14 stories high, it?s a veritable five-star hotel on water; one-fourth of the boat?s crew are Filipinos
IT WASN?T EXACTLY THE TITANIC, BUT docked in Manila?s Pier 13, the Italian luxury liner Costa Classica nonetheless was quite a sight.

With its commanding size and world-class facilities, this five-star hotel on water made waves as its parent company, Costa Crociere, announced a new destination for its Asian cruise itinerary?the Philippines.

Calling for the first time here last Oct. 26, the Costa Classica will make regular calls to Manila until November 2010. The ship and its 1,300 passengers were warmly welcomed by local cultural dancers and musicians, as well as officials led by Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and Tourism Secretary Ace Durano. The ship docked at around 8 a.m. at the pier and left for China at 8 p.m.

In a welcoming ceremony held aboard the ship?s 650-seater Colosseo Theater, Lim presented the key to the city to Dario Rustico, sales and marketing director of Costa Crociere Pacific Asia Operations, and Costa Classica Captain Giancarlo Cha.

?Costa Classica has been sailing in Asia for about six months and we are excited to add this popular Asian city to her itineraries,? added Rustico.

Other ports in Costa Classica?s 14-day Asian itinerary, which departs from HK, are in Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Vietnam and China.

Italy?s largest group

Costa Crociere, which has headquarters in Genoa and is Italy?s largest tourism group, manages three cruise company brands, the biggest of which is the internationally operating Costa Cruises. Costa Classica operates under this brand.

The ship is 221 meters long and 14 storeys high, and is one of Costa Cruises? more popular ships. Its main target market, said Rustico, are families. ?But we also make sure we can cater to different nationalities, and different customer segments?from senior, to singles, to couples, to friends and so on.?

Costa Classica?s 654 cabins, which include six designed especially for disabled guests and 10 suited with private balconies, can hold up to 1,680 passengers. For a guest on a two-week Asian cruise, the ship?s facilities are more than enough to maintain one?s daily lifestyle.

Fitness buffs will enjoy the ship?s two pools, outdoor jogging track, and fitness center that has a gym, sauna and steam rooms. There are four Jacuzzis and a Caracalla Spa which offers different kinds of massages.

There are two restaurants and seven bars, a disco, casino, arcade and also a shopping center. Those on business trips can easily access needed information through the library and Internet lounge, and arrange meetings in different function rooms or in the conference center.

The ship, built at the Fincantieri shipyards in Marghera-Venice, has a mosaic of ?Storie de Pinocchio? by Emilio Tadini on the theater walls, while tabletops in the Puccini ballroom depicts scenes from Puccini operas.

Costa Classica is the second Costa cruise ship to make port calls in the country. The first was Costa Allegra, to be replaced next year by Costa Romantica, which is the same size as Classica.

Filipino hospitality

Durano believes that it is Filipino hospitality that continually draws Costa passengers to visit the country, especially since 80 percent of Costa Cruises? and one-fourth of Classica?s crew are Filipinos. ?The Filipinos onboard the Costa cruises bring with them the Filipino spirit and hospitality,? said Durano. He also mentioned a survey among Costa passengers, who voted Manila as having the best port reception festivities.

?I?d like to believe that such a response from the passengers have led to the maiden voyage of Costa Classica,? Durano added.

The Department of Tourism also partners with local manpower agency Magsaysay Maritime Corporation, which is Costa?s partner in the country. The Magsaysay Institute of Hospitality and Culinary Arts (MIHCA) trains aspiring Costa crew members.

While Durano is happy with the fact that more tourists are getting to see the country??a bigger ship means more tourists??he is also pleased with the job opportunities Costa Cruises is opening for Filipinos.

?I look forward to many more years of collaboration,? said Durano.

Rustico is equally excited about the growing Asian market for luxury cruises.

?Around 70 percent of our market is still European,? he said. ?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.?