Costa Atlantica Returns to Southern Europe

In southern Europe, the Costa Atlantica recently returned to port after several months anchored off Cyprus.

Besides visiting Augusta and Naples in March, the Spirit-class vessel is currently traveling to Marseille.

Once the cruise ship arrives at the French port, it will undergo scheduled maintenance in a local shipyard three years after its last drydock.

2018 marked the first year since Costa Cruises sold the Costa Atlantica to Carnival Corporation’s joint venture with China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC).

Following the COVID-19 pandemic operational halt in early 2020, the vessel was handed over to its new owners.

The Atlantica retained the original name and features of Costa despite the change of ownership.

An Adora Cruises brand will launch in China in November 2022 as part of a joint venture between Carnival Corporation and CSSC.

It expects to welcome its first guests in late 2023 after completing a new building in Shanghai.

It is not yet known when the Costa Atlantica and Costa Mediterranea, which were also sold to the joint-venture in 2018, will resume service.

Carnival Corporation’s Spirit Class was launched with the Atlantica in 2000.

There are four ships in the series operated by Carnival Cruise Line along with the Costa Mediterranea: the Carnival Spirit, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Legend, and Carnival Pride.

In mid-2013, Costa Cruises repositioned the 2,100-guest ship to Asia after it had served Europe for nearly 15 years.

The Atlantica will serve Singapore, Taiwan, China, and other countries and markets year-round through 2020.

Moreover, the ship was the first to offer a world cruise from China in 2015. The itinerary included stops in 28 countries over the course of 86 days, sailing roundtrip from Shanghai.