MIAMI, May 15, 2008 -- Costa is offering special savings on this summer's Mediterranean cruises aboard Costa Serena.

"Italy is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world and at Costa we give guests a veritable floating Italian villa they can take with them to see not only Italy, but other exciting locales as well," said Maurice M. Zarmati, President & CEO of Costa Cruise Lines-North America. "This summer, there simply isn't a better way to visit the Mediterranean than with Costa and our extensive selection of itineraries, particularly the special values we're offering on the Costa Serena."

Fares aboard the Costa Serena begin at $649 per person on select sailings. Ports of call on the seven-night voyages aboard the ship, which departs every Sunday from Venice include Bari, Katakolon, Izmir, Istanbul and Dubrovnik.

The Costa Serena, the fleet's newest ship, was inaugurated in May 2007 and boasts some of the most innovative features at sea, including the revolutionary 23,000 square-foot Samsara Spa -- complete with exclusive spa cabins offering direct access to the wellness center and a private restaurant with health-conscious cuisine. The ship also features the largest enclosable pool deck on a ship and a Grand Prix race car driving simulator -- the most accurate representation of Formula One driving available.

Costa offers the biggest and best selection of Mediterranean cruises with nearly 200 in the region throughout the summer, including more seven-night routes than any other cruise line. With 60 years of cruising experience in Europe, Costa knows the ports of call inside and out, giving travelers a unique glimpse into a "true European experience" both on and off the ship. North American guests are just as likely to meet new friends from Naples, Italy as they are from Naples, Florida with Costa's international ambience, highlighted by its cosmopolitan guests from around the world.

Costa describes itself as follows:

Costa provides guests a unique experience of "love, laughter and la dolce vita" in the Mediterranean, and everywhere they sail. For 60 years, Costa has brought its special brand of Italian warmth and European sophistication to travelers around the world. "Cruising Italian Style" with Costa is much more than a voyage to a new and exciting destination -- it's an experience that creates lifetime memories that linger and make guests smile at unexpected moments. From delectable fresh pastas, warm cappuccinos, international guests who become friends from around the world, and charming Italian greetings travelers hear such as "buon giorno" and "buona sera," sailing with Costa brings the passion and vitality of Italy to sea.

Costa Cruises is Italy and Europe's number one cruise line. For the past 60 years its ships have sailed the world, offering the best in Italian style, hospitality and cuisine and providing dream vacations with the best in fun and relaxation. In 2007 over 1.1 million guests chose to cruise with Costa, a record for the European cruise industry. The company's 12 fleet members, each with her own distinctive characteristics and unique style, all fly the Italian flag and sail each year to 250 destinations in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Baltic Sea, the Caribbean, South America, the United Arab Emirates, the Far East and the Indian Ocean.

Five more vessels have been commissioned and will enter service by 2012. Costa Cruises has been certified by RINA (Italian Shipping Register) with the BEST4, an integrated system of voluntary certification of corporate compliance with the highest standards governing social accountability (SA 8000, issued in 2001), environment (UNI EN ISO 14001, 1996), safety (OHSAS 18001, 1999) and quality (UNI EN ISO 9001, 2000). All Costa's ships have been awarded RINA's voluntary "Green Star" notation based on the highest environmental protection standards. Costa Cruises is also an official partner of the WWF for the protection of the marine ecoregions of the Mediterranean, the Greater Antilles and Brazil.