Costa Cruises 2026 Season Focuses on Close Ties with Travel Agents


Equipe commerciale Costa Croisières France - IFTM 2026 © Costa Croisières

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Cruisetelling Season 3: Life on Board as If You Were There

In 2026, Costa continues its commitment to training with the upcoming launch of the third season of its Cruisetelling program.

Following the success of the first two editions, this new chapter places life on board at the heart of the initiative.

Through a series of short videos, interviews, and immersive content, participants will discover the different universes that make up the onboard experience. From restaurants to entertainment, cabins, including exclusive services, excursions and premium experiences, each module will highlight the many “pluses” that make the Costa cruise stand out.

This training has been designed as a real sales aid. By providing access to concrete content easily reusable in sales discussions, Cruisetelling helps professionals answer clients’ questions, overcome buying obstacles, and highlight all the services offered on board.

Beyond product training, this third season aims to help agents bring the Costa experience to life even before the client’s departure.



Cruisetelling Saison 3 – début le 29 septembre 2026 © Costa Croisières


An IFTM 2026 marked by exchanges and conviviality


© Costa Croisières

For three days, Costa Croisières invited tourism professionals to a 42 m² stand designed as a true hub for exchanges and meetings.

Product innovations, fleet news, and commercial outlooks: the French teams mobilized to welcome partners, distribution networks, and travel agencies in a convivial yet professional atmosphere.

This 2026 edition was also marked by the presence of Luigi Stefanelli, Vice-President Worldwide Sales who shared his vision of cruising and the group’s ambitions for the years ahead. A privileged opportunity for partners to meet the company’s decision-makers and engage directly with them.

Among the highlights of the show, visitors could take part in a traditional

Colazione Italian breakfast organized on the second day. Pastries, Italian-style coffee, and Transalpine specialties recreated for a morning to capture the warm atmosphere Costa is known for.

Throughout the show, numerous activities paced the stand with several gifts to win, drawing a large and engaged audience. Travel professionals could also embark virtually using virtual reality headsets, allowing them to discover the Costa experience and some of the ships’ iconic spaces as if they were on board.

The sales teams, for their part, intensified personalized appointments to best support their partners and address their development needs. True to its DNA, Costa emphasized proximity, listening, and guidance, values highly appreciated by travel agencies.



Travel agents Cup – IFTM 2026 © SAM PINTO

Another major moment of this edition: the Travel Agent Cup. As a Diamond partner of the event, Costa Croisières had the honor of supporting this competition that has become essential for the profession. The 2026 edition’s winner brilliantly met the challenge by delivering a compelling Costa pitch in just four minutes, demonstrating a flawless mastery of the offer and the company’s universe.

A fine illustration of the strong bond that unites Costa Croisières with travel agents, true ambassadors of the brand to their clients.


More than 700 travel agents met during the 2026 roadshows

In parallel with IFTM, Costa Croisières is also wrapping up its major 2026 roadshow tour, a series of events held across metropolitan France and the overseas departments and regions (DROM).

Bringing together more than 700 travel agents in France and the DROM, the tour embraced two strong concepts: “Noir & Or” in Paris, Nice, and the Antilles, and “Destination Wonder” at other stops, highlighting Costa Croisières’ latest releases and flagship experiences.

The objective was clear: present the company’s main novelties in an immersive way and the major business opportunities for the coming months.

As presentations progressed, travel agents could deepen their knowledge of Costa’s major 2027 novelties, including the New Year cruise in Brazil, the Free Train offer from Paris and Lyon, the Eclipse’s exceptional cruise, and direct Caribbean flights from Marseille on February 22, 2027.

More than a simple business meeting, the tour once again demonstrated Costa’s commitment to training, support, and sharing experiences with travel agents.

Through on-site events, commercial support, and innovative training tools, Costa Croisières confirms its intention to stay close to travel agents. A strategy built on a strong conviction: the success of cruising ultimately hinges on the success of its distributing partners.



