Fleet Changes Ahead: Costa to Upgrade Serena, Introduce Unique Experiences at Sea

Published on July 21, 2025

Costa on Fleet Refit and Core Market Focus for Ambitious 2026 Plan

Costa Cruises has made an exciting announcement, which means huge changes to the fleet and emphasis on the core markets which includes Europe, Asia, and South America. Departure of the Costa Fortuna The Costa Fortuna will be leaving the fleet by the third quarter of 2026, making ripples within Costa’s offerings. The deployment will affect Costa Serena, which will move from Asia to South America for the 2026-27 season and then sail in Europe.

The shuffling fits with Costa’s plans to refurbish its fleet, giving passengers a more luxurious experience. While Costa is busy upgrading its fleet, the Costa Serena, one of the company’s ships based year round in Asia, is the final of its ships to receive a major refurbishment as part of this process. In 2026, the Serena will return to drydock for the final time, bringing Costa’s extensive refurbishment program to a close. The Costa Serena for its part will leave drydock to undertake longer cruises in Asia, in stark contrast to its history market for short cruises in the region.

Modifications and improvements made to the Costa Serena

Of paramount importance, there will be a new food court with several culinary novelties like the Archipelago restaurant, Pizzeria Pummid’Oro and the original Sushino Costa restaurant concept. Other dining venues were also redesigned, so that guests will enjoy a contemporary and yet fresh dining experience at sea. Meanwhile, the pool deck and bars are being completely redeveloped by Costa to offer an enhanced leisure experience in suites and all public areas will be refurbished to include the most up-to date styles.

These enhancements of the Costa Serena are part of Costa’s overarching goal of providing passengers with original and exclusive experiences at sea. Discussing the decision to concentrate on the Costa Serena, Vice President of Costa Cruises, Luigi Zanetti said, we are investing in the ships according to the product we are offering. Costa is committed to combine the best of modern design and comfort, creating an exclusive and exciting onboard experience for every guest.

Europe and South America: The Heart of Costa’s Operations

Costa’s belief in Europe and South America as key markets reflects the company’s long history in these regions. Our main market is Europe, and also South America, Zanetti said. when we think of Europe, we think about Italy, France, Spain and German-speaking countries and of course, we work across the world. With South America still at the heart of the brand’s strategic focus, the highly established European markets illustrate how Costa is clearly part of the culture in these countries.

Costa Cruises firmly roots in South America the cruise company Costa Cruises has a long standing and strong tradition in South America, and they job opportunities from the same region continue to 2026 and well beyond. Their strategic plan includes the Costa Serena, that will operate some sailings in South America in the 2026-2027 season, a decision that will help reinforce Costa’s leadership in South America.

New kids on the block: Luring the New to Cruise Market

Costa Cruises is also focusing on the development of fresh, unique offerings for its passengers. A large part of that offering includes the brand’s Sea Destination program, which presents special, handpicked experiences that have been crafted for Costa guests. It’s part of Costa’s wider strategy to attract first time cruisers by offering them something they can’t find elsewhere.

The Sea Destination concept follows the success of private island experiences in the Caribbean, which enable cruise lines to deliver destination experiences that can’t be matched elsewhere. Costa’s vision is to emulate this pattern by offering original places to visit and experiences to be had out at sea that will be available nowhere else. Travelers desiring a more personalized and immersive cruise vacation experience will appreciate the emphasis on individuality.

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Although the company’s Spanish foremother is dedicated to Europe, Latin America, and Asia, Costa is hoping to make things bigger, with aspirations to go global. Costa’s attention to innovation and service excellence is paving the way for its efficient fleet renovation strategy, carefully taking into account the needs and desires of its customers in its key markets. The transformation of Costa Fortuna and Costa Serena marks a new chapter in the evolution of the Costa fleet and the introduction of an exciting new concept in cruising.

While the company gears up for the changes in 2026, Costa is dedicated to improving their product offering and providing even more personalized, exclusive experiences at sea and offering unique experiences, Costa will continue to grow and further strengthen its leadership as one of the world’s great cruise lines.

(Source: Costa Cruise Official.)