Costa Cruises’ Fortuna to Depart the Fleet: Ship Sold and Scheduled for Exit in September 2026

Costa Cruises, a division of Carnival Corporation, is executing a restructuring of its fleet, which involves the sale of its oldest ship, Costa Fortuna, scheduled to leave the fleet in September 2026. Costa Fortuna, a 22-year-old vessel, is part of a larger downsizing initiative that follows the halt of cruise operations during the pandemic.

Currently, Costa Fortuna is operating Mediterranean routes and will shift to homeporting in the Canary Islands for the winter 2025-2026 season. The specific identity of the buyer remains undisclosed.

The 103,000-GT Costa Fortuna, built by Fincantieri and delivered in 2003, was designed based on the Carnival Destiny platform. It is 272 meters long and accommodates about 3,500 passengers, marking its role as a pioneer in large-capacity cruises for the Costa brand.

This sale contributes to a broader trend; Costa Cruises has already retired or reassigned six vessels from its fleet. The company has transitioned two newer ships, Costa Venezia and Costa Firenze, to Carnival Cruise Line to form the "Costa by Carnival" sub-brand for North America. Additionally, Costa Luminosa has also been rebranded and is now operating as Carnival Luminosa.

Previous retired vessels include Costa Victoria, which was scrapped, and Costa Romantica, sold to Celestyal Cruises before being scrapped. Costa Magica, Fortuna’s sister ship, was sold but failed to meet inspection standards for a relaunch planned under a new brand.

Despite these changes, Costa Cruises, founded over seven decades ago, emphasizes its commitment to modernizing its fleet. In the past five years, over EUR 200 million has been invested in fleet upgrades. After Costa Fortuna’s departure, the fleet will consist of eight ships, including two powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Further developments include a significant refurbishment of Costa Serena, the second-oldest ship, which is set for completion in November. This refurbishment will enhance various amenities, allowing Costa Serena to take over Costa Fortuna’s former South American itineraries starting in the winter of 2027.

Costa Cruises aims to continue adapting and investing in its fleet, balancing the need to reduce operational costs while improving the overall cruise experience.

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