Costa Cruises' Australia focus
By: Katrina Archer and Bruce Piper, Cruise Weekly

It's a busy time for Italian cruise line, Costa Cruises, with five ships due to be delivered in the next three years, but it hasn't forgotten about an important market - Australia.

Costa says it's not only working on growing the number of Australian passengers, but ensuring the satisfaction of its Aussie guests whilst onboard its ships.

Costa Cruises' director of sales and marketing Asia Pacific, Dario Rustico, said the cruise line was determined on making itself "more and more present in Australia in a more consistent and important way."

Catering to Australian desires
Costa has also implemented new features and activities that are set to appeal to the Australian market. One of these is the introduction of a new Happy Hour at bars onboard some of its ships where two for one beers will be sold.

The most popular destination for Costa's Australian passengers is Asia, and Rustico said 14-night cruises from Singapore to Vietnam, China and Malaysia are amongst some of the most popular itineraries for this market.

The popularity of the destination is evident in that Costa plans to boost its Asia capacity in 2010 with Costa Classica and Costa Romantica to cruise in the region.

Costa will also have three ships operating cruises in the Middle East from Dubai, an emerging region for the cruise line, and becoming increasingly popular for Australian passengers.

The cruise line will launch two brochures in Australia next month, its annual 2010 brochure, along with a dedicated Asia brochure, with prices in $AUD.

And keep your eye out as Costa is sure to make headlines this June when it will underake a first for the cruise industry - the double christening of its new ships, Luminosa and Pacifica.

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