That approximately €55m project is being carried out in Genoa’s S. Giorgio shipyards from December to April. The operations entail a radical restyling of Carnival Cruise Lines’ former Holiday. Renamed Grand Holiday, the vessel will begin sailing for Iberocruceros in May.
In addition to completely restyling the cabins and public areas, the work entails adding new balcony suites and a wellness center and giving the hull a new silicone-based coating.
Grand Holiday will become Iberocruceros’ fourth ship. The first cruise is scheduled for May 18 from Barcelona, with destinations including Villefranche, Livorno, Civitavecchia and Porto Torres. For the summer season the vessel will sail seven-day Western Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona to Villefranche, Livorno, Civitavecchia, Naples and La Goulette.
Three other Costa ships recently completed drydocks: Costa Magica (Nov. 4 to 18) and Costa Mediterranea (Nov. 21 to Dec. 5), both in Palermo, and Costa Marina (Nov. 4 to 18) in Genoa.
Works included routine maintenance such as replacing carpeting, curtains, fabrics and other materials in the public areas and cabins. The hulls were cleaned and painted. Inverters were installed in Costa Magica’s engine room to optimise system operations, resulting in reduced CO2 emissions.
