Costa Cruises is giving travelers more reasons to cruise this winter with six newly themed itineraries across the Mediterranean, Canary Islands and Caribbean.
Announced on October 14, 2026, the new cruise collection features three Mediterranean itineraries, two Caribbean itineraries and one Canary Islands itinerary, each designed around a different travel experience.
Rather than simply visiting popular cruise ports, Costa Cruises is introducing itineraries that highlight local culture, natural scenery and unique experiences both onboard and ashore.
The winter 2026-2027 cruises will take place aboard several Costa ships, including Costa Toscana, Costa Pacifica, Costa Smeralda and Costa Fascinosa.
Here’s what cruisers can expect from Costa’s new winter cruise offerings.
Three New Mediterranean Cruise Experiences
While Mediterranean cruises are especially popular during the summer, Costa Cruises is encouraging travelers to discover the region during the quieter winter months.
With fewer tourists, generally mild temperatures in many coastal destinations and a more relaxed atmosphere, winter can be an appealing time to explore some of Europe’s most famous cities.
Costa is introducing three distinct Mediterranean cruise experiences.
Iconic Mediterranean: Costa Toscana
Available from December 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027, this eight-day itinerary focuses on some of the Mediterranean’s best-known destinations.
Highlights include:
- Rome, Italy: Ancient history, famous landmarks and centuries of Italian culture.
- Barcelona, Spain: Gaudí’s architecture, bustling streets and Mediterranean charm.
- Palma de Mallorca, Spain: Historic streets and its impressive seaside cathedral.
- Palermo, Sicily: A fascinating blend of Arab, Norman and Mediterranean influences.
This itinerary is ideal for travelers interested in history, architecture and iconic European cities.
Mediterranean Soul: Costa Pacifica
Costa Pacifica’s eight-day Mediterranean Soul itinerary offers a different perspective, focusing on the culture, markets and everyday life of Mediterranean port cities.
Available from December 18, 2026, through March 31, 2027, the cruise includes visits to destinations such as:
- La Goulette, Tunisia: Gateway to Tunis and its lively traditional markets.
- Naples, Italy: Known for its historic streets, local cuisine and famous San Gregorio Armeno.
- Palermo, Sicily: Home to the vibrant Ballarò Market and an impressive culinary heritage.
The focus is on discovering authentic local experiences, from traditional markets to regional foods and historic neighborhoods.
Exotic Mediterranean: Spain and North Africa
For travelers looking to explore beyond the usual Mediterranean cruise ports, Costa’s Exotic Mediterranean itinerary combines destinations in Southern Europe and North Africa.
The longer 12- and 13-day itineraries will be offered between January 8 and February 2, 2027.
Featured destinations include:
- Málaga, Spain: A historic Andalusian city known for its culture and coastal scenery.
- La Goulette, Tunisia: Access to the historic city of Tunis.
- Tangier, Morocco: A fascinating blend of cultures at the meeting point of Europe and Africa.
- Valencia, Spain: A Mediterranean destination combining historic architecture with modern attractions.
These cruises offer travelers the opportunity to experience different cultures and destinations across two continents during one vacation.
Costa Smeralda Will Sail New Canary Islands Itineraries
For cruisers hoping to escape colder winter temperatures without traveling to the Caribbean, Costa Cruises is also expanding its Canary Islands offerings.
The cruise line’s flagship, Costa Smeralda, will operate four variations of an eight-day Canary Islands itinerary between December 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027.
The Canary Islands are known for their volcanic landscapes, dramatic coastlines, black-sand beaches and relatively mild winter weather.
Depending on the itinerary, destinations may include:
- Lanzarote: Famous for its volcanic scenery and black-sand beaches.
- Tenerife: Home to Mount Teide, Spain’s highest mountain.
- Fuerteventura: Known for its golden beaches and sand dunes.
- Gran Canaria: Featuring Las Palmas and a diverse mix of landscapes.
- La Palma: A scenic island with lush forests and dramatic coastal views.
Some itineraries also include ports in mainland Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
One of the more unusual features of these cruises will be Costa’s exclusive Sea Destinations experiences.
