October 5, 2026 — Costa Cruises has changed how its engine-room officers stand watch, replacing two four-hour watches a day with a single six-hour watch. The line says the aim is better rest for crew, with round-the-clock coverage unchanged.
Costa, a Carnival Corporation brand, described the change for its ships in general and did not name individual vessels. The effective date has not been published (TBA).
What changed
| Before | Now | |
|---|---|---|
| Watch teams | Three | Four |
| Watches per team each day | Two of four hours | One of six hours |
| Watchkeeping hours per day | Eight | Six |
| Coverage | 24 hours | 24 hours |
Costa says the new pattern gives engineers “more uninterrupted time between watches.” The company adds that supervision, safety procedures and communication in the engine room stay the same.
What it means for airline travelers
- No effect on your cruise. Itineraries, ports and onboard services do not change.
- A familiar idea. Airline crews will recognize the logic: one longer duty block with a longer unbroken rest period, instead of a split shift.
- Interline rates: Unaffected.
Sources
- Cruise Industry News — Costa Adjusts Engine Watchkeeping Team Schedule
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