Costa Luminosa returned to Trieste on Sunday 4 September to end her Costa Cruises sailing career.
Departing the Italian cruise line’s fleet after 13 years of service, the 2,260-passenger ship just completed a farewell cruise that sailed to the Eastern Mediterranean and Adriatic.
The seven-night itinerary was part of the ship’s summer program in the region and featured port calls in Croatia, Montenegro, Greece and Italy.
Set to enter service for Carnival Cruise Line in November, the 2009-built vessel will now begin a transition period before debuting with a winter season in Australia.
As she prepares for the new phase of her career, the ship will undergo a drydock to be renamed Carnival Luminosa and take on the Carnival red, white and blue livery.
Luminosa will also adapt to offer most of the US-based company’s signature experiences and spaces such as Playlist Productions, The Punchliner Comedy Club, Limelight Lounge, Piano Bar 88, Alchemy Bar and RedFrog Rum Bar.
In line with the offerings of other Carnival ships, several on-board dining venues will also be created, including Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, Chef’s Table and Bonsai Sushi Express.
For its outdoor space, Luminosa will see one of the pool decks transformed into Carnival’s Serenity Adult-Only Retreat.
Meanwhile, the ship’s spa will be transformed into the company’s traditional Cloud 9 – which will also offer a dedicated stateroom category.
Once ready, Carnival Luminosa will welcome its first guests in Brisbane, Australia.
Spending her inaugural season Down Under, the ship will offer a variety of cruises in the region, with itineraries visiting New Zealand, the Great Barrier Reef and the South Pacific.
In May, the ship arrives in the United States for its first season in Alaska.
Based in Seattle, Luminosa will sail 17 seven-day cruises, as well as six- and eight-day cruises in favorite ports such as Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka, Skagway, Icy Strait Point and the scenic Tracy Arm Fjord cruise.
