If you’ve been following the cruise world for a while, you’ll know that shipbuilding is usually a sign of confidence. Cruise lines race to outdo each other with bigger, flashier, greener vessels year after year. But one name has been notably quiet lately – Costa Cruises.
So, What’s Going On With Costa Cruises?
As of mid-2025, Costa Cruises has no new ships on order. Nothing under construction, no mysterious “Project Whatever” announcements, no big reveals at shipyards in Italy or Finland.
And that’s surprising. Costa, once known for its bold Italian flair and iconic yellow funnel, was long seen as a European giant in the cruise world. But post-pandemic, Costa seems to have shifted course – and not necessarily toward expansion.
A Quiet Retreat?
Costa’s fleet currently includes a mix of older ships and a couple of newer LNG-powered flagships like Costa Smeralda and Costa Toscana, both part of the Excel-class (shared with Carnival and AIDA). These ships were meant to usher in a new era for Costa – bold design, better environmental performance, and a more international approach.
But then, things changed.
- Costa Venezia and Costa Firenze, once designed specifically for the booming Chinese market, were transferred to Carnival Cruise Line.
- Costa Magica, once a staple in the Med, was quietly scrapped.
- Rumours about more ships being transferred or sold keep popping up in cruise forums and Facebook groups.
The message seems clear: Costa is consolidating, not expanding.
Is This The End of New Builds?
Not necessarily – but it’s certainly a pause. And depending on how you look at it, that might not be a bad thing.
Costa’s parent company, Carnival Corporation, is still facing the aftermath of pandemic-era debt, higher operational costs, and changing demand patterns. Instead of throwing money at new ships, they’re focusing on optimising existing fleets, targeting profitable markets, and repositioning brands where it makes the most financial sense.
And Costa, whose core European audience has seen rising competition from MSC Cruises, Virgin Voyages, and even Norwegian, might be struggling to justify billion-euro investments right now.
Will Costa Cruises Bounce Back?
I really hope so.
Costa Cruises still offers some of the best-value itineraries in the Med and Middle East – especially if you don’t mind a more international atmosphere onboard. Their food, design, and relaxed attitude still appeal to many Europeans (and to travellers looking for something different from the typical North American-style cruise).
But whether Costa continues to innovate or simply becomes a feeder brand for Carnival’s larger ambitions remains to be seen.
No New Ships, But Still Worth Sailing?
It’s easy to assume that no new ships = decline. But Costa is still afloat (literally), still offering budget-friendly cruises to amazing ports, and still making headlines in markets like Italy, Spain, and France.
If you’re hoping for a brand-spanking-new, Costa-designed mega-ship with all the bells and whistles… you may be waiting a while.
But if you’re open to the Costa experience as it is – bold, chaotic, multilingual, and undeniably Italian – there’s still a lot to love. Afterall Costa Smeralda and Toscana aren’t exactly OLD are they?
I have a full immersive category on all things Costa and Costa Smeralda, so go check them out if you’re wanting to try them.
