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Costa expects 1,500 travel agents for Champions of the Sea cruise

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Costa Diadema - to host Protagonisti del Mare for awards, meetings and events
Costa Cruises' annual trade event, Protagonisti del Mare (Champions of the Sea), is expected to draw 1,500 travel partners from around the world. The cruise aboard Costa Diadema is scheduled for Feb. 25 to March 4.

Protagonisti del Mare includes awards ceremonies, presentation of the new Costa 2016/17 and neoCollection brochures, and meetings with the Costa sales and marketing teams. Parties, shows and shore excursions are also planned.

New Costa president Neil Palomba will play a key role in this year's 22nd edition of the event, which recognizes the sales efforts of key travel partners and shares the company's strategies for future growth. The new organization of the sales and marketing team will also be discussed, according to Norbert Stiekema, evp sales and marketing.

Prizes will be awarded to agents who achieved the best performances in 2014. Costa Diadema's Emerald Theatre will provide the backdrop for the gala awards evenings hosted by 2004 Miss Italy, Cristina Chiabotto, with the participation of Palomba, Stiekema and Massimo Brancaleoni, svp worldwide sales. The winners will receive Protaganisti del Mare trophies, a golden dolphin in the shape of Costa’s iconic 'C.'

Other events during the cruise include 'ViceVersa,' where travel agents trade places with the crew and serve passengers.

Some agents will also get to sample the offerings at Vinoteca, the Birreria and the Bar Bollicine with some of the company’s top managers during a 'Bar Hop.' An Italian aperitif will be served on board, while other events are an artisanal beer tasting with the Italian actor Fabio Fulco and production shows in the theatre.

During the call at Naples, the Restaurant Club will offer a special 'Partners Dinner' for select agents with a menu inspired by the Campania region and Italian products such as an aperitif by Cantine Ferrari, Barilla pasta, chocolate pralines by Guido Gobino, setteveli cake by Luigi Biasetto and illy espresso.

Costa Diadema will also stage parties like 'La Notte Bianca' (White Party), with the ship decked out in white, and 'La Notte in Maschera' (Masked Party).

The cruise will sail from La Spezia to Naples, Ajaccio, Savona, Marseille, Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca, and end with a second call at Naples.