Costa Cruises releases South Africa-bound 2026 World Cruise aboard Costa Deliziosa

Costa Cruises has launched its 2026 World Cruise aboard Costa Deliziosa, departing from Trieste on 21 November and sailing a 142-day route across five continents and three oceans, with calls in Cape Town and other South African ports. 

The voyage marks a return to the itinerary the line first introduced in the 1970s, with the company stating that it remains one of its most requested products.

The ship will complete a westbound circumnavigation, visiting 51 destinations in 33 countries before returning to Trieste on 11 April 2026. 

More than 2,000 passengers have embarked, with Costa Cruises reporting that the majority come from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and Austria.

The sailing begins with Mediterranean and Atlantic crossings, calling in France, Spain, Morocco, and the Canary Islands before continuing to Barbados. 

Costa Deliziosa will then transit the Panama Canal to reach the Pacific coast of South America, where stops include Peru and Chile. The itinerary features Easter Island before continuing through the Pitcairn Islands and French Polynesia.

The Pacific segment will extend across Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia, with the ship set to visit coastal areas and island communities before arriving in Australia. 

The route then continues to Papua New Guinea and Japan, where ports include Kobe, Nagasaki, and Tokyo, which Costa Cruises identifies as a new destination for its World Cruise programme. 

From Japan, the itinerary includes South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia.

In the Indian Ocean, the voyage will visit Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Mauritius, before heading to southern Africa, including South Africa, Namibia and Cape Verde, prior to re-entering European waters.

Costa Cruises reports that the sailing will feature more than 200 shore experiences, including visits to cultural and natural landmarks in South America, Africa, and Asia. The company also states that it will offer multi-day overland tours as part of the itinerary, enabling access to sites such as Machu Picchu, Angkor Wat, and Victoria Falls.

Holiday periods including Christmas and New Year will be spent at sea, with seasonal activities held on board. The line has confirmed that Costa Deliziosa will continue its existing food service structure and onboard facilities, with regional entertainment, culinary offerings linked to Michelin-affiliated chefs, and lectures connected to the itinerary’s destinations.

Costa Cruises has also confirmed that two further World Cruises will operate in 2026. Costa Serena will depart from Tokyo to Buenos Aires on a 66-day route through Asia, Oceania, and South America, while Costa Deliziosa will operate an additional 139-day sailing the same year, visiting North America, Hawaii and Half Moon Cay.