Following the press conference, the participants moved to the 3,000-seat grandstand build specifically for the Costa Deliziosa christening. The grandstand was covered with a billowing white cloth that provided needed shade. The area between the grandstand and the stage was filled with sand, in anticipation of the horse show. The seats were covered with a rainbow of colors, and guests sat in the seat color that matched their badge and lanyard.
We noted four large armed throne-like chairs that we assumed were reserved for the Sheikh and Mr. Foschi. As we filed into the grandstand, we passed through a recreation of a traditional Bedouin camp, with various demonstrations of crafts, cooking and falconry. We had been told to be in our seats prior to noon, since no one could be seated after the arrival of the Crown Prince of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed al Maktoum. The Sheikh and his large entourage toured the ship prior to the christening ceremony.
Paramotorists started the show, zipping around the grandstand and over the ship while guests were getting settled. From afar, they looked just like parachutes, but you could hear the whirring of their motors as they grew close. Unfortunately, we couldn't see all of their aerobatics since we were already in our covered seats. The next performers took the audience back to a Dubai traditional dance, the Al-Ayalla. A group of male dancers dressed in pale yellow kanduras, the traditional flowing menswear of the Emirates and topped with white guthras, which are male headscarfs, started the entertainment.
They performed the Al-Ayalla, a common UAE dance with sticks. They looked much like baton twirlers. Next, they danced the Harbia, another traditional UAE dance with guns. The final Arab performers were a group of 40 young female dancers.
My favorite part of the show included the beautiful Arabian horses of the Al Saheel horse show, "A Thousand and One Horse Tales". These magnificent horses and their riders performed several different times during the ceremony. The 44 specially-trained horses and their 30 riders did stunt riding, the quadrille, rope skipping, and even an act with fire. Music and dancers accompanied the horses. The horses performed several times throughout the show. They reminded me a little of Cavalia, the Quebec horse show currently touring in North America.
Following the first performance of the horses, it was time for the Italians to entertain. Italian dancers performed modern and traditional folk dances, and two tenors and a soprano entertained the audience with some of the most famous songs from Italian opera. A group of violinists and other musicians accompanied the singers.
Following the musical entertainment, the dignitaries arrived from their ship tour for the more formal part of the ceremony. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, arrived with his huge entourage, all dressed in traditional Emirates dress. The Crown Prince wore pale gray, his entourage wore white. All had on white guthras with black Egals holding them in place. He was accompanied by Pier Luigi Foschi, Chairman & CEO of Costa Crociere S.p.A.; Corrado Antonini, Fincantieri Chairman; Costa Deliziosa Captain Giuseppe Russo; Italian Ambassador to the UAE, Paolo Dionisi; and Tala Dionisi, the Costa Deliziosa Godmother and Ambassador's wife.
As soon as the Sheikh was seated, we were all amazed to see five parachusists descending from the sky. With pinpoint precision, they landed on the sandy area in front of the stage. The UAE Police Band took the stage and played the Dubai National Anthem. Next on the stage was a group of Costa Deliziosa officers and crew, who stood proudly at attention as the Italian national anthem was played.
The dignitaries took their places on the stage, and we were treated to more of the Al Saheel horse show. The masters of ceremony for the show were Mona Ibellini, a TV presenter and BBC and Al Jazeera English broadcaster, and Marwan "DJ Bliss" Parham, a Dubai musical producer and entertainer. First, Mr. Foschi spoke, followed by senior executives representing DTCM and the government. Next came the transfer of the ship's bell from Mr. Antonini to Captain Russo. Finally, Captain Russo directed the Godmother Tala Dionisi to cut the ribbon holding the bottle of special date juice, and it crashed against the hull of the Costa Deliziosa. It is important to note that this was a "new" concept. Traditionally, a bottle of sparkling wine, Champagne, or Prosecco is used to christen a ship by breaking across the bow. However, out of respect for the Muslim religion prevalent in Dubai and the Middle East, a large green bottle of "special" date juice was used rather than an alcoholic brew. I thought this was a nice touch. Suddenly, confetti cannons spewed brightly colored paper over the stage and towards the crowd. It was quite exciting. The formal part of the show ended with the presentation of flowers and gifts to the Godmother.
To wrap up the fun, the Al Saheel horses performed some more, as did the Arab dancers. The event guests next moved to a large, air-conditioned pavilion for a christening lunch prepared by the chef Osama, a well-known name throughout the Middle East. The menu included a selection of cold Arabic Mezzah (e.g. hommous, babaghanoush, moukhalalat, and tabouleh); a baked fish filled with pine seeds and dried apricot cooked in lime juice; and braised lamb shanks with cumin sauce. Dessert was tiramisu with dates, sliced exotic fruits, and kunafa with nuts, topped off with Arabic coffee.
The Costa Deliziosa naming event was over. The ship was officially named and could begin her long service to the Costa fleet. It was a great day in Dubai!
As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary airfare and hotel accommodation for the purpose of review. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.
42 Photos from Costa Deliziosa Christening Event