Costa Cruises has announced that as a result of the strong performance of both the Canary Islands and Madeira during its most recent winter season in the region, it will be enhancing its deployment there for winter 2026-2027.
In an update, the cruise company said that next winter, its flagship, Costa Smeralda, will be positioned in the Canary Islands, operating a new seven-day itinerary between the Canaries and Madeira. With Costa Smeralda operating this program, Costa will significantly increase guest capacity and elevate the experience offered in the region.
After its planned dry dock period, Costa Pacifica (previously scheduled in the Canary Islands and Madeira) will instead be repositioned to the western Mediterranean, sailing both seven-day cruises to western Mediterranean destinations and extended voyages to southern Europe and North Africa, including new exclusive long itineraries.
This enhanced program offers a selection of fascinating destinations that are particularly attractive to visit in the winter season, offering guests inspiring new opportunities for discovery.
Costa said that its decision reflects its commitment to providing guests and travel partners with clarity and advance planning certainty.
And the company continued that given the continued uncertainty in the Middle East, it will not operate itineraries in the region for the 2026-2027 winter season to ensure every Costa voyage remains relaxing, enjoyable and worry-free.
(Costa also does not currently have any ship operating in the Middle East).
As a result of this redeployment, the previously scheduled positioning voyages of Costa Smeralda to and from the Emirates will not take place.
Guests booked on the Emirates positioning cruise, as well as those with reservations in the Emirates, may rebook any other cruise immediately and will receive €200 in onboard credit per cabin (€100 per person).
Guests with a booking on the previously scheduled winter cruises of Costa Pacifica in the Canary Islands will be offered the same conditions on Costa Smeralda Canary itineraries.
The new itineraries for Costa Smeralda in the Canary Islands and Costa Pacifica in the western Mediterranean and North Africa will be available for booking through all the booking channels by the end of March 2026.
