Costa’s newest ship christened in Italy

On July 7, Italian line Costa introduced its new ship, the Costa Concordia. The christening ceremony took place at the port of Civitavecchia, Italy, near Rome. The Concordia is the 11th ship in Costa’s fleet.

The Costa Concordia began her first ever sailing on July 9. The ship’s regular itinerary will include seven-night cruises from Civitavecchia to Savona, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Tunis, Malta, and Palermo.

The ship itself has many highlights. The onboard spa is the largest on a cruise ship, according to Costa. Plus, nearly 70 guest rooms have direct access to the spa, creating a new type of onboard accommodation. The ship is the first to have two pools under a retractable roof, so guests on winter Mediterranean cruises can enjoy a swim. Plus, a Grand Prix driving simulator allows cruisers to experience the thrills of racecar driving. The decor of the ship focuses on the varied architectural styles of Europe’s top cities.

If you’re concerned about this summer’s expensive airfare to Europe, the winter cruises onboard the Costa Concordia might be a good way to lower the travel costs of a Mediterranean cruise. Plus, as most other lines send their ships from Europe to warmer climates in the late fall, it would be a unique sailing experience. Just don’t forget to take a sweater.