The Costa Smeralda had to cancel a visit to La Goulette in Tunisia due to adverse weather conditions in the Western Mediterranean.
According to an update shared with guests onboard, the ship will no longer visit the port as scheduled on March 4, 2026.
“As part of the constant monitoring of all destinations included in our itinerary, we must inform you that the weather forecast for La Goulette indicates adverse conditions, with strong winds and gusts expected in the area,” the company said in a letter signed by the ship’s captain, Gianfranco La Fauci.
“The currently forecasted weather conditions exceed the wind limits established by the port to ensure operations in complete safety,” he added.
As a result, Costa Smeralda’s passage through the access channel in La Goulette cannot be carried out safely, La Fauci added.
“Therefore, in order to prioritize the safety of operations and your comfort during the holiday, considering these force majeure circumstances due to adverse weather conditions beyond our control, we have modified the itinerary.”
The Costa Smeralda is now scheduled to visit the port of Naples in Italy on March 4, 2026, he continued.
“We are certain you will understand the reasons for this modification due to force majeure, putting safety first. We believe this decision is the most appropriate in light of the expected maritime conditions in the area.”
Shore excursions booked through Costa for La Goulette, which serves as a getaway to Tunisia’s capital city of Tunis, will be fully refunded to guests’ onboard accounts.
Sailing to Spain, France and Italy, the Costa Smeralda is currently offering a seven-night cruise to the Western Mediterranean.
In addition to La Goulette, the ship’s original itinerary included visits to Barcelona, Marseille, Savona, Palermo and Civitavecchia.
One of Costa’s largest vessels, the Smeralda was built at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland and entered service in 2021.