Costa Offers Travelers 60% Savings On Sailings in 2008 With 60 Day 'Diamond Jubilee Sale'

MIAMI, Dec. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Wave season is rolling in, and with Costa, Europe's Number One Cruise Line, it comes complete with rates of 60% off, as well as the opportunity for travel agents to win a cruise for two to Dubai with round trip airfare included from Emirates Airlines. The "Diamond Jubilee" promotion, in honor of Costa's "60th Diamond Anniversary" in 2008, will be offered for 60 days from January 1 through February 29, giving travelers the opportunity to save up to 60% off most of Costa's 2008 cruises.

Guests will be able to choose from 423 sailings, 141 ports, 109 itineraries, 68 countries and 12 ships! From China, Dubai, South America, Kenya, Iceland and all other points in between, including Northern Europe, the Mediterranean and Caribbean. As an added bonus, guests who sail in the Caribbean for the 2007-2008 season will have the opportunity to win a six- stone diamond necklace from Diamonds International once onboard. Additionally, travel agents may qualify to win a cruise for two to Dubai, one of Costa's most exciting new destinations! Two winners, one in January, and one in February, will be chosen and also receive round trip airfare for two from Emirates Airlines. Every FIT booking is an automatic entry, while guests who book electronically will be counted twice, doubling their chances for winning.

"There's simply never been a better time for travelers to experience Costa -- from our new routes in Mauritius to our legendary European cruises or closer to home with our Caribbean sailings from Ft. Lauderdale -- we're bringing the world to our guests with 60% savings," said Joni L. Rein, Vice President of Sales Development for Costa Cruise Lines-North America. "To make the sale even more exciting for our travel agent partners, we're giving them the opportunity to win the trip of a lifetime to Dubai on one of our cruises from the international locale, complete with roundtrip airfare from Emirates airlines. Now, that's amore."

Named "one of the top 10 cruise lines" by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler, Costa offers an experience that is delightfully different in service and cuisine, in an atmosphere filled with love, laughter and la dolce vita. It's called "Cruising Italian Style" and true to its heritage, no detail has been overlooked in bringing the beauty and hospitality of Italy to the sea. Cruising Italian Style ... that's Amore!

Costa, Europe's Number One Cruise Line, is the leading Italian cruise company and for 60 years has offered the best in Italian hospitality, cuisine and entertainment on cruises throughout the world. In 2007, 1,000,000 guests chose a Costa cruise, a true historical record in Europe. The fleet's 12 ships all fly the Italian flag and offer 250 different destinations throughout the year in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean, South America, Dubai, the Far East, and the Indian Ocean. Orders have been placed for three additional vessels that will enter service by 2010. Costa is RINA certified with the BEST4, a highly structured system of voluntary certifications involving social accountability (SA 8000, 2001), environment (UNI EN ISO 14001, 2004), safety (OHSAS 18001, 1999) and quality (UNI EN ISO 9001, 2000) and also supports the WWF in efforts to protect marine eco-regions in the Mediterranean Sea, the Greater Antilles and Brazil.

For reservations or more information, contact a travel agent, call (800) GO-COSTA or visit http://www.costacruises.com/.

Costa Cruises is a brand of Carnival Corporation and plc .

Costa Cruises is RINA certified with the BEST 4, a highly structured system of certifications involving social responsibility (SA 8000, 2001), environment (UNI EN ISO 14001, 1996), safety (OHSAS 18001, 1999) and quality (UNI EN ISO 9001, 2000). Costa Cruises is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, and The Yachts of Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest, and a commitment to quality and value, our member lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets. Together we offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations.