Reliable sources have been whispering in my good ear that
Fincantieri Shipyard, feeling it has mastered the mundane business
of shipbuilding, is going to take a whack at the cruise business.
Agita Cruises is the working title of the new line. The name,
which is an Italian word that, loosely translated, means "warm
heart," is considered to be a shoo-in for the venture, as
Fincantieri execs reportedly feel that Agita accurately evokes the
feeling both agents and passengers can expect from the
operation.
Agita expects to hit the water with four, spanking-new vessels:
the Tardy, the Later, the Dinner's Ruined and the You're Grounded.
All four million-ton ships will be built simultaneously, starting
this afternoon. Maiden voyages for the quartet are scheduled for
Friday, though shipyard sources predict that delivery on the
vessels, all of which will sail out of Kansas City, could be
delayed until Monday or 2009, depending on whether or not
shipbuilding crews feel like building the new ships.
Insiders predict that passengers will be eager to book passage
on the Agita line's maiden voyages. As one veteran cruise customer
said, "We don't care if there's really a ship, we just like to
throw our time and money down a sinkhole whenever a surefire
opportunity presents itself."