Costa Rica Discovery: The Art of Tailor-Made Travel Since 2008

Two years later, Costa Rica Discovery is born, an agency designed to offer individual journeys intimately tied to nature. Since then, it has been guiding Francophone travelers across the country, with on-the-ground knowledge that does not come about by chance.

A Story Born from a Love at First Sight for Costa Rica

Everything began in 2006, during a trip unlike any other. Anne Jolivet and Pierre discovered Costa Rica and fell in love with a country of a thousand faces. A few months later, they settled there, driven by the desire to build a different life. An initial experience in local hospitality revealed to them a pressing need: travelers seeking points of reference, local contact, and reliable information to explore a territory as rich as it is complex. Costa Rica may look small on a map, but travel times often surprise travelers. A leg of 150 kilometers can easily require four hours of driving depending on the region or the season. Designing a balanced itinerary therefore demands a real knowledge of the terrain.

Unlike many agencies marketing Costa Rica from Europe, Costa Rica Discovery designs each trip directly from within the country. This local presence allows regular testing of accommodations, adapting itineraries to ground realities, and reacting immediately in case of unforeseen events.

In September 2008, Costa Rica Discovery came into being. Neither of them came from tourism: their backgrounds spanned publishing, creation, communication, and transmission. These skills formed the foundations of a solid company, driven by the will to share, transmit, and reveal Costa Rica differently.

The beginnings were made as a duo, with a healthy dose of intuition and on-the-ground learning. The concept gradually took shape, never losing the original intention: to offer individual and authentic journeys, far from group circuits, to give everyone the time to observe, to feel, to savor this country.

Tailor-made as the Only Way to Travel

At Costa Rica Discovery, each trip is built around a person, their desires, their limits, and their way of exploring the world. The agency works exclusively with small, nature-friendly lodging options, far from large concrete complexes. These human-scale lodges foster real exchanges with locals and an immersion that goes beyond mere observation.

At Costa Rica Discovery, there is no fixed catalog. Each itinerary is created from a blank page, according to the traveler’s desires, pace, and interests.

Itineraries adapt to every profile: nature observation, wildlife photography, hiking, swimming, diving, lounging, or a blend of desires; each journey takes a different form based on what one seeks to experience. Clients who come to the agency are often seasoned travelers seeking something beyond the must-see sites. They want genuine human contact, places where one feels almost alone in the world, an experience that goes beyond ticking a box on a checklist.

The agency also designs more unusual experiences, such as a secluded picnic, an overflight by plane, or the privatization of a venue or service. Some trips accompany symbolic moments: a marriage proposal, a vow renewal, a birthday, or the yearly reunion of a family scattered across the four corners of the world.

This philosophy also rests on strong ties with Francophone Costa Rican guides, some of whom have collaborated with the agency for nearly twenty years. Every year, they all gather to exchange, adjust practices, and feed back field experiences. This closeness is felt in every detail of the stay.

Unlike many agencies marketing Costa Rica from Europe, Costa Rica Discovery designs each trip directly from the country. The entire team travels several times a year to the different regions of the territory, meeting accommodations and local providers. This constant presence allows the hotel offer and the experiences proposed to be regularly renewed, and it enables itineraries to be adapted to ground realities and to react immediately in case of unforeseen events.

A Human Accompaniment at Every Stage of the Journey

The true luxury, for Costa Rica Discovery, lies in peace of mind. Before departure, the team checks every detail: passport validity, luggage contents, allergies or minor health concerns, celebrations to plan such as a birthday, a honeymoon, or a wedding anniversary — nothing is left to chance. Upon arrival, a representative from the agency welcomes the travelers at their hotel and hands them a complete road book, with all the useful information to live the stay serenely.

A Francophone service remains reachable 24 hours a day, by phone or WhatsApp, for weather questions, a restaurant craving, or an unexpected event on the road. Important information, like a closed road, is shared in real time with all affected travelers via a WhatsApp channel. Additionally, a local SIM card is provided upon arrival.

