Marcelo OliveiraThe 2027 Carnival mini-cruise that covers the holiday is the MSC Divina departing 02/05, sailing from Santos for 4 nights to Ilha Grande and Búzios. It starts at R$ 3,149 per person in a double interior cabin (Oct/2026), with taxes and the service charge included in the price. The ship returns on Tuesday, 02/09, at 8 a.m. The 3-night departures only begin on 02/12, after Ash Wednesday.
| Departure | Friday, 02/05/2027, at 6 p.m., from the port of Santos (SP) |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 nights (5 days); returns Tuesday, 02/09, at 8 a.m. |
| Itinerary | Santos → Ilha Grande → sea day → Búzios → Santos |
| Ship | MSC Divina (2012, 4,345 passengers, 1,751 cabins) |
| Carnival 2027 | Saturday, 02/06, to Tuesday, 02/09; Ash Wednesday on 02/10 |
| Price (interior cabin) | From R$ 3,149 per person in a double cabin, taxes included (Oct/2026) |
| Price (ocean view and balcony) | Ocean view with window from R$ 3,349 and balcony from R$ 4,409 per person, taxes included (Oct/2026) |
| ID document | RG (Brazilian ID), passport or driver’s license; under-18s traveling without their parents need authorization |
| Drinks included? | No; full board and the service charge, yes |
Partner links (advertising): we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Quoted on 10/09/2026 on the Logitravel pages for each departure and in MSC’s boarding and document rules. Prices change by date and cabin category, and during Carnival they rise as cabins sell, so check the exact date before you pay.
In this article
Which mini-cruises cover Carnival 2027?
On Logitravel, the only 2- to 4-night mini-cruise I found crossing Carnival 2027 is the MSC Divina departing 02/05: it leaves on Friday, has Saturday, Sunday and Monday on board and disembarks on Tuesday morning. I found no 2-night departure, and the 3-night ones fall outside the festivities.
| Departure | Ship and port | Nights | Carnival (02/06 to 02/09) | From (Oct/2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/29 to 02/01 | MSC Divina, Santos | 3 | Ends before | R$ 2,344 (Oct/2026) |
| 02/01 to 02/05 | MSC Divina, Santos | 4 | Ends before | R$ 2,509 (Oct/2026) |
| 02/05 to 02/09 | MSC Divina, Santos | 4 | Covers Saturday to Tuesday | R$ 3,149 (Oct/2026) |
| 02/12 to 02/15 | MSC Divina, Santos | 3 | Starts after | R$ 2,104 (Oct/2026) |
| 02/19 to 02/22 | MSC Divina, Santos | 3 | Starts after | R$ 2,154 (Oct/2026) |
The 02/12 and 02/19 departures are the closest 3-night options to the holiday: they fall one and two weeks later. If you can only travel on 02/09, some foreign agencies list the Divina from 02/09 to 02/12, 3 nights, but I couldn’t find that date on Logitravel on 10/09/2026; ask the agency for a quote directly before counting on it.
If you want the whole Carnival, with Ash Wednesday on board, you need a 7-night trip, like those in the 2027 Carnival cruise.
How much does the Carnival mini-cruise cost per person?
The Carnival mini-cruise starts at R$ 3,149 per person in a double interior cabin on the MSC Divina departing 02/05 (Oct/2026), or R$ 6,298 for a couple. That’s the final booking amount: Logitravel states that taxes and the service charge are included and paid at the time of booking.
| Item | Per person | Couple |
|---|---|---|
| Interior cabin, 4 nights, taxes and service charge (02/05) | R$ 3,149 (Oct/2026) | R$ 6,298 (Oct/2026) |
| Price per night (R$ 3,149 ÷ 4, Oct/2026) | R$ 787 (Oct/2026) | R$ 1,574 (Oct/2026) |
| Divina 3 nights after Carnival (02/12) | R$ 2,104 (Oct/2026) | R$ 4,208 (Oct/2026) |
| Drinks, internet, shore excursions and specialty restaurants | Paid separately, on board or at booking; Logitravel does not state the amount | |
The honest math has a limit: the price of drinks and internet doesn’t appear on the page, so the couple’s total will be above R$ 6,298 (Oct/2026) depending on what you consume. If you drink soda and beer every day, budget some extra room.
