Costa Deliziosa’s first three departures, 6, 13 and 20 September, and Costa Diadema’s first departure, 19 September, will be reserved for guests resident in Italy.

However, cruises from 27 September will be on sale to residents of another 29 countries, including the UK and Ireland.

While primarily aimed at the Italian market, Carnival’s Costa brand has broadened its market for the winter with Italy offering one of the few cruise departure points in Europe.

Costa, which resumed operations this week under strict new Covid health and safety standards, says it has redesigned its itineraries from October through to March 2021 to offer a wider range of ships.

The line said details of its new winter itineraries would be available online and from travel agents shortly, adding it was working with national governments and local authorities to "offer a safe and positive experience" for all guests.

The programme will include a debut for Costa Firenze, which will sail seven-day voyages on the Med from 27 December, taking in Savona, La Spezia, Naples, Valencia, Barcelona and Marseille.

Starting from 10 October, Costa Deliziosa will sail one-week cruises from Trieste to Greece, while Costa Smerelda will sail the western Med from Savona, also starting 10 October.

In November, Costa Diadema will sail a 12-day Canary Islands itinerary and and a 14-day itinerary to Egypt and Greece.

The line’s 13th world cruise will depart on 3 January 2021 onboard Costa Deliziosa.