New 2021 sailings will be operated by Costa Cruises as it strives to adhere to enhanced Covid-19 health protocols.
The first Carnival Corporation brand to resume sailing after the pandemic halted all sailings has “reshaped” its itineraries next year, including the return of ships to northern Europe in the summer.
The Italian brand will also extend its reach in the Mediterranean, including the introduction of new ship Costa Firenze, currently being built at a shipyard near Venice.
Cruises previously due to run between March and November 2021 and not included in the revamped schedule will be cancelled.
“Costa is making the necessary arrangements to inform travel agents and the customers concerned, who will be guaranteed the option of rebooking in accordance with the applicable requirements of consumer protection law,” the company said.
Details of the new itineraries and how to book them will be “available shortly”.
The line said: “Costa is working with national and local authorities in the countries on its itineraries to offer guests a safe and enjoyable vacation experience, through implementation of the Costa safety protocol in all the destinations included in the new programme for 2021.”
The cruise resumption plans for next year include three ships being deployed in the western Mediterranean – Costa Smeralda, the first in the fleet powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), Costa Firenze and Costa Pacifica – on seven-day itineraries calling in Italy, France and Spain.
Three other ships will be operating in the eastern Mediterranean, all on one-week itineraries. Costa Deliziosa will sail to the Greek islands, Costa Luminosa will visit Greece and Croatia and Costa Magica will serve Greece and Malta.
Four ships will sail in northern Europe, including Costa Fortuna and Costa Diadema on one-week cruises to the Baltic capitals and Norwegian fjords. Costa Favolosa will offer 14-day cruises to Iceland, nine days in the Norwegian fjords and a fortnight in Ireland, Scotland and England. Costa Fascinosa will be operate a 12-day sailing to the North Cape and a nine-day itinerary in the Baltic.
Costa Fortuna, Costa Diadema, Costa Favolosa and Costa Fascinosa will all be in the Mediterranean in the spring and autumn.
Costa Diadema will visit Israel and Turkey on two separate alternating two-week cruises. Costa Fortuna will offer western Mediterranean mini-cruises while Costa Favolosa will be deployed on mini-cruises in the spring and 10-day cruises to Morocco in the autumn. Costa Fascinosa will serve Lisbon also on a 10-day itinerary.