Costa Cruises announced it would change its ship deployment for the upcoming Brazilian season (winter 2021-2022).
The company said the Smeralda ship would be replaced with Diadema. Smeralda was scheduled to begin 7-night roundtrips from Santos (Sao Paulo) to Salvador de Bahia, and Ilheus, but instead will be deployed in the Mediterranean/Europe.
The change is due to challenges imposed by the COVID crisis which caused a delay of operations necessary to guarantee reliable bunkering/fueling for the LNG-powred (by liquefied natural gas) Costa Smeralda.
The company said that "in spite of everyone’s efforts and the cooperation of the authorities," the short time had not allowed "the conclusion of the complex operations needed to ensure the LNG bunkering.”
Costa Diadema is expected to arrive in Brazil on December 20, 2021, and take over the originally planned itinerary of Costa Smeralda with 7-night roundtrips departing from homeports Santos/Salvador.
In addition to Diadema, Fascinosa will be sailing in South America as planned, opening the Brazilian cruise season from November 29, 2021.
Toscana was also confirmed for the 2022-2023 South America season, along with Favolosa and Fortuna.
Deliziosa and Luminosa are also present in the South American region with special itineraries like Around the World and the Grand Cruise.