The fully revamped Costa neoRomantica set sail on her maiden voyage from Savona, Italy early this month following a private naming ceremony.

Costa Crociere senior management attended a private blessing ceremony with His Excellency Vittorio Lupi, Bishop of Savona and observed a one minute silence in respect for the victims of Costa Concordia.

A bottle of champagne was broken against the ship’s hull with godmothers Francesca Scuffi, a member of the Costa Club for past passengers and Gabriella Gentile a member of Costa Concordia’s crew aboard the ship on 13 January 2012, looking on.

The five-month transformation of Costa neoRomantica cost approximately USD$120 million making it one of the most expensive refurbishments ever completed by a cruise line.

Originally published for e-Travel Blackboard.

Click here to view an entire photo gallery of the Costa neoRomantica refurbishment.