Costa Cruises Granted Permission to Operate Direct Cross-Straits Lines

Costa Cruises has received official approval from the PRC Ministry of Transportation to operate three special cruises across the Straits between the Chinese Mainland and Taiwan.

Operating from April to May this year out of Shanghai’s new cruise terminal, the historical cruises underline Costa Cruises strong position in the development of this promising emerging market.

The three cruises will navigate a new route which was originally designed for Amway (China). Departing from Shanghai, the itineraries include calls at ports in Hualian, Jilong and Taizhong in Taiwan and will last for seven days and six nights.

The newest member of the Costa fleet in Asia, Costa Classica, will be deployed for the three Shanghai to Taiwan sailings.

“We are very honored to be operating the first cruises directly between China and Taiwan, as this ushers in a brand new chapter for Costa Cruises’s development in China,” said Massimo Brancaleoni, Vice President of Costa Cruises Asia Pacific. “We value China as one of the most important and promising oversea markets for Costa globally, and strongly believe that the relaxing of the policy on cross-Straits direct sea transport will have a very positive impact on the Chinese cruise holiday market.”

This route will offer a new and highly appealing destination to Chinese consumers and, at the same time, stimulate fast, profitable development of the coastal cities economies, including Shanghai and Xiamen, both of which have recently launched new cruise terminals.

Costa Cruises has also sent an official application to the Department of Transportation to secure more direct cruise trips in 2010.

With more than 60 years of international cruise holiday experience, Costa Cruises decided to establish a home port in Shanghai in July 2006, becoming one of the first international companies to schedule regular cruises in China.

The year 2009 will see yet another important milestone for Costa Cruises’ rapid development in Asia. As well as introducing its first direct cruises between Taiwan and China, Costa will also be increasing its investment in China.

From this April, Costa's Asian fleet will welcome its second member, the Costa Classica. As one of the most popular ships in Costa's entire fleet, the elegance and sophistication of Costa Classica will up the ante for Costa's world-famous Italian-style cruising in Asia. More importantly, it will allow even more Asian tourists to enjoy a wonderful and memorable cruise holiday.

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