Costa Cruises, a prominent Carnival Corporation brand serving the European market, is set to downsize its fleet further by 2026. The company has announced that it will retire one of its longest-serving ships, the Costa Fortuna, which will be transferred to an unnamed owner in September 2026.
Launched in 2003, the Costa Fortuna is part of the Destiny class and has served as the cruise line’s longest-operating vessel. The ship, which has a capacity of 2,700 passengers, will continue to operate on Mediterranean routes throughout the summer and fall of 2025, departing from major ports such as Barcelona, Marseille, and Savona.
In the winter of 2025, the Costa Fortuna will move to Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands, where it will offer island-focused voyages. The ship will return to the Mediterranean in April 2026 for cruises across the Western and Eastern Mediterranean. During the summer of 2026, Costa Fortuna will embark on voyages from Athens and Istanbul, with stops at ports in Greece and Turkey.
Although Costa Cruises has not revealed the exact reasons behind the ship’s retirement, it follows a trend of fleet reduction. Over the past three years, Costa Cruises has already parted ways with three other vessels. This latest departure is part of a broader shift, as several ships from the Costa fleet have been transferred to Carnival Cruise Line, including Costa Luminosa, Costa Venezia, and Costa Firenze. These vessels have been rebranded and are now sailing as Carnival Luminosa, Carnival Venezia, and Carnival Firenze.
Costa Cruises has been investing heavily in its fleet. Since 2001, the company has allocated about €200 million ($225 million) towards fleet upgrades as part of its Strategic Path initiative. This initiative is set to conclude in November 2025, with the refurbishment of the Costa Serena, which will include major updates such as renovated suites, pools, and dining areas, along with new dining options like Pizzeria Pummid’Oro and Sushino@Costa.
After its refurbishment, the Costa Serena will embark on a world cruise in 2026, starting from Tokyo and heading to Buenos Aires, Argentina. The ship will then offer South American voyages throughout the winter of 2026 before returning to the Mediterranean in spring 2027.
Costa Cruises’ president Mario Zanetti emphasized the company’s commitment to providing high-quality experiences for guests, alongside innovation and sustainability. “We are investing in our fleet to enhance the onboard experience and introducing new itineraries, including Costa Serena’s new deployment for 2026-2027,” said Zanetti. “The strategic path we began a few years ago is strengthening our offerings in key markets, providing unique vacation experiences.”
Currently, Costa Cruises has no new ship orders in place and is expected to maintain a fleet of eight ships in the near future.
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