Costa Cruises hosts a unique Guinness World Record Event

Frecce

Last night, Europe’s number one cruise company, Costa Cruises, was recognised by the Guinness World Records, for its extraordinary joint christening and naming event of the new Costa Luminosa and Costa Pacifica.

The unique event was a celebration of Italy’s culture and heritage, held at the Port of Genoa, Italy and was the first time two new cruise ships have been christened together at the same time and in the same place. 

The event named “An Italian Portrait in Music and Light” was a tribute to Italy’s creativity, elegance and style and reflected the theme of the ships – “light” for the Costa Luminosa and “music” for the Costa Pacifica.  

“The double christening of the Costa Luminosa and Costa Pacifica is a momentous occasion for Costa Cruises, for Italy and for global shipping,” said Costa Crociere S.p.A. Chairman & CEO Pier Luigi Foschi. “For the first time ever, two new ships are being christened together, setting a new Guinness World Record. We are thrilled to be celebrating this event in Italy where Costa Cruises has been based since 1854.  It’s an achievement that reflects the strength of our company and its contribution to the domestic economy. In 2008, we helped drive €1.1 billion into the economy through the construction of the Costa Luminosa and Costa Pacifica. We are continuing to expand our business further and by 2012, we will have launched another three new ships.” 

The show included displays from some of Italy’s most famous artists including the Italian Paratroopers which parachuted onto the new ships. This was followed by Frecce Tricolori, the Italian Air Force national aerobatic demonstration team which carried out an extraordinary fly-over the port. 

Other live performances included the Italian National Rhythmic Gymnastics team and the French acrobatic troupe Les Farfadais, plus a live performance from international rock band, Z-Star. Costa Cruises’ own musical maestro performed - Mauro Pagani, the founder of Italy’s progressive rock group Premiata Forneria.

A unique gala dinner was held onboard the Costa Pacifica for 4,000 guests, who were served an authentic Italian menu devised by Costa Cruises’ two Michelin-star chefs; Ettore Bocchia, the executive chef at the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni in Bellagio and Costa Cruises Corporate Chef, and Pino Cuttaia, chef at Italy’s famous Ristorante La Madia in Licata.

The christening ceremony closed with a spectacular concert by Giorgia, one of Italy’s most iconic pop singers, followed by a spectacular firework and lights display which lit up the city of Genoa.

The ships christening
The Costa Luminosa, which is themed around light and considered the jewel of the Costa fleet, was christened by Italy’s Olympic gold medalist fencing champion, Valentina Vezzali. Vezzali is one of Italy’s most celebrated sportspeople and has been ranked number one in her field for the past 11 years.

Following this, the Costa Pacifica, Costa Cruises’ musical themed ship was christened by Noa, a highly acclaimed international singer, who has performed for the Vatican for Pope John Paul II.

The christening ceremony involved Vezzali and Noa, the two godmothers of the new ships, cutting ribbons and breaking a bottle of Italy’s most famous wine, Aneri prosecco, against the bows of the ships.