Marcelo OliveiraA cheap New Year’s Eve cruise does exist, but it costs more than during Christmas week. The cheapest departure from Brazil with New Year’s Eve night on board on sale today is the Costa Diadema sailing from Itajaí on 12/26: 8 days through Santos, Buenos Aires and Montevidéu, from R$ 7,001 per person in an inside cabin (Sep/2026), with meals and shows included.
| Quick Facts — Cheap New Year’s Eve Cruise | |
|---|---|
| Lowest price (inside) | R$ 7,001 (Sep/2026) per person — Costa Diadema, departing Itajaí 12/26, 8 days (Logitravel, 09/29/2026) |
| Budget range | R$ 7,001 to R$ 10,665 (Sep/2026) per person in an inside cabin, on sailings with New Year’s Eve on board |
| Cheapest port | Itajaí (SC); from Santos (SP), from R$ 8,465 (Sep/2026) on the Costa Diadema departing 12/27 |
| Where the ship is on 12/31 | Costa Diadema: in Montevidéu until 4pm; MSC Seaview: in Buenos Aires until 4pm. Midnight happens at sea |
| Best time to book | 6 to 8 months ahead (Mar-May) or Black Friday |
| What’s included | Cabin, buffet meals, shows, pools and the New Year’s Eve party |
| Extras that add up | Gratuities (€ 12-14/day (Sep/2026)), drinks, shore excursions |
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A cheap New Year’s Eve cruise is doable because most of the cost is in the cabin — and there’s a R$ 3,664 difference (Sep/2026) between the cheapest and the most expensive departure with New Year’s Eve on board. The secret is booking 6 to 8 months in advance, choosing an inside cabin on departures from Itajaí or Santos, and planning your extra spending before you board. This guide shows you exactly where to cut without losing the experience.
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🚢 This article is part of the 2026/2027 Cruise Guide: every ship, port and price of the season. Prefer to ring in the New Year on land? Compare in the 2027 New Year’s Eve Guide.
What’s the cheapest New Year’s Eve cruise in 2027?
The cheapest New Year’s Eve cruise on sale today is the Costa Diadema sailing from Itajaí on 12/26: 8 days through Santos, Buenos Aires and Montevidéu, from R$ 7,001 (Sep/2026) per person in a double inside cabin, taxes included (Logitravel, checked on 09/29/2026). On 12/31 the ship stays in Montevidéu from 8am to 4pm, and midnight happens at sea. See the guide to the Costa Diadema on New Year’s Eve.
| Ship | Departure | Where it is on 12/31 | Inside (Sep/2026) | Cost/night (7 nights) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Costa Diadema | Itajaí 12/26 | Montevidéu (8am–4pm) | R$ 7,001 (Sep/2026) | R$ 1,000 (Sep/2026) |
| Costa Diadema | Santos 12/27 | Montevidéu (8am–4pm) | R$ 8,465 (Sep/2026) | R$ 1,209 (Sep/2026) |
| MSC Seaview | Buenos Aires 12/31 | Boarding in Buenos Aires (departs 4pm) | R$ 9,434 (Sep/2026) | R$ 1,348 (Sep/2026) |
| MSC Seaview | Santos 12/27 | Buenos Aires (8am–4pm) | R$ 9,574 (Sep/2026) | R$ 1,368 (Sep/2026) |
| Costa Diadema | Buenos Aires 12/30 | Montevidéu (8am–4pm) | R$ 10,665 (Sep/2026) | R$ 1,524 (Sep/2026) |
All departures in the table are 8 days (7 nights) with New Year’s Eve night on board. Prices per person in a double inside cabin, taxes included, checked on Logitravel on 09/29/2026. Outside Brazil, Logitravel’s New Year’s Eve list also has sailings in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, but then you have to factor in the flight.
Heads up: the Costa Diadema departure from Santos on 12/29, with 4 nights from R$ 3,979, is not on sale on Logitravel. It also doesn’t appear in the calendar Costa released for the season, in which the Diadema runs 7-night itineraries around the Prata region starting 12/20 (Panrotas, 12/18/2025); on 09/29/2026 Costa’s official website did not respond to our inquiry. The other special New Year’s Eve pre-sale departures (MSC Virtuosa and MSC Musica on 12/30, the New Year’s Eve at Sea on the MSC Divina and the chartered Buenavista) are also not sold on Logitravel. Check the conditions in each guide before counting on them.
