OREANDA-NEWS. February 03, 2016. Costa Cruises has appointed New York based hospitality designer Adam D. Tihany as Creative Director for the two new ships, powered with Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), scheduled for delivery in 2019 and 2020. Under Tihany’s leadership, Costa Cruises will assemble an elite group of designers to execute the vision for the next generation of ships inspired by “Italy’s Finest.”

“It is a rare honor to narrate a design story from the director’s chair,” - Tihany said. “The fact that this opportunity creates a partnership with Costa Cruises is all the more extraordinary. The phrase “Italy’s Finest” not only describes the design concept, but wholly embodies the Costa brand.”

The layout of the new ships will reflect comments and suggestions from Costa guests, creating a more efficient use of the ships’ space and ultimately an enhanced onboard experience for guests.

“We are fortunate to have Mr. Tihany, the world’s preeminent hospitality designer, as creative director for our next-generation ships,” said Neil Palomba, President of Costa Cruises. “Italy’s finest” concept represents the roots and the identity of Costa Cruises.It deals with the best things that our Country has to offer:  passion, quality, hospitality and, of course, style. I am confident that Mr. Tihany will create a unique style for our new ships, that will help us to offer our guests unforgettable and happy holidays.”

The new Costa ships will be the first in the cruise industry to be powered at sea by Liquefied Natural Gas, together with the two new ships ordered for Aida Cruises (the German brand belonging to Costa Group). To be built by Meyer shipyard in Turku, Finland, each of the new Costa ships will exceed 180,000 gross tons, offering more than 2,600 passenger cabins for a total of 6,600 passengers onboard.