A SEASON of Italian entertainment awaits Asian passengers on board the Costa Victoria.

Costa Cruises has announced the arrival of the 75,200-tonne ship in Hong Kong recently, an important step in the industry’s growth on the continent.

The Costa Victoria will offer four- to seven-night cruises between May and October with an unrivalled programme and disctinct culinary delights on board that reflect its Italy at Sea theme.

Costa Cruises was the first international cruise company to enter the Asian market and has used this experience to ensure a bespoke service on board its largest ship yet to enter the region. The Costa Victoria boasts a 40 per cent increase in passenger capacity.

The evenings will see one of the world’s most renowned Michael Jackson impersonators, ICE, take to the stage and perform MJ’s greatest hits. There will also be Italian cooking demonstrations, Italian arts and crafts classes, variety shows, dance performances, games and theme parties to complete the day and night on board experience in Costa Victoria’s disco and 10 bars. In addition, guests can enjoy crew performances, magic shows, movies and an array of facilities including PlayStation game, sauna and spa.

We are thrilled to bring Costa Victoria to our Asian guests and, with port stops in an array of exciting destinations including Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan and China, we hope to demonstrate our commitment to growth within this thriving region, explained Buhdy Bok, Vice President Pacific Asia and China, Costa Cruises. Italian life is rich in culture, fantastic food, service and style – attributes that we want to embrace in Costa Victoria’s onboard life.

In the largest of the ship’s restaurants, the Sinfornia, guests will be offered choices of traditional Chinese or Italian dishes. The second largest of these four restaurants, the Fantasia, will appeal to Chinese diners looking for a taste of home. Club Il Magnifico provides a sophisticated setting for the perfect romantic evening with live music performances, while the Pizza Corner and Noodle Bar guarantee delicacies on board.

Costa Victoria will set sail to some of the Hong Kong residents’ favourite destinations in Japan and Korea. The four to seven night cruise departs from the new Shanghai Wusongkou International Terminal, and will stop at several destinations in Japan.