Seizing Taiwan’s Summer Travel Market: Costa Cruises Launches Japan–Korea Limited-Time Summer Voyages

▲Costa Cruises will launch limited-time summer voyages to Japan and Korea from Taiwan. (Photo / Courtesy ofCosta Cruisesofficial website)

Reported by Huang Shiyuan / Taipei

The world’s largest cruise company, Carnival Corporation, through its brand Costa Cruises, has set its sights on the Taiwanese market and announced the launch of limited-time summer voyages to Japan and Korea. These cruises will be operated by the Costa Victoria, with itineraries divided into two main segments: departures from Busan, South Korea, and Keelung Port in Taiwan. The Busan departures will call at ports including Fukuoka, Maizuru, Kanazawa, and Sakaiminato (Matsue), while the Keelung departures mainly feature two routes: one to Ishigaki Island and Okinawa, and another to Busan and Nagasaki—offering travelers a unique alternative for summer overseas trips.

Tang Fengrong, Vice President of Sales for China, Japan, and North Asia at Costa Cruises, stated that the new routes are specially tailored for passengers from Taiwan and the Asia-Pacific region. The 5-night, 6-day voyages departing from Busan all follow a late departure, early return schedule, allowing guests to enjoy the cruise’s various services and entertainment facilities in the evening and go ashore for sightseeing during the day. The itinerary includes stops at Busan, Fukuoka, Maizuru, Kanazawa, and Sakaiminato (Matsue), before returning to Busan. As a summer-limited offering, there will be only nine sailings in total from the maiden voyage on July 29 to September, with prices starting from NT$40,000 (excluding land excursions).

Additionally, Costa Cruises has partnered with Sanfu Travel to design several sailings for Taiwanese travelers departing from Keelung Port. The 3-night, 4-day route calling at Ishigaki Island and Okinawa also follows a late departure, early return schedule, with prices starting from over NT$20,000. The 5-night, 6-day route calling at Busan and Nagasaki also operates on a late departure, early return basis, with prices starting from over NT$40,000.