Brazil is preparing for 2026–27 cruise season, with eight ships scheduled for regular operations and more than 800,000 passenger berths available across their voyages.

The season is expected to bring around 700 port calls through April 9, 2027. Figures from CLIA Brasil, published by Brazilian travel outlet Mercado & Eventos on October 13, point to an approximately 24% increase in capacity compared with the previous season. The berth figure represents spaces offered across the season, rather than confirmed passenger bookings.

The fleet will include five MSC Cruises ships, MSC Virtuosa, MSC Divina, MSC Musica, MSC Splendida and MSC Seaview, alongside Costa Diadema, Costa Serena and Corazul’s Buenavista. That is one more ship than the seven deployed for regular Brazilian coastal cruises in 2025–26.

One of the biggest changes is the arrival of Corazul, adding another operator to a market long dominated by MSC and Costa. Buenavista is scheduled to begin its first commercial sailing from Santos on October 23, two weeks earlier than initially planned.

The ship can accommodate up to 2,140 guests. Its Brazilian program includes departures from Santos and Rio de Janeiro, with calls at destinations such as Búzios, Ilhabela, Balneário Camboriú and Salvador. Selected longer voyages will include an overnight stay in Salvador, while holiday sailings cover Christmas, New Year and Carnival.

MSC Virtuosa will also make its Brazilian debut. MSC’s published program includes seven-night cruises from Santos visiting Búzios, Salvador and Maceió, with embarkation also available in the two northeastern cities.

MSC Divina will offer its first regular Brazilian season, focusing on shorter cruises from Santos. MSC Seaview and MSC Splendida will provide longer options combining Brazilian ports with destinations in Argentina and Uruguay, including Buenos Aires and Punta del Este.

Passengers will be able to begin or end cruises at seven Brazilian ports: Santos, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Maceió, Itajaí, Balneário Camboriú and Paranaguá. Paranaguá’s return to regular embarkation operations is among the season’s changes, while Balneário Camboriú is expanding its role after joining the embarkation network in 2025–26.

The eight-ship fleet does not include every cruise vessel visiting Brazil. Another 28 ships from 22 companies are scheduled to make more than 200 calls at 32 ports and stopping points during international voyages, extending cruise activity beyond the main coastal routes to destinations including the Amazon region.

The expansion follows a weaker previous season. Brazil’s Ministry of Ports and Airports said regular coastal cruises carried 602,864 passengers in 2025–26, approximately 28% fewer than the preceding season.

Despite the improved outlook, CLIA Brasil president Marco Ferraz cautioned that the capacity increase partly reflects changes in global ship deployment and geopolitical conditions. He said Brazil still needs better infrastructure, competitive operating costs and greater regulatory certainty to turn the recovery into lasting growth.