Costa Classica's Maiden Call to Manila

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim presents the symbolic Key to City to Costa Classica Captain Giancarlo Cha. Philippine Department of Toursim Secretary Ace Durano accepts the special Amarone wine from Costa Classica Captain Giancarlo Cha and Costa Crociere Sales and Marketing Director for Asia Pacific Dario Rustico during Costa Classica's maiden voyage to Manila. Magsaysay Maritime Corporation President Marlon R. Rono receives the special Amarone wine from Costa Classica Captain Giancarlo Cha and Costa Crociere Sales and Marketing Director for Asia Pacific Dario Rustico. From Left: Dario Rustico - Sales & Marketing Director of Costa Cruises Pacific Asia Operations, Gemma Cruz-Aranete – Vice Chairperson, Manila Historical and Heritage Commission, Executive Assistant to Mayor, Costa Classica Captain Giancarlo Cha, P. Sponzillie Massimillano – Italian Trade Commissioner, Ace Durano - Philippine Department of Toursim Secretary, Rubens Anna Fedele – Italian Ambassador and Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim Costa Cruises, Italy’s largest tourism group and Europe’s n. 1 cruise company, celebrated the maiden call of Costa Classica to Manila as it became the first cruise company to commit regular calls in the city’s port.. Welcomed by cultural dancers and musicians playing music of the Philippines with “rondallas”, Costa Classica, the 53,000 gross-tonnage ship cruised into South Harbour for the very first time, bringing 1,300 guests to Manila. Sales and Marketing Director of Costa Cruises Pacific Asia Operations, Dario Rustico said, “Costa Classica has been sailing in Asia for about six months, and we are excited to be able to add this popular Asian city to her itineraries.” As the cruise industry continues to grow in Asia - thanks to the commitment of Costa Cruises, the first company to offer regular cruises in China and Asia - Costa Cruises will be sending a newer ship – Costa Romantica – to Manila. Costa Romantica, with the same gross-tonnage as Costa Classica, will be in Asia to replace Costa Allegra (1,000 total Guests and 28,400 gross tonnage) from April 2010. “We expect to bring more than 22,000 Guests to Manila with the combined lower berth capacity of the three ships, Costa Allegra, Costa Classica and Costa Romantica, generating tremendous economic benefits to the city, from now till November 2010,” Mr. Rustico added. A series of captivating ceremonies and performances were arranged to celebrate the maiden call of Costa Classica. A welcoming ceremony was held at the ship’s Colosseo Theatre where Mayor Alfredo S. Lim of Manila presented the “Key to the City” to Mr. Rustico and Costa Classica Captain Giancarlo Cha. After a harmonic singing performance by the Magsaysay Children’s Chorale, guests were invited to enjoy onboard Italian gourmet food and performances by Pangkat Kawayan, a drum and bugle band, as well as native dancers before disembarking the ship. At the ceremony, Mayor Lim said, “We welcome Costa Classica to Manila, and look forward to seeing Manila as one of the vessel’s homeports in the near future.” Mr. Rustico, in a video presentation at the ceremony, extended his gratitude to groups and individuals for their recognition of the new cruise ship, “With a growing demand in cruise holidays in Asia, we are pleased to see that governments, tourism boards and travel agents of the region are acknowledging more and more the benefits that the cruise industry can bring to local economies, and are subsequently supporting us in the promotion and by building infrastructure capable to meet the expected growth in their respective markets.” Marlon R. Rono, President Magsaysay Maritime Corporation, also commented on the arrival of Costa Classica to Manila, “We are proud to be Costa’s partner in the Philippines, and are happy to welcome Costa Classica, in which 80% of its workforce is Filipinos.” Top tier national media and travel agents also participated in the ceremony onboard the Costa Classica today. The Costa Classica, which entered into service in 1991 and was restyled in 2001, was built at the Fincantieri shipyards in Marghera-Venice (Italy). One of Costa’s most popular cruisers, with a displacement of 53,000 dwt and an overall length of 220 metres, she can accommodate a total of 1,680 Guests. Elegant rooms, attention to detail and warm and relaxing colours make Costa Classica a very comfortable ship and one of the most loved ship in the fleet. From 26 October 2009 Costa Classica will be calling regularly to Manila on a 14 days itinerary departing from Hong Kong and calling at Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Vietnam, China. Costa Cruises has already an established presence in the Philippines. In October 2007 Costa Cruises opened a new training school in Manila for shipboard hotel personnel, in collaboration with the Magsaysay Institute of Hospitality and Culinary Arts (MIHCA). The school is part of the Magsaysay Institute of Hospitality and Culinary Arts, one of the most prestigious hotel training academies in the Asia-Pacific region, and is dedicated to the education of Costa's shipboard personnel employed in the restaurant, housekeeping, galley and bar areas. Another training institute in the Philippines, in cooperation with Magsaysay is devoted to deck and engine crewmembers.