Cruises from Buenos Aires 2026/27: MSC, Costa and Prices

A cruise from Buenos Aires in the 2026/27 season starts at R$ 5,584 per person (Logitravel, Oct 2026), on the 8-day MSC Seaview with Thursday departures from 12/10/2026 to 02/25/2027. MSC Splendida and Costa Serena also sail from there. It’s worth it for anyone who finds a cheap flight to Argentina and wants fares in reais, not for anyone living near Santos.

Partner links (advertising): we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. Learn more

The cruise fare is in reais; only onshore spending is in pesos. Boarding in Argentina becomes a good deal in two situations: when the flight to Buenos Aires is cheaper than flying to Santos or Rio, and when you want to combine two or three days in the Argentine capital with the cruise. For anyone already living near a Brazilian port, it’s almost never worth it.

🚢 This article is part of the 2026/2027 Cruise Guide. For New Year’s, see New Year’s Eve on a cruise from Buenos Aires; for the estuary itinerary, see the Rio de la Plata cruise guide.

Which ships sail from Buenos Aires in the 2026/27 season?

Three ships have departures boarding in Buenos Aires in the Logitravel listing checked on 10/11/2026: MSC Seaview, MSC Splendida and Costa Serena. The Seaview has the largest offering, with weekly Thursday departures; the Splendida and Costa Serena have specific dates from December to March.

Prices per person, interior cabin, in the Logitravel listing in October 2026. All itineraries pass through Uruguay and the Brazilian coast and return to Buenos Aires. The Splendida on 12/27 is the New Year’s Eve departure; the one on 01/05 is already post-New Year’s. Costa Serena sails the South American season for Costa; the exact date it arrives in the region is still to be confirmed with the cruise line, and the first Buenos Aires departure listed is 01/05/2027.

How much does a cruise from Buenos Aires cost?

The fare starts at R$ 5,584 per person on the 8-day MSC Seaview and goes above R$ 12,000 on the Splendida for New Year’s Eve (Logitravel, Oct 2026). Holiday dates cost more: the same Seaview rises to R$ 7,124 on the 12/24 and 12/31 departures.

The cruise fare isn’t the cost of the trip. Add airfare to Buenos Aires, at least one hotel night before boarding, transfer to the port, the per-night service charge billed on board, drinks (if you don’t buy a package), internet and shore excursions. Without knowing your departure city, a final total would be a guess; do the math with your own dates.

Reais × peso: the cruise fare on Logitravel is charged in reais, with installment options, and isn’t affected by the Argentine exchange rate. What comes out in pesos are taxis, hotels (if paid there), meals and tours in Buenos Aires. Convert at the day’s rate and, when the option exists, prefer paying for the hotel in reais at booking.

When is it worth boarding in Buenos Aires instead of Brazil?

It’s worth it when the sum of flight + hotel to Buenos Aires comes in below the fare difference between the ports, or when you want to explore the city. In the same listing, the Seaview departing from Santos starts at R$ 4,884 (Oct 2026), below the R$ 5,584 of the Buenos Aires departure; in other words, boarding there is rarely cheaper just for the ship itself.

• Worth it: anyone living in the South or with a cheap flight to Buenos Aires; anyone who wants 2 or 3 days in the city beforehand; anyone looking for dates that aren’t available from Brazilian ports.
• Not worth it: anyone living near Santos or Rio; anyone who doesn’t want to pay for an extra hotel; anyone traveling with limited vacation time.

The same ship passes through both countries, so the itinerary barely changes. The difference is the starting point and the day you spend on travel. If the flight to Buenos Aires costs the same as one to São Paulo, the city becomes a bonus rather than a cost. To compare flights, FlipMilhas compares fares in miles and cash.

Which port does the cruise leave from and how do you get to the terminal?

The cruises leave from Terminal de Cruceros Benito Quinquela Martín, in the Retiro area, near Avenida Ramón Castillo. Don’t confuse it with Puerto Madero: that’s a restaurant district, not the boarding point. The location is provided by the Argentine port authority. The boarding time is on your ticket and overrides any map.

