THE COSTA
ALLEGRA, the first cruise ship from an international
company to operate locally in the Chinese market, was to be
inaugurated in Shanghai on July 2. Costa Cruises CEO Pier Luigi
Foschi, Carnival Corp. CEO Micky Arison and representatives from
the Italian and Chinese consulates will attend the ceremony. The
Costa Allegra was to begin sailing from Shanghai July 3. The ship
will reposition to Hong Kong in November and will offer five-day
cruises with stops in Sanya, China, and Vietnams Halong Bay.
MORE NAMING
CEREMONIES:
" MSC CRUISES
christened its newest vessel, the Musica, against the backdrop of
the setting sun on the bell tower of the Piazza San Marco in Venice
last week. Italian actress Sophia Loren was the godmother. The
Musica, at 89,600 tons, is the largest ship in the lines fleet and
includes four restaurants, 11 bars, a casino, a 12,400-square-foot
spa and fitness area, a 1,240-seat theater and room to carry 2,550
guests.
" Eva Herzigova, a
Czech-born supermodel, will be godmother of the Costa Concordia,
the largest ship in the Costa fleet, when it is christened on July
7 near Rome. Costa said that Herzigova was chosen in part for her
association with the fashion industry. The inaugural ceremony, Made
in Italy, will be a tribute to products made in Italy -- and
fashion, said Costa spokeswoman Dana Dominici, is something that
has always been associated with Italian style.
A FEDERAL
COURT JURY in New York awarded Celebrity Cruises $193
million in a lawsuit against Essef Corp. for damages incurred
during a 1994 outbreak of Legionnaires disease on the Celebrity
Horizon. Essef manufactured the swimming pool filtering system
that, according to Celebrity, malfunctioned and became a medium for
the legionella bacteria. Essef was acquired by Pentair in 1999.
Celebrity said there have been no subsequent outbreaks of
Legionnaires on its ships.
CARNIVAL
CRUISE LINES will expand its wireless Internet access to
all public rooms and suites in its fleet by the end of 2006. The
project is about 75% complete. The Carnival Valor and Carnival
Liberty currently have 100% bow to stern wireless access, Carnival
said.
Cruise
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