Costa Deliziosa

Costa Deliziosa is a cruise ship operated by the Italian cruise line Costa Crociere, commonly marketed as Costa Cruises. It was commissioned as part of a major fleet-expansion program and was constructed by the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri. The vessel is a sister ship of Costa Luminosa and was developed for Costa's premium-oriented leisure cruising offer, combining a relatively compact Panamax-scale hull with resort-style public areas and itineraries spanning several cruising regions. The ship's construction began after Costa ordered it in 2007. Its keel was laid at Fincantieri's Ancona shipyard. In 2008, after the keel and an initial section had been completed, the partly built vessel was moved to Fincantieri's Marghera yard for completion. Costa Deliziosa was launched on 12 March 2009 and handed over to Costa Crociere at the Venice Passenger Terminal on 31 January 2010. Its launch and delivery formed part of a wider program intended to increase Costa's passenger capacity and add several new ships to service by 2012. Costa Deliziosa entered service with a distinctive inaugural sequence. Its first cruise departed from Savona on 5 February 2010, and the vessel was christened at Port Rashid in Dubai on 23 February. The ceremony was notable because it was presented as the first christening of a cruise ship in an Arab city. In recognition of local customs, date juice was used instead of the sparkling wine traditionally associated with ship christenings. The event also coincided with the opening of a new cruise terminal at Port Rashid. The ship's early deployment focused on seven-day cruises in the Persian Gulf, followed during the northern summer by Baltic cruises based from Copenhagen. From late 2011, Costa Deliziosa also became associated with long-distance world-cruise itineraries. A 100-day voyage beginning in Savona on 28 December 2011 visited destinations in the Caribbean, the western United States, Hawaii, the South Pacific, New Zealand, Australia, Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean region, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. Similar extended world cruises were operated in later years. Its itinerary pattern subsequently broadened. In 2013, Costa Deliziosa operated seasonal voyages in the Mediterranean, Canary Islands, and Black Sea, while its world-cruise program continued during the winter period. During one 2013 or 2014 world cruise, the ship diverted from its planned course to assist eight sailors whose boat had struck an unidentified object in the mid-Atlantic. After the rescue, it resumed its voyage toward Antigua. From 2015 onward, the vessel's summer program concentrated more consistently on the eastern Mediterranean, particularly Greece and Croatia, while winter operations continued to include world cruises. Costa Deliziosa is approximately 292 metres long, has a beam of about 32.3 metres, and has gross tonnage of approximately 92,700. It can accommodate up to 2,828 passengers in 1,130 cabins and has a stated cruising speed of 21.6 knots, with a higher maximum speed. Its onboard proposition is centered on accommodation, restaurants, entertainment, leisure facilities, and destination-led cruising rather than on a separately sold consumer product line. As a ship, its commercial identity is tied to Costa Cruises' broader fleet and itinerary network. The vessel remains associated with Costa's international cruise operations, although its exact deployment can change according to seasonal scheduling, fleet planning, and external conditions.

