The Costa Smeralda will spend the 2024/2025 winter season in the Middle East, operating week-long cruises. In early March 2025, the ship will set sail back to the Mediterranean, embarking on a remarkable journey around the African continent. Currently, you can book this 35-night voyage from Dubai to Barcelona for as low as €1,399 per person in an inside cabin. Additional options include ocean-view cabins starting at €1,899 and balcony cabins from €2,199 (all prices per person based on double occupancy).
The listed prices include all meals at the main and buffet restaurants, as well as gratuities for the crew. The official onboard languages are Italian and English. The currency onboard is the Euro.
The Route
The cruise begins in Dubai, renowned for its modern architecture and luxury hotels. You can use the ship as a hotel that first night, as the Costa Smeralda will only depart on the second day in the early afternoon. The first destination is Muscat, the capital of Oman, followed by six days at sea before arriving in Port Louis, Mauritius. This island is famous for its sugarcane plantations and stunning beaches, with Fort Adelaide offering panoramic views of the city from its hilltop perch.
After four more days at sea, the Costa Smeralda docks at Port Elizabeth, followed by Cape Town, South Africa. Highlights here include the iconic Table Mountain and historic landmarks. The next stop is Walvis Bay, Namibia, where the ship will stay overnight.
The cruise then continues with eight consecutive sea days before reaching Tenerife, one of Spain’s Canary Islands. The final stop before reaching Barcelona is Tangier, Morocco, where you can explore winding streets and shops offering traditional goods. After 34 nights, the Costa Smeralda arrives in Barcelona, concluding this epic journey around Africa.
Here’s the detailed itinerary:
| Date | Location | Arrival | Departure |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 1 | Dubai | ||
| March 2 | Dubai | 13:00 | |
| March 3 | Muscat | 09:00 | 19:30 |
| March 4 – 10 | At sea 🌊 | ||
| March 11 | Port Louis, Mauritius | 08:00 | 18:00 |
| March 12 – 15 | At sea 🌊 | ||
| March 16 | Port Elizabeth | 08:00 | 20:00 |
| March 17 | At sea 🌊 | ||
| March 18 | Cape Town, South Africa | 08:00 | 20:00 |
| March 19 – 20 | At sea 🌊 | ||
| March 20 | Walvis Bay | 08:00 | |
| March 21 | Walvis Bay | 18:00 | |
| March 22 – 31 | At sea 🌊 | ||
| April 1 | Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands | 08:00 | 17:00 |
| April 2 | At sea 🌊 | ||
| April 3 | Tangier, Morocco | 10:00 | 19:00 |
| April 4 | At sea 🌊 | ||
| April 5 | Barcelona | 04:30 |
The Ship
The Costa Smeralda, launched in 2020, accommodates up to 5,200 passengers. With a gross tonnage of 182,000, the ship measures 337 meters in length, and 36 meters in width, and features a draft of 8 meters. It boasts 18 decks and was constructed at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, with a building cost of approximately $950 million.
The ship features 15 restaurants, including Chinese and Japanese options. Six are included in the cruise fare, offering basic dining experiences (main dining rooms and buffets). Three areas are reserved for suites, club members, or families. Six premium dining venues are available for an additional charge, providing higher-quality cuisine in exclusive settings.
Throughout the public decks, there are 19 bars, as well as amenities like a cinema, theatre, shopping centre, casino, pool deck (with a covered pool for cooler days), fitness centre, water slide, disco, aqua park, and a kids’ club.
Getting to Dubai
While Dubai has its own two airports, it is usually cheaper to fly to nearby Sharjah or even to Abu Dhabi, as these airports are used by many low-cost carriers. Here are some examples of what you’d currently pay, including luggage:
- Athens – Abu Dhabi: €116 with Wizz Air Abu Dhabi
- Copenhagen – Sharjah: €121 (~DKK 904) with Pegasus
- Vienna – Abu Dhabi: €124 with Wizz Air
- Paris-Orly – Sharjah: €138 with Pegasus
- Milan-Bergamo – Abu Dhabi: €171 with Pegasus
Feel free to use our search form to see how much flights would cost from your home city:
Cover Picture: Costa Smeralda from above | © Costa Crociere S.p.A.