Marcelo OliveiraThe 2027 Carnival cruise is the way to spend the party days at sea, with celebrations on board and stops in cities like Salvador, Búzios and Buenos Aires. We found 6 ships with departures between February 2 and 7, 2027, all sailing from Santos or Rio de Janeiro.
The short answer: 2027 Carnival cruises start at R$ 4,967 per person in an interior cabin (Sep/2026), last 7 or 8 nights and almost always leave drinks out. The exception is Buenavista, by Corazul, which is all inclusive.
| 2027 Carnival Dates | Saturday, February 6, to Tuesday, February 9, 2027; Ash Wednesday on 02/10 |
|---|---|
| Departures found | 6 ships, with embarkation from 02/02 to 02/07/2027 (Sep/2026) |
| Embarkation ports | Santos (SP) and Rio de Janeiro (RJ) |
| Duration | 7 to 8 nights; short 3-night departures are rare |
| Price | From R$ 4,967 per person in an interior cabin (Sep/2026), drinks not included |
| All inclusive? | Only Buenavista (Corazul) includes drinks; on MSC the package is paid separately |
| Document | Original RG (Brazilian ID) or passport; a driver’s license is not valid for embarkation |
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The prices below were checked in September 2026 on the agencies’ and Logitravel’s pages. During Carnival, the price changes fast as cabins sell, so use the table as a reference and confirm the exact date before you pay.
🚢 This article is part of the 2026/2027 Cruise Guide: every ship, port and price of the season.
Which 2027 Carnival cruises depart from Brazil?
Six ships depart during 2027 Carnival week: MSC Musica and MSC Splendida, sailing from Rio de Janeiro, and MSC Virtuosa, MSC Seaview, MSC Divina and Buenavista, by Corazul, sailing from Santos. Embarkation runs from February 2 to 7, and all of them spend the holiday on board.
The difference between them is the itinerary. If you want Brazilian beaches, choose Musica or Virtuosa. If you want to cross the border, choose Seaview or Splendida, which stop in Punta del Este and Buenos Aires. If you don’t want to count every drink, choose Buenavista.
| Ship | Embarkation | Dates | Itinerary | From (Sep/2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSC Musica | Rio de Janeiro | 02/02 to 02/09 | Búzios, Ilha Grande, Paranaguá, Itajaí and Ilhabela | R$ 4,967 (Sep/2026) |
| MSC Splendida | Rio de Janeiro | 02/04 to 02/12 | Búzios, Ilhabela, Balneário Camboriú, Punta del Este and Buenos Aires | R$ 9,065 (Sep/2026) |
| Buenavista (Corazul) | Santos | 02/05 to 02/12 | Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and Ilhabela | on request (drinks included) |
| MSC Virtuosa | Santos | 02/06 to 02/13 | Búzios, Salvador and Maceió | R$ 5,104 (Sep/2026) |
| MSC Seaview | Santos | 02/07 to 02/14 | Balneário Camboriú, Punta del Este and Buenos Aires | R$ 5,139 (Sep/2026) |
| MSC Divina | Santos | to be confirmed | sources disagree (see below) | on request |
Sources: dates and prices for MSC Musica, Splendida, Seaview and Buenavista from the Quero Abadá agency quote, and for MSC Virtuosa from Logitravel, all checked in September 2026. MSC Divina appears with a 02/09 departure (3 nights) at one agency and 02/07 (7 nights) at another; that’s why it’s marked “to be confirmed.” We found no 2027 Carnival departure from Costa Cruzeiros published as of September 2026. The full season has 8 regular ships and around 190 itineraries, according to CLIA Brasil (Panrotas).
How much does a 2027 Carnival cruise cost?
A 2027 Carnival cruise starts at R$ 4,967 per person in a double interior cabin (Sep/2026), on MSC Musica sailing from Rio. Adding gratuities and a drinks package, a week on board runs between R$ 6,200 and R$ 8,500 per person.
The advertised price covers the cabin, meals at the buffet and main restaurants, shows and parties. Not included are the mandatory gratuity, drinks, shore excursions and specialty restaurants. Quadruple cabins are cheaper per person: on MSC Seaview, the interior for four cost R$ 5,139 per person versus R$ 5,654 for a double (Sep/2026).
| Item | Amount (Sep/2026) |
|---|---|
| Double interior cabin on MSC Seaview, per person | R$ 5,654 (Sep/2026) |
| Mandatory gratuity (US$ 14 per night × 7 nights, Sep/2026) | about US$ 98, or R$ 530 (Sep/2026) |
| Easy drinks package (optional, from US$ 52 per day, Sep/2026) | about US$ 364, or R$ 2,000 for 7 days (Sep/2026) |
| Total per person without drinks package | R$ 6,200 to R$ 6,500 (Sep/2026) |
| Total per person with Easy package | R$ 8,200 to R$ 8,500 (Sep/2026) |
The math above uses the September 2026 exchange rate and the gratuity and drinks package values we gathered for New Year’s Eve on MSC Seaview. Check whether port fees are already included in the advertised price: some agencies show the amount without them.
Which Carnival cruise departs from Rio de Janeiro?
Two ships depart from Rio de Janeiro for Carnival 2027: MSC Musica, from February 2 to 9, along the Brazilian coast, and MSC Splendida, from February 4 to 12, with stops in Uruguay and Argentina. Embarkation is at Píer Mauá, downtown.
