Costa Cruises has announced a strategic redeployment of its fleet for the winter 2026/27 season, expanding operations in the Canary Islands and the Western Mediterranean while suspending planned itineraries in the Middle East due to ongoing regional uncertainty.
The cruise line said its flagship Costa Smeralda will be deployed in the *Canary Islands, operating a new *seven-day itinerary linking the Canary Islands and Madeira. The move will increase passenger capacity in the region and strengthen Costa’s winter offering in one of Europe’s most popular warm-weather cruise destinations.
The Canary Islands and Madeira continue to attract strong winter demand thanks to their mild climate, scenic landscapes and cultural heritage, making them among the most sought-after cruise destinations during the European winter season.
Under the revised deployment plan, Costa Pacifica will undergo dry dock before being repositioned to the *Western Mediterranean, where it will operate *seven-day itineraries across Mediterranean destinations along with longer voyages to Southern Europe and North Africa. The program will also include new extended itineraries designed specifically for winter cruising.
The strategic shift follows Costa’s decision not to operate in the Middle East during winter 2026/27, citing ongoing regional uncertainty.
As a result, Costa Smeralda’s positioning voyages to and from the Emirates have been cancelled, affecting previously scheduled sailings connected to the Gulf region.
Guests booked on cancelled Emirates itineraries or positioning cruises will be offered the option to *rebook any other Costa cruise immediately, along with *€200 onboard credit per cabin (€100 per person)**.
Passengers booked on Costa Pacifica’s previously planned Canary Islands program will also be protected under the same conditions and transferred to Costa Smeralda’s Canary Islands itineraries.
Costa said the revised itineraries for Costa Smeralda in the Canary Islands and Costa Pacifica in the Western Mediterranean and North Africa will be available for booking by the end of March 2026.
The cruise line said the changes are aimed at providing greater certainty for guests and travel partners, while ensuring itineraries remain stable amid evolving geopolitical conditions.
The move reflects a broader trend in the cruise industry, where operators are increasingly adjusting deployment plans in response to geopolitical risks and shifting travel demand, particularly in regions affected by security concerns.
