ROME, March 1 (Xinhua) -- The people of Trieste on Friday were treated to a splendid ceremony for the christening of the Costa Venezia, the first Italian cruise ship dedicated to Chinese tourists, which took place in the harbor of the northeastern port city on the Adriatic Sea.
People massed on the quay in view of the anchored 323-meter-long, 135,500 tonne vessel as the Italian Air Force's Frecce Tricolori (Tricolor Arrows) acrobatics team of military jets flew in formation over the city, the ship and the harbor, leaving smoke trails in the colors of the Italian flag: green, white and red.
The christening, which according to maritime tradition includes a singing of Italy's national anthem, took place on board the ship and was broadcast on a giant screen set up in Piazza Unita, the city's main square facing the harbor. It was followed by a 15-minute firework display visible throughout the city, according to Trieste Cafe online newspaper.
With capacity of 5,200 guests, the Costa Venezia is designed specifically for the Chinese clientele, taking them on a voyage of discovery, shipbuilder Fincantieri, which constructed the vessel for Italian cruise ship company Costa Crociere in the nearby town of Monfalcone, said in a statement.
The Costa Venezia will depart from Trieste on March 8 for its inaugural cruise. In the following 53 days, it will cross the Mediterranean, the Middle East, southeast Asia and east Asia, ending up in Tokyo, Fincantieri said.
Beginning on May 8, the Costa Venezia will offer cruises in Asia departing from Shanghai.
