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Costa Cruises sets sail from Alicante next spring
New alternating departures with Valencia will bring fresh Mediterranean adventures and a boost to local tourism
Alicante’s cruise scene is about to get even more exciting. Costa Cruises has confirmed that from Tuesday April 15, the Costa Pacifica will begin alternating embarkations and disembarkations between Alicante and Valencia, marking the company’s first home port operation in the city.Until now, Costa had only planned a small trial this June to test demand, but strong interest has encouraged the cruise line to move forward sooner. “This expansion consolidates our presence in both cities and provides new access options to our Mediterranean itinerary,” company representatives said.
The Costa Pacifica, which carries around 3,780 passengers, will sail on eight-day Mediterranean routes visiting Rome, La Spezia, Savona, Marseille and Palma. For travellers, it’s a chance to enjoy southern Europe without the hassle of flying, and there’s even a free coach link on offer between Alicante and Valencia for those embarking or disembarking in the other city.
Known for its lively design and musical themes, the Costa Pacifica offers restaurants, live shows, panoramic pools and a spa overlooking the sea. “It combines the joyful spirit of music with the elegance of Italian design,” the company described.The launch is being celebrated locally as a major milestone. Alicante’s mayor, Luis Barcala, called it “magnificent news,” adding that “the commitment of such a major company demonstrates the historic moment tourism is experiencing in our city.” Councillor for Tourism Ana Poquet agreed, noting that when passengers begin or end their trips in Alicante, “spending rises from around 80 euros to more than 300 euros” as hotel stays and dining are added in.
Costa Cruises’ Mediterranean route will continue until the end of September, with alternating departures between Alicante and Valencia. While some dates are already confirmed through the early summer, more sailings may follow depending on demand.
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The port of Alicante is increasingly recognised as a cruise destination and departure point. This year will finish with a record 104 cruises bringing 250,000 passengers and generating over 64 million euros in economic impact. Next year promises even more with 114 cruise stops and an estimated 300,000 passengers expected.
With record cruise numbers in Alicante and ships bringing hundreds of thousands of passengers each year, this latest step cements the city’s growing reputation as a key stop, and now starting point, on the Mediterranean map.
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Images: Dušan veverkolog and Arun Sharker/Unsplash
