Indian athletes report long waits for cabins on Costa Serena

Some Indian athletes reportedly waited more than 12 hours on Wednesday to receive cabins aboard Costa Serena, the cruise ship being used to house participants at the 2026 Asian Games.

An Indian rower said members of the contingent arrived at the accommodation facility at about 9 a.m. Japan Standard Time, but only a few had received rooms by 8:30 p.m. The rower alleged that some athletes were stranded for more than 14 hours with minimal facilities and no food provided beyond supplies they had brought from home. According to the athlete, the organizing committee supplied only water.

The rower also alleged that athletes who had secured cabins were asked to accommodate additional people, suggesting organizers had miscalculated the number of athletes requiring rooms. Separately, Indian shooters were checked into another hotel after their planned accommodation was occupied by others.

The organizing committee said approximately 4,000 athletes and officials were expected to stay aboard Costa Serena. The ship docked at Nagoya Port on Tuesday and was being used as floating accommodation during the Games.