Some of you who are more familiar with the cruise business world have asked me to give you a summary of what happened to Iberocruceros, that company with a totally Spanish environment that many and many still miss.
I remind you that Iberocruceros began operating in 2004 as Iberojet Cruises, being part of the Iberostar group. Then, Iberostar decides to sell its cruise business, travel agencies, and airline, forming the Orizonia Group.
Continuing with the history of Iberocruceros, in 2008 Iberojet Cruises creates a joint venture with Carnival. The process ended in 2009 with the acquisition of 100% of the company's shares by Costa Cruceros, owned in turn by Carnival Corporation. At first it seemed that it was a merger between equals and that the Spanish company would maintain its identity, however reality prevailed. In fact, if you search the Internet for Iberocruceros, you will see how, at this moment, it directly forwards you to the Costa Cruises page.
Beyond the story, which you can find on different web pages, I want to tell you what was the spirit of the company, which today Costa Cruises wants to give back to you, after some years of sailing in "warm waters".
This shipping company was characterized by targeting the middle-class Spanish market, Its crew speaks in Spanish, the truth is that since the company has globalized the accents as well, now many more Spanish-speaking people have joined. What it does continue to maintain its carefree atmosphere, although some cruise passengers complain that the typically Spanish gastronomy has been lost, becoming more international, and that the schedules are no longer so adapted to our customs.
Iberocruceros was awarded for four consecutive years, from 2009 to 2012, as the best value for money shipping company in the Excellence awards.
At this point Costa Cruises wants to recover that spirit that so many yearn for from Iberocruceros, to such an extent that last summer it launched a specific offer for the Spanish cruiser aboard the CostaRiviera.