Flights from Brazil arrive at Ezeiza (international, farther out) or Aeroparque (closer to downtown). From either one, go to your hotel first and the next day take a taxi or transfer to the terminal. Arriving the same day as boarding is the most common way to miss the ship: flight delays and immigration lines don’t wait.

Where to stay before boarding in Buenos Aires?

Retiro and Recoleta are the most practical bases: they’re close to the terminal and have plenty of hotels. Puerto Madero is great for dinner, but it’s a longer trip to the port. Book the night before boarding with free cancellation, because the ship’s date can change.

If you plan to explore the city, two days beforehand are enough for San Telmo, La Boca and a tango show. Anyone boarding for New Year’s Eve (12/27, Splendida) should book early: the week between Christmas and New Year’s fills up downtown hotels.

What cabin types are there and which one is worth it?

All three ships have interior cabins, oceanview with a window, balcony and suites. The interior is the one that shows up in the “from” prices; balconies cost more and are the category that sells out first on summer dates.

Tip: On a 10-day cruise, a balcony matters more than on a mini-cruise, and it’s the first category to sell out on January departures; see the cabins on the MSC Splendida departing 01/05.

What documents do I need to board?

Since the itinerary passes through Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil, Brazilians travel with a valid RG (Brazilian ID) in good condition or a valid passport, no visa required. A driver’s license is not valid as a travel document. The official rule is on the Itamaraty consular assistance page. Minors need authorization when they aren’t traveling with both parents. Confirm your booking’s rule with MSC or Costa before leaving home.

Medical care on board is billed separately and can be expensive; outside Brazil, the public health system covers nothing. Insurance with cruise coverage handles consultations, medical evacuation and cancellation due to illness.

Tip: An international itinerary with a paid onboard medical center calls for insurance with maritime and cancellation coverage; get a travel insurance quote.

Is it worth it? Who it’s for and who it’s NOT for

It’s worth it for anyone who wants to combine Buenos Aires and a cruise in a single trip, for those living in the South and for those looking for dates outside the Brazilian ports’ calendar. It’s not worth it for anyone who wants the cheapest possible cruise departing near home, or for anyone who gets seasick easily and would pick a shorter itinerary.

Among the ships: the Seaview has more dates and the lowest price; the Splendida offers 10 days and the New Year’s Eve departure; the Costa Serena is the option for those who prefer Costa and departures through March. To compare other South American cruise lines in dollars, CruiseDirect lists regional itineraries (site in English; international cards incur IOF tax).

What nobody tells you about boarding in Buenos Aires

• The “from” price applies to one date and one cabin; the same trip can cost much more in another week.
• The per-night service charge goes on the final onboard bill if it isn’t in the fare.
• Disembarkation is in Buenos Aires: book your return flight with a few hours to spare.
• Pesos pile up easily: exchange little and use a card when the rate is better.

Conclusion: board in Buenos Aires or in Brazil?

Always compare the same cabin category across dates and ships. If the total with flight and hotel comes close to the Santos departure, the choice comes down to the pleasure of spending a few days in Buenos Aires.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cancellation and refund policy?

It depends on the fare you choose: some allow cancellation with a partial refund up to a certain date, others don’t. Read the terms on the booking screen before paying.

Are there restrictions for children, seniors or pregnant travelers?

Cruise lines restrict boarding for pregnant travelers after a certain week of pregnancy and for babies below a minimum age. Seniors board normally. Confirm the rules with MSC or Costa.

Is the cruise price in reais or pesos?

On Logitravel the fare is in reais and can be paid in installments. Pesos are for spending in Buenos Aires, such as taxis, food and tours.

Can I board in Buenos Aires and disembark in Brazil?

The itineraries listed start and end in Buenos Aires. One-way segments depend on the cruise line and the date; check at booking.