Strong Winds Block Another Cruise Ship From Mediterranean Port
Key Aspects:
Costa Smeralda has cancelled its call to La Goulette on March 4 due to anticipated strong winds.
The forecast calls for big gusts and swells that exceed the wind limits set by the port to ensure safe cruise ship operations.
Naples, Italy, will now welcome the Costa Cruises ship on Wednesday, March 4.
La Goulette-Tunis, Tunisia, is certainly getting a reputation for turning cruise ships away due to strong winds.
MSC Cruises’ MSC Splendida has already had to skip the port twice this year due to dangerous weather conditions, and now Costa Cruises’ Costa Smeralda has had to make the same call for its planned visit on March 4, 2026.
“The weather forecast for Wednesday, 4 March at La Goulette indicates adverse conditions, with strong winds and gusts expected in the area,” Costa Cruises wrote in a letterto current guests, which was obtained by Cruise Hive.
“As a result, the ship’s passage through the access channel cannot be carried out safely, making docking impossible as originally planned…the scheduled stop at La Goulette has been cancelled,” the update continued.
Costa Smeralda is currently operating several Western Mediterranean itineraries simultaneously out of Marseille, Barcelona, Rome, Savona, and Palermo.
Thankfully, La Goulette is not one of the embarkation and debarkation ports for the 5,224-passenger vessel, meaning guests’ travel plans shouldn’t be interrupted too significantly.
All shore excursions booked for La Goulette through Costa Cruises will automatically be cancelled and refunded to the original payment method without any action needed from guests.
Naples Substituted As Replacement Port
While they won’t be stopping in La Goulette, guests are still in for a treat. The 185,010-gross ton ship will call at Naples, Italy, on March 4, which is not normally part of its Mediterranean itineraries.
Aside from Tunisia, the itineraries do not typically deviate outside of the ship’s departure ports (Marseille, Barcelona, Rome, Savona, and Palermo).
“As an alternative, we will arrive in Naples on Wednesday morning at 08:00 for a full day stay,” Costa Cruises confirmed.
“We believe this decision is the most appropriate given the maritime conditions forecast in the area, in order to avoid a last-minute cancellation and offer you the opportunity to enjoy an exceptional stay in a fascinating destination like Naples,” the cruise line explained.
Tours for Naples are already available to book through the Costa Cruises app or by visiting the My Tours Desk on Deck 6.
How Much is Too Much Wind?
Generally, sustained winds of 34-46 miles per hour are generally considered too strong for a cruise ship to dock safely.
As of the morning of March 3 (local time), wind gusts in La Goulette were averaging at 26.8 mph, which is already getting a bit too strong for comfort. But by March 4, wind gusts are expected to exceed more than 40 mph.
“The currently forecast weather conditions exceed the wind limits set by the port to guarantee fully safe operations,” the cruise line stated.
Due to its coastal location, La Goulette is known for strong winds over the winter months and early spring, which are typically at their worst in February based on historical data. If weather patterns remain similar, the windy conditions should start to ease up later in spring and summer.
Costa Smeralda will be able to attempt to visit the port again (hopefully in calmer conditions) several more times this month, with visits planned for March 11, March 18, and March 25.
Cruise Hive will continue to monitor for itinerary changes and will share updates if more weather-related changes are made in the future.
Strong Winds Block Another Cruise Ship From Mediterranean Port