Costa Deliziosa was ordered by Costa Crociere in 2007 as part of a five-ship fleet-expansion plan. The order was placed with Fincantieri, which built the vessel at its Italian yards. Construction began at Ancona, where the keel and first major section were completed. In July 2008, the partly assembled ship was towed to Fincantieri's Marghera shipyard for the remainder of the work. This construction sequence reflected the industrial scale of Costa's expansion program and the use of multiple shipyard facilities to deliver new tonnage on schedule. The vessel was launched on 12 March 2009 when water entered the drydock. Fincantieri delivered it to Costa Crociere at the Venice Passenger Terminal on 31 January 2010. Costa Deliziosa was the third ship delivered by Fincantieri to Costa within a nine-month period, and one of several new vessels intended to enter the Costa fleet by 2012. Its design was closely related to Costa Luminosa, giving it a Panamax-scale profile suited to a broad range of cruise ports while providing the accommodation, dining, entertainment, and leisure spaces expected of a contemporary resort ship. The ship's inaugural cruise left Savona on 5 February 2010. Its official christening was held at Port Rashid in Dubai on 23 February during that voyage. The ceremony was significant in Costa's marketing history because it was described as the first cruise-ship christening in an Arab city. Date juice was selected instead of the sparkling wine normally used at such events, and the ceremony was associated with the opening of Dubai's new cruise terminal. During the first stage of its career, Costa Deliziosa operated seven-day cruises in the Persian Gulf. It moved to Copenhagen during northern summers for Baltic itineraries, giving Costa a seasonal deployment model linking warm-weather and northern European markets. The ship later became an important platform for Costa's long-distance cruise offering. On 28 December 2011 it began a 100-day world cruise from Savona, visiting the Caribbean, California, Hawaii, Samoa, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt before returning to Italy. In 2013, the vessel's regional schedule included the Mediterranean, Canary Islands, and Black Sea, while its extended world cruises continued in winter and, in some years, lasted approximately 100 nights. During one of these voyages, the ship responded to a maritime emergency in the mid-Atlantic. It changed course to assist eight sailors after their boat collided with an unidentified object, then resumed its itinerary after the rescue. This episode became one of the more notable operational events associated with the vessel. From 2015, the ship's summer deployment concentrated on the eastern Mediterranean, especially Greece and Croatia. Its winter schedule continued to feature world cruises, preserving a dual role as both a regional seasonal ship and a long-distance itinerary platform. This deployment strategy allowed Costa to use the vessel across different source markets and cruising seasons rather than keeping it permanently assigned to one region. The COVID-19 pandemic created an exceptional operational period in 2020. On 3 April, Costa Deliziosa was in Muscat, Oman, with 1,830 guests and 899 crew members while Costa Crociere sought a suitable final destination. Social-distancing and sanitation measures were in place. The ship was not allowed to disembark passengers at Fremantle, Australia, and continued toward Europe. On 20 April, 183 passengers from the Iberian Peninsula and 112 from France left the vessel in Barcelona. No COVID-19 cases had been reported to authorities at that point. The ship then reached Genoa on 22 April with the remaining passengers and crew. The episode placed Costa Deliziosa among the last cruise ships to complete passenger disembarkation during the early pandemic period. Costa Deliziosa's identity remains that of a Costa Cruises passenger vessel rather than an independently managed consumer brand. Its history is defined by Fincantieri construction, Costa's fleet-growth strategy, a distinctive Dubai christening, seasonal regional deployment, world cruises, a documented rescue at sea, and the logistical challenges of pandemic-era repatriation.

• 2020

  Pandemic-era passenger disembarkation

  [1]Costa Deliziosaen.wikipedia.org

  The ship completed a complex return to Europe during the COVID-19 pandemic, disembarking passengers in Barcelona before reaching Genoa.

• 2015

  Eastern Mediterranean summer pattern established

  [1]Costa Deliziosaen.wikipedia.org

  From this period, summer operations focused more consistently on Greece and Croatia, with winter world cruises continuing.

• 2013

  Expansion of Mediterranean and world-cruise deployment

  [1]Costa Deliziosaen.wikipedia.org

  The ship operated Mediterranean, Canary Islands, and Black Sea cruises while continuing extended world voyages.

• 2011

  First documented 100-day world cruise

  [1]Costa Deliziosaen.wikipedia.org

  Costa Deliziosa departed Savona on 28 December for a long-distance voyage covering destinations across the Atlantic, Pacific, Australia, Asia, and the Middle East.

• 2010

  Delivered to Costa Crociere

  [1]Costa Deliziosaen.wikipedia.org

  Fincantieri handed the ship over to Costa Crociere at Venice on 31 January.

• 2010

  Dubai christening

  [1]Costa Deliziosaen.wikipedia.org

  The ship was christened at Port Rashid on 23 February during its inaugural voyage.

• 2009

  Launched at Fincantieri

  [1]Costa Deliziosaen.wikipedia.org

  Costa Deliziosa was launched on 12 March when the drydock was flooded.