This attention does not stop at the end of the stay. Small acts of kindness are also part of the agency’s philosophy: when a child forgot their security blanket at a hotel, the team tracked it down and shipped it to France, sparing the family a few sleepless nights. It is this constant, human, and responsive presence that truly sets the agency apart.

Since 2008, Costa Rica Discovery has built its reputation on listening, precision, and an enduring passion for its adopted country. This standard now takes a new form with the Signature Collection, a more intimate selection of addresses and experiences designed for travelers seeking discreet refinement. A further testament that here, every trip remains, above all, a tailor-made story.

Contact

https://costarica-decouverte.com/

Calle la caraña – Piedades de Santa Ana

[email protected]

Phone: +506 8302 1629

WhatsApp: +506 8302 1629

Facebook / YouTube / Instagram

Costa Cruises Launches New Brand Campaign Centered on Wonder


Costa Croisières a choisi la France pour le lancement de sa nouvelle campagne de marque - DepositPhotos.com, TallyPic

CroisiEurope


Costa Croisières launches its new brand campaign in France, starting September 7, 2026.

Through its communications platform “Wonder,” the company aims to highlight its approach to unveiling the world, combining destinations, onshore experiences, and life aboard.

The first three installments of the campaign are devoted to the Caribbean, to the Easter Island, and to the Cape Horn, the latter being reserved for a digital distribution.

Other destinations and themes, including the Mediterranean winter, Copacabana, and the Canary Islands, will be unveiled later.


Destinations at the Heart of the Campaign

The campaign showcases several of Costa’s iconic itineraries, spanning from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean, while also highlighting voyages to more distant destinations such as Easter Island and Cape Horn.

A sunset facing Copacabana is also among the experiences highlighted.

This approach relies in particular on the concept “Sea & Land Destinations”, which distinguishes the experiences offered at sea from those experienced on land.

The “Sea Destinations” correspond to notable points of the itinerary that can be admired from the ship, while the “Land Destinations” pair the ports of call with experiences around cultures, traditions, landscapes and local sites.


A Campaign Rolled Out Through Mid-October

In France, the media plan will run from September 7 to mid-October 2026. It includes television, connected TV, digital and social networks.

After France, the campaign will also be rolled out in Italy and Spain.

Costa Cruises Expands Its Caribbean Offering for Winter 2026-2027


Costa Croisières prépare la saison hiver 2026-2027 dans les Caraïbes - Depositphotos.com @ dbvirago

Climats du Monde


À l’occasion de son roadshow annuel organisé les 8 et 9 septembre en Guadeloupe et en Martinique, Costa Croisières a présenté son programme pour la saison hiver 2026-2027 dans les Caraïbes.

Two ships will be positioned in the region: the Costa Favolosa, which will offer departures from Pointe-à-Pitre and Fort-de-France, and the Costa Fascinosa, deployed from Pointe-à-Pitre and La Romana in the Dominican Republic.

Après un passage en cale sèche, le Costa Favolosa entamera la saison avec plusieurs espaces rénovés. Les travaux portent notamment sur les cabines Balcon, Suites et Grand Suites, les salles de bain ainsi que certains espaces dédiés aux enfants, aux excursions et au bien-être.

Côté itinéraires, le navire fera notamment escale en Martinique, Guadeloupe, Saint-Kitts, Antigua, Tortola, République dominicaine et Sainte-Lucie.

À bord, le navire propose notamment un Solemio Spa de 6 000 m², un Aqua Park ainsi qu’une piscine arrière offrant une vue panoramique sur la mer.


New Experiences Onboard

Costa Croisières entend également enrichir sa programmation avec plusieurs nouveautés. Parmi elles, l’Archipelago propose une expérience gastronomique autour d’un menu dégustation en 12 plats imaginé par les chefs Bruno Barbieri, Hélène Darroze et Ángel León.