Musica is the cheapest of the season (from R$ 4,967, Sep/2026) and stops in Búzios, Ilha Grande, Paranaguá, Itajaí and Ilhabela. It’s good for those who want beaches and short sailing days. Splendida is longer and pricier (from R$ 9,065, Sep/2026) because it goes all the way to Buenos Aires. One catch: by boarding in Rio on the 2nd or 4th, you miss the Sapucaí parades. If your plan is to see the samba schools, read our Rio Carnival 2027 guide first.
Prices, cabins and times for each Rio departure are in the Carnival cruise from Rio de Janeiro guide.
Tip: Carnival cabins with a balcony are usually the first to sell out. If that’s your preference, see the February domestic departures here and compare dates.
Which Carnival cruise departs from Santos?
Santos concentrates most of the 2027 Carnival departures: MSC Virtuosa (02/06 to 02/13), MSC Seaview (02/07 to 02/14), Buenavista by Corazul (02/05 to 02/12) and MSC Divina, with a date to be confirmed. Embarkation is at the Concais Passenger Terminal, in the Macuco neighborhood.
To see just Carnival week in Santos, with prices and embarkation times, check the Carnival cruise from Santos.
Each ship serves a different profile. MSC Virtuosa, the biggest ship of the season, sails to Búzios, Salvador and Maceió. MSC Seaview goes to Balneário Camboriú, Punta del Este and Buenos Aires. Buenavista stops in Rio, Salvador and Ilhabela with drinks included. On embarkation Saturday and Sunday, traffic on the Serra do Mar and at the port gets worse; arrive with time to spare.
Are there Carnival cruises departing from Salvador or Itajaí?
In Salvador, MSC Virtuosa departing 02/02/2027 spends Carnival on board and returns to Salvador on Tuesday (02/09); see the cruise departing from Salvador.
The stop in Salvador lasts a few hours and usually doesn’t fall at night, when the trio elétricos roll out. To truly experience Bahian Carnival, the best option is to fly to Salvador and stay in the city; see what to do in Salvador. Those living in the South can board MSC Musica, which stops in Itajaí, but it departs from Rio.
Are there all-inclusive Carnival cruises?
Yes, but only one: Buenavista, by Corazul, which departs Santos on February 5, 2027 with drinks included in the price. On MSC ships, drinks are paid separately or through a package.
Buenavista is a smaller, older ship than MSC’s, built in 1995. On MSC ships, the Easy package cost from US$ 52 per person per day (Sep/2026) and must be purchased for all adults in the cabin. To compare other options with drinks included, see the all-inclusive cruises here.
What is Carnival like on board the ship?
Carnival on board features themed parties on the pool deck, musical performances and club nights, plus theater shows, according to MSC’s official Carnival page. The parties happen every day of the holiday, and those seeking quiet can find calmer areas on the ship.
Bring costumes and props for the themed parties. The ship gets fuller and louder than during the rest of the season, and restaurant lines grow. If you’re traveling with small children, choose a cabin away from the clubs and the pool deck.
Tip: with so much sun and partying, the ship’s medical center gets plenty of use during Carnival, and it charges separately, even on a domestic cruise. Compare travel insurance for your cruise here.
Is a Carnival cruise worth it?
A Carnival cruise is worth it for those who want a party without dealing with traffic, hotels and food, with everything in one place. It’s not worth it for those who want to see samba school parades or dance behind the trio elétrico, because the stops are short and daytime.
Compare with the alternatives: Carnival in Salvador, Recife or Rio requires high-season hotel prices and long commutes. On the ship, the per-person price includes lodging, food and partying, and you wake up on a different beach every day.
What nobody tells you
- Sailing days are the biggest party days: on port days, many people go ashore and the ship empties out.
- The gratuity is charged automatically to your onboard account; it’s not optional.
- Interior cabins sell out fast for Carnival, and what’s left near the date is usually balconies and suites.
- Stops can be canceled due to rough seas, with no cabin refund.
If you’re also thinking about ringing in the New Year at sea, see the full New Year’s Eve cruise guide, which compares prices, cabins and what’s included.
To choose outside of Carnival, see the 2026/2027 cruise season in Brazil. If your trip is in December, check the Christmas departures that include December 25 on board.
Frequently asked questions
When is Carnival 2027?
Carnival 2027 runs from Saturday, February 6, to Tuesday, February 9, 2027, and Ash Wednesday falls on February 10. The 2027 Carnival cruises depart between February 2 and 7 so the festivities happen on board and at the stops.
Do you need a passport for a Carnival cruise to Argentina and Uruguay?
No. On 2027 Carnival cruises that stop in Punta del Este and Buenos Aires, Brazilians board with a valid original RG (Brazilian ID) or a passport, since these are Mercosur countries. A driver’s license is not accepted for embarkation, and minors traveling without both parents need authorization.
Are there mini Carnival cruises in 2027?
Barely any. The 2027 Carnival departures are 7 or 8 nights. The only short one we found is MSC Divina’s, with 3 nights between Santos and Búzios, but the dates published by agencies don’t match; confirm before booking.
For a short option, the Carnival mini cruise on MSC Divina departs Santos on 02/05, with 4 nights.
When should you book a Carnival cruise to pay less?
Carnival cruises are usually cheapest when booked 4 to 6 months in advance, between September and October. Close to the date, only the pricier cabins remain, and last-minute deals rarely cover Carnival week.
Conclusion
The 2027 Carnival cruise is a week of partying at sea, with departures from Santos and Rio between February 2 and 7 and prices from R$ 4,967 per person (Sep/2026). Choose by itinerary (Brazilian beaches or Buenos Aires) and by drinks (package or all inclusive), and book early. Follow the season’s news in the Voyage Voyage Cruise Guide.