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A stylish Italian pays a visit to Boston

E-mail|Link|Comments () October 10, 2009 05:49 PM

By Jenara Gardner, Globe Staff

An Italian cruise ship brought a bit of la dolce vita to Boston today.

The Costa Atlantica, a towering, 960-foot-long Italian cruise ship with the capacity for 2,114 passengers, stopped at the Black Falcon Cruise Terminal for the day. It was the first time a Costa cruise line ship had docked in Boston.

“In this economy, it is good to see this ship, a symbol of the Italian republic, in Boston, especially two days before we celebrate one of Italy’s best sailors, Columbus,” said Liborio Stellino, the Italian consul in Boston, who came to greet the ship.

Federico Fellini, one of Italy’s most celebrated filmmakers was an inspiration to the ship's designers. All twelve of the passenger decks were named for Fellini’s films, including “8 ½," “Ginger & Fred," and "La Dolce Vita" ("The Sweet Life"). Snapshots from Fellini’s movies serve as backdrops to select sitting areas, adding to the ship's theatrical flair.

The ship's casino, theater, and atrium were adorned with mosaic tile, Murano glass, and lush reds and golds.

"It’s an opportunity for many European visitors to experience what a great tourist city Boston is,” said Mike Leone, port director for the Massachusetts Port Authority. He said he hoped that one day Costa would "homeport" one of its ships here, meaning that cruises would begin and end in Boston.