Early cruise bookings up

Marta Cambiaggi, Business Development Manager New Markets, Sales & Marketing, Mediterranean New Markets, UK, East Europe, Africa and Middle East, Costa Crociere S.p.A., shares details.

Dr. Shehara Rizly

Could you share the winter plans for this year?

Given the success of last year of Costa Toscana in Emirates, we have decided to repeat the scheme. We will again have Costa Toscana, our flagship cruise ship, sailing in the Emirates area from mid December 2023 till March next year.

What plans do you have in terms of working with the travel trade?

Last year, we started promotion and marketing very late, as we were still recovering from the pandemic. This year, we already have a lot of advanced bookings and promotions, that is very unusual for this region. We have an ongoing campaign, which gives our trade partners the possibility to have a super commission if they book Costa Toscana Emirates.

Will there be any new routes/ ships/ ports this winter?

The itinerary is slightly different from last year, we spend more time in Dubai, we are also touching Qatar and Oman, with the possibility both of 7 nights cruises and 4/ 3 nights cruises from Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Do you see any new trends?

The interest is growing. I think last year we put a milestone in the GCC for guests who never approached Costa and this year we are seeing the good result. The new trend is early bookings.

Which will be the main ports this winter in terms of home ports and routes?

Guests will be able to embark on every port we are touching, DXB, AUH, DOH and MCT.