World's first double ship christening
By: Katrina Archer and Bruce Piper, Cruise Weekly

For the first time in history, two cruise ships were christened together in an extravagant naming ceremony, held in Italy.

Blustering winds and an unseasonally chilly night could not diminish the festive spirit in the historic port of Genoa on Friday 05 June, when Costa Cruises christened two ships simultaneously and earned itself a place in the Guinness World Records.

The multimillion-dollar event began with a spectacular aerobatic display by the Italian Air Force Squadron with nine fighter jets swooping over the ships - Costa Pacifica and Costa Luminosa - trailing red, white and green smoke in the shape of the Italian flag.

Some 4,000 invited guests watched the festivities from the decks and cabin balconies of both ships and dined on a menu devised by two-star Michelin chefs in Costa Pacifica's musically-themed dining rooms, 'My Way' and 'New York, New York'.

A concert featuring some of Italy's most celebrated performers, including local pop legend Giorgia, entertained the crowd from a huge stage between the two ships, which were bathed in luminous colours throughout the night.

When the ships were blessed by the Cardinal of Genoa, the two godmothers - entertainment in all 13 lounges and bars and five restaurants. Each area plays a different genre of music and incorporates music motifs in various aspects of the decor. Costa Luminosa, by comparison, is more sophisticated and was created in response renowned Israeli singer and peace activist, Noa, doing the honours for Pacifica, and Italian gold medallist Valentina Vezzali for Luminosa - activated the switch that sent two bottles of champagne crashing simultaneously against the vessels.

Ship horns blasted, lasers beamed and an explosion of confetti rained down on the crowd. The flamboyant ceremony, presided over by a proud Costa chairman and CEO Pier Luigi Foschi, was matched by the flamboyance of the two ships - the 13th and 14th in the fleet.

Costa Pacifica lives up to its 'ship of music' theme with an extraordinary offering of entertainment in all 13 lounges and bars and five restaurants.

Each area plays a different genre of music and incorporates music motifs in various aspects of the decor.

Costa Luminosa, by comparison, is more sophisticated and was created in responseto past passengers' requests for an elegant alternative to the line's glitzy fleet.

Its 'ship of light' theme is displayed in mother of pearl, marble, ebony and mosaics, but Luminosa has also introduced two industry-first 'at sea' features: a 4D cinema and a rollerskating rink. VIP guests at the christening included Carnival Corporation chairman and CEO Micky Arison and president of the Genonese shipbuilding company Fincantieri, Guiseppe Bono. Australian travel industry personnel also attended, including Jenny Lourey and Don Clarke (Complete Cruise Solutions), Ernie Skalsky (Creative Cruising), Alastair Fernie (Harvey's Choice) and Brett Dudley (ecruising).

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