• 2008

  Construction moved from Ancona to Marghera

  [1]Costa Deliziosaen.wikipedia.org

  After the keel and first section were completed at Ancona, the partly built vessel was towed to Marghera for completion.

• 2007

  Ordered as part of Costa's fleet expansion

  [1]Costa Deliziosaen.wikipedia.org

  Costa Crociere ordered the ship from Fincantieri as part of a five-ship expansion program.

A large Costa Cruises leisure vessel positioned around destination-rich regional and world cruises, with resort-style onboard accommodation and entertainment.

• Cruise ship · 2009

  Costa Deliziosa cruise ship

  Costa Deliziosa is a Fincantieri-built Costa Cruises passenger ship and sister ship of Costa Luminosa. It measures approximately 292 metres in length, has a beam of about 32.3 metres, and has gross tonnage of approximately 92,700. The vessel accommodates up to 2,828 passengers in 1,130 cabins and is designed for resort-style cruising, with onboard accommodation, dining, entertainment, and leisure facilities. Its deployment has included regional cruises and extended world voyages.

• 2020

  Pandemic-era repatriation and staged disembarkationOther

  Background

  The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted cruise operations and restricted passenger disembarkation at several ports.

  Action taken

  Costa and relevant authorities arranged for passengers to leave in stages, with groups disembarking in Barcelona before the ship proceeded to Genoa.

  Aftermath

  Costa Deliziosa reached Genoa on 22 April 2020 with the remaining passengers and crew, completing one of the final major passenger unloadings of the early pandemic period.

  Source

• 2015

  Shift toward eastern Mediterranean summer itinerariesStrategy

  Background

  After earlier assignments in the Persian Gulf, Baltic, Mediterranean, Canary Islands, and Black Sea, Costa adjusted the vessel's seasonal operating pattern.

  Action taken

  The ship was scheduled for eastern Mediterranean cruises, particularly to Greece and Croatia, during summer, while retaining world cruises in winter.

  Aftermath

  Costa Deliziosa developed a recurring seasonal role linking eastern Mediterranean cruises with long-distance winter voyages.

  Source

• 2011

  Deployment on extended world cruisesStrategy

  Background

  Costa used the ship for long-distance itineraries in addition to regional cruises, beginning with a 100-day voyage from Savona in December 2011.

  Action taken

  Costa Deliziosa was assigned to a route covering the Caribbean, North America, the Pacific, Australia, Asia, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean.

  Aftermath

  The ship continued to undertake approximately 100-day or 100-night world cruises in later years, particularly during winter periods.

  Source

• 2020

  Costa Deliziosa repatriates passengers during the COVID-19 pandemic[1]Costa Deliziosaen.wikipedia.org

  Regulation · Other

  During the pandemic, the ship remained at sea while authorities and Costa sought a final disembarkation arrangement. Passengers were not permitted to disembark at Fremantle, later groups left in Barcelona, and the vessel reached Genoa on 22 April with the remaining passengers and crew.

• 2013

  Costa Deliziosa diverts to rescue eight sailors in the mid-Atlantic[1]Costa Deliziosaen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  During a world cruise, the ship altered course after a small boat struck an unidentified object. Eight sailors were rescued before Costa Deliziosa continued toward Antigua.

• 2010

  Costa Deliziosa completes delivery and enters Costa Cruises service[1]Costa Deliziosaen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  Fincantieri handed Costa Deliziosa over to Costa Crociere at Venice in January 2010. The ship then began its inaugural voyage from Savona and was christened in Dubai during the voyage.

• 2010

  Costa Deliziosa is christened at Port Rashid in Dubai[1]Costa Deliziosaen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The ship's christening took place in Dubai during its inaugural voyage. The ceremony used date juice in place of sparkling wine and coincided with the opening of a cruise terminal at Port Rashid.

1. 1Costa Deliziosaen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Costa Cruises official Costa Deliziosa pagecostacruise.com