Costa Crew Health Program Named Finalist for Welfare Award

A health initiative created to support Costa Crociere crew members living with chronic medical conditions while working at sea has been selected as a finalist for the Health and Wellbeing at Sea Award at the 2026 Crew Connect Global Awards.

The official list of finalists places Costa among five contenders in the category, which recognizes programs and initiatives designed to improve the health and wellbeing of seafarers, their families and their communities.

Costa developed Ocean’s Health in partnership with the medical team at Carnival Maritime, which provides marine and medical support services to both Costa and AIDA Cruises.

Announcing the nomination, Costa explained that the initiative brings together prevention, education, medical assistance and personalized care to support crew members who are managing chronic illnesses.

Participation in Ocean’s Health is voluntary. Crew members who enroll in the program receive a dedicated health passport and have regular appointments with onboard medical professionals. Support can also continue while crew members are at home between contracts, helping provide greater continuity of care between periods spent ashore and at sea.

Costa has previously said that medication may be made available onboard when required. Participants can also receive advice relating to nutrition, lifestyle and other areas that could help them manage their health.

The objective is to encourage crew members to take care of their health throughout their time at sea, while also promoting early intervention when a potential health issue requires attention.

Costa has recognized the contribution of its onboard medical teams, together with colleagues working both aboard its ships and ashore, in delivering the program. However, the company’s publicly available information does not state how many crew members have enrolled in Ocean’s Health or provide data on health outcomes. The award nomination therefore represents recognition of the initiative itself rather than evidence of its effectiveness.

Winners of the 2026 Crew Connect Global Awards are scheduled to be announced on October 21 during the Crew Connect Global event in Manila.