MIAMI, Feb. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2009, travelers may experience the romance of travel renewed in 250 ports, on more than 100 different itineraries and in 78 countries when sailing with Costa, Europe's Number One Cruise Line. New brochures detailing Costa's special brand of "love, laughter and la dolce vita" on routes throughout Europe, Dubai, the Far East, South America, the Indian Ocean, Canada and New England are now available worldwide. In 2009, Costa will increase its capacity by 12%, representing a guest capacity that totals 36,000. North American market brochures feature a completely new layout and design, including highlighted collections of "La Dolce Vita Sailings" for each region, which feature Costa's most popular routes. Also new in 2009 - the Costa Luminosa and Costa Pacifica, numerous new ship deployments, select sailings to Canada and New England aboard the Costa Atlantica, and a new land tour program in Europe.

Costa Luminosa and Costa Pacifica to Debut in 2009

Costa's Summer 2009 Europe cruise season will be highlighted by the arrival of its two newest fleet members - the 92,700-ton Costa Luminosa and the 114,5000-ton Costa Pacifica, a sister ship to the Costa Serena and Costa Concordia. The Costa Luminosa, which will debut in April 2009, will sail her 13-night inaugural voyage from Civitavecchia on June 3 with stops in some of the most stylish ports of call in Europe, including Savona (Portofino), St. Tropez, Barcelona, Lisbon and Le Havre (Paris), before ending in Amsterdam, where she will sail her first summer season on 12-night cruises through the Fjords and North Cape as well as the Baltic and Russia. Built for picturesque voyages, 68% of the cabins aboard the Costa Luminosa feature balconies - the largest percentage of veranda cabins in the Costa fleet. With accommodations for 2,828 total guests in double occupancy cabins, and 1,130 staterooms (772 of which offer verandas), this one-of-a-kind ship offers the very best of the Costa product in terms of wellness, entertainment, exclusive itineraries, art, intimate settings, as well as fine food and wine. In addition, she will feature a new Costa innovation - a golf simulator boasting 37 virtual golf courses as well as an outdoor putting green.

The Costa Pacifica, which will debut in May 2009, will set sail on her eight-night inaugural voyage from Savona (Portofino) on June 6 with stops in Marseille, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Tunis, Valletta and Palermo. She will sail this same route, shortened to seven nights, for her inaugural season through the Western Mediterranean. With accommodations for up to 3,780 guests, she will feature popular innovations found on her sister ships, including the revolutionary Samsara Spa, a covered swimming pool area extending over two decks, and a Grand Prix race car driving simulator and a design theme inspired by the very best in music from all periods. The ship's design gives guests the opportunity to listen, read and live music in every area of the ship - a first on a cruise ship. A soundtrack composed exclusively for Costa will accompany this prestigious "musical" journey.

Costa's True European Experience

As Europe's number one cruise line with more ships, more sailings and the largest fleet in the region, Costa brings the biggest and best of Europe to its international guests from around the world, providing an authentic and "true European experience" both on and off the ship.

Eastern Mediterranean

In 2009, the Costa Fortuna and Costa Serena will depart from Venice on seven-night "La Dolce Vita Sailings" from April through November with the Costa Fortuna calling on Bari, Katakolon (Olympia), Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes, and Dubrovnik and the Costa Serena calling on Bari, Katakolon, Izmir, Istanbul, and Dubrovnik. From May through November, the Costa Victoria will sail seven-night voyages from Venice to Italy, the Greek Isles and Croatia, while the Costa Romantica will depart from Civitavecchia on seven-night sailings through Italy, Greece and Turkey. The Costa Europa will depart from Savona (Portofino) on 11-night voyages through Italy, Egypt and Greece for the 2009 winter season, while the Costa Concordia will set sail on 11-night voyages from Civitavecchia throughout Italy, Egypt, Turkey and Greece from January to March. The Costa Mediterranea will sail from Savona on 10-night cruises to Italy, Egypt, Cyprus and Greece from September through November. Additionally, the Costa Luminosa will sail select dates in May from Venice on 10-night voyages through Italy, Greece and Turkey.

