Costa Cruises is fast-tracking its expansion in the Port of Alicante, announcing the launch of its first-ever homeport operations in the city beginning this spring. Starting 15 April, the cruise line will introduce a new Mediterranean itinerary aboard the Costa Pacifica, featuring alternating weekly embarkations and disembarkations between Alicante and Valencia.
According to the company, the move “consolidates Costa’s presence in both cities and opens new access options for passengers joining our Mediterranean routes.”
Early Trials Become Full Launch
Originally, Costa had planned just three trial calls in June to evaluate passenger demand and the capacity of Alicante’s maritime terminal—similar to the test operation scheduled by Fred. Olsen for next October.
However, strong projections and strategic interest have led the company to bring forward full homeport operations months earlier than expected.
A No-Flight Mediterranean Holiday
The new eight-day cruise offers passengers the convenience of boarding directly in Alicante or Valencia, depending on the week. To make the alternation seamless, Costa will also operate a free shuttle bus linking the two cities whenever embarkation or disembarkation takes place at the opposite port.
A Route Through Mediterranean Icons
The itinerary includes a curated mix of cultural capitals and coastal gems:
Rome, La Spezia, Savona, Marseille, and Palma, along with the vibrant Mediterranean coast of Spain and France.
Each stop, Costa says, is designed to showcase “the rhythm, heritage, and lifestyle of Southern Europe.”
Aboard the Costa Pacifica
Launched in 2009 and accommodating around 3,780 passengers, the Costa Pacifica blends a music-themed ambience with Italian design. Onboard features include:
- 521 balcony cabins
- 9 pools and whirlpools
- 6 restaurants and 11 bars
- A panoramic spa and sea-view relaxation areas
- Live shows and entertainment on every deck
Costa highlights the ship’s “sound-inspired design” as a signature element that accompanies guests throughout the voyage.
A Boost for Local Tourism
With weekly departures from April, the company sees this as “an ideal opportunity to rediscover some of the most iconic destinations in Spain, France, and Italy while enjoying the ease of embarking directly from the Valencian coast.”
Costa Cruises—headquartered in Genoa and part of the Carnival Corporation, the world’s largest cruise group—operates a fleet of nine ships, all sailing under the Italian flag. Its global routes span the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean, South America, the Middle East, and beyond, including “World” and “Grand” cruises connecting multiple continents.
