Costa to Increase Focus on the Mediterranean
Starting in 2020, Costa Cruises will strengthen its presence in the Mediterranean, a favorite itinerary with guests.
In winter 2020/21 Costa Fortuna will offer two new 14-day itineraries, marking the return of the Italian company to Turkey and Israel. The first, departing from Savona on December 6, 2020 and February 7, 2021, includes Marseille (France), Barcelona (Spain), Iráklion (Greece), Izmir (Turkey), an overnight call in Istanbul (Turkey), Athens (Greece), Palermo and Naples. The second itinerary, which also sails from Savona on January 10 and March 7, 2021, will be porting in Marseille (France), Barcelona (Spain), Iráklion (Grecia), an overnight call in Haifa (Israel), Kusadasi (Turkey), Palermo and Naples. During the rest of the winter season, Costa Fortuna will be offering one-week itineraries in the Western Mediterranean, also calling at Valencia.
Costa’s presence in the Mediterranean will grow further with the delivery of the two new flagships Costa Smeralda and Costa Toscana, both powered by liquefied natural gas.
Meanwhile, Costa Firenze will be positioned in Asia earlier than anticipated in order to meet increased demand from the Chinese market.
As a result of these changes, in winter 2020/21 Costa Mediterranea will be replacing Costa Fortuna, offering the same itineraries from Singapore to discover Cambodia, Malaysia and Thailand. The company is also planning changes to Costa Victoria’s program after September 9, 2020, and to Costa Luminosa’s Caribbean program in winter 2020/21, which are therefore no longer available for bookings.
Commenting on the news, Costa Cruises President Neil Palomba said: “Costa’s strategy for the next few years is based on sustainable development while meeting the increasing trends in demand. This announcement is in line with that strategy, our aim being to exceed our guests’ expectations. For this reason, we are working to further enhance our presence in the Mediterranean, making it more than ever our home region, with a range of itineraries suiting all needs, in terms of both duration and destinations covered.”
Costa is informing travel agencies and guests of these changes, in order to guarantee that everyone has alternative solutions for their holidays. Guests who have already booked a cruise from Singapore on Costa Fortuna in winter 2020/21 will be rebooked on Costa Mediterranea. Guests booked on any of the following itineraries:
Costa Victoria cruises in India and the Maldives;
Costa Mediterranea cruises in the Indian Ocean;
Costa Luminosa cruises in the Caribbean;
Costa Firenze cruises in the Mediterranean or her positioning cruise to Asia; will have the opportunity to choose from Costa Cruises’ product portfolio and will be entitled to an additional 10% fare discount on the cruise of their choice.
