Costa Cruises Introduces Sea and Land Itineraries for 2026: A New Era of Travel

Published on December 15, 2025

The second edition of the Costa Global Summit 2025, organized at the Centennial Pavilion of Fira Montjuic in Barcelona, saw the presence of leaders in the industry, travel agents, and other global partners in an attempt to examine Costa Cruises’ vision of the future of cruising. At the forefront of this vision is the launch of the Sea & Land Wonder Platform, which will have a revolutionary impact on cruising with a focus on linking ocean excitement and on-shore experiences.

Costa Cruises Unveils Innovative Strategy for 2026 and Beyond

Costa Cruises is taking bold steps to enhance its product offerings and fleet, with an emphasis on experiential tourism. At the summit, Mario Zanetti, the president of Costa Cruises, discussed the company’s strategic direction, which includes significant investments in both the fleet and itinerary development. The Sea & Land Wonder Platform is designed to offer passengers a unique combination of unforgettable on-board experiences and carefully curated land excursions, allowing guests to connect more deeply with the destinations they visit.

The Sea & Land Wonder Platform is structured around three core pillars: itineraries, gastronomy, and fleet innovation. Through this strategy, Costa Cruises aims to offer travelers a seamless connection between sea and land, giving them a truly immersive and personalized journey. According to Zanetti, “For almost 78 years, change and the ability to anticipate the future have been part of our DNA. Today the challenge is to continue to create memorable travel experiences, which connect sea and land in a unique offer in the tourism landscape.”

Shaping Travel Experiences Through Unique Itineraries

One of the key components of the Sea & Land strategy is the introduction of exclusive itineraries that cater to the evolving preferences of modern travelers. Costa Cruises recognizes that cruise passengers are seeking more than just traditional vacations; they want to experience new destinations in innovative ways.

For 2026, Costa Cruises will unveil a series of new and exclusive itineraries designed to engage guests with the environment and local cultures. Costa Pacifica, for instance, will offer a spectacular cruise in the Western Mediterranean that includes a sunset disembarkation at Golfo Aranci and an unforgettable swim at Tavolara Island. Costa Favolosa will feature voyages to Northern Europe, combining visits to UNESCO World Heritage fjords with land-based experiences such as dawn meditation, catering to travelers seeking wellness and meaningful connections with nature.

Costa Serena will also feature circumnavigation cruises of Japan, offering an immersive cultural experience that connects travelers with the rich heritage of this island nation. Meanwhile, Costa Fascinosa and Costa Pacifica will introduce new Caribbean experiences, including visits to Cabo Rojo and Samanà, as well as mini cruises in the Mediterranean, offering short but impactful journeys for those seeking a taste of adventure without long time commitments.

Gastronomy: Elevating Culinary Experiences at Sea

A major highlight of Costa’s strategy is its evolution of onboard dining experiences. Costa Cruises is partnering with renowned chefs such as Ángel León, Bruno Barbieri, and Hélène Darroze to create a menu inspired by the Sea & Land itineraries. The Archipelago restaurant will be transformed into a sensory dining experience featuring 12 immersive scenes that transport guests to the destinations they are visiting, enhancing the overall journey and adding another layer to Costa’s experiential tourism offering.

With its focus on gastronomy, Costa is ensuring that each meal becomes an integral part of the travel experience. This focus on culinary excellence reflects the growing demand for food-related travel experiences, where guests not only seek new flavors but also want to immerse themselves in the cultural context of the regions they visit.

Fleet Investments and Sustainability at the Forefront

Costa Cruises is also heavily investing in its fleet to align with its Sea & Land strategy. Over the past few years, the cruise line has committed over 200 million euros to modernizing its ships, focusing on improving energy efficiency and enhancing guest experiences. Costa Serena’s recent refit is a prime example of this transformation, with the ship being redesigned to feature a pop aesthetic, inspired by the world of the gods. The new design includes vibrant colors, distinctive shapes, and innovative materials that create a more engaging and visually stunning environment for passengers.

In line with Costa’s commitment to sustainability, the company has implemented advanced technologies to improve energy efficiency. Costa Smeralda, for example, boasts eco-friendly solutions designed to reduce the ship’s environmental footprint while maintaining the luxury and comfort passengers expect. The integration of artificial intelligence is also being used to personalize the travel experience, allowing Costa to provide tailored itineraries and services before the guest even boards the ship.

Personalization and Technology in Travel Marketing

Costa Cruises is leveraging cutting-edge technology to connect with customers in more meaningful ways. Giovanna Loi, emphasized the importance of personalization in modern travel marketing. By using customer data platforms and AI, Costa is able to tailor its communication strategies and ensure that each guest’s experience is as unique as their preferences. Through social media, personalized marketing, and data-driven insights, Costa is redefining how it engages with potential customers, ensuring that every message resonates with their specific travel aspirations.

The Impact of Costa’s New Strategy on Tourism

Costa Cruises’ new Sea & Land strategy is set to transform not only the cruising experience but also the broader tourism landscape. By offering more personalized and immersive experiences, Costa is appealing to a diverse range of travelers, from Millennials looking for experiential adventures to Baby Boomers seeking longer, meaningful voyages. This tailored approach is expected to boost tourism to destinations that are often overlooked by traditional cruise routes, bringing more visitors to local communities and driving sustainable tourism growth.

Furthermore, the emphasis on innovation and sustainability aligns with growing global demands for eco-conscious travel, attracting environmentally-minded passengers who want to minimize their carbon footprint while still enjoying luxury and adventure. Costa’s investment in new technology and fleet upgrades will ensure that the cruise line remains at the forefront of the industry, offering state-of-the-art ships that are both luxurious and energy-efficient.

A Bright Future for Costa Cruises and Global Tourism

The Costa Global Summit 2025 portrayed the commitment of Costa Cruises towards defining the future of travel with experiences unlike any other, where both Land and Sea come together in a dramatic manner. With an approach towards personalization, sustainability, and gastronomy, Costa Cruise is geared up to become a leading force in experiential travel and is taking a very positive initiative in this manner with ‘Sea & Land Wonder Platform’, which will go a long way in designing unforgettable travel experiences for all such people making Costa Cruise their travel preference in 2026 and years to come.