Costa Cruises to homeport Costa Smeralda in Dubai for 2026/27 winter cruise season

Costa Cruises has unveiled its 2026/27 programme, with Costa Smeralda set to return to the Arabian Gulf for the winter season as part of a global deployment featuring eight ships across five regions. 

The LNG-powered Costa Smeralda will operate 7-night itineraries between December 2026 and March 2027, sailing roundtrip from both Dubai and Abu Dhabi to key ports in Qatar and Oman. 

The deployment follows a repositioning voyage around the African continent, strengthening Costa’s presence in the Middle East cruise market amid rising demand for Gulf itineraries.

The itinerary announcement comes as part of a broader seasonal release from the Italian cruise line. 

While most of Costa’s capacity will focus on South America and the Caribbean—with Costa Diadema and Costa Serena homeporting in Brazil and Argentina, and Costa Favolosa and Costa Fascinosa operating Caribbean cruises from the Dominican Republic and Martinique—there are also deployments across the Mediterranean, Canary Islands and Asia.

In the Mediterranean, Costa Toscana will offer week-long sailings to Italy, France, Spain and Tunisia, while Costa Pacifica will reposition to the Canary Islands in early 2027 after a Mediterranean stint.

Costa’s world cruise programme for 2026/27 features two sailings. A new 65-night voyage on Costa Serena will depart Tokyo in October 2026, calling at 24 destinations before arriving in Buenos Aires. The traditional round-the-world voyage aboard Costa Deliziosa departs in November from multiple ports in Italy, Spain, and France.

The redeployment of Costa Smeralda to the Arabian Gulf positions Costa Cruises as a continued player in the region’s growing winter cruise season, offering a high-capacity, LNG-powered option in line with the UAE’s expanding infrastructure for larger and more sustainable vessels.

Costa Smeralda, one of the largest ships in the Costa fleet, previously homeported in the UAE for the 2024/25 Middle East cruise season, during which she became the first vessel in the fleet to be refuelled in Dubai with LNG.

Accommodating 5,224 guests at double occupancy and measuring 337 metres in length, the 182,700 gross ton vessel was launched in 2019 and features nine restaurants, including regional Italian venues and international options such as Teppanyaki and a sushi bistro. 

Guests can enjoy 15 cafes and bars, from classic espresso corners to a dedicated Aperol Spritz bar and Choco Bar. Onboard facilities include three pools, an aqua park with waterslides, eight whirlpools, and a full spa and fitness centre. 

Entertainment ranges from theatre productions in the Sanremo Theatre to live jazz, outdoor cinema, and dedicated kids’ clubs.