Western Mediterranean

In 2009, the Costa Concordia and Costa Pacifica will sail seven-night "La Dolce Vita Sailings" from April through November with the Costa Pacifica departing from Civitavecchia with calls including Savona (Portofino), Barcelona and Palermo while the Costa Concordia will sail from Barcelona with stops in Marseille, Savona (Portofino), Naples, Palermo, Tunis, and Palma de Mallorca. The Costa Europa will sail spring and summer voyages from Savona (Portofino) to the Canary Islands while the Costa Magica will depart from Savona on nine-night sailings through Italy, Spain and Portugal in the fall. The Costa Marina will sail from Savona to Italy, Malta and Tunisia in September. Canary Islands sailings will feature the new Costa Luminosa, which will offer select 11-night fall voyages from Savona and the Costa Serena on 11-night voyages from Barcelona. The Costa Europa and Costa Marina will offer 14-night fall and winter voyages to the Spanish islands, all departing from Savona.

Northern Europe

Offering two very different cruises in the North Sea and Baltic Sea, the Costa Mediterranea and Costa Atlantica will head up Costa's "La Dolce Vita Sailings" in Northern Europe for 2009. The summer program will also include the Costa Atlantica on seven-night voyages from Copenhagen with calls in Tallinn, St. Petersburg, Helsinki and Stockholm, while the Costa Mediterranea will offer seven-night sailings from Copenhagen through the Fjords with stops including Bergen and Oslo, Norway. In addition, the Costa Magica will sail six and seven-night voyages from Kiel. As noted, the Costa Luminosa will also sail Northern Europe in 2009, while the Costa Marina will sail 11-night voyages from Amsterdam through the Fjords and North Cape and 12-night sailings through the Baltic and Russia.

Transatlantic and Unique Voyages

Departing from Ft. Lauderdale on March 15, the Costa Fortuna will sail a 17-night transatlantic crossing to Savona, featuring stops in sun-filled Caribbean ports of call, the Canary Islands and Barcelona. Costa's extensive collection of three- to 11-night "unique voyages" provide travelers with the perfect glimpse of Europe with a combined stay on the Continent, or better yet, an additional cruise. Those who love to cover more territory may enjoy select nine and 10-night unique cruises with ports of call including Savona, Lisbon, Le Havre, Amsterdam, Copenhagen and London.

New Pre-Cruise Land Tours

As a new element in 2009, travelers may experience "la dolce vita" shore side before their cruise with Costa's new land tours. From arranging simple accommodations of one or two nights to more complex arrangements up to six days that include fully escorted tours, Costa's hotel and tour program offers an easy way to maximize time in Europe. A selection of five escorted land tour programs bring guests from Venice to Florence, Rome to Savona, Madrid to Barcelona, as well as Paris, Nice, and Monte Carlo. Certain to be one of the most popular options is the six-day Venice-Florence-Rome tour, providing guests the perfect taste of Italy's most beloved cities complete with expert tour guides, private transportation and complete ease of travel.

Exotic and Special Voyages Collection

Costa's "Exotic and Special Voyages" collection, which is presented in its own 2009 brochure, offers guests the opportunity to enjoy a taste of the extraordinary, taking them into a world of exploration and intrigue. From Dubai to the Far East and South America to the Indian Ocean and new in 2009-a series of sailings aboard the Costa Atlantica through Canada, New England and New York, the charm of Italy comes to life in all reaches of the world.

Dubai, Suez Canal and Egypt

Once again, Costa will offer seven to 21-night voyages to Dubai, the Suez Canal and Egypt aboard the Costa Victoria and Costa Classica from November 2008 through April 2009. The Costa Victoria's debut in Dubai represents a 50% increase in capacity for Costa in the region. With seven-night sailings departing from Dubai aboard the Costa Victoria every Saturday and from the Costa Classica every Sunday, guests will enjoy two overnights in the international locale with visits to other countries in the region including Abu Dhabi and Bahrain. The Costa Victoria will sail on a 21-night itinerary- rich repositioning cruise from Dubai to Savona on April 18, while the Costa Classica will reposition to Asia for the first time on an incredible 19-night sailing from Dubai with stops in India, the Maldives and Thailand, before arriving in Singapore on March 27.

