WHY IT RATES: The Italian cruise line has found it necessary to amend its scheduled sailings in light of Europe's worsening epidemiological status, including the cancellation of its 2021 World Tour. - Laurie Baratti, TravelPulse Associate Writer
Considering the limitations still in place in some European countries, and in light of the current epidemiological situation, Costa Cruises-the leading cruise line in Europe and part of Carnival Corporation & plc-today announced updates to its upcoming cruises for winter 2020-2021.
Costa Smeralda, the brand's flagship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), will extend her current cruises only in Italy until the end of February 2021, visiting Savona, La Spezia, Cagliari, Messina, Naples and Civitavecchia/Rome. This one-week itinerary will replace the one in Italy, France and Spain that the ship would have offered starting from November 14, 2020.
The Costa Smeralda itinerary sails guests to some of the most popular art cities and natural areas in Italy, contributing to the recovery of the national tourism ecosystem, which is also receiving benefits from AIDAblu, from the Costa Group's Germany-based AIDA Cruises, which has been calling only in Italy since mid-October.
Costa Deliziosa will continue operating her current one-week itinerary in Italy and Greece until January 3, 2021-calling at Trieste, Katakolon/Olympia, Athens, Heraklion/Crete and Bari, instead of visiting Montenegro and Croatia, as originally planned.
Costa Diadema will postpone the start of her long cruises in the Mediterranean to April 6, 2021, offering 14-day cruises to Turkey and 14-day cruises to Egypt and Greece, as scheduled.
The new ship Costa Firenze, which is currently in the final stages of completion at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, will be delivered as planned in mid-December 2020, but she will begin offering its seven-day cruises in Italy, France and Spain only from February 28, 2021.
Finally, the Costa Favolosa cruises in the Caribbean are canceled and the ship will return to operate from April 2, 2021, with mini-cruises in the Mediterranean.
The 2021 World Tour of Costa Deliziosa is also canceled, with the possibility for guests to book the 2022 edition.
Costa is informing all guests and travel agents impacted by changes to the winter 2020-2021 program. They will be guaranteed reprotection in accordance with the applicable legislation. Should the situation require any further change, Costa will promptly adjust its programs and provide full information to its guests.
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