Dubai debut for Europe's leading cruise operator

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        'caption' => 'Acting Manager of Dubai Cruise Terminal, Mr. Awadh Seghayer Al Ketbi, and officials of Costa Crociere at the Press conference held on February 1 2006.',
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The Italian group which operates the brands AIDA Cruises and Costa Crociere made the announcement during a series of official meetings conducted in Dubai by its top management team.

From December 2006, two ships - the Costa Classica and AIDAcara - will depart every week from the state-of-the-art Dubai Cruise Terminal on Arabian Gulf cruises.

A total of 25 departures and 70,000 passenger movements are forecast. The seven-day itinerary features two nights in Dubai plus one-day stopovers in the ports of Fujairah, Muscat (Oman), Abu Dhabi and Bahrain.

A delegation from Costa Crociere headed by Costa Crociere, SpA Chairman & CEO, Mr. Pier Luigi Foschi, Costa Crociere President, Mr. Gianni Onorato, and AIDA Cruises Senior Vice President Operations, Mr. Michael Ungerer held talks with Dubai government officials, including those from the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC) and Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).

The DTCM Director General, Mr. Khalid A bin Sulayem, said: 'Cruise industry plays a crucial role in the overall growth and development of the tourism industry in Dubai and the region. We realized its importance long ago and created the infrastructure and services that were needed to tap its potential.'

He added: 'We welcome Costa Crociere's decision and hope that it will be a shot in the arm for the regional cruise industry. We will continue to devote our efforts to further promote this most-promising sector of the tourism industry.'

Addressing a Press conference, Mr. Awadh Seghayer Al Ketbi, Acting Manager of Dubai Cruise Terminal, said: 'Costa Crociere's decision reconfirms the potential of Dubai as the regional cruise industry hub. We are delighted with their decision and assure of our whole hearted cooperation and support to make the initiative successful. We are confident that this will help expand the cruise tourism industry in the region and stimulate other cruise operators to use the emirate as a cruise hub.'

Among those who addressed the gathering included Mr. Domenico Pedata, Italian ambassador to the UAE, who along with the Costa Crociere Chairman and CEO, Mr. Pier Luige Foschi, held talks with Mr. bin Sulayem earlier.

The DTCM and Dubai Cruise Terminal have been promoting the excellent cruise facilities in the emirate in different trade forums in overseas markets.

Costa Crociere SpA Chairman & CEO, Mr. Pier Luigi Foschi, said: 'The local authorities in Dubai have been involved in this important development programme aimed at making the UAE and the Arabian Gulf a major travel destination for European tourists. I believe that the arrival in Dubai of an international operator like Costa Crociere can make a significant contribution towards achieving this objective.'

He added: 'The importance of the cruise industry locally is confirmed by the substantial investments made in the last few years for the construction of a new cruise terminal and related port infrastructure. I also want to stress that the spirit of cooperation, approachability and commitment of the local authorities has played a vital role in our decision. We hope that in the future Dubai will become a regular destination for our cruises.'

It is for the first time a leading global cruise operator has decided to schedule itineraries intended for an international clientele with departures out of Dubai, which is easily accessible from Europe and renowned for its fine, sunny weather and mild winter.

The new Dubai-based cruises will be offered throughout the 2006/2007 winter season by two ships belonging to the Italian group - the Costa Classica and AIDAcara. The Costa Classica will depart on Saturdays while the AIDA will leave every Friday.

In all, the two ships will be deployed on a total of 25 cruises, 17 on the Costa Classica (from December 23, 2006 to April 14, 2007) and 8 on the AIDAcara (from December 22, 2006 to February 9, 2007).

A total of around 70,000 passengers will be handled. The majority of guests on the Costa Classica and AIDAcara will be Europeans: exclusively Germans and Austrians on the AIDAcara; mainly Italian, German, Austrian, French and Spanish passengers on the Costa Classica. They will fly to Dubai from Europe and embark in the UAE port. The Costa Classica and AIDAcara will be positioned in the Arabian Gulf by means of two spectacular cruises via the Suez Canal and the Red Sea.

The Costa Classica is due to depart from Savona on December 5 and reach Dubai on December 22, 2006, with stopovers en route in Naples, Alexandria (Egypt), Port Said (Egypt), Sharm el Sheik (Egypt), Aqaba (Jordan) Safaga (Egypt), Hodeidah (Yemen), Mukalla (Yemen), Salalah (Oman) and Muscat (Oman).

The AIDAcara will reach Dubai by means of two separate cruises: the first, departing from Palma de Majorca on December 1 and arriving at Sharm el Sheik on December 9, 2006; the second, departing from Sharm el Sheik on December 9 and arriving in Dubai on December 21, 2006.

Costa Crociere President, Mr. Gianni Onorato, said: 'The Dubai cruises are a veritable innovation, not only for us, but for the cruise industry as a whole. At present we're the only international operator to provide this vacation option. It further extends the range of choices we are offering our guests, alongside our winter holidays in the Caribbean, South America and the Mediterranean.'

'The new cruises are intended for our company's key European markets, in the context of our business development strategy and also in response to the requests of our most loyal guests who are looking for different itineraries.'

Mr. Michael Thamm, President of AIDA Cruises, said: 'Dubai has been on our radar screen for quite a while and we are now delighted to be able to offer the Arabian Gulf experience to our guests on AIDAcara next winter. The newly created itineraries, including our attractive Suez Canal cruises, are a perfect addition to our successful Caribbean and Mediterranean program. The exciting Arabian Gulf program will enhance AIDA's position as the leading cruise operator in Germany.'

The cruises will include guided excursions in each port of call, with visits to some of the best local tourist attractions - places of natural beauty or historical and cultural interest.

The programme features desert adventures, trips to some of the most exclusive beaches in the Arabian Gulf, visits to the finest mosques, historical buildings and museums, tours of the city and their typical markets, as well as boating excursions to go dolphin-watching.

In 2005, the port of Dubai handled cruise ships with over 12,000 passenger movements. The Dubai cruise terminal opened in 2001 at the Port Rashid complex. This 3300 square metre dedicated cruise hub is able to accommodate two ships simultaneously.

It stands out on account of its futuristic mobile design; facilities include a VIP lounge, café, palm gardens, duty free shops, Internet corner, giant video screen and meeting room.

The 53,000 gross tonnage Costa Classica, built by Fincantieri's Marghera shipyard and entered service in 1991, is 221 meters in length, 31 meters in breadth and can accommodate up to 1680 guests.

Her design exudes Italian style and elegance. On board, the decks are spacious and sunny while the interiors feature stunning works of art.

There are bars, a restaurant, buffet, casino, health & beauty centre, a disco, dance clubs, theatre, two swimming pools, meeting rooms and a host of other facilities guaranteeing a fun, relaxing holiday.

The 38,600 gross tonnage AIDAcara, built by the Kvaerner Masa Yards and entered service in 1996, is 193 meters in length, 27 meters in breadth, and has total Guest capacity of 1,339.

Like all AIDA ships, the AIDAcara is reserved for the German-speaking market, her hallmarks being a youthful style and informal service. Facilities on board include a restaurant, buffet, bars, wellness center, disco, golf facilities, theatre, and swimming pool.

A member of the Carnival Corporation & plc Group the world's cruise industry leader - Costa Crociere SpA is operating with two distinct brands, AIDA Cruises and Costa Crociere, which have a total of 14 ships in service and orders for six additional vessels. All ships fly the Italian flag and operate in the Mediterranean, North Europe, the Caribbean and South America.