Costa Cruises Offers Costa Magica As Temporary Housing

USPA NEWS - Costa Cruises, a Carnival Corporation brand, has offered the Costa Magica cruise ship as temporary housing for Ukrainian refugees, should the Italian Government request assistance.

The  Costa Magica  was built in 2004 and has 1,350 staterooms. The ship can accommodate 2,718 passengers and 1,068 crew. At this time, the ship is not in service while docked in La Spezia  awaiting for transfer to another Carnival brand later in 2022. 

In a March 23rd media release, the Carnival Corporation said, "We have offered the Italian Government the Costa Magica to be integrated into the National Civil Protection's plan as a potential temporary hub for Ukrainian refugees, should the number of arrivals in Italy increase in the coming weeks as a result of prolonged conflict."

Roger Frizzell, the spokesperson for the Carnival Corporation, goes on to say, "Our thoughts are with those affected, including the families of our many Ukrainian employees who are understandably concerned for their loved ones. As an immediate support to the needs of the population affected by the impact of the conflict, we have already donated medical supplies and medicines necessary for the treatment of injuries and common diseases."

Costa Cruises is not the first Carnival Corporation brand that has  taken action to show support for Ukraine. Carnival Corporation's flagship brand Carnival Cruise Line  made a $50,000 donation to World Central Kitchen in honor of it's crew members and employees from Ukraine. The Corporation's German brand, AIDA Cruises, also donated medical supplies and medicine alongside Carnival's original donation.

CEO of Carnival Corporation, Arnold Donald, said in the release last week, "We stand for peace and our hearts go out to everyone whose lives have been upended by the invasion of Ukraine. We have crew members from 145 countries and we sail with guests from nations around the globe, so we feel deeply the human impact of this humanitarian crisis and we join many others in supporting relief efforts."

The Carnival Corporation is comprised of the following brands : AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises, P&O Cruises, P&O Cruises Australia, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, and Seabourn with a combined fleet of over 100 vessels.