Cruise Ship Rented as a Floating Hotel for G7 Summit

In preparation for the 50th G7 Summit in Fasano, Italy, the former Costa Magica, now rechristened as the Goddess of the Night, has been chartered as a floating hotel for police officers providing security.

The summit, which will focus on world issues, energy, and climate change, will see the 103,000-ton vessel docked at Port Brindisi for the next week.

The Goddess of the Night, owned by Seajets Group, will accommodate approximately 2,600 officers, with two per cabin, and provide three meals daily. This arrangement ensures that the security personnel are well-rested and nourished, consolidating operations in a single, secure location.

The ship was selected after a detailed inspection by representatives from Italy’s Ministry of the Interior and the Police, who appreciated its capacity and amenities, including enhanced security measures such as stateroom safes for weapon storage and specialized rooms for departmental equipment.

Italian shipbrokers Ferrando & Massone facilitated the ship’s chartering. Officials from the Ministry of the Interior also inspected another Seajets-owned vessel, the Queen of the Oceans.

Still, they opted for the larger Goddess of the Night to better meet the summit’s needs. The ship was refurbished in Turkey and will remain in Brindisi throughout the event.

Initially built for Costa Cruises in 2004, the ship has been out of service since the COVID-19 pandemic and was acquired by Seajets in early 2023.

The Goddess of the Night is set to launch service for Neonyx Cruises in mid-July. It will offer adults-only cruises focused on parties and nightlife.

Though the cost of the charter is unknown, cruise ships are typically chartered at daily rates, which can be as high as $1.5 million. The host country covers the expenses. A vessel was also chartered in 2021 by the United Kingdom to host security while docked in Falmouth.