Costa Firenze is designed and built by Fincantieri and is a celebration of Florence. Source: Costa Cruises.

Starboard Cruise Services has unveiled its retail offer on board Costa Cruises’ new Costa Firenze ship, which departed the port of Savona for her first cruise on 4 July.

The offer is a celebration of Florence with distinct Italian designers, ship-exclusive collections and ‘memorable shopping experiences.’

Designed and built by Italian shipbuilding company Fincantieri in the Marghera shipyards, Costa Firenze is inspired by the Florentine Renaissance. It is the fourth Costa ship to resume sailing in 2021, after Costa Smeralda, Costa Luminosa and Costa Deliziosa, following the company’s gradual restart of guest operations.

Lisa Bauer, President and CEO, Starboard Cruise Services said: “Appealing to Costa’s incredibly diverse guests, our teams have created an authentic Italian-style shopping experience amplifying our partner’s vision to bring the warm Italian hospitality to sea.

“It really has been a pleasure working closely together to capture the spirit of the Italian brand and creating personalised onboard retail experiences for its unique guest profiles.”

WIDE-RANGING RETAIL OFFER

The Galleria Shops on Firenze span 13 stores offering various categories from fine jewellery and apparel to handbags, trip souvenirs and travel essentials.

The Galleria shops on Costa Firenze span 13 stores offering various categories including fine jewellery, apparel and souvenirs. Source: Costa Cruises

According to the company, Guests will have an especially distinct vacation shopping experience with the ship’s Italian-themed collection. Merchandise will be refreshed twice on each voyage and include Florentine keepsakes such as pottery, magnets, miniatures, key-rings and more.

The shops also offer a retail concierge service, enabling stateroom shopping, private retail appointments and concierge-led store outings.

Guests can own a piece of Italian culture by shopping Florentine designer handbags, such as Ferragamo and Italian contemporary-traditional leather craftsmanship designed bags for men and women.

Lisa Bauer, President and CEO, Starboard Cruise Services.

Other speciality Italian brands appearing on a Costa ship for the first time include fashion jewellery brand, Ciclamini, handmade intricate jewellery — Myto Firenze statement jewellery pieces — and Save My Bag, a collection of chic totes, clutches, crossbodies and bucket bags.

New to European guests, luxury vintage brand, What Goes Around Comes Around, offers Costa Firenze’s guests the opportunity to choose from a curated selection of designer handbags from Louis Vuitton.

For the first time on a Costa ship, the Together as One collection of diamond enhancers transforms the look of guests’ diamond rings.

Men’s professional clothing brand Stone Rose will be available on board for a limited time, offering custom-designed prints for the male traveller. A collection of resort wear, shoes and handbags from Lemlem made entirely in Africa are also available. Lemlem is an artisan-driven brand founded by supermodel, Liya Kebede.

Debuting soon after launch for the first time at sea and for a limited time will be Di Modolo. This is a fine jewellery label that Starboard says mixes modern elegance with timeless beauty.

TRAVEL-INSPIRED COLLECTION

The offer also comprises Bally Escapes’ travel-inspired collection of multifunctional travel essentials: water-resistant and collapsible backpacks, carry-on bags and accessories.

Giuseppe Carino, Vice President, Guest Experience and Onboard Sales, Costa Cruises commented: “Costa Firenze is the perfect ambassador of Italian style, which we have combined with a series of product innovations designed especially for families and couples. The on-board shop offer completes the immersive Italian cruise vacation experience for all our European guests.”

Costa Firenze is currently sailing towards a one-week itinerary to six Italian destinations — Savona, Civitavecchia, Rome, Naples, Catania, Palermo and Cagliari.

From the end of July to the end of August guests can also visit Malta, with a stop in la Valletta.