Costa Cruises sets its bearings toward the rising sun with an expanded program of sailings across Asian waters in 2026, placing particular emphasis on a deeper exploration of Japan. Having already unveiled a series of prominent destinations for late 2025 and early 2026, the company now broadens its horizon with two new 11-day voyages aboard Costa Serena, strengthening its standing among the principal navigators of the region. What follows is an invitation to roam coastlines where tradition meets innovation, through storied ports, remote enclaves, and cities whose silhouettes shift with the tides of modernity.
The first of the newly announced routes, scheduled to cast off on June 1st, 2026, traces a course linking three emblematic nations of the Far East: South Korea, Japan, and China. From the bustle of Seoul’s gateway at Incheon, the vessel turns southward to Busan, where temple roofs hover above the surf and the scent of the fish markets drifts across the quays. Japan then unfolds port by port, from the quiet inlets around Sasebo to the artisan spirit of Yatsushiro; from Kagoshima, watched over by the smoldering outline of Sakurajima, to Nagasaki, a harbor long shaped by encounters across oceans. The voyage concludes with an overnight mooring in Shanghai, where the city’s glass towers cast their reflections upon the Bund while older sanctuaries linger in the shadows of futuristic streets.
The second itinerary, departing on October 7th, 2026, offers a passage through Japan from south to north, revealing the country in all its seasonal hues. Sailing from Tokyo’s great harbor at Yokohama, the ship proceeds to Kobe beneath the Rokko Mountains, granting guests an extended stay ashore. The route continues toward Kochi and the markets that animate its waterfront, then onward to Kagoshima once more, known for its hot springs and Kyushu fare. Nagasaki returns as a testament to memory and spirituality, followed by a call at Busan across the Korea Strait. The next leg carries travelers to Kanazawa, sometimes called the Kyoto of the Sea of Japan, before the cruise reaches its northernmost harbor at Hakodate in Hokkaido, renowned for night vistas that linger long in a sailor’s recollection.
Company leadership has noted that the 2026 program offers a rare opportunity to delve into Eastern shores with ease, explaining that the itineraries were devised to balance authenticity, charm, and comfort, further supported by fly-and-cruise arrangements that simplify the journey for European guests. It was also observed that Costa Serena, following a recent refit, now presents a livelier and more contemporary character meant to kindle a sense of wonder throughout the voyage.
Aboard the ship, travelers find renewed interiors, expanded dining options within a redesigned food court, refreshed pools and open-air lounges, and cabins and suites reimagined with modern lines and seagoing elegance. New havens dedicated to relaxation and entertainment round out the experience, offering moments of calm and discovery between each landfall. The vessel’s transformation was first unveiled during an inaugural 10-day sailing on November 12th, 2025, through the waters linking Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan.
Through the whole of 2026, Costa Serena will maintain its presence in Asia with alternating 14-day circuits: one weaving between Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea, the other navigating the coasts of Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei, and the Philippines. Mariners seeking a lengthier passage may combine both routes into a single 28-day exploration. In October, the ship will embark upon an exceptional world voyage, setting sail from Tokyo on October 18 for a 66-day odyssey across Asia, Oceania, and South America, calling at 15 nations and 26 ports before coming to rest in Buenos Aires.
These journeys are made readily accessible through the company’s fly-and-cruise connections from major European hubs. To close the season, Costa Serena will also assume an unusual role: for the first time in its history, the vessel will serve as a floating hotel for a major international sporting event in Japan, welcoming athletes and delegations while berthed in the port of Nagoya.