Costa Cruises has acquired the former Grand Mistral of the Iberocruceros fleet. The newly acquired ship will be renamed Costa neoRomantica and will enter service with Costa in late November.
According to Costa, the Grand Mistral was recently renovated in 2005 and received new suites and cabins in 2007. The new Costa neoRivieria will feature three restaurants (including one buffet), six bars, two shopping arcades, three swimming pools (including a splash pool for kids), Jacuzzis, a beauty and wellness center, hydrotherapy and massages, fitness center, show lounge and disco.
Once the ship enters service, she will launch a new, extended Dubai sailing program, “The Emirates in Style.” Each sailing will embark in Dubai, making overnight calls in Muscat and Abu Dhabi. In addition to the overnight calls, the Costa neoRiviera will also include a late departure the next day, allowing for 1.5 days of sightseeing in each port. According to Costa, “The calls at Dubai at the beginning and end of the cruise are both overnight stays, giving guests two full nights to become immersed in the culture of that vibrant city.” Costa will also offer a wide variety of special, immersed shore excursions in each port of call.
Costa neoRiviera’s program for the winter 2013-14 season in the U.A.E. is complemented by Costa Fortuna, which will be deployed there from Dec. 20, 2013, through March 21, 2014. Costa Fortuna will sail weeklong roundtrip cruises from Dubai with calls at Muscat (overnight) and Kashab, Oman, and Abu Dhabi.
