Genoa – September 28, 2006 – Intended as recognition for the best websites designed in Italy and for the best interactive communication, the 2006 edition of the Internet Key Award has been won by Costa Crociere’s Internet site www.costacruise.com, for the International Key Award category.

Widely acknowledged as one of the most prestigious and respected prizes in the field of web design and development, the Internet Key Award was presented to Costa Crociere at a gala awards ceremony held in Milan on September 27.

The Key Award Festival, which is an annual event designed to reward creativity and technological innovation in online communication, attracts users of communication, web agencies, media agencies, Web and Mobile Marketing operators and professionals.

www.costacruise.com was chosen as the best international site thanks to its graphic design and user friendliness, which enables it to clock up over 480,000 hits per month, with a worldwide user base.

The website is designed by Agency.com and has a decidedly international feel, while at the same time catering to the demands of the individual countries of reference so as to satisfy the specific needs of customers from all over the world. In this connection the site is subjected to qualitative analysis, conducted by Eurisko using an international sample of consumers.

Costa’s website provides updates in real time with news of special offers and initiatives, the possibility of selecting your own tailor-made cruse vacation, information about fares and availability, and the option of booking additional cruise services. Users can search by destination, by ship, by excursion or by entering a search string. Also, the webcams on board offer a new view of the ships and their decks with photos and videos providing a taste of the cruise experience online; in fact, there are webcams with live pictures on the site taken from the bow and the stern of every vessel in the fleet.

People who have already purchased a cruise can use the website to personalize their own made-to-measure holiday. At the same time, the regular fare is shown next to the “ProntoPrice” formula, so visitors to the site can appreciate the big savings to be had by booking well in advance. This way, customers are able to see the updated fare situation and choose when to go to the travel agency and actually purchase the cruise.

“We’re delighted to have won this prestigious award because it comes as recognition of our commitment to offering programs and services dedicated to the specific demands of our increasingly diverse and international customers,” said Costa Crociere’s eBusiness Director Daniele Mancini.

The Festival is organized by the Gruppo Editoriale Media Key, which publishes the communications trade magazines Media Key and TV Key.