Summer 2026 opens with a desire for holidays that remains strong, accompanied by an increasingly conscious approach to choosing. Today, convenience, the possibility to modify one’s plans, and simplicity of organization are what matter. In this scenario, cruising confirms itself as a particularly relevant formula for those who wish to experience multiple destinations in a single holiday, without having to manage constant travel, hotel changes, or complex programs.
From the ancestral charm of Northern Europe to the great classics of the Mediterranean, with departures from easily reachable ports and the flexibility of the Change for Free formula, Costa’s summer is a holiday experience designed to accompany the guest from departure to return, allowing them to experience places where wonder happens with greater serenity, lightness, and zero worries.
In this context, the Change for Free formula helps make holiday planning simpler and more flexible: for Mediterranean cruises booked by June 3, 2026, it is possible to modify the date or destination up to 30 days before departure, with no additional costs, according to the applicable conditions. An option designed for those who want to organize their trip in advance, while maintaining a margin of flexibility in their plans.
“In this moment, the real value when choosing a holiday is being able to plan it with peace of mind. Those who book today are looking for simple solutions, but also for the possibility to adapt their plans if needs change”, says Francesco Muglia, Chief Commercial Officer, SVP Costa Cruises. “The desire to travel remains strong – as also confirmed by data from the European Travel Commission, according to which 82% of Europeans intend to go on holiday – but people are looking for clear, organized, and flexible solutions. Costa responds to this need with very concrete elements: departing from easily reachable ports, reducing logistical stress; a holiday planned and protected from start to finish, without unexpected issues to manage. It is a model that simplifies the holiday and lightens the decision, combining peace of mind in the choice with the wonder of the Costa experience in a holiday organized in every detail.”
What makes this holiday experience unique is the Sea & Land Wonder Platform, the ecosystem developed by Costa that integrates what happens on board, at sea, and on land into a continuous narrative of wonder, transforming the journey into a complete experience that goes beyond the destinations visited and includes the authentic way in which the sea, the ship, and holiday time are experienced, without giving up the simplicity of an organized and accessible holiday.
On one hand, the Sea Destinations, iconic and evocative places at sea added to the itineraries, where only Costa stops, chosen for their evocative power and experienced through immersive moments, such as sunrise concerts, when the light reveals natural landscapes shaped by water and time; breathtaking sunsets, celebrated at sea in front of unspoiled horizons, accompanied by music and the rhythm of sailing; nights under extraordinarily star-filled skies, far from any artificial light, and sea meditations, in which time slows down and the journey invites contemplation. On the other hand, the Land Destinations, onshore destinations selected to tell the story of the territory, with experiences designed to adapt to different travel styles, rhythms, and needs. It is this integrated approach between sea and land that makes wonder a continuous and distinctive experience, possible only with Costa.
The return of the Mediterranean: close, vibrant, surprising
In Summer 2026, the Mediterranean returns as the protagonist as an ideal destination for those seeking beauty, variety, and ease of organization. A nearby sea, easily accessible, rich in culture and iconic landscapes. In the Western Mediterranean, between Italy, France, and Spain, on board Costa Smeralda, Costa Toscana, and Costa Pacifica, sailing becomes an integral part of the journey thanks to iconic Sea Destinations: from the sunrise illuminating the white cliffs in the Calanques National Park to starry nights in the darkest point of the Balearic Sea, to sunsets over the sea in front of the Faraglioni of Capri, Ibiza, Golfo Aranci, and Palma Bay, among music and immersive experiences. On land, the itinerary alternates major cities and Mediterranean identities: Barcelona, Palermo, Naples, Cagliari, and Rome, for a journey that combines culture, landscapes, and authentic rhythms.
In the Eastern Mediterranean, itineraries on board Costa Fascinosa, Costa Deliziosa, and Costa Fortuna cross Greek islands, Adriatic ports, and symbolic places of great maritime civilizations, with convenient departures also from Italy and facilitated connections to make the experience simple from the very beginning. The sea is the protagonist, from the entrance into the Venice Lagoon, which at sunset provides the setting for a summer Carnival suspended over the water, to starry nights in one of the darkest points of the Ionian Sea, vibrant atmospheres in Mykonos Bay, and endless sunsets in front of Santorini. On land, the journey touches Corfu and Kefalonia, Dubrovnik and Split, Athens, Malta, and Eastern Sicily, with Mount Etna dominating the landscape and becoming part of the narrative also from the sea.
The Norwegian fjords: the summer you don’t expect
For those who seek a balanced summer between discovery and tranquility without giving up comfort, Northern Europe offers a holiday where nature sets the pace. On board Costa Diadema and Costa Favolosa, the Norwegian fjords reveal themselves as an experience of deep reconnection, where time slows down and the landscape becomes the absolute protagonist.
Navigation in the Geirangerfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage site, allows guests to admire the famous Seven Sisters, waterfalls that descend from the mountain walls into the sea, in one of Norway’s most iconic natural settings, to be experienced from the privileged perspective of the ship. In the Norwegian Sea, surrounded by deep silence, guests experience a moment of intimate reconnection with nature, inspired by the philosophy of Friluftsliv, with outdoor guided meditation, light that seems never to end, and time that slows down.
On land, the itineraries lead to the discovery of the World Heritage Fjords, with stops in cities such as Stavanger and Bergen, among historic ports and colorful houses overlooking the water, and passages through iconic fjord areas, where villages, waterfalls, and landscapes sculpted by ice tell the most authentic soul of Norway. Some itineraries finally go beyond the Arctic Circle, up to the Lofoten Islands and the North Cape, where the midnight sun accompanies summer sailings and makes the experience even more extraordinary.
No Fuel Surcharge on Summer Departures
In a context where fuel surcharge discussions are increasingly present across the industry, Costa has confirmed that for all bookings — both already confirmed and new ones — with departure dates up to 30 September 2026, the cruise price is guaranteed and will not be subject to any fuel surcharge.
This applies to every eligible booking, regardless of when it was made. This initiative refers to the cruise cost only. For bookings including Costa flights, any applicable fuel surcharge related to the flight component may still apply.
Pictures Costa Cruises.
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