La compagnie introduit également la “Black Night”, une soirée immersive organisée autour d’un dress code noir et d’une programmation spécifique mêlant gastronomie, animations, shopping et spectacles.

Autre axe mis en avant : la valorisation de la culture caribéenne. Le concept “Saveur Créole”, lancé il y a deux ans pour répondre notamment aux attentes de la clientèle locale, sera reconduit à bord du Costa Favolosa. Il associera spécialités culinaires antillaises, musique et animations avec la participation d’artistes locaux.

Pour les fêtes de fin d’année, la programmation intégrera notamment des concerts de Chanté Nwèl, avec les groupes Kasika et ID’Or, ainsi que plusieurs spécialités traditionnelle antillaises proposées dans les restaurants du navire sans supplément.


“Sea & Land Destinations” Highlight the Calls

Costa Croisières poursuit par ailleurs le développement de son concept “Sea & Land Destinations”, qui associe les expériences proposées lors des escales à des animations organisées à bord pendant la navigation.

La compagnie cite notamment le Martinique Fest Tribute, organisé dans la baie de Martinique. Cette soirée doit recréer à bord l’ambiance du carnaval martiniquais à travers des costumes, des percussions, un DJ set et une parade finale.

Pour accompagner le lancement de la saison, Costa Croisières propose jusqu’au 30 septembre une offre sur certaines croisières Caraïbes à bord du Costa Favolosa, au départ de Pointe-à-Pitre et de Fort-de-France.

Les clients peuvent bénéficier de 50 % de réduction sur les forfaits boissons My Drinks et My Drinks Plus.

Les croisières de sept nuits sont proposées à partir de 579 € TTC par personne, sur la base d’une cabine intérieure double en tarif My Cruise. Les départs de Fort-de-France débutent à partir du 25 novembre, tandis que ceux de Pointe-à-Pitre sont programmés à partir du 26 novembre.


Amelia Brille Published by Amelia Brille TourMaG.com Editor
See all articles by Amelia Brille

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Costa Cruises Launches Winter Promo: 50% Off Beverage and Excursion Packages


Costa Croisières lance sa « Super promo d’hiver » - Depositphotos.com, maudanros

Hurtigruten


Costa Croisières launches its marketing campaign “Winter Super Promo”.

Valid for any booking made by October 28, 2026 inclusive, this offer for the first time features a 50% discount applied simultaneously to the My Drinks beverage packages and the My Lands excursion packs.

The goal for the cruise line is to make onboard services and onshore stops more affordable, while enabling passengers to tailor their stay across a wide range of itineraries.


Integration of the “Sea & Land” concepts and Mediterranean itineraries

The promotion also applies to the new versions of the “Sea & Land” offers, which pair land-based calls with sea experiences, themed around regional motifs (Dolce Vita, The Golden Islands, Lights of the Mediterranean, or Icons of the Aegean).

Among the proposed itineraries, the Costa Toscana will operate a 7-night Western Mediterranean loop departing from Marseille from October 3 to 10, 2026, with calls in Barcelona, Cagliari, Naples, Civitavecchia and Genoa.

The following spring, the Costa Fascinosa will offer a 6-night itinerary named Dolce Vita departing from La Seyne-sur-Mer from May 1 to 7, 2027, heading to Saint-Tropez, Savona, Civitavecchia, Salerno and Messina.


Deployment of the offer on Caribbean and Canary routes

The pricing scheme also covers the long-haul connections scheduled for the winter season.

The Costa Favolosa will thus undertake 7-night Caribbean cruises departing Pointe-à-Pitre from December 2 to 9, 2026, with daily calls planned at Fort-de-France, Basseterre, St. John’s, Road Harbour and Santo Domingo.

On the Atlantic leg, the Costa Smeralda will undertake a 12-night itinerary to the Canary Islands and Madeira departing from Barcelona from November 14 to 26, 2026, serving notably Málaga, Cádiz, Las Palmas, Funchal, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Puerto del Rosario and Arrecife.

