Sea holidays conquer Romanians: Mediterranean cruises, top of the list

Tourist cruises represent an area with great potential for development in the industry in our country, as only 37,000 Romanians chose to spend their vacation this way in 2025, which represents only 0.17% of the number of tourists in Romania, said representatives of Costa Cruises, one of the largest cruise lines in the world, during an event organized in Bucharest, attended by over 100 tourism partners and media representatives.

Therefore, the Italian company has decided to accelerate its development on the Romanian market, amid the growing interest in sea holidays and the significant growth potential of the cruise segment. For the Italian company, Romania is the second largest market in Central and Eastern Europe and the sixth in the EU, with an estimated annual growth of 5-10%.

Thus, as part of its strategy, Costa aims to strengthen local partnerships, increase brand visibility and launch itineraries adapted to the new expectations of Romanian travelers.

Mirco Vassallo, International Region Director at Costa Cruises, stated during the event in Bucharest: "Romania represents a market with remarkable untapped potential, and our presence here reflects the strong confidence we have in its long-term growth. Romanian travelers are increasingly looking for authentic experiences, comfort and discovery. Costa's mission is to support this evolution, offering something truly distinct: the perfect balance between the Italian Essence concept, innovative itineraries integrated with unique Sea&Land Destination activities and exceptional culinary experiences".

The representative of the Italian company stated that the cruise industry reached over 34.6 million passengers in 2024, fully recovering the losses from the pandemic. According to data provided by the Costa Cruises representative, our country is one of the fastest growing markets in the cruise industry.

"If we look at the graph of the number of people going on cruises compared to the population, we see mature markets such as the USA (13 million guests), the UK or Germany (2 million each). In contrast, in Central and Eastern Europe, very few people know what a cruise is or have tried one. This means huge growth potential and a completely untapped market. The market in Romania is growing by 12-15% every year. While in 2026 we estimate between 33,000 and 45,000 passengers, I am convinced that in the next two to three years Romania will easily reach 100,000 passengers. This means investments in distribution, new websites, promotions and collaboration with the over 2,200 local travel agents. Romania is the largest country in Eastern Europe in terms of population (over 18 million) and has growing air connections. Flight connections are vital, as ships are not in Bucharest, so we have to get to the port of embarkation. Costa Cruises has been in Romania for years, but now we are ready for a major change. We are ready to put cruises on the same level as other tourism products”, said Mirco Vassallo.

Moreover, to support Romanian tourists, Costa Cruises will soon launch the application used on board in Romanian, thus offering passengers easy access to the daily activity program, the menus of the numerous restaurants, details about the excursions in each destination and other services available on the ship.

In fact, tourists from Romania represent approximately 25% of all Costa passengers from Central and Eastern Europe. In recent years, Costa Cruises sales in Romania have increased by over 70% compared to 2023. In Costa's business, Romania recorded strong double-digit growth in 2025, consolidating its position among the best-performing markets in Central and Eastern Europe and becoming an increasingly important contributor to the company's international diversification strategy.

Embarkation ports are easily accessible for Romanians, thanks to excellent air connections from Bucharest, Cluj, Timisoara and Iaşi to Barcelona, Rome (Civitavecchia) and Dubai, and this connectivity supports the market's growth potential.

According to estimates regarding the evolution of the cruise market in Romania, the penetration rate is still low (0.17%), with approximately 37,000 passengers in 2025. Their number is expected to increase to 50,000 passengers in 2028. The annual market growth rate is estimated between 12% and 15%, and for 2026 Costa is targeting a 7% increase in sales in Romania.

• Which destinations do tourists prefer and how much does a cruise cost

Over half of Costa passengers (56%) choose cruises in the Mediterranean Sea, 22% opt for the United Arab Emirates, and the rest prefer Northern Europe, the Canary Islands or the Caribbean. The trend is also maintained in Romania. There is also a growing interest in 4-5-night mini-cruises, preferred especially by young people (25-35 years old) and young families (up to 40 years old).

