Costa Deliziosa World Cruise 2028 Features Three South African Port Calls
Costa Cruises has unveiled an ambitious 139-night world voyage departing in late 2027 that will bring the Italian line's flagship long-haul product to Southern African shores. The announcement carries particular significance for travel professionals across the continent, as the itinerary includes extended calls at three major South African coastal cities.
The Costa Deliziosa will visit Durban, Port Elizabeth, and Cape Town as part of its Indian Ocean and Southern African segment, offering opportunities for both inbound tourism services and potential embarkation options for clients seeking to join portions of this epic global journey.
Scheduled to depart the Italian port of Savona on 25 November 2027, the voyage will circumnavigate the globe before returning to the same Mediterranean homeport on 11 April 2028. Throughout this remarkable journey, passengers will visit 51 destinations spanning 29 countries across five continents and three oceans.
Luigi Stefanelli, Vice President of Worldwide Sales for the cruise line, described the offering as designed for travellers who wish to explore the world without rushing. He emphasised that the itinerary reflects the company's commitment to creating distinctive, high-value journeys for dedicated world explorers seeking depth and authentic experiences rather than hurried port-hopping.
The voyage follows a westbound routing, beginning with an Atlantic crossing to North America. Extended stays in New York and Los Angeles anchor the opening weeks, with the latter hosting a New Year's Eve celebration that promises to be a highlight of the early programme. From California, the ship continues across the Pacific, calling in Hawaii before reaching the island nations of the South Pacific.
Oceania features prominently in the itinerary, with ports in Fiji, Samoa, New Zealand, and Australia included. Sydney receives a two-day call, allowing passengers substantial time to explore one of the world's most celebrated harbour cities. The Asian segment follows, incorporating Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Thailand.
The transition into the Indian Ocean brings calls in Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Mauritius before the ship reaches Southern African waters. Following the South African port calls, the Deliziosa continues northward along the Atlantic coast with stops in Namibia and Cape Verde, then proceeds to the Canary Islands, Barcelona, and Marseille before completing the circle back to Savona.
For African travel consultants, the Southern African segment presents multiple business opportunities. Ground handlers and tour operators in Durban, Port Elizabeth, and Cape Town should anticipate demand for shore excursion services, while the cruise line has indicated that multi-day overland programmes in the region will complement the port calls with inland experiences.
Additionally, Costa is offering a shorter 100-night option departing San Francisco that covers Oceania, Asia, and Africa before concluding in Savona. This alternative may appeal to clients who cannot commit to the full voyage but still wish to experience substantial portions of the journey, including the Southern African calls.
The Costa Deliziosa accommodates approximately 2,800 passengers and will operate with comprehensive onboard dining, entertainment, and enrichment programmes structured specifically for extended travel. The ship's deployment follows the line's established pattern of seasonal repositioning between European waters and long-haul markets.
The 21 island destinations included throughout the itinerary reflect growing traveller appetite for diverse experiences within a single voyage. By combining major metropolitan centres with smaller ports and island escapes, the programme addresses demand for variety while maintaining the consistent onboard experience that world cruise passengers expect.
Bookings are now open for the 2028 sailing. African travel professionals advising high-net-worth clients with interest in extended luxury travel should familiarise themselves with this product, as world cruises represent a specialised segment commanding premium pricing and attracting discerning travellers who value comprehensive global exploration within a single seamless journey.