Look at the date, not just the ship: the “from” price on Christmas and New Year’s lists is usually the price of the Christmas departure, which returns before New Year’s Eve. The Costa Diadema from Itajaí costs R$ 5,968 on 12/19 and R$ 7,001 on 12/26; the MSC Seaview from Santos, R$ 6,834 on 12/20 and R$ 9,574 on 12/27 (Sep/2026). For those who want the lowest outlay with New Year’s Eve on board, the Costa Diadema from Itajaí wins; leaving from Santos on the same date, the Diadema costs R$ 1,109 (Sep/2026) less than the Seaview. Also see the guide to the MSC Seaview on New Year’s Eve.
To see the full comparison with balcony cabins and passenger profiles, check out the comparison of the 7 New Year’s Eve ships for 2027.
When should you book to pay less for a New Year’s Eve cruise?
The best time to book a cheap New Year’s Eve cruise is between March and May of the same year — about 6 to 8 months before departure. In that window, cruise lines open sales with launch prices and inside cabins (the cheapest) are still available on every ship.
Another strategic moment is Black Friday (November): MSC and Costa usually launch promotions with 15% to 30% off the list price, plus free cabin upgrades. In 2025, Costa even sold balcony cabins for New Year’s Eve 2027 cheaper than the full-price inside cabin.
Avoid booking less than 60 days in advance: in that range, only premium cabins (more expensive) are left and the price is usually 30% to 50% above the launch price. The exception is when the cruise line offers a last-minute deal to fill empty cabins — but that’s rare on New Year’s Eve, when occupancy tops 95%.
Inside cabin or balcony: which is easier on your wallet?
The inside cabin is the right choice for anyone who wants to spend less on a New Year’s Eve cruise: it’s the cheapest category on any ship. On the Costa Diadema sailing from Itajaí on 12/26, for example, the inside cabin starts at R$ 7,001 and the balcony at R$ 8,712 (Sep/2026, Logitravel): R$ 1,711 less per person.
In practice, you spend most of the day outside the cabin — at the buffet, by the pool, at the shows or at the stops on land. The inside cabin is smaller and has no window, but you basically use the space to sleep and store your suitcase. For couples and friends looking to save, it’s the best deal. A balcony makes a real difference on cruises of 7+ nights, when you want privacy and contemplative time.
How to save on drinks and gratuities on board?
Alcoholic drinks and gratuities are the two biggest extra costs on a New Year’s Eve cruise — together, they can add R$ 1,500 (Sep/2026) to R$ 2,500 (Sep/2026) per person to the total. Knowing how they work and when it’s worth buying the package makes all the difference to your budget.
| Extra | Cost (Sep/2026) | How to save |
|---|---|---|
| MSC gratuity | € 12-14/person/day (Sep/2026) | Charged automatically — include it in your planning; there’s no way to avoid it on MSC |
| Costa gratuity | € 12/person/day (Sep/2026) | Same rule as MSC — plan it as a fixed cost |
| MSC drinks package | R$ 400-700/person (Sep/2026) on the cruise (Sep/2026) | Worth it if you drink 3+ drinks/day; otherwise, order individually |
| Individual drinks | R$ 25-60 per drink (Sep/2026) | Water and juice at the buffet are free; bring a reusable bottle |
| Shore excursions | R$ 100 (Sep/2026)-300 per stop | Book on your own instead of buying on the ship — it’s 30-50% cheaper |
The most valuable tip: water, juices, coffee and tea are already included at the buffet restaurants. You only pay for alcoholic drinks and for soda outside meal times. For those who don’t drink alcohol or drink little, the cruise becomes much more affordable.
One important exception: the Buenavista (Corazul Cruceros) includes alcoholic drinks in the fare — it’s the only ship of the season with an open bar. The entry price is higher (R$ 6,800 (Sep/2026) for an inside cabin — Sep/2026), but for heavy drinkers, the total cost can end up lower than on MSC ships with a drinks package.
