When the Asian Games kick off in Aichi-Nagoya this month, athletes will be greeted with an unexpected sight: the busy industrial landscape of Nagoya Port. Rather than a traditional athletes’ village, the Costa Serena, a large Italian cruise ship, will serve as a unique floating accommodations for the event. Docking at Kinjo Pier from September 15 to October 4, the ship will host thousands of participants and officials.
This creative solution addresses a common challenge for cities hosting large events: finding enough places for visitors without overspending on facilities that might go unused after the Games conclude. With the addition of new sports like teqball and padel, organizers now expect over 17,000 athletes and team members, an increase from earlier estimates of 15,000. They have assured that all housing arrangements were finalized before the July deadline, with some athletes also staying in nearby hotels and temporary facilities. Athletes competing in swimming, diving, and equestrian events will be accommodated closer to Tokyo.
But how did a luxury cruise ship become part of the accommodation plan for the Asian Games?
WHY USE A CRUISE SHIP?
The answer boils down to cost and practical logistics. Building a traditional athletes’ village requires substantial investment in construction and infrastructure that might not have future use. In contrast, the Costa Serena already offers thousands of cabins, dining facilities, and recreational areas, allowing organizers to simply rent it for three weeks.
The deal for the ship was reportedly handled by JTB’s Nagoya Business Division for about 4.5 billion yen, which is roughly $30 million. This approach isn’t entirely new; similar plans were used at the 2019 Summer Universiade in Naples, Italy, where cruise ships provided accommodations for over 4,000 guests. The success of that setup led the Olympic Council of Asia to consider a similar option for Aichi-Nagoya.
For Japan, the logic is simple: why spend years constructing temporary accommodations when a floating hotel can conveniently dock in the harbor?
WHAT IS THE COSTA SERENA?
The Costa Serena, built by the Italian company Fincantieri in 2007, features 14 decks and can hold around 5,000 people. Originally designed with 557 balcony cabins, eight restaurants, ten bars, and several pools, the ship received significant upgrades in 2025 as part of a fleet refurbishment. While the original design drew inspiration from Greek mythology, its recent renovations added modern pop-art touches and high-speed Starlink internet throughout.
Dining on the ship is diverse, offering everything from pizza and sushi to gourmet meals crafted by accomplished chefs. However, during the Asian Games, life aboard will be geared away from leisure and towards the needs of the athletes, with a focus on nutritious meals and rest for optimal performance.
A CRUISE SHIP WITHOUT THE CRUISE
Throughout the three weeks, the Costa Serena will function as a stationary hotel, docked at Kinjo Pier, providing a stable base for athletes to relax and travel to nearby sporting venues. Between 4,000 and 5,000 guests are expected onboard, mainly athletes participating in events around Nagoya, such as judo, wrestling, and archery. Instead of trying to fit every participant into one location, this strategy allows organizers to utilize various hotels and accommodations in the region, while offering a centralized hub in Nagoya.
THE TYPHOON FACTOR
Hosting a major event outdoors in Japan during typhoon season poses challenges. The idea of accommodating numerous elite athletes on a ship during potential severe weather has raised valid concerns. However, organizers believe the risks can be managed since significant weather patterns can typically be monitored ahead of time. Although specific contingency plans have not been publicized, officials are confident that the advantages of this arrangement outweigh any potential issues.
ARRIVAL AND POST-GAMES PLANS
The Costa Serena is set to arrive in Nagoya on September 15, just days before the opening ceremony. To celebrate its arrival, the Olympic Council of Asia has organized a traditional welcome ceremony featuring samurai performances and taiko drum displays. Around 500 members of the public will have a chance to witness the dockside celebration, although they won’t be allowed on the ship itself.
Once the welcoming festivities conclude, the ship will quickly shift to hosting athletes. Its time as a sports village will be brief, wrapping up after the closing ceremony on October 4, when it will depart for a 65-day journey to Argentina, where it will replace another ship in the fleet.
For those three weeks, a vessel designed for relaxation and vacations will serve a very different purpose, filled with talented athletes preparing for their biggest competitions. For Aichi-Nagoya, this innovative solution effectively solves an age-old challenge: how to host thousands of visitors without creating underutilized facilities. The answer? Simply bring the village to the port.
