Costa Cruises Expands Istanbul Programme With 28 Summer 2027 Sailings Boosting Turkiye Cruise Travel

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September 11, 2026 06:59 GMT+5:30

Image credit – Costa Cruise

Istanbul Cruise Costa 2027 offers the possibility of increasing the number of Eastern Mediterranean cruise trips as the company has decided to launch 28 sailings from Istanbul in the summer season. The schedule, which starts on April 18, 2027, would make Istanbul the home port for Costa Pacifica, offering opportunities for tourists looking for cruises which can connect Türkiye with Greece and other countries in the Mediterranean region. It is especially important as the country sees great growth in its cruise business with a higher number of passengers, higher port activities and increasing interest in the Eastern Mediterranean itineraries.

The seven-day cruise schedule will allow the tourists to visit İzmir, Mykonos, Santorini, Athens and Volos in the early sailings, while later sailing would include visits to Greek islands such as Crete and Rhodes.

For the passengers, this implies the expansion of choice in the region of Istanbul, avoiding additional travel to other ports in Europe to start a Mediterranean holiday trip.

Costa Cruises Istanbul Sailings 2027 Details at a Glance

The expansion strengthens Istanbul’s role as a cruise gateway connecting Europe, Türkiye and the wider Mediterranean region.

What Has Changed With Costa Cruises New Istanbul Programme?

Costa Cruises is increasing its presence in Türkiye by making Istanbul the starting point for a dedicated summer 2027 cruise schedule. The company plans to operate 28 seven-night voyages aboard Costa Pacifica, giving travellers more direct access to popular Mediterranean destinations.

The programme reflects growing interest in cruises that combine Türkiye’s historic cities with Greek islands and Mediterranean ports.

Destinations Included in the New Cruise Programme

• Istanbul as the main embarkation and return point.
• İzmir included on early-season itineraries.
• Mykonos and Santorini included among Greek island destinations.
• Athens added as a cultural and historical stop.
• Volos featured on initial routes.
• Crete and Rhodes expected on later departures.

The itinerary design gives travellers a mix of ancient heritage, island experiences, coastal scenery and Mediterranean culture within a single cruise holiday.

Why This Matters for Travellers

The expansion gives cruise passengers more flexibility by increasing the number of departures available from Istanbul. Homeport cruises allow travellers to begin their journey closer to their region instead of relying on major European cruise hubs such as Barcelona, Rome or Athens.

For international visitors, Istanbul also provides an opportunity to combine a cruise holiday with a city break before or after sailing.

Key Benefits for Cruise Passengers

• More Eastern Mediterranean cruise options from Istanbul.
• Easier access for travellers visiting Türkiye.
• Opportunity to combine Istanbul sightseeing with a cruise.
• Wider choice of Greek island itineraries.
• Increased availability during the summer season.

The development also supports Türkiye’s ambition to strengthen its position as a major cruise destination connecting Europe and Asia.

How Costa Cruises Is Expanding in Türkiye

Costa Cruises is also increasing its focus on the Turkish travel market. The company has introduced additional Turkish-language services onboard and is working to increase awareness among local travellers.

The cruise line is targeting stronger bookings from Türkiye while continuing to attract European passengers interested in routes featuring Turkish ports.

Costa Cruises’ Türkiye Market Strategy

• Allocation of around 100 cabins per departure for Turkish travellers.
• Target of approximately 7,400 Turkish passengers on Istanbul sailings.
• Goal of reaching 10,000 Turkish passengers across all programmes in 2027.
• Expansion of Turkish-language services onboard.
• Increased focus on local sales operations.

The strategy highlights the growing importance of Türkiye as both a cruise destination and a source market for passengers.

Türkiye’s Cruise Industry Records Strong Growth

Costa Cruises’ expansion comes as Türkiye’s cruise sector continues to recover and grow. According to figures from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, Türkiye recorded significant increases in cruise ship activity during 2025.

The country handled 1,375 cruise ship calls and 2,138,136 cruise passenger movements in 2025, representing annual increases of 15.1% and 13.2% respectively.

Türkiye Cruise Traffic Performance in 2025

Passenger movement figures include arrivals, departures and transit passengers rather than unique visitors.

Türkiye’s Leading Cruise Ports Continue Growing

Türkiye’s major cruise ports continue to benefit from rising international demand. Kuşadası remained the country’s busiest cruise port in 2025, while Istanbul ranked second.

Kuşadası handled significant passenger activity due to its proximity to major attractions including Ephesus, while Istanbul benefited from its position as a global tourism gateway.

Busiest Turkish Cruise Ports in 2025

The figures demonstrate Türkiye’s growing importance within Mediterranean cruise networks.

What Travellers Should Know Before Booking

Travellers considering the Costa Cruises Istanbul programme should review itinerary details, departure dates and booking conditions before planning their journey.

Cruise schedules can vary depending on seasonal operations, port availability and operational requirements.

Before Booking a Costa Istanbul Cruise

• Check official sailing dates and available itineraries.
• Confirm included destinations for the selected departure.
• Review visa requirements for Türkiye and other ports.
• Check embarkation requirements at Istanbul.
• Arrange travel insurance before departure.

Passengers should confirm final schedules directly with Costa Cruises because cruise routes may change due to operational circumstances.

Industry Impact of Costa Cruises’ Istanbul Expansion

The new programme arrives during a period of continued growth for the global cruise sector. Cruise Lines International Association data showed passenger volume reached 37.2 million travellers in 2025, including almost nine million European passengers.

The growth of Istanbul-based cruises reflects broader industry trends, including demand for regional departures, cultural itineraries and Mediterranean experiences.

Wider Cruise Market Trends

• Rising global cruise passenger numbers.
• Strong European demand for Mediterranean cruises.
• Increased interest in homeport departures.
• Growing competition among cruise destinations.
• Expansion of regional cruise connectivity.

The addition of more Istanbul departures could strengthen Türkiye’s role in the Eastern Mediterranean cruise market.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will Costa Cruises start Istanbul sailings in 2027?

Costa Cruises is scheduled to begin its Istanbul-based summer 2027 programme on 18 April 2027.

Which ship will operate the Istanbul cruises?

The programme will use Costa Pacifica for seven-night Eastern Mediterranean voyages.

Which destinations are included?

Initial itineraries include Istanbul, İzmir, Mykonos, Santorini, Athens and Volos, with later routes expected to include Crete and Rhodes.

How many cruises will Costa operate from Istanbul?

Costa Cruises plans to operate 28 Istanbul departures during summer 2027.

Why is Istanbul becoming more important for cruises?

Istanbul’s location between Europe and Asia, combined with Türkiye’s growing cruise traffic, is strengthening its role as an Eastern Mediterranean cruise hub.

Closing Update

The 28 sailings by Costa Cruises to Istanbul in the summer of 2027 is yet another landmark for the emerging cruise tourism sector in Türkiye. The increasing cruises to Istanbul are offering travelers further chances to explore the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.

With rising cruise tourism and the increasing interest of tourists in local itineraries, Istanbul has emerged as an important port city in the region.