Costa Cruises is expanding its efforts to grow emerging cruise markets with decision to homeport its new LNG mega-ship Costa Toscana in South America for the 2021/22 season.

Costa Cruises, which was the first cruise line to homeport in Dubai for a full cruise season back in 2006, and the first mainstream line to enter the Chinese cruise market, will now be the first ever to send a brand-new cruise ship into South America for a full season.

Costa Toscana is the cruise line’s second LNG-powered mega ship.

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The announcement was made during an online conference led by Dario Rustico, the brand’s General Manager for Central and South America. In addition to the debut of Costa Toscana, the cruise line also announced that Costa Favolosa will extend her season to almost five months.

“The arrival of Costa Toscana is a historic moment for Costa Cruises, for the entire cruise industry and for Brazil,” said Rustico.  “The debut in Brazil of our most innovative ship strengthens the special 72-year long bond between Costa Cruises and South America.”

“Costa Toscana promises to be a highly popular attraction in 2022, enabling our guests to enjoy memorable experiences, five-star dining, high-tech entertainment and the pure joy and relaxation that comes with being on the open sea,” he added.

Costa Toscana, currently under construction at the Meyer shipyard in Turku, Finland, is a sister ship to Costa Smeralda, which was launched late last year.

At more than 180,000 tons, she is the largest class of cruise ship ever built for Costa Cruises, and one of a retinue of similar mega cruise ships being built for other Carnival Corporation brands, including AIDA Cruises, P&O Cruises, and Carnival Cruise Line.

Costa Toscana will cruise roundtrip from Santos, Brazil.

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She will feature more than 2,600 staterooms, including a new cabin category with balcony and terrace. The ship will have 13 different restaurants, 18 bars, a splendid spa area with 16 treatment rooms, an onboard waterpark with waterslides, four pools and a dedicated facility for kids.

Costa Toscana’s inaugural cruise in South America will be a New Year itinerary departing Santos, Brazil on December 26, 2021. The 7-night itinerary will visit Salvador and Ilhéus.

From January 2, 2022 to April 10, 2022, Costa Toscana will offer another 15 cruises with the same itinerary, with embarkation in Santos and Salvador.

The 15 cruises also include Carnival and Easter departures. The latter will be the last tour of the ship before the Brazil-Italy crossing, departing from Santos on April 17, 2022.

Starting on November 20, 2021, Costa Favolosa will sail the longest season in the history of Costa Cruises in the region. The ship will offer five cruises, from 3 to 6 nights, calling at Búzios, Salvador, Ilhabela and Balneário Camboriú, with embarkation from Santos.