Costa Firenze touched the sea for the very first time. The celebration followed the protocol provided by the seafaring tradition for such occasions, by flooding the basin where the ship took shape in recent months, following the cutting of the ribbon and the breaking of the bottle by the float-out ceremony’s godmother Franca Pierobon, an employee of Marghera shipyard. The delivery of the new vessel is scheduled for September 30, 2020, once the interiors are finished.

Costa Firenze is the sister ship of the Costa Venezia, built by the Italian shipyard Fincantieri in the Monfalcone shipyard and opened in Trieste on March 1 of this year. Both projects have required thousands of Fincantieri workers, as well as auxiliary employees. Thus, the construction of these ships has had a positive impact on employment for both the construction company and other external companies, especially Italian companies dedicated to interior design.

With more than 135,500 gross tons, 323 meters in length and a capacity for more than 5,200 guests, Costa Firenze and Costa Venezia are the largest Costa Cruises ships operating in the Chinese market, where the Italian company was the first to start offering its services in 2006 and is currently a leader. The two vessels are part of the expansion plan of the Costa Group fleet, which will incorporate seven new ships by 2023 and will involve an investment that exceeds six billion euros.

The new ship will be inspired by the city of Florence and will thus represent centuries of Italian culture and history. Onboard the Costa Firenze, guests, accompanied by their family or friends, can immerse themselves in Italian aesthetics and beauty, present in the different aspects of life on board. The interior design, the hospitality or the different dining areas represent the most authentic of the transalpine culture. In addition, like its sister ship Costa Venezia, Costa Firenze will offer novelties designed exclusively for the Chinese market.

After its scheduled delivery on September 30, 2020, the new ship will go to Singapore, where it will begin operating from October 20, 2020.