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Meyer Turku floats out LNG-powered Costa Smeralda

Costa president Neil Palomba, far right, visits Meyer Turku ahead of the float-out
Costa president Neil Palomba, far right, visits Meyer Turku ahead of the float-out PHOTO: Costa Cruises
Meyer Turku shipyard floated out Costa Smeralda, the 180,000gt, LNG-powered ship for Costa Cruises, during festivities on Friday.

This signals the start of the outfitting phase of the ship's construction. Costa Smeralda is scheduled for delivery in October.

LNG breakthrough

'With LNG a breakthrough in fuel technology, Costa Smeralda represents a major innovation for the international market and an important step toward setting new standards for the entire sector,' Costa president Neil Palomba said.

Step up in size for the yard

'We have been very excited to bring our expertise in designing, engineering and construction of LNG ships in service to Costa Smeralda,' Meyer Turku CEO Jan Meyer said. 'This ship is also going to be a step up in ship size for us, as we are continuing our production ramp-up to two times the level of previous high for the shipyard.'

Costa Smeralda's interior design pays tribute to great venues in Italy. At the heart of the ship, for example, will be the Colosseo, a three-deck area for entertainment. The 11 restaurants include Teppanyaki, Pummid’Oro Pizzeria, the family restaurant Tutti a Tavola and Laboratorio del Gusto (Taste Lab). There will be 19 bars and lounges; a spa with beauty salon, hammam, thalassotherapy pool and 16 treatment rooms; a water park, four swimming pools and a children's club.

Museum dedicated to Italian design

Costa Smeralda will also have its own museum: CoDe — Costa Design Museum, curated by Matteo Vercelloni, dedicated to Italian design excellence and featuring many of the names that have contributed to the ship's construction.