Costa Smeralda Cruise Ship Cancels Stop in La Goulette Due to Weather Conditions
The Costa Smeralda, a large cruise ship operated by Costa Croisières, has canceled its scheduled stop in La Goulette in early March. The official reason given is bad weather, but the context in the region raises some doubts.
Cancellation of the Stop
The ship was supposed to dock in La Goulette on March 4, 2026, but it changed course for Naples instead. This decision was made without prior notice to the passengers. The captain, Gianfranco La Fauci, informed the passengers of the cancellation through a letter on board.
Reason for Cancellation
According to the captain, the weather conditions in La Goulette were too severe, with strong winds and violent gusts. These conditions exceeded the safety limits of the port, making it too risky to navigate the access channel. As a result, the ship headed to Naples instead. The excursions that had been booked through Costa for La Goulette were refunded to the passengers' accounts.
Tunisia Remains on the Itinerary
La Goulette, the main port for Tunis, will still welcome cruise ships throughout the Mediterranean winter. The Costa Smeralda still includes La Goulette in its 2026 cruises, which also include stops in Marseille, Barcelona, Palermo, and Rome.
Impact on Local Tourism
Tunisia is trying to boost its cruise tourism industry after several difficult years. However, each cancellation has a negative impact on the local economy, with less money going to local agencies, guides, and port merchants. This is a signal that should not be ignored. The cancellation of the Costa Smeralda's stop in La Goulette is a setback for the local tourism industry, which is already struggling to recover.
