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Costa Cruises’ flagship Costa Toscana is set to introduce a refreshed Mediterranean program in 2026, with new itineraries featuring port calls in Tunisia and Sicily from May as the line doubles down on North Africa and Southern Europe.
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Expanded Mediterranean Focus for 2026
Publicly available deployment details for Costa Cruises show that Costa Toscana, the line’s LNG-powered flagship, will remain based in the Mediterranean in 2026, offering week-long and extended itineraries that combine classic Western Mediterranean ports with selected stops in North Africa. The move builds on changes already made for winter 2025 to 2026, when the ship’s planned Middle East program was replaced with Mediterranean and North Africa sailings.
Trade and industry coverage indicates that from early 2026 Costa Toscana will operate itineraries that include Tunisia and Sicily within broader Western Mediterranean routes, with departures scheduled from key Italian homeports such as Savona and Civitavecchia. These sailings sit alongside other European programs already opened for booking across the Costa fleet for the 2026 season.
While Costa Cruises has not framed the program as a wholesale relaunch, the addition and consolidation of Tunisian and Sicilian calls in 2026 on Costa Toscana mark a notable evolution of the ship’s Mediterranean footprint. The updated routing is designed to appeal to travelers looking to revisit familiar Italian and French ports while adding a North African stop that has been gradually returning to mainstream cruise schedules.
Key Ports: La Goulette, Palermo and Western Med Favorites
Itinerary examples for Costa Toscana’s 2026 season show La Goulette, serving Tunis, appearing alongside established Western Mediterranean ports such as Barcelona, Marseille, Civitavecchia for Rome, and Savona. La Goulette gives guests a gateway to the historic city of Tunis as well as excursions to the archaeological ruins of Carthage and the coastal village of Sidi Bou Said.
On the Italian side, Palermo in Sicily features as one of the principal southern calls, adding a distinctly Sicilian flavor to the itinerary. From Palermo, guests can explore the city’s Arab-Norman architecture, historic markets and nearby coastal scenery, positioning Sicily as both a cultural and scenic counterpoint to the North African call at La Goulette.
These ports are typically embedded in seven-night loops that start and end in an Italian homeport, with days at sea balanced against a sequence of city-focused calls. Booking examples for late 2026 show Costa Toscana operating a route that includes Savona, Barcelona, Marseille, La Goulette, Palermo and Civitavecchia, underscoring how Tunisia and Sicily are being integrated into a broader Western Mediterranean circuit.
Timing, Duration and Who the Itinerary Targets
Based on published deployment lists and tour-operator brochures, Costa Toscana’s Tunisia and Sicily calls appear within itineraries operating across the main 2026 Mediterranean season, starting around late winter and continuing through autumn. Although individual departure dates and patterns may vary by market, promotional materials emphasize seven-day cruises as the core offering, often running Saturday-to-Saturday or Sunday-to-Sunday for ease of flight connections.
The new routing is aimed at travelers seeking cultural variety within a one-week timeframe, combining Italian, French and Spanish ports with North African heritage sites. The inclusion of both Sicily and Tunisia in a single itinerary is positioned as a way to experience two distinct sides of the central Mediterranean, with shore options that range from historic walking tours to food-focused excursions and beach time.
Pricing and onboard packages will depend on the sales channel and departure date, but Costa’s broader marketing for 2026 highlights fly-and-cruise options from multiple European gateways and stresses the value proposition of an all-in-one holiday. The line continues to target both European guests familiar with the Western Mediterranean and long-haul travelers looking to combine a cruise with a stay in Italy or Spain.
Costa Toscana: Flagship Ship for the Route
Costa Toscana itself is central to the appeal of the updated Mediterranean program. The 185,000-gross-ton ship is one of the largest in the Costa fleet and is powered by liquefied natural gas, a feature the company promotes as part of its environmental strategy. The vessel offers a resort-style experience with multiple dining venues, expansive open decks and family-friendly facilities.
Design details highlighted in corporate and third-party materials emphasize a contemporary look inspired by Italian style, with furnishings, lighting and fabrics supplied by well-known Italian brands. Many of the main restaurants are included in the cruise fare, and specialty outlets, bars and entertainment spaces are marketed as a key part of the onboard experience during sea days between ports such as La Goulette and Palermo.
For the Tunisia and Sicily itineraries, Costa Toscana’s size and facilities are presented as an advantage for guests seeking a mix of port-intensive days and relaxed time on board. The ship’s pool decks, wellness areas and evening entertainment are intended to complement daytime explorations ashore, especially on itineraries where two culturally dense ports follow one another.
Booking Considerations and What Travelers Should Watch
As with all cruise deployments, the precise configuration of Costa Toscana’s 2026 itineraries, including the balance of Tunisia and Sicily calls, remains subject to operational adjustments. Industry reporting on Costa’s recent schedule changes notes that the company has already reconfigured programs in response to regional conditions, particularly in the Middle East, and has shown a willingness to modify routes when necessary.
Travelers considering these new Mediterranean sailings are encouraged by travel industry guidance to review the most current itinerary details at the time of booking and again shortly before departure. Port sequences, arrival times and even specific calls can change, and some departures may swap or repeat ports depending on seasonal demand and port operations.
Published deployment summaries also highlight that shore excursion offerings may evolve over time, especially in destinations such as La Goulette where cultural and archaeological sites are a major draw. Prospective guests may find it useful to compare line-run shore excursions with independent options, taking into account local regulations, timing guarantees and personal comfort levels when planning days in Tunisia and Sicily.