Reservations are open for Costa Venezia’s 53-day inaugural cruise that departs March 8, 2019, from Trieste, Italy, to Yokohama, Japan. Costa Cruises’ new ship is currently being built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, and is Costa’s first ship to be designed and built specifically for the Chinese market.

Costa Venezia will leave the Mediterranean and transit the Suez Canal and cross the Red Sea before entering the Persian Gulf, calling at Croatia, Greece, Israel, Jordan and Oman. After stops at Dubai and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, the ship will enter the Indian Ocean and visit India, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. The last leg of the cruise will be to the Far East, calling at Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan.

“With our first ship built for the Chinese market, North American cruisers will have the experience of cruising in Italian style with Costa Venezia’s unique Asian flair,” said Scott Knutson, vice president of sales and marketing for Costa Cruises North America. “Whether they choose the complete 53-day itinerary or a shorter segment, guests will have an unforgettable voyage on a fantastic new ship.”

The inaugural cruise is currently the only holiday option available on Costa Venezia to the North American market. In addition to the 53-day itinerary, the inaugural cruise experience can be split into three different segments: Trieste to Dubai (20 days), Dubai to Singapore (18 days) and Singapore to Yokohama (17 days). Additional combinations of the three legs include Trieste to Singapore (36 days) and Dubai to Yokohama (33 days).

After its first voyage, Costa Venezia will be dedicated exclusively to the Chinese market. The 135,500-ton Costa Venezia will have 2,116 cabins for a total of 5,260 passengers. A second vessel designed for the Chinese market, Costa Venezia’s as-yet unnamed sister, will be delivered by Fincantieri in 2020.

Cruise rates for the 53-day inaugural itinerary start at $4,999. Pricing for the Trieste to Dubai segment starts at $1,999, the Dubai to Singapore segment begins at $1,699 and the Singapore to Yokohama segment begins at $1,599. Additional itinerary combinations start at $3,999 for the 36-day Trieste to Singapore segment and $3,599 for the Dubai to Yokohama segment. Government taxes and fees are additional and will be quoted at time of booking.

For reservations, call a travel agent or 800-GO-COSTA. To learn more about Costa Cruises, visit www.costacruise.com. Connect directly with Costa socially on Costa’s official Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages.