Costa Cruises, Europe's largest cruise company and a member of the World's Leading Cruise Line alliance, today released the 2006/07 edition of its brochure. This year's exciting new developments include the continuation of the popular Pronto Price innovation that provides significant savings to early bookers, new itineraries in Dubai and the Emirates, the first major cruise company to offer holidays in the world's newest glamour destination, and the launch of the Costa Serena, the sister ship to the Costa Concordia - Europe's largest passenger ship with a capacity of over 3,700 holidaymakers.
PRONTOPRICE
As the cruise market leader in both Europe and South America, Costa is constantly changing to better meet the needs of its diverse clientele. ProntoPrice is one such innovation. Every Costa cruise in the 2006/07 brochure features ProntoPrice - a discounted rate exclusively available to early bookers. Once the ProntoPrice allocation is sold out, remaining cabins will move up in price until all the cabins are sold. Savings can be up to 50% off the full fare. This means guests can plan their holidays up to a year in advance and be assured that the cruise they are booking will not be available at a cheaper price when booked last minute.
Other benefits given to Prontoprice bookers include a 25% discount on beauty and spa treatments while the ship is in port and a 20% discount off wine packages, cabin mini-bar, room-service breakfasts and laundry service.
COSTA SERENA
The Costa Serena is due in service in May 2007. The 3,780-passenger ship is the sister ship to the Costa Concordia, due for launch in July (2006). The two ships will each feature the biggest health spas afloat in the form of Costa's two-storey Samsara Spa. The 2,100 sq m Samsara Spas are designed with their own exclusive cabins and suites that will have direct access to the spas. An adjoining restaurant featuring 'molecular' cuisine designed by Michelin-starred chef Ettore Bocchia will highlight the wellness aspect of the spa by offering light, yet flavourful meals designed to react positively with the body's metabolism.
The Costa Serena six-night Vernissage Cruise departs from Savona, Italy on 18 May, with prices starting from just £679pp. The eight-night Grand Inaugural cruise departs from Venice on 26 May with prices starting from £849pp. Serena will then be based in Venice cruising around Greece and Turkey. Cruises will depart weekly on Sundays between 3 June and 11 November 2007 with cruise-only prices starting from £549pp.
FLY-CRUISE OR CRUISE-ONLY
As low-cost airlines have become more popular and extensive, Costa is now introducing the possibility for travellers to book either Fly-Cruise or Cruise-Only packages. Choose the convenience of Costa's well-priced Fly-Cruise packages or create your own itinerary pre or post-cruise by booking the airfare yourself. Guests can then add a land-stay choosing from one of the hotels featured in the Costa brochure or go it alone and search for their own hotel deal. Total flexibility is what's on offer with lead-in prices for a cruise-only package starting from only £239pp.
NEW DESTINATIONS
Costa is proud to become the first major cruise line to offer cruises through the Emirates. Departures are available through Winter 2007, including Christmas and New Year with stops included in Dubai, Oman, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi. Other new destinations include glittering St. Bart's, Roatan Island (Honduras), Grand Turk and Belize City. A new Grand Oriental Cruise taking in Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia is also available.
FAMILY VALUE
Costa continues to offer excellent value for families and every ship in the Costa fleet has a wide range of accommodation to suit families - from three and four berth cabins, with or without a window, to balcony cabins and suites. Younger guests aged between three - 18 years can join the Mini, Maxi or Teen club to enjoy a full programme of activities.
Marco Rosa, UK Managing Director of Costa Cruises says: "This year's brochure is the biggest yet and offers British holidaymakers more cruise options than ever before. Passengers can now choose to visit previously untouched cruise destinations such as the Emirates or create a wellness package on the Costa Serena that combines health and body treatments with calorie-conscious cuisine at the Samsara Spa and restaurant - and all while enjoying a relaxing Mediterranean holiday."
"ProntoPrice makes a Costa Cruise an achievable luxury for both experienced cruisers and first-timers who want to discover what 'cruising Italian style' is all about."
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