MANILA, Philippines - It’s not every day that an Italian luxury cruise liner docks at Manila Harbor. And so, upon learning that Costa Cruises, Italy’s largest tourism group and Europe’s number one cruise company, would celebrate the maiden call of one of its ships, the Costa Classica, to Manila on Oct. 26, Mayor Alfredo Lim and Tourism Secretary Ace Durano made the necessary arrangements to ensure that the ship’s entire crew and passengers would get the warm welcome they deserve.
The Pangkat Kawayan and cultural dancers were on hand to greet and entertain some 1,300 foreign guests before disembarking the ship.
“Seeing this beautiful cruise ship docked at Pier 13 is very inspiring. Although Costa Cruise ships have been coming to and from Manila (Costa Alegra made her port of call 11 times last year), the excitement never fades. The Department of Tourism has been working with Doris Magsaysay Ho, president and CEO of A. Magsaysay Inc., for over a year now to make sure that we provide the signature Filipino welcome to our guests — one that is warm and festive,” says Tourism Secretary Ace Durano. The A. Magsaysay Inc. is the holding company of the Magsaysay Group of Companies. Magsaysay Maritime Corporation, on the other hand, is the manning partner of Costa Cruises.
In a survey conducted among the passengers of Costa, Manila was voted as having the best welcome reception of any port they’ve visited in Asia. Such a response from passengers has led to this maiden voyage of Costa Classica. Costa Cruises is the first cruise company to commit regular calls to the city’s port.
Costa Classica is twice the size of Costa Allegra, the cruise ship that has been docking here in Manila for the past five years. And as far as the Department of Tourism is concerned, a bigger ship means more tourists, and more tourists (spending their money on shops that dot the metro) will certainly help boost the local economy.
By 2012, Costa will have 30 ships in the fleet from a number of 23 right now. These additional vessels will provide more employment opportunities for Filipino seamen.
Costa Classica, the 53,000 gross-tonnage ship, has been sailing in Asia for about six months now.
“And we are excited to be able to add this popular Asian city (Manila) to her itineraries,” says Dario Rustico, sales and marketing director of Costa Cruises Pacific Asia Operations.
As the cruise industry continues to grow in Asia — thanks to the commitment of Costa Cruises, the first company to offer regular cruises in China and Asia — Costa Cruises will be sending a newer ship, Costa Romantica, to Manila. Costa Romantica, with the same gross-tonnage as Costa Classica, will be in Asia on April 2010 to replace Costa Allegra (1,000 total guests and 28,400 gross tonnage).
“We expect to bring more than 22,000 guests to Manila with the combined lower berth capacity of the three ships — Costa Allegra, Costa Classica and Costa Romantica — generating tremendous economic benefits to the city from this day on to November 2010,” Rustico adds.
In a welcome ceremony held at the ship’s Colosseo Theatre, Mayor Alfredo Lim presented the “Key to the City” to Rustico and Costa Classica Captain Giancarlo Cha.
“It’s an honor for me to be back in Manila. Since Manila is now the regular port of call for our Costa Classica cruise ship, it’s also an opportunity for our passengers to experience Filipino hospitality even for just a few hours. It’s also a great opportunity for our Filipino crew members to be reunited with their families,” says Captain Cha.
Cruising Italian Style
As part of the Philippine delegation invited to witness and celebrate the cruise ship’s maiden call to Manila, we had the privilege to experience the art of “cruising Italian style” onboard Costa Classica while she was docked recently at Pier 13.
Security was very tight. Guests who didn’t have proper identification weren’t allowed to enter the ship even if their names were on the VIP list. Well, we didn’t mind as this made everyone onboard feel safe and secure.
The Costa Classica, which entered into service in 1991 and was refurbished in 2001, was built at the Fincantieri shipyards in Marghera-Venice, Italy.
The Italian style and sophistication are evident in every corner of the luxury ship. We marveled at the “Storie di Pinocchio” glass mosaic done by Emilio Tadini at the Colosseo Theatre. At the Tivoli restaurant, exquisite murals transform windows into scenes from the Renaissance and Roman times. The tabletops at the Puccini Ballroom, on the other hand, depict scenes from famed Puccini operas.
At Piazza Trevi, passengers took advantage of the sun to get a tan, some enjoyed the pool, while others worked out at The Fitness Center, which features state-of-the-art facilities, treatment rooms, sauna and a Turkish bath. Piazza Trevi also boasts four Jacuzzis, two swimming pools and an outdoor jogging track.
While onboard, the ship’s Filipino crew members made us feel at home. Some of them also gave their visiting relatives and families a mini tour of the ship.
“Eighty percent of Costa Classica’s workforce are Filipinos. The ship’s maiden call here in Manila gives our crew members a chance not only to be reunited with their families but also gives them the opportunity to show them their workplace,” explains Marlon Rono, president of Magsaysay Maritime Corporation.
Costa Cruises has already an established presence in the Philippines. In fact, in October 2007 it opened a new training school in Manila for shipboard hotel personnel, in collaboration with the Magsaysay Institute of Hospitality and Culinary Arts (MIHCA). The school is part of MIHCA, one of the most prestigious hotel training academies in the Asia-Pacific region, and is dedicated to the education of Costa’s shipboard personnel employed in the restaurant, housekeeping, galley, and bar areas.
Costa Classica will be calling regularly to Manila on a 14-day itinerary departing from Hong Kong, and calling at Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Vietnam and China.
“With a growing demand in cruise holidays in Asia, we are pleased to see that the governments, tourism boards and travel agents of the region are acknowledging more and more the benefits that the cruise industry can bring to local economies,” adds Rustico.
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For inquiries, call Magsaysay Maritime Corporation at 526-8888 local 9418 or 983-3426, visit www.magsaysaycareers.com or www.costacruiseasia.com