Costa Venezia provides more than 8,000 square feet of retail space amid a two-deck Venetian-style shopping pavilion which Starboard curated with some of the world’s most celebrated brands. The collection includes many famous Italian names, including first-time-at-sea Max Mara, Salvatore Ferragamo and Bvlgari. Bvlgari is presented in a branded boutique alongside other renowned luxury brands which will have their official ribbon-cutting ceremonies whe the ship reaches Shanghai.
The Tiffany & Co. boutique marks the first time the brand will be featured on a Costa ship. The luxury lineup also includes Cartier and Jaeger-LeCoultre—brands highly coveted by Chinese luxury consumers and made even more irresistible when they can be purchased duty-free on board.
Starboard further appeals to the Asian shopper with the largest beauty space at sea, measuring more than 2,500 square feet and including over 30 international brands, with the first-at-sea Clé de Peau Beauté and Hermès, Yves Saint Laurent, La Prairie, Bvlgari, Chanel, Dior, La Mer, SK-II and more. Asian beauty brands include Dr. Jart+, Sulwhasoo and The History of Whoo.
Bvlgari Jewelry Fashion Show
With Costa Venezia, Starboard also demonstrates its ability to create exceptional brand experiences. Starboard joins with Bvlgari, a sister brand within LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, in collaboration with Costa to present the first production of its kind at sea: the Bvlgari Jewelry Fashion Show, an evening of elegance and glamour highlighting the Italian jeweler’s craftsmanship.
Starboard has more than a decade of experience in cruise ship retail in the Asian market, which started in 2006 with Costa Allegra. In 2018, Starboard and Costa entered into a multi-year agreement for retail operations which included Costa Venezia. (Costa Smeralda, debuting later this year for the European market, is also part of the deal.)
Costa Venezia brings the total number of Starboard ships in Asia to nine.
'We have strategically selected brands that represent the best in Italian designers cherished by Chinese shoppers to complement and enrich Costa Venezia’s on-board offerings,' said Derek Wong, Starboard’s VP & general manager, Asia. 'Starboard offers an innovative approach to the retail experience not previously seen by Chinese travelers.'
Shopping an experience of exploring and learning
“The retail shopping experience is one of the most important parts of the Chinese vacation,' according to Mario Zanetti, president of Costa Group Asia. 'Chinese customers are evolving; they are not willing to shop just to purchase something. Shopping is part of an experience, of exploring and learning. Together with our partner, Starboard, we have worked to offer our guests an elevated experience when they are on board Costa Venezia. The Bvlgari Jewelry Fashion Show is the cherry on top,' he added.
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