Costa Cruises Taiwan

Costa Cruises will be offering regular cruises from Hong Kong to Taiwan in 2010. The Italian cruise line will run 15 cruises that year on Costa Classica, travelling to Taipei, Keelung and Tai Chung. It’s a four night cruise holiday, primarily aimed at bringing Chinese tourists to Taiwan’s port city of Keelung, with day trips to Taipei and Tai Chung.

Costa has become an industry leader in the Chinese cruise market with offerings through the summer months when Costa Classica and Costa Allegra will sail a Japan to Korea route. The ships will be home-ported in Shanghai and Tianjin. A spokesman for Costa said, ‘… Taiwan will be the next charming holiday destination hot-spot for Chinese tourists. Our regular Taiwan cruise itineraries will allow Costa’s strong customer base in Asia and mainland China the unique opportunity to enjoy a truly wonderful and memorable journey on the sea, the Italian-style, while discovering the splendours of Taiwan’s rich natural, gastronomical and shopping offerings.’

British tourists wishing to take advantage of these cruises, perhaps while visiting Hong Kong, need to ensure they have the necessary travel permits as the straits crossing is limited to those with Chinese passports or a Chinese issued straits travel permit.