Costa introduces its newest homeport, Dubai

You’ve sailed the Caribbean more times than you care to remember. Alaska is old news. Europe—been there, done that. Where’s a jaded cruiser to go? According to Costa, the next cruising hotspot is the Middle East.

The Italian cruise line is the first international company to make Dubai a homeport. The Costa Classica will offer seven-night sailings to Muscat, Oman; Fujairah and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; and Bahrain. It will cruise this route through April 15.

Next winter, Costa intends to base two ships in Dubai. The Costa Romantica and the Costa Europa will take over the route from the Costa Classica and sail from December 2007 through February and March 2008. The Costa Classica will reposition to another homeport.

If you’ve sailed everywhere else, Costa could provide a new and different route to experience. If you’ve never sailed before, you’ve got the whole world from which to choose.