All Inclusive cruise packages have prices from 599 euros/person. These include a 7-night stay with full board, the MyDrinks alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks package, accommodation in an inside cabin and port taxes. The offer is valid until March 2 for cruises operating until December 2026.

The Mediterranean Sea is the main vacation option for Romanians, both in the summer season and in the autumn and spring months, for its mild temperatures and variety. Most tourists prefer itineraries in the Western Mediterranean, with stops in Italy, France and Spain, including spectacular destinations such as Marseille (Calanques), Naples-Capri, Ibiza or Mallorca.

In August, Romanians can enjoy an incredible experience. The company launched a cruise in the Balearic Sea during the total solar eclipse, an incredible natural phenomenon, unseen in the last 20 years. Costa Pacifica is the only ship that, during the eclipse, will stop sailing to allow guests to fully enjoy this unique moment. Tourists can already find holiday packages for this program at partner agencies, with flights and transfer services, at advantageous rates.

Adrenaline enthusiasts and atypical experiences can opt for these in the destinations they visit, where they can see sharks, do mountain climbing routes and even go via ferrata.

The Greek islands (Mykonos, Santorini) are among the most attractive options, including special experiences at sea, such as sailing over the deepest point in the Mediterranean Sea, the Calypso Trench, with a depth of 5,109 meters, located in Greece, where the ship slows down to offer guests a spectacular view of starfish, or at the Cetacean Sanctuary.

Northern Europe is chosen by Romanians who prefer nature and cooler temperatures, with Norwegian fjords and attractions such as Geiranger and the Seven Sisters Waterfall. In 2026, partner agencies are betting on this destination, following the interest from the previous year, as evidenced by flight packages included from several major cities in the country.

During the winter, Romanians choose exotic cruises, whether they opt for itineraries in the Caribbean or in the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar, where they enjoy warm days at the beach.

• Sea&Land Destinations - a unique concept on the cruise market

According to Costa Cruises representatives, Romanian tourists are increasingly attracted to cruise ship holidays, both due to the price and facilities on board, as well as the diversification of itineraries, with the possibility of visiting several places on the same trip.

Thus, during the event in Bucharest, Costa Cruises presented a unique concept on the cruise market, Sea&Land Destinations, a product that combines exclusive destinations at sea (Sea Destinations) - immersive experiences lived directly on board - with carefully selected destinations on shore (Land Destinations), which allow for a deeper and more authentic discovery of each place.

For example, in the Western Mediterranean, guests can enjoy Sea Destinations experiences, such as a sunrise concert in the Bay of Calanques National Park, where a pianist performs at dawn amidst the scents of lavender, rosemary and orange blossom as the ship sails through the "Mediterranean fjords”. As a Land Destination, travelers can opt for a memorable experience at the Barcelona Aquarium, where they can swim with 11 sharks in a unique diving experience.

In Northern Europe, itineraries include spectacular fjords, complemented by Sea Destinations, such as crossing the "Seven Sisters” waterfall, which offers sweeping and memorable views of the cliffs, admired from a panoramic point exclusively at sea.

In the Arabian Gulf, Costa Smeralda cruises will sail to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Muscat, and Land Destinations include a 4x4 experience through the golden dunes of the desert, followed by traditional Bedouin-style hospitality.

In the Canary Islands, Costa itineraries aboard Costa Pacifica will explore some of the archipelago's most spectacular islands, such as Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura, offering a combination of volcanic landscapes, black sand beaches, vibrant cities and a distinct local culture.

To ensure that tourists benefit from the best conditions, Costa Cruises is carrying out an extensive process of renewal and modernization of the fleet, with investments of over 200 million euros to upgrade ships, modernize spaces, improve design and integrate the latest innovations. An example is the Costa Serena ship, which recently resumed operations in Asia after a total transformation, now with a modern design that reinterprets the figures from Greek mythology, using "pop" art through bold colors and shapes.