The construction of Costa Smeralda has reached an important milestone with the installation of the ship’s characteristic yellow funnel. Costa Cruises’ new flagship is currently under construction at the Meyer shipyard in Turku, Finland.
The characteristic yellow funnel with the blue “C” has identified the Costa Cruises ships for the last 70 years and will not only be a symbol but is also directly connected to one of the schip’s main technological innovations. Costa Smeralda will be the first cruise ship for the world market, specifically the European one, to be fuelled, both in port and while at sea, by liquefied natural gas (LNG), the cleanest fossil fuel in the world.
This is an environmental transformation that will improve air quality as LNG almost entirely prevents particulate and sulfur oxide emissions at sea and in port. It also significantly reduces emissions of nitrogen oxides and CO2.
The debut of Costa Smeralda is scheduled for October 20, 2019, with a 15-day inaugural cruise from Hamburg to Savona. The naming ceremony will take place in Savona on November 3, 2019. On November 4, 2019, a 6-day inaugural cruise will depart from Savona for Barcelona, Marseille and Civitavecchia. Costa Smeralda will then continue to sail in the Western Mediterranean until April 2021, offering 1-week cruises to Savona, Marseille, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Civitavecchia and La Spezia.
Costa Smeralda will be a real tribute to Italy and will offer a unique traveling experience, inspired by the style, hospitality and warmth of the country. From the name of the ship itself, inspired by one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in Sardinia, to those of its decks and public areas, each name is drawn from famous places and city squares in Italy. From Palermo (deck 4) to Trieste (deck 20), Costa Smeralda will be a real tour through Italy, with lots of places for guests to share moments of enjoyment, fun and friendship.
Costa Smeralda will have a gross tonnage of over 180,000 tons and over 2,600 rooms. Delivery of a second ship, the twin to Costa Smeralda, is scheduled for 2021. Costa Smeralda and its twin ship are part of an expansion plan for the Costa Group fleet under which seven new ships will be delivered by 2023, for a total investment of over 6 billion euros.