The first PSARA Cruise Convention in Dover will welcome Costa Magica, the former flagship of the fleet, to the south coast port.
Having been built in Genoa and cost $500 million the 2,700-passenger ship was christened in Barcelona in 2004.
Designed by renowned Carnival ship architect Joe Farcus, the interior draws on famous Italian sights, traditions and landscapes and features 5,652 works of art including oil paintings, vases and sculptures.
The ship boasts 13 passenger decks, 1,300 cabins, 464 of which have private balconies, and 58 suites all of which have their own balconies with Jacuzzis.
Costa Magica will arrive for the second day of the convention, one of four ships involved in the event.
Also due in port are Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Dream, Princess Cruises’ Star Princess and Peter Deilmann’s ocean liner Deutschland.
PSARA is hoping to attract 200 agents to the convention that it is hoped will become an annual event like the much larger Cruise Lines International Association’s three day cruise3sixty event held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
During the two days on May 17-18 there will be ship inspections, convention sessions with guest speakers, a networking breakfast, hosted lunches a cocktail party and a gala dinner.
Prices start at £39 for PSARA members, £64 for non-members, including accommodation, transfers, drinks, gala dinner, lunches and breakfasts.
To register go to Psa-psara.org
Costa Magica fact file
- Weight: 102,600 tonnes
- Length: 272 metres
- Number of crew: 1,027
- Passenger/crew ratio: 2.5:1
- Swimming pools (outdoor): 3