Tips to cut extra costs on your New Year’s Eve cruise
Besides the cabin and drinks, there are at least 5 expenses that catch passengers by surprise. Planning for these before you board saves R$ 500 (Sep/2026) to R$ 1,500 (Sep/2026) per person without missing out on anything.
- Port-hotel transfer: instead of the transfer sold by the cruise line (R$ 80-150/person (Sep/2026)), use a ride-hailing app or the city bus to the Santos terminal. From São Paulo, the intercity bus costs about R$ 50 (Sep/2026) per person (Sep/2026).
- Shore excursions: book on your own on the city’s website or with local operators. The Santos tour, for example, is cheaper booked outside than at the ship’s counter.
- Internet on board: Wi-Fi packages on the ship cost R$ 50-150/day (Sep/2026). If it’s not essential, disconnect and use the free Wi-Fi at the stops on land.
- Specialty restaurants: the buffet and the main restaurant are already included in the fare and serve quality food. Book the paid restaurant for just one special night, if you want.
- Professional photos: the ship’s photographers charge R$ 40-100 (Sep/2026) per printed photo. Use your phone — the lighting on the decks at sunset is excellent.
Is a cheap New Year’s Eve cruise worth it?
A cheap New Year’s Eve cruise is worth it when compared to the cost of ringing in the New Year on land with a hotel, restaurant and party. A New Year’s Eve at a beach hotel costs R$ 3,000 (Sep/2026) to R$ 6,000 (Sep/2026) per person with a dinner — and includes just one night of lodging and one meal. On the cheapest cruise with New Year’s Eve on board, from R$ 7,001 (Sep/2026), you get 7 nights with all meals, shows and the New Year’s party, plus Buenos Aires and Montevidéu on the itinerary.
On the total bill, add to the cabin the service charge (€ 12 per person per day on Costa, about € 84 over 7 nights (Sep/2026)), drinks and excursions. That’s why the cruise is more worth it for those who want a week of travel than for those who just want New Year’s Eve night. — less than many New Year’s Eve packages in Búzios or Florianópolis with hotel and dinner. If it’s your first time on a New Year’s Eve cruise, the first-timer’s guide explains boarding and the most common mistakes.
Frequently asked questions
Are there last-minute deals for a New Year’s Eve cruise?
Last-minute deals for a New Year’s Eve cruise are rare because ship occupancy that season tops 95%. When they do appear, they’re usually for premium cabins that didn’t sell — the price may even be lower than the list price, but the real savings are smaller than booking 6 months in advance. Keep an eye on the cruise lines’ websites and agencies like Logitravel for occasional offers.
Does a cheap New Year’s Eve cruise include food?
Yes, every New Year’s Eve cruise includes meals at the buffet restaurants and the main restaurant — breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks between meals, at no extra cost. The New Year’s Eve dinner with a special menu is also included. Only specialty restaurants (Japanese, steakhouse) and alcoholic drinks are paid separately.
Can you pay for a New Year’s Eve cruise in installments?
Most agencies and cruise lines let you pay for a New Year’s Eve cruise in up to 12 interest-free installments on your credit card. MSC and Costa allow installment payments directly on their websites. Agencies like InterCruzeiros and Clube dos Cruzeiros also offer easier payment terms — the earlier you book, the more installments fit before departure.
Which cruise includes drinks on New Year’s Eve?
The only 2027 New Year’s Eve cruise with alcoholic drinks included in the fare is the Buenavista (Corazul Cruceros), departing Santos on December 30 for 3 nights. The package already includes an open bar with spirits, beer, wine and soda. The inside cabin starts at R$ 6,800 (Sep/2026) per person (Sep/2026).
Conclusion
A cheap New Year’s Eve cruise starts with booking early and choosing the right ship — the Costa Diadema sailing from Itajaí on 12/26, from R$ 7,001 (Sep/2026), is today the cheapest departure from Brazil with New Year’s Eve on board. Add an inside cabin, control your extras and book excursions on your own, and the final cost is competitive with any New Year’s Eve on land. For the full picture of every ship and itinerary, check out Voyage Voyage’s New Year’s Eve cruise guide.