New Costa Ship Deliziosa named in Dubai

The celebration culminated with a bottle of sparkling date juice being smashed confidently against the hull by the godmother, Lebanese-born Tala Dionisi, wife of the Italian ambassador to the United Arab Emirates -- date juice used instead of Champagne out of respect to Dubai's Muslim faith.

The celebration peaked when a bottle of sparkling date juice was smashed against the hull of the ship by the godmother, Lebanese-born Tala Dionisi, wife of the Italian ambassador to the United Arab Emirates -- date juice used instead of Champagne out of respect to Dubai's Muslim faith.

The party was a double celebration for the ship and the opening of a brand-new port in Dubai. Port Rashid wowed the audience, who were seated in a specially built stadium.

The dress code was mesmerizing -- the locals were cool in their traditional white dishdashes (flowing garments) and aviator shades, whilst the guests from Europe and beyond melted in black tie and party dresses.

An Arabic wedding dance and horses performing intricate dressage were the treats in store for the guests. The horses later galloped around the sand track with the colours of the United Arab Emirates flowing behind them.

The Italian contribution included the ship's singers and dancers, and two tenors who sang the inevitable "Con te Partiro" (Time to Say Goodbye) and various other opera classics, although "Nessun Dorma" was cut short by the arrival of the royal party -- including the sheikh, crown prince of Dubai -- and its enormous entourage.

After the bottle had smashed, the VIP's were treated to a feast of Arabic mezzes, meats, dates and exotic fruits -- and, as a final nod to Italian influence, tiramisu.

Sun-loving Brits and Germans are expected to make up the majority of Costa's passengers sailing from Dubai. Marco Rosa, Costa's U.K. managing director, is hoping that the price of the cruises, which are packaged with flights on Emirates, will make Dubai and the Gulf affordable to new audiences.

The ship continues its maiden voyage later this week, ending in the Maldives, and will return to Dubai mid-March to operate seven-day cruises alongside its sister, Costa Luminosa. The winter season will be repeated in 2011 after Costa Deliziosa's maiden world cruise.