Costa Cruises, the Italy’s largest tourism group and Europe’s number one cruise company, celebrated this year’s first call of the Costa Classica to Hakata on 28^th of AUG.

Costa Classica has been calling to Hakata since 2008. However, their original schedule operation from this June onward has been postoponed due to the Great East Japan disaster.

Overcoming this break, Costa Classica finally returned to the friendly port of Hakata and the memorial ceremony hosted by the Costa Cruise was held on board. 

With 1,680 Guests, Costa Classica had just completed an eastbound journey here in Hakata after calling Tianjin, Shanghai, Nagasaki and Cheju.

Mr.Dario Rustico, Vice President, Pacific Asia Operations of Costa Cruises gave comments for press coverage;

“At last we are here at Hakata. Despite the economic downturn, Costa Cruises continues to record encouraging performance, and we strongly believe in Japan’s long term potential. We will continue to further develop this market to ensure that cruising becomes the number one vacation choice for travellers. The arrival of the Costa Victoria (capacity 2,394 persons) in 2012 to the Asia-Pacific region will be a further testament of our ongoing commitment to the industry.”

At the official welcoming ceremony on board , nearly 100 people attended including Fukuoka City Mayor Takashima, Mr.Tanaka from Kyushu cruise Promotion Association, as well as the representatives from several tourism agencies, media personnels and cruise-related divisions.

From Costa Classica , Mr.Dario Rustico, Vice President of the Pacific Asia Operations of Costa Cruises, Captain Mr.Michele De Grerorio, Technical director Mr.Luca Rovere, Hotel director,Mr.Eduard Puckl attended the ceremony and presented a crystal replica of the Costa Classica, as a symbol of Costa Cruises’ continued commitment to Fukuoka city.

Mr.Takashima, Fukuoka City Mayor said,

“Welcome back to Fukuoka! Thank you for inviting us today, in place of Fukuoka’s citizens, I would like to express how extremely honored we are to welcome you back to our port. This is a very important year for us because Hakata port was chosen by Costa Cruise as both departure and arrival port of the East Asian casual cruise operation.

This is a truly memorable occasion, and we earnestly look forward to your return in the very near future. By offering an array of hospitality programmes to passengers of Costa Classica, we aim for their stay in our city to be a unique experience, and eventually making Fukuoka one of your most favorite destinations” .

On 25^th and 29^th of SEP, Costa Cruise provides 3days cruise tours outbound from Hakata port for Japanese passengers which include visits to the finest Asian destinations like Cheju and Shanghai.

Now clearly focusing on Japanese market, Costa Classica has increased the number of Japanese staff on board.

“Since we began operations in the Asia-Pacific, approximately 100,000 guests have experienced true Italian-style cruising with Costa Cruises. We will continue to explore and cater to the numerous markets in the region,” Mr.Dalio added.

Ryoko Takano,FCVB Cruise Ship Information Cordinator.