Costa Flagship Arrives in Dubai for a Season of Middle East Cruises

Costa Toscana, the latest flagship of Costa Cruises, made its inaugural call at Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal today, December 16. To celebrate the occasion, an event was held on board the ship attended by local and Italian authorities. 

Throughout the winter of 2022/23, Costa Toscana will offer week-long itineraries in the Persian Gulf, departing from Dubai and visiting destinations such as Oman, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar. Costa Cruises is one of several cruise lines that has sent its flagship to the Middle East, becoming an ever more popular cruise destination. 

Costa Toscana Arrives in Dubai

Costa Cruises celebrated the inaugural call of its flagship, Costa Toscana, at the Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal today, December 16. This terminal, which the Costa Group opened in December 2021, is the most modern in Dubai and will be the home port for the Excel-class Costa Toscana throughout the winter of 2022/23.

The 182,700 gross-ton Costa Toscana was welcomed to the Arabian Peninsula by local Dubai dignitaries and representatives from the Italian cruise line during a ceremony onboard. 

During its time in the Persian Gulf, the ship will offer 13 week-long cruises in the Arabian Gulf, with the option to include a “flight+cruise” package.

Costa Toscana‘s itinerary will include stops in Dubai, Muscat in Oman, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar. The ship will also offer overnight calls in Muscat, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai on several cruises, giving guests all the time they need to explore these exciting destinations. 

Tours that the 5,224 guests onboard can partake in include visits to Ferrari World and the Louvre museum in Abu Dhabi, a cruise on a traditional Dhow boat in Oman, an excursion to the spectacular Wadi Al Arbeieen canyon, with its lakes and pools of water carved out of Oman’s desert mountains, and even a helicopter tour around the skyscrapers of Dubai. 

Golf lovers can take advantage of the “cruise & golf” package, which allows them to play at some of the most beautiful clubs in the Gulf during the ship’s port calls.

Middle East Cruises Increasingly Popular

A flagship is typically the most important cruise ship in the fleet, and where that ship sails says a lot about the importance of a region to a company. There can be no surprise that Costa Cruises sent Costa Toscana to Dubai. 

Over the last couple of years, cruising in the middle east has become a popular option for thousands of cruisers. Not only is it a fascinating area through its history, architecture, and geography; the year-round sunny weather, combined with easy flights from Europe and Asia, make it a popular alternative to the Caribbean.

MSC Cruises’ flagship, World Europa, played an important role during this year’s Fifa World Cup football in Qatar and will be sailing a season of cruises around the region in the coming months. The Costa Toscana is an excellent addition to that ship. 

Onboard, Costa Toscana offers a range of dining options in 21 different restaurants created by renowned chefs Bruno Barbieri, Hélène Darroze, and Ángel León. The ship will also debut a new entertainment show, “Essence,” inspired by the “Arabian Nights” atmosphere of the Arabian Gulf.

In terms of sustainability, Costa Toscana is powered by liquefied natural gas and equipped with technology designed to reduce its environmental impact. The ship’s interiors have been created by world-famous designer Adam D. Tihany and feature “Made in Italy” furnishings, fabrics, and accessories. 

Costa Toscana will operate in the Persian Gulf through March 2023, after which she will reposition to the Mediterranean, where she will spend the summer sailing seven-night cruises to Civitavecchia, Genoa, Marseille, and Barcelona.