Last weekend in Barcelona, Costa Cruises held the second edition of its Costa Global Summit, its major international gathering with partners , travel agents, media representatives, and leaders in the tourism sector. This key event for the company was attended by Costa Cruises President Mario Zanetti, along with the cruise line's top executives, to share firsthand the strategic vision and key developments for 2026.
The event took place during a cruise through the western Mediterranean aboard the Costa Smeralda, with stops in Marseille and Barcelona, combining a professional agenda with onboard and destination experiences for invited media and tourism professionals, culminating at the Fira de Barcelona.
The Costa Smeraldadeparted from the port of Savona on Friday the 12th. During the first day, we had the opportunity to explore the ship's facilities and enjoy an aperitif at the Grand Bar Mastroianni, followed by dinner at Ristorante Arlecchino. The evening concluded with the Blues Echoes in the Sanremo Theatre Lounge.
On Saturday, December 13th, during its stop in Marseille, Costa organized an exclusive excursion to the historic Le Panier district. During the tour, we admired various murals and even experienced local street art firsthand, witnessing a live art performance. The culinary day included dinner at the Teppanyaki restaurant and concluded with the Golden Night at the Beach Club.
On Sunday, December 14th, the Costa Smeralda docked in Barcelona, where we were able to attend one of the most outstanding and exclusive cultural excursions of the trip: a visit to the Colònia Güell, with exclusive access to the former industrial area and Gaudí's Crypt, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The experience included a truly spectacular live violin and cello concert.
In the afternoon, all the guests were taken to Fira Montjuïc, the venue for the Costa Global Summit 2025, where the official sessions of the event were held. During the event, Costa Cruises shared its positioning, strategic lines, and vision for the future with the audience, focusing on the onboard experience, gastronomy, entertainment, and connection with destinations.
The last night on board concluded with dinner at Ristorante Arlecchino and the Red Xmas, which brought the summit's social program to a close.
Protagonists of the Sea : 30 years alongside travel agents
The day before the Costa Global Summit, the company celebrated the 30th edition of Protagonistas del Mar (Protagonists of the Sea) on board , its flagship event dedicated to its international network of travel agents and strategic partners . The celebration, held aboard the Costa Smeralda, brought together 1,600 guests, including 800 travel agents, as well as partners and members of the media, and recognized the work of 76 agencies for their achievements throughout the year.
Cruises News Media Group has once again been recognized with the Protagonistas del Mar award, a distinction that acknowledges its informative work and its contribution to the dissemination and promotion of the cruise sector. Furthermore, this recognition highlights the media outlet's commitment to specialized communication, the quality of its content, and its ongoing support for the industry, solidifying its position as a leading source of information within the cruise tourism sector.
Protagonistas del Mar once again became a space for meeting, dialogue and shared vision, reinforcing the bond between Costa Cruises and its commercial network at a key moment for the future of the sector.
According to Luigi Stefanelli, Vice President of Global Sales at Costa Cruises, “The30th edition of Protagonistas del Mar continues to celebrate the strength of a relationship built over time with our travel agents worldwide. Their role is key to conveying the essence of Costa Cruises and supporting us in an increasingly global and demanding market. Events like this reinforce our shared vision based on trust, innovation, and the value of experiences, and allow us to face new challenges together with a common ambition to differentiate ourselves in the market and continue generating shared value.
Sea & Land Wonder Platform : Costa 's new experiential proposal for 2026
With over 2,500 attendees, the Costa Global Summit has solidified its position as one of the leading international tourism forums, reinforcing Costa's role as a key player in the evolution of experiential tourism. At the event, Costa Cruises presented its "Sea & Land Wonder Platform," a proposal that redefines travel by focusing on creating continuous wonder and awe in passengers. This is achieved by integrating new destinations on land and at sea, high-end gastronomy, and a modernized fleet with innovative and even more sustainable solutions. These three strategic pillars aim to unite sea and land in a single experiential concept that will shape the company's roadmap through 2026.
In the words of Mario Zanetti, President of Costa Cruises: “For almost 78 years, change and the ability to anticipate the future have been part of our DNA. Today, the challenge lies in continuing to create memorable travel experiences that connect the sea and the land in a unique offering within the tourism landscape. Costa Cruises is now a flexible and adaptable platform of experiences, capable of creating the right product for audiences of different ages thanks to constant innovation and investment in the fleet and the Costa Cruises offering.”
- Itineraries and sailing experiences
Among the main new features announced is a comprehensive overhaul of itineraries in the Caribbean, Asia, Northern Europe, and the Western Mediterranean. This offering is complemented by the evolution of Sea & Land Destinations, experiences that take place both at sea—the ship stops completely at iconic locations around the world—and on land, emphasizing a connection with the environment. Unique natural phenomena at sea, such as solar eclipses or the Northern Lights, reinforce the commitment to personalization and the creation of unforgettable memories.
- Fine dining: a new chapter at Archipelago
The 2026 offering is rounded out with a new culinary chapter at the company's flagship restaurant, Archipelago. After years of delighting diners on board, chefs Ángel León, Bruno Barbieri, and Hélène Darroze will create a collaborative menu, available starting in spring. This menu, based on innovative and groundbreaking culinary techniques, aims to amplify the senses and transform gastronomy into a shared experience, inspired by destinations both on land and at sea.
- Fleet renewal
Costa continues to advance its fleet renewal plan, with over €200 million invested since 2021, aimed at further improving energy efficiency and enriching the onboard experience through new spaces, renovated suites, and redesigned outdoor areas. In this context, the recently refurbished Costa Serena debuts with a new pop art and incorporates innovative concepts such as the Temple of Light, as well as new culinary offerings and exclusive experiences.
As Giuseppe Carino, Senior Vice President of Land and Sea Experiences at Costa Cruises, announced at the event, this process will continue in the coming years with the future renovations of the Costa Toscana, Costa Favolosa and Costa Pacifica.
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