Costa Fortuna Begins Farewell Mediterranean Season Before 2027 Relaunch

The Costa Fortuna has officially launched its farewell season in the Western Mediterranean as its time with Costa Cruises winds down ahead of its scheduled transition to Margaritaville at Sea in 2027. The 2,720-passenger ship, originally built by Fincantieri in 2003, marks the end of an era for Costa Cruises while paving the way for a renewed future under a new brand identity.

Western Mediterranean Farewell Deployment

After spending the summer cruising in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Costa Fortuna repositioned for its Western Mediterranean season starting in late September. The current itineraries range from two to 14 nights, visiting key destinations in Spain, France, Italy, and Portugal, with stops at marquee ports such as Barcelona, Marseille, and Savona. Extended itineraries also include visits to Madeira and the Canary Islands, featuring ports like Funchal, Arrecife, and La Gomera.

The ship will sail in the Western Mediterranean through mid-December, after which it will transition to the Canary Islands for its final winter schedule under Costa Cruises. The winter itineraries feature seven-night inter-island cruises departing from Tenerife and Las Palmas, maximizing regional exploration before returning for an Eastern Mediterranean summer season in 2026. Costa Cruises has confirmed the Costa Fortuna will officially leave its fleet in September 2026.

Costa Fortuna's Transition and Future

Following its final voyage with Costa Cruises, the Costa Fortuna will undergo significant refurbishment before re-emerging as the Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber. This redesign aims to align the ship's interiors and guest experiences with Margaritaville at Sea's signature Caribbean-focused style. Once complete, the vessel will become the largest in Margaritaville at Sea’s fleet, which also includes the Islander and Paradise.

The Beachcomber will officially debut in January 2027, sailing from PortMiami, the world’s busiest cruise port. Its inaugural season will feature a diverse array of Caribbean itineraries, ranging from four to eight nights, combining Eastern and Western Caribbean destinations, as well as Bahamas-focused and specialty routes.

Key Itineraries for the Beachcomber's Maiden Season

• Eastern Caribbean (7 nights): Ports include St. Thomas (U.S. Virgin Islands), San Juan (Puerto Rico), and Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic). The first sailing departs January 9, 2027.
• Western Caribbean (7 nights): Featured stops are Cozumel (Mexico), Belize City (Belize), and George Town (Cayman Islands), with inaugural sailings beginning January 23, 2027.
• Bahamas and Florida (4–5 nights): Short cruises include routes to Key West (Florida), Bimini, Nassau, and Freeport (Bahamas), as well as Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic.
• Southern Caribbean and ABC Islands (8 nights): An extended itinerary to Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao departs April 16, 2027.
• Florida, Bahamas, and Western Caribbean combo (7 nights): This one-time voyage features Key West, George Town, Nassau, and Montego Bay (Jamaica) on March 27, 2027.

Margaritaville at Sea Offers Early Black Friday Deals

In anticipation of the expanded fleet, Margaritaville at Sea has launched an early Black Friday promotion available until November 2, 2025. The sale includes up to 60% off on cruises across its fleet, free guest bookings on select dates, and special pricing for Beachcomber itineraries. Guests may also take advantage of discounts on the 2026 Paradise Pass, which allows unlimited cruises with flexible booking terms and additional perks.

A notable highlight of this promotion is the Cruise Plus Bundle, which combines top-shelf beverage packages with unlimited basic Wi-Fi access for significant savings. Prices for two-night cruises to the Bahamas start at $199, underscoring Margaritaville at Sea's effort to attract price-sensitive travelers and build demand for its growing catalog of offerings.

The Costa Fortuna’s Legacy and New Beginnings

Originally introduced as a flagship for Costa Cruises, the Costa Fortuna has spent two decades serving European itineraries as well as broader international routes. As it nears the end of its time with Costa Cruises, the farewell Western Mediterranean season offers a final opportunity for guests to enjoy its legacy cruises before it sails into new waters under Margaritaville at Sea.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Costa Fortuna's current itinerary schedule?

The Costa Fortuna will sail in the Western Mediterranean until mid-December 2023, featuring ports like Barcelona, Marseille, and Funchal. It will then switch to Canary Islands inter-island voyages for the winter. The ship will return to the Eastern Mediterranean for summer 2026 before leaving Costa Cruises in September 2026.

When will the Costa Fortuna transition to Margaritaville at Sea?

The Costa Fortuna will transition to Margaritaville at Sea after exiting Costa Cruises in September 2026. Following extensive refurbishment, it will debut as the Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber in January 2027, sailing from PortMiami.

What itineraries are planned for the Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber?

The Beachcomber’s inaugural season includes four- to eight-night cruises departing from PortMiami. Destinations include the Eastern and Western Caribbean, the Bahamas, and specialty routes to the ABC Islands and Southern Caribbean.

What is included in Margaritaville at Sea's early Black Friday promotions?

The promotion includes discounts of up to 60% on cruise fares, special pricing for Beachcomber itineraries, and exclusive features like the Cruise Plus Bundle, which combines beverage packages and Wi-Fi for bundled savings. Select itineraries also allow guests to sail for free.

How large is the Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber compared to other ships in the fleet?

The Beachcomber will be the largest ship in Margaritaville at Sea’s fleet, measuring approximately 103,000 gross tons and accommodating 2,720 guests. It joins the Islander and Paradise as the company’s third vessel.