The Far East

As the first international cruise line to homeport and offer year-round sailings in the Far East, Costa will take guests to the best of the region on unforgettable cruises that blend the romance of Italy with the fascinating sights of ancient eastern cultures. In 2009, the Costa Allegra will be joined by a second ship in Asia for the first time, the Costa Classica (April 2009), both offering voyages ranging from four to 17-nights and departing from Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tianjin, and Singapore.

Select 14-night voyages from Singapore on both ships include visits to Hong Kong, the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam, with the Costa Classica exploring the latter over six complete days.

South America

From sultry Rio de Janeiro to sophisticated Buenos Aires and beyond, Costa spices up "la dolce vita" on sailings from three to 28 nights from December 2008 through March 2009. New this year is an exclusive 28-night repositioning cruise aboard the Costa Romantica from Savona, departing on November 24 and sailing through the Amazon, traveling as far as Manaus, before arriving in Buenos Aires on December 22. The Costa Romantica will offer sailings to Argentina and Brazil from Buenos Aires on seven to nine-night cruises The Costa Magica will sail from Santos, Brazil on three to seven-night voyages while the Costa Mediterranea will debut in the region with nine-night sailings from Santos, Brazil with stops in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Punte del Este, Uruguay. Select repositioning cruises on all ships vary from 14-28 nights and include sailings to Chile and the Falkland Islands.

Indian Ocean

In 2009, the Costa Europa will sail the Indian Ocean for the first time, on 14-night sailings from December 2008 through February 2009, departing from Port Louis, Mauritius with stops in the Seychelles, Kenya and Madagascar. This is the second year in a row that Costa will offer these routes. As the first and only cruise line to offer sailings from Mauritius, these special voyages provide an exclusive and exciting look into some of the most fascinating destinations in the world. Two repositioning cruises will also be offered, one 28-night cruise departing from Savona on November 22 and a 25-night cruise departing from Mauritius on March 14 with stops in Madagascar, Egypt and the Seychelles.

Canada & New England

For travelers looking for a voyage no less exotic, but a little closer to home, Costa will offer four special sailings aboard the Costa Atlantica to Canada and New England. A 17-night positioning cruise will depart from Savona on September 16, arriving in Quebec on October 2. In Fall 2009, two 11-night sailings from Quebec will sail through Nova Scotia, Halifax and down to Maine, Boston and Newport with two overnights in New York. A 13-night positioning cruise will depart Quebec on October 25 and visit Boston and New York, as well as Bermuda before arriving in Ft. Lauderdale on November 7.

A complete overview of Costa's 2009 voyages are available in both the new "Europe" and "Exotic and Special Voyages" brochures, as well as via e-brochure at http://www.costacruises.com/. For reservations or more information, contact a travel agent, call (800) GO-COSTA or visit http://www.costacruises.com/.

Costa Cruises is Italy and Europe's number one cruise line. For the past 60 years its ships have sailed the world, offering the best in Italian style, hospitality and cuisine and providing dream vacations with the best in fun and relaxation. In 2007 over 1.1 million guests chose to cruise with Costa, a record for the European cruise industry. The Company's 12 fleet members, each with her own distinctive characteristics and unique style, all fly the Italian flag and sail each year to 250 destinations in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Baltic Sea, the Caribbean, South America, the United Arab Emirates, the Far East and the Indian Ocean. Five more vessels have been commissioned and will enter service by 2012. Costa Cruises has been certified by RINA (Italian Shipping Register) with the BEST4, an integrated system of voluntary certification of corporate compliance with the highest standards governing social accountability (SA 8000, issued in 2001), environment (UNI EN ISO 14001, 1996), safety (OHSAS 18001, 1999) and quality (UNI EN ISO 9001, 2000). All Costa's ships have been awarded RINA's voluntary "Green Star" notation based on the highest environmental protection standards. Costa Cruises is also an official partner of the WWF for the protection of the marine ecoregions of the Mediterranean, the Greater Antilles and Brazil.

CONTACT: Dana Dominici, Director of Public Relations, Costa Cruise Lines-
North America, +1-954-266-5746, dominici@us.costa.it

Web site: http://www.costacruises.com/