Costa Serena Makes Maiden Yokohama Call Ahead of 65-Night Grand Voyage From Tokyo to Argentina

Costa Cruises’ 114,500-gross-ton vessel Costa Serena has marked its historic maiden call at the Port of Yokohama, concluding more than a decade of dedicated East Asian service ahead of an extraordinary 65-night grand voyage to South America. The milestone visit on 7 October 2026 was commemorated with an official onboard plaque exchange between Captain Orazio D’Aita and a 15-member delegation from the Yokohama Port and Harbor Bureau’s Cruise Promotion and Technical divisions, signaling the close of the ship's regional residency before embarking on an intercontinental route connecting Japan, Oceania, and Argentina.

Following the Yokohama turnaround, Costa Serena is scheduled to depart Tokyo on 18 October 2026 on a 66-day (65-night) trans-oceanic voyage to Buenos Aires, navigating across 15 countries and three continents before spending the southern hemisphere summer operating South American coastal itineraries.

Multistage Global Deployment Timeline

The maiden Yokohama arrival represents the culmination of Costa Serena’s extended Asian chapter—during which it operated domestic Japanese, South Korean, and Taiwanese itineraries—and initiates a multistage redeployment spanning the Pacific, Patagonia, and Europe.

Deployment Stage & Milestone	Operational Dates	Confirmed Routing & Ports
Maiden Yokohama Port Call	7 October 2026	Plaque exchange at Port of Yokohama; start of 11-night Japan/Korea loop
Intercontinental Grand Voyage	18 October – 22 December 2026	65 nights: Tokyo to Buenos Aires via Australia and the South Pacific
Segment 1: Tokyo to Sydney	18 October – 13 November 2026	26 days: Philippines (Boracay), overnight Bali, Darwin, Australian coast
Segment 2: Sydney to San Antonio	13 November – 10 December 2026	27 days: Trans-Pacific crossing calling at Tahiti, Rarotonga, Easter Island
Segment 3: San Antonio to Buenos Aires	10 December – 22 December 2026	15 days: Chilean Fjords, Ushuaia (overnight), Cape Horn scenic cruise
South American Seasonal Homeports	22 December 2026 – April 2027	3- to 9-night sailings from Buenos Aires, Montevideo, and Rio de Janeiro
Mediterranean Repositioning	Late April 2027	Arrival at Palacrociere Terminal in Savona, Italy, for European summer season

Unlike standard repositioning sailings, Costa Cruises has structured the 65-night voyage as both a complete grand voyage and three modular, bookable sectors, allowing international guests to tailor their journeys to individual travel schedules.

Trans-Oceanic Itinerary Highlights Across Three Continents

The 65-night voyage from Tokyo to Buenos Aires provides an extensive navigational transit linking East Asia with South America:

• Asia & Australia Corridor (Tokyo to Sydney): Navigating through tropical Southeast Asia with multiple Philippine calls, including the white-sand beaches of Boracay, followed by an overnight exploration of Bali before entering northern Australia via Darwin and the Great Barrier Reef coastline.
• South Pacific Island Traverse (Sydney to San Antonio): Crossing the remote South Pacific basin with port calls across French Polynesia and the Cook Islands, anchored by cultural visits to Rarotonga, Papeete (Tahiti), and the iconic moai statues of Easter Island (Rapa Nui).
• Patagonian & Cape Horn Scenic Cruising (San Antonio to Buenos Aires): Traversing the dramatic Chilean Fjords, Puerto Montt, and Puerto Chacabuco, before rounding the treacherous southern tip of Cape Horn and docking overnight in Ushuaia, Argentina—the world's southernmost city.

Fleet Revitalisation and Onboard Enhancements

Costa Serena enters this extended deployment following an extensive late-2025 drydock refurbishment executed under Costa’s €200 million fleet modernisation programme. The technical and hospitality upgrade refreshed the vessel's guest accommodation, public lounges, and culinary offerings:

1. Pop-Art Aesthetic: Modernized public spaces and atriums featuring contemporary pop-art-inspired color palettes and European interior design.
2. Signature Italian & Asian Dining: Addition of specialized culinary venues including Sushino@Costa (high-end Japanese sushi bistro), Pizzeria Pummid’Oro (traditional stone-baked Italian pizza), and a newly configured casual Food Court.
3. Upgraded Wellness & Staterooms: Comprehensive renovations across ocean-view cabins, balcony suites, refreshed sundecks, and the ship’s expansive multi-level Samsara Spa complex.

Planning Guidelines for Long-Haul Cruise Passengers

Travelers considering segments of the grand voyage or the upcoming South American deployment should observe essential travel parameters:

• Entry and Visa Formalities: Navigating 15 countries requires thorough verification of nationality-specific entry visas, transit permits, and electronic travel authorizations (such as Australia’s ETA, Chile's entry declarations, and Argentina’s migration rules).
• Segment Transfers vs. Full Voyage: Guests booking individual legs (such as Tokyo–Sydney or Sydney–San Antonio) must coordinate international one-way return flights from differing destination hubs.
• Onboard Inclusions: While standard buffet and main dining room meals are included in the fare, specialty restaurants, alcoholic beverage packages, organized shore tours, and crew gratuities entail additional charges.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When did Costa Serena make its maiden call at Yokohama?

Costa Serena arrived at the Port of Yokohama on 7 October 2026, where a 15-member port delegation welcomed Captain Orazio D’Aita and crew with a commemorative plaque exchange.

What is Costa Serena's route from Tokyo to Buenos Aires?

Departing Tokyo on 18 October 2026, the 65-night voyage sails via the Philippines, Bali, Australia, French Polynesia, Easter Island, Chile, and Cape Horn, arriving in Argentina on 22 December 2026.

Can travelers book individual segments of the 65-night voyage?

Yes. Costa Cruises offers three distinct bookable segments: Tokyo to Sydney (26 days), Sydney to San Antonio (27 days), and San Antonio to Buenos Aires (15 days).

Where will Costa Serena sail after concluding its South American season?

Following regional cruises from Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro through April 2027, Costa Serena will reposition to Savona, Italy, to begin Mediterranean operations.