Costa Cruises is the largest Italian group in Tourism and the n.1 cruise company in Europe, which boasts 60 years of history. In 2008 Costa Cruises carried a total of about 1,200,000 guests, a record for the European cruise industry. Its fleet, Europe's largest and most advanced, has a total of 12 ships in service and 5 on order, each with her own distinctive characteristics and unique style. By 2012 the Costa fleet will be 17 strong with total Guest capacity of approximately 46,400. All of the vessels fly the Italian flag and sail each year to 250 destinations in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Baltic Sea, the Caribbean, South America, the United Arab Emirates, the Far East and the Indian Ocean.