For comparison with the full week: the 7-night Carnival cruise departing from Rio starts at R$ 4,967 per person in an interior cabin (Sep/2026), which works out to R$ 710 per night, below the R$ 787 of the mini-cruise. The mini costs less overall, but each night on board costs more. Details in the guide how much does a cruise cost.
What is the day-by-day itinerary of the 02/05 mini-cruise?
The 02/05 mini-cruise makes two stops in four nights: Ilha Grande, on Carnival Saturday, and Búzios, on Monday. Sunday is a sea day, which puts the on-board festivities right in the middle of the trip.
| Day | Port | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, 02/05 | Santos | Boarding and departure at 6 p.m.; check-in closes 2 hours earlier |
| Sat, 02/06 | Ilha Grande | Arrival at 9 a.m. and departure at 7 p.m., about 10 hours on the island |
| Sun, 02/07 | Sea day | Full day on board, with the ship’s facilities and programming |
| Mon, 02/08 | Búzios | Arrival at 7 a.m. and departure at 4 p.m., about 9 hours in town |
| Tue, 02/09 | Santos | Arrival at 8 a.m. and disembarkation |
Arrival and departure times come from the departure page on Logitravel and may change; MSC confirms the final times on your ticket. In Ilha Grande and Búzios, time ashore is 9 to 10 hours, enough for a beach and lunch, but not to explore the region. If you want to see the towns at a relaxed pace, check the 2026/2027 cruise season, which has longer itineraries.
On Monday, 02/08, the ship stays in Búzios from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., the shortest stop of the trip. Get back on board with time to spare before the departure time listed in the daily program: after Búzios, the next stop is already disembarkation in Santos, on Tuesday at 8 a.m.
What’s included and what do you pay extra for?
The mini-cruise price includes the cabin, full board, taxes and the service charge. Everything consumed beyond that is extra: drinks, internet, shore excursions and specialty restaurants.
| Item | Included? | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Cabin and housekeeping | Yes | In the category chosen |
| Breakfast, lunch and dinner | Yes | Full board |
| Water, coffee and juice from the machines | Yes | Only at the machines in the dining area |
| Taxes and service charge | Yes | Paid at the time of booking |
| Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks | No | Paid on board or as a package |
| Internet and ship-to-shore calls | No | Paid separately |
| Shore excursions, spa, shops and laundry | No | Paid separately |
| Specialty restaurants | No | Paid separately |
| Medical care and medication | No | Paid separately; see the insurance tip |
Logitravel notes that each cabin requires a separate booking and that passengers’ ages must match the cruise start date, otherwise the price may change. For a group of friends, that means booking the cabins together and checking the children’s ages before paying.
What cabin types are there and which is worth it on 4 nights?
The MSC Divina has four cabin types on the 02/05 mini-cruise: interior, ocean view with window, balcony and suite, plus the Yacht Club. On 4 nights, the interior is worth it for those who spend the day out of the cabin: it starts at R$ 3,149 per person, versus R$ 4,409 for the balcony (Oct/2026).
| Cabin | Best for | Price per person (Oct/2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Interior | Couples or groups who spend the day on deck and at the parties | From R$ 3,149 (Oct/2026) |
| Ocean view (window) | Those who want natural light without paying for a balcony | From R$ 3,349 (Oct/2026) |
| Balcony | Those who want private outdoor space on the sea day | From R$ 4,409 (Oct/2026) |
| Suite and Yacht Club | Those seeking an exclusive area and more space | Suite from R$ 7,335; Yacht Club from R$ 8,519 (Oct/2026) |
The difference on 4 nights is concrete: the ocean view with window costs only R$ 200 more than the interior per person, and the balcony R$ 1,260 more, which is R$ 2,520 for a couple (Oct/2026). If the idea is to enjoy the sea day on Sunday, 02/07, without fighting for a deck chair, the balcony makes sense; for those who’ll spend the festivities at the ship’s parties, the window already solves the lack of natural light. Each type has several categories on the departure page, with prices that rise depending on the location on the ship.
How do you get to the port of Santos and board?
The MSC Divina mini-cruises depart from the Concais terminal in Santos, about 2.5 km from downtown. MSC closes check-in and boarