The flagship Costa Smeralda left the northwestern port of Savona at 6.15 pm after being landbound since December 20, when the Italian government banned cruises during the holiday season due to the coronavirus crisis.
Raffaele d'Ambrosio, the head of the French arm of Costa Cruises, said the "desire to set off again is very strong among our customers". The cruise industry has been smashed by the pandemic, suffering a shortfall of $77 billion and shedding 518,000 jobs between just mid-March and September last year, according to the Cruise Lines International Association .The Costa Smeralda -- as long as three football pitches -- is a floating city in miniature with its 11 restaurants, 19 bars, a spa, a theatre and several swimming pools.
"The crew has so been looking forward to this moment. Everyone was so enthusiastic at the thought of setting off once again. The ship is like a family to us," said skipper Pietro Sinisi from his position on the bridge.
Source: News Formal (newsformal.com)