Costa Cruises Cancels Middle East Winter 2026-27 Season

Costa Cruises will not operate in the Middle East during the 2026-27 winter season, pulling Costa Smeralda from the region and shifting capacity to the Canary Islands, Madeira and the Western Mediterranean.

Middle East season dropped amid “uncertain” outlook

In a statement, Costa said it is cancelling its Middle East deployment for winter 2026-27 due to an “uncertain” outlook for the region, adding it wants to ensure every sailing remains “relaxing, enjoyable and worry-free.” Costa also noted it does not currently have any ship operating in the Middle East.

The move means Costa Smeralda’s previously scheduled voyages to and from the Emirates will no longer take place, and positioning cruises linked to that program are also being cancelled.

Costa Smeralda redeployed to the Canary Islands and Madeira

Instead of sailing in the Arabian Gulf, Costa Smeralda will be positioned in the Canary Islands on a new seven-night itinerary linking the Canaries and Madeira. Costa said the change will significantly increase passenger capacity in the market for the season.

Costa said the ship’s updated Canary Islands and Madeira program is expected to be available to book by the end of March.

Costa Pacifica shifts to the Western Mediterranean after drydock

Costa Pacifica, which had been scheduled to operate a winter program in the Canary Islands and Madeira, is now set to sail in the Western Mediterranean following its planned drydock. Costa said the ship will offer seven-night Western Mediterranean cruises, along with longer itineraries reaching destinations in Southern Europe and North Africa.

The line also said the redeployment includes new extended itineraries that will be exclusive to the updated program, with revised sailings expected to open for booking by the end of March.

Options for booked guests, including onboard credit

Costa said guests booked on cancelled sailings to or from the Emirates, including repositioning voyages, can transfer to another cruise immediately and will receive onboard credit of 200 per cabin, which the company described as 100 per person.

For passengers who had booked Costa Pacifica’s previously planned Canary Islands winter cruises, Costa said those reservations will be protected under the same conditions on Costa Smeralda’s Canary Islands itineraries.

Arabian Gulf 2026-27: some brands stay, while Costa and AIDA step back

While Costa and AIDA Cruises have both withdrawn from their 2026-27 Arabian Gulf seasons, other cruise brands continue to schedule winter deployments in the region across late 2026 and early 2027.

• MSC Cruises plans to deploy MSC World Europa for seven-night itineraries calling in the UAE, Bahrain and Doha from late November through early April. The ship is over 215,000 gross tons and carries more than 6,700 guests, highlighting the scale some operators are still committing to the market.
• Celestyal Cruises is scheduled to operate Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery from late November into March, featuring Desert Days itineraries centered around the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain, as well as shorter Iconic Arabia cruises that include Oman.
• TUI Cruises is set to introduce the newly built Mein Schiff Flow from Dubai beginning in mid-November, with itineraries that include ports such as Sir Bani Yas, Doha and Muscat, alongside other calls in the UAE, Qatar and Oman.
• Aroya is planning a three-month Arabian Gulf deployment from January through March 2027, with seven-night itineraries that include ports in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman. The program would mark a return after the brand previously suspended and cancelled operations following its first Arabian Gulf sailings.
• Explora Journeys is scheduled to debut Explora II in the Arabian Gulf from December through March, with planned destinations including the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Explora has also extended its cancellation window by 45 days and said it plans to provide an update to passengers by the end of March.

AIDA had intended to deploy AIDAprima for the 2026-27 season, but has cancelled those plans, and Carnival Corporation cited the uncertain regional outlook as the reason behind the withdrawal by its Costa and AIDA brands.

For Costa, the revised winter program shifts capacity to the Canary Islands, Madeira and the Western Mediterranean, with bookings for the updated itineraries expected to open by the end of March.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is Costa Cruises withdrawing from the Middle East for the 2026-27 season?

Costa pointed to an “uncertain” outlook for the region and said it wants to ensure each sailing remains “relaxing, enjoyable and worry-free.”

What is Costa Smeralda’s new itinerary for winter 2026-27?

Costa Smeralda will operate a new seven-night itinerary linking the Canary Islands and Madeira, which Costa said will increase capacity in that market for the season.

What happens to Costa Pacifica’s previously planned Canary Islands winter cruises?

Costa Pacifica will move to the Western Mediterranean after its planned drydock, offering seven-night cruises and longer itineraries reaching Southern Europe and North Africa. Costa said bookings previously made for Costa Pacifica’s Canary Islands winter cruises will be protected under the same conditions on Costa Smeralda’s Canary Islands itineraries.

What compensation is offered for cancelled Emirates cruises and repositioning voyages?

Costa said impacted guests can transfer to another cruise immediately and will receive 200 in onboard credit per cabin, described as 100 per person.

When will Costa’s revised 2026-27 winter itineraries open for booking?

Costa said the updated itineraries for Costa Smeralda and Costa Pacifica are expected to be available for booking by the end of March.