The Organizing Committee of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and Asian Para Games is chartering the Costa Serena.

According to Chunichi Shimbun Online Edition, the vessel will serve as a floating Olympic village, accommodating athletes during the games, which will take place in Nagoya, Japan, between Sep. 19 and Oct. 4, 2026.

Chunichi Shimbun said that the Costa Serena will remain docked at the Kinjo Pier in Nagoya Port as part of a deal that was signed on Sep. 30, 2025.

The contract was negotiated with JTB’s Nagoya Business Division and is reportedly worth 4.5 billion yen (nearly $30 million). The company serves as the official agent of Costa Cruises in Japan.

The local news source added that the organizing committee decided not to set up a traditional athlete’s village in order to cut costs.

As previously reported by Cruise Industry News, the charter is also part of a request from the Olympic Council of Asia.

In 2024, organizers said that inspiration came from previous experiences with cruise ships serving as accommodation in major events, including the 2019 Napoli Summer Universiade in Naples, Italy.

During the games, the Costa Victoria and the MSC Lirica hosted over 4,000 delegates from over 70 countries for an 11-day stay.

Chunichi Shimbun noted that it will be the first time that a cruise ship is used as a facility for athletes at the Asian Games.

The Costa Serena is expected to host around 4,000 athletes and other guests, while another 2,400 will be accommodated in nearby temporary housing and hotels.

Sailing in Asia on a year-round basis, the 2007-built vessel underwent a major refurbishment in late 2025, debuting a new look and additional features.

The ship is then set to reposition to the Western Hemisphere soon after the completion of the contract, starting a 65-day cruise to Argentina.