European cruise company Costa Cruises is launching the Costa neoClassica in India, which will be homeporting in Mumbai from December 2016. Costa neoClassica will perform a series of weekly sailings from December 16, 2016 to March 18, 2017.
On this seven-night itinerary, travellers can cruise from Mumbai to Maldives over seven nights, or begin the cruise in Maldives and cruise from Male to Mumbai, also seven nights. The ship will sail along India’s South-Western coast, with stops at Kochi and Mangalore on the way to Maldives, and will sail via Colombo and Goa on the way to Mumbai.
Since Costa announced the launch of the Mumbai-Maldives, it has seen a surge of bookings for December, especially for the Christmas and New Years Eve sailings. There has also been interest from corporates who are looking to book large groups in the first quarter of 2017. Costa has also seen early interest from companies with themes or wedding parties who are looking to charter the entire ship for this itinerary. However, due to lack of availability, this is likely to be a possibility only during the next season or for Costa’s other destinations. There is also a lot of interest in this sailing from Costa’s European clientele who see the Mumbai-Maldives sailing as a nice gateway into or out of India.
Nalini Gupta, managing director, Lotus Destinations (GSA of Costa Cruises India), said, “The cruises will have an international flavour in terms of the mix of people on the ship, which will be a nice way for travellers to experience the world.”
Costa neoClassica will be the first large cruise ship that cruises between Mumbai and the Maldives. This cruise ship has a total of 654 cabins (with a capacity for 1,700 passengers), including ocean view cabins and suites with private balconies. Fully-equipped with a casino, theatre, disco, ballroom, grand bar, it aims to provide plenty in entertainment. The wellness centre is spread across 1,300 sq m with a gym, treatment rooms, sauna and steam room. It also has an outdoor jogging track, four jacuzzis and two swimming pools.
The cruise ship has a duty-free shopping centre, and also offers a selection of books in the library. The food and wine on offer is based on Italian regional menus with a choice of dishes representing different regions of Italy. In addition to this range, guests can also take advantage of vegetarian and vegan dishes. On board Costa neoClassica, guests will also have the chance to taste the real original Neapolitan pizza at Pizzeria Pummid’oro. In addition, cruisers will be able to enjoy a variety of Indian cuisine and the restaurants on board are fully equipped to cater to special diet requirements of Indians, which includes Jain food.