Summer 2027: Costa Reinvents Cruise Itineraries as a True Travel Experience


Nouveaux itinéraires été 2027 © Costa Croisières


CroisiEurope

Et si chaque itinéraire racontait désormais sa propre histoire ?

Today, travelers seek far more than a simple sequence of ports of call. They want to experience an atmosphere, discover a destination from a different angle and choose a journey that aligns with their desires, whether it be relaxation, culture, gastronomy, or discovery.

More than ever, the overall experience, both onboard and on land, has become a decisive criterion in choosing a vacation. It is in this logic that Costa is rethinking its summer 2027 programming with a new generation of itineraries built around clearly identifiable travel universes.

The company is gradually moving away from a purely geographical approach in favor of real travel concepts. Each itinerary now has its own identity, expressed from its name and carried by a strong emotional throughline. Thus, Dolce Vita speaks to lovers of the Mediterranean art of living, between Portofino, Taormine and the Amalfi Coast. Blue Islands highlights the finest Greek islands and their infinite shades of blue. Golden Islands takes travelers to the heart of the “Islands of Gold” in the Mediterranean, with four islands united by crystal-clear waters, vibrant atmospheres and spectacular sunrises and sunsets. Nordic Soul invites travelers to discover Northern Europe through its grand landscapes, preserved nature and Scandinavian way of life. With Adriatic & Cyclades, Costa brings together the charm of the Adriatic and the mythical magic of the Cyclades for an immersion among cultures, traditions and iconic panoramas.



Exemple de nouveaux concepts © Costa Croisières

These itineraries are only a preview of the new Summer 2027 collection. Many other itineraries await discovery, each designed to offer a different way to explore a destination and experience the cruise. Through this approach, Costa turns the itinerary into a true travel experience, giving travel agencies new selling points and a more inspiring way to present its offer.


How do these new itineraries facilitate sales in agencies?

This new approach helps agents guide clients more easily according to their desires rather than a simple list of ports of call. The choice is no longer limited to Western or Eastern Mediterranean, but to different ways of living one’s vacation: relaxation, cultural discovery, spectacular landscapes, Mediterranean ambiance, or immersion in nature.

For advisors, the messaging also evolves. It becomes possible to recommend an experience before recommending a destination. A client drawn to elegance, gastronomy, and the art of living will naturally be steered toward Dolce Vita, while a lover of islands, turquoise landscapes and seaside atmosphere will find happiness in Blue Islands.

The company also reinforces this promise with exclusive experiences on board and on land. The Sea Experiences, the Land Experiences inspired by the visited regions create a stronger link between the itinerary and the traveler’s experience, offering a seamless journey from the first to the last day of the cruise.


How to entice a former client to sail again to a destination they already know?

This is one of the major strengths of this lineup. Many travelers already know the Mediterranean’s classics or the Greek Islands. Yet, thanks to this new approach, they now have new reasons to return.

The experience evolves both on land and at sea. A client who sailed in the Mediterranean a few years ago will not simply rediscover the same itinerary: they will find a new way to live their journey. The storytelling of journeys, the Sea Experiences & Land Experiences on offer allow re-discovering familiar places from a totally new angle.

Finally, among the highlights of the Summer 2027 season, Costa also signs the return of the highly anticipated Eclipse Cruise. After the success of the 2026 edition, sold out, it will once again offer the chance to observe a total solar eclipse at sea on August 2, 2027, departing La Seyne-sur-Mer on July 27, 2027 with a return on August 7, 2027, aboard the Costa Fascinosa. A 10-day rare experience that perfectly illustrates the company’s ambition: to transform every cruise into a unique and memorable journey.


Croisière de l’éclipse – Visuel généré par IA © Costa Croisières


Where to find all the information to sell these new concepts?

To assist agencies in marketing this new offering, the Italian company has also modernized Costa Extra, its sales portal dedicated to tourism professionals.

