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Carnival Corporation today announced Costa
Serena will deploy year-round in China next year, making Carnival Corporation
the first global cruise company with four ships based in China, the world’s
fastest-growing cruise market.
The move will accelerate Carnival Corporation’s leadership in China,
capitalizing on growing consumer demand that is expected to make the country the
second largest cruise market in the world by 2017.
Costa Cruises, one of Carnival Corporation’s 10 industry-leading brands,
announced today it will debut Costa Serena in Shanghai in April 2015, where it
will join Costa Victoria and Costa Atlantica, both already deployed in China.
The move will increase Costa’s overall capacity in Asia by 74 percent.
The Costa Cruises expansion builds on eight years of successful operations in
China and Carnival Corporation’s surging momentum as the largest operator in the
country. In addition to Costa Serena, another Carnival Corporation brand,
Princess Cruises, will homeport out of Shanghai starting May 21 through Sept. 3,
2014, with Sapphire Princess, providing another unique cruising experience for
Chinese travelers.
Adding a third ship based in China this year increases Carnival Corporation’s
total 2014 capacity in the country by 66 percent. In 2015, with four ships based
in China for the first time, Carnival’s industry-leading capacity is expected to
jump 140 percent over a two-year period.
“Carnival Corporation has for years recognized that Chinese travelers would love
the cruising experience, and that is why Costa Cruises was the first global
cruise line to commit to sailing from China back in 2006,” said Carnival
Corporation CEO Arnold Donald. “We have never been more committed to China as a
market of great strategic importance for our company, and with today’s news we
will be the only global cruise company to have four ships operating out of
China. More than that, as the world’s largest cruise company with a portfolio of
10 of the world’s most celebrated cruise lines, we are very well positioned to
continue working with government officials in China to help the country meet its
goal of becoming one of the most important cruise markets in the world.”
Donald added, “Today’s news is another big step in that direction. Chinese
travelers love sailing on Costa’s Victoria and Atlantica, and we are confident
they will also love sailing on Costa Serena and Sapphire Princess. Our team is
passionate about delivering a unique experience designed to exceed the
expectations of every guest who boards one of our ships.”
Michael Thamm, CEO of Costa Group, said of today’s expansion announcement:
“Costa Serena’s arrival in China is a monumental occasion for our company, and
we’re proud to be the first global cruise line to have three ships based in
China. As we execute our strategy to accelerate growth in China, which has great
market potential, we have the benefit of eight years of experience in China to
not only help guide our expansion, but also to find unique ways to surprise and
delight our guests as more travelers in China experience ‘Italy at Sea’ with
Costa.”
Carnival is investing significantly in China as well as in Asia to take
advantage of strong growth opportunities across the region. In addition to
investments in China, Carnival is concentrating on growth efforts in Japan,
Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Korea to maintain and expand its leadership
position in Asia. |