These are special activities designed to take advantage of the ship’s location at sea.
For example, the Canary Sea Darkest Spot experience will give guests an opportunity to enjoy spectacular stargazing in one of the darkest areas of the Atlantic Ocean.
Another experience, Atlantis Crest, will feature an ocean-themed event inspired by the legend of Atlantis.
Costa Fascinosa Offers Two Caribbean Itineraries
Cruisers looking for tropical beaches, turquoise water and warm weather will have two distinct Caribbean itineraries aboard Costa Fascinosa.
Both itineraries are eight days long but focus on different parts of the Caribbean.
Antilles Collection: Lesser Antilles
Available from December 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027, the Antilles Collection itinerary highlights the natural beauty and diversity of the Lesser Antilles.
Featured destinations and experiences include:
- Tortola, British Virgin Islands: White-sand beaches and opportunities to discover marine life.
- Saint Lucia: Volcanic landscapes and lush tropical scenery.
- Guadeloupe: Rainforests, natural beauty and Caribbean culture.
The itinerary also includes special experiences at sea, including stargazing under some of the Caribbean’s darkest skies.
Caribbean Heart: Dominican Republic and Turks and Caicos
The second Caribbean itinerary, Caribbean Heart, focuses on the Dominican Republic and surrounding tropical destinations.
Available from December 12, 2026, through February 28, 2027, this eight-day cruise features:
- Catalina Island, Dominican Republic: A tropical island known for its beautiful beaches and clear water.
- Samaná, Dominican Republic: A scenic region with lush landscapes and natural attractions.
- Cabo Rojo, Dominican Republic: A destination known for its relatively undeveloped coastline.
- Turks and Caicos: Famous for turquoise waters, white-sand beaches and beautiful sunsets.
This itinerary is especially appealing for cruisers who enjoy beach destinations, tropical scenery and relaxing days in port.
Special Experiences at Sea Are Part of the New Cruises
One of the most interesting aspects of Costa’s winter 2026-2027 collection is its emphasis on experiences that take place while the ship is at sea.
Costa calls these experiences Sea Destinations, with special events designed around the ship’s location and surrounding scenery.
On Caribbean itineraries, guests may experience:
- Caribbean Sea Darkest Spot: A stargazing experience in an especially dark area of the Caribbean Sea.
- Guadeloupe Bay: An evening experience featuring music, lights and performances beneath the moonlight.
- Catalina Bay: A tropical party at sea surrounded by Caribbean scenery.
- Archipelago Turks & Caicos: A celebration featuring tropical music and a rum aperitif.
These experiences are designed to make the journey between ports an important part of the cruise vacation itself.
Instead of focusing solely on where the ship stops, Costa is encouraging guests to enjoy memorable moments at sea as well.
Costa Plans to Expand Its New Cruise Concepts in Summer 2027
Costa Cruises says the new themed itineraries are part of a broader shift in how the cruise line designs its vacations.
The six winter itineraries each have their own identity, allowing travelers to select a cruise based on the type of experience they’re looking for, whether that’s exploring European cities, discovering volcanic islands or relaxing in the Caribbean.
The cruise line also plans to extend this approach into summer 2027, with additional itineraries across the Western Mediterranean, Eastern Mediterranean and Northern Europe.
Final Thoughts
Costa Cruises’ new winter 2026-2027 itineraries offer travelers several different ways to experience some of the world’s most popular cruising regions.
From exploring famous Mediterranean cities without the peak summer crowds to visiting the volcanic landscapes of the Canary Islands or enjoying Caribbean beaches, the new collection offers a variety of vacation styles.
The addition of special experiences at sea is also an interesting development, particularly for travelers who enjoy the journey as much as the destinations.
For cruisers considering a winter getaway, Costa’s new itineraries provide another reason to explore cruise vacations outside the traditional summer travel season.
Would you prefer a winter Mediterranean cruise, a Canary Islands adventure or a warm-weather Caribbean escape? Please let me know in the comments below.
Happy cruising!
Ethan