Summer 2027 sales are now open, with all the new itineraries available for booking. Agents can find all the information they need to sell: detailed descriptions, sales arguments, visual contents and videos dedicated to each travel concept, whether Dolce Vita, Blue Islands, Golden Islands, Nordic Soul, Seaside Dream or Lights of the Mediterranean.


Exemple d’une page de réservation C|Extra - © Costa Croisières




Costa Guarantees Mediterranean Fuel Prices All Summer


© Costa Croisières

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Fuel Guarantee: Transparency and Commitment

First differentiating element, and probably the most impactful today in the customer journey: the guarantee of no fuel-related price increase after booking on the maritime portion. In a context where energy fluctuations remain on everyone’s minds, Costa chooses transparency and commitment. Specifically, for Mediterranean departures this summer, the price displayed at the time of booking is final for departures through September 30, 2026. No surcharge will be added as departure approaches. For travel agents, this promise radically changes the commercial dialogue. It immediately removes a frequent objection and builds a climate of trust. The customer knows where they are going, and, most importantly, how much it will cost, with no surprises. In a competitive market, this price stability becomes a strong competitive advantage capable of tipping the decision.


Flexibility: Free Changes Before Departure

Alongside this price control, there is a direct answer to another key traveler need: flexibility. Costa thus offers free changes up to 31 days before departure. A flexibility that fits perfectly with current expectations, especially among hesitant clients or those planning ahead. Booking no longer means rigid commitment, but securing an opportunity while keeping the ability to adjust the plan. For sellers, this approach greatly facilitates conversion: it helps encourage immediate decision-making by reducing the sense of risk.


Modifiez sans frais © Costa Croisières


“Today, the true value when choosing a vacation lies in the ability to plan it with complete serenity. Travelers who book in advance seek both simple solutions and the freedom to adapt their plans if circumstances evolve. This is what our ‘Modify without fees’ offer makes possible,” says Aurélie SOULAT, France Commercial Director of Costa Croisières. “This flexibility is part of a broader approach of transparency and reassurance, with notably our guarantee of a locked-in price, with no fuel-related increases after booking. In a context where budget control is essential, it is fundamental to be able to offer our clients a clear view of the final price of their holidays, with no surprises.”

But beyond price and flexibility, Costa also provides a concrete answer to a very operational constraint: access to the departure port. On this point, the cruise line enriches its offering with simple and attractive solutions, notably around the Costa Pacifica. For certain departures from La Seyne-sur-Mer, a free train option is offered from Paris and Lyon. An initiative particularly relevant to broaden the catchment area, attract an urban clientele or meet the expectations of travelers who want to avoid driving. This ease of transportation fits into a seamless customer journey mindset, where every step of the trip is designed to be simple.


Train gratuit au départ de Paris & Lyon © Costa Croisières


Enhanced Accessibility: Train, Car, and Alternatives to Flying

Simultaneously, departures from Marseille also enjoy excellent accessibility. The port is easily reachable by train, with direct connections from many French cities, and also by car, providing great scheduling freedom. This plurality of options lets agents tailor their messaging to the client profiles, highlighting the most relevant solution according to their travel habits.

Ultimately, Costa builds a coherent and especially effective proposition: a secured price, flexible booking, and simplified access. Three elements that directly meet market expectations and give travel agents tangible, immediately actionable arguments at the point of sale. In a context where reassurance has become a key conversion factor, this approach not only facilitates the sale but also positions cruising as a clear, calm, and controlled choice.


A Clear, Readable, and Accessible Pricing Policy

Beyond the fuel guarantee, Costa also strengthens its appeal with a powerful promotional offer: -50% off the second passenger until June 8, 2026.

This promotion helps reposition cruising as a product that is both competitive and transparent. The client perceives real value: a fair and controlled price.

By combining a guaranteed price on the cruise portion, an immediate discount, and flexibility, Costa offers a pricing narrative that is clear, reassuring, and engaging. A strategy that perfectly meets current market expectations and makes the act of purchasing easier than ever.