The Costa Serena is set to return to mainland China in September 2024. Marking Costa Cruises’ come back to the country after a four-year gap, the vessel is scheduled to offer a series of cruises departing from Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

According to local sources, the operation will take place in partnership with a Chinese travel agency and includes 12 sailings.

The four- and five-night itineraries feature visits to destinations in Japan and Vietnam, such as Okinawa, Naha, Miyako Island, the Yaeyama Islands and Da Nang.

The sailings are available for booking via Foshan Kouan International Travel Service and are scheduled to take place between September 24 and November 10, 2024.

After a refurbishment, the Costa Serena is now offering new dining options and sporting a new look, according to the cruise organizers.

Sailing in Asia since resuming service in May 2023, the Costa Serena has been offering itineraries from several countries in the region.

After a series of cruises in India in late 2023, the 3,000-guest vessel returned to Southeast Asia in early 2024 for a short season in Malaysia.

The ship then repositioned to Taiwan, where it’s currently operating a series of short cruises to Japan and South Korea.

In December, the ship is scheduled to return to Malaysia for a second local program that includes departures from Port Klang.

Built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, the Costa Serena is currently one of the oldest ships in service for Costa Cruises.

A sister to the Costa Pacifica, the 2007-built ship has been dedicated to China and other Asian markets since 2015.

With a themed interior design that draws inspiration from ancient Roman and Greek mythology, the Serena offers a series of amenities that include a large wellness center, three pool decks and several lounges, in addition to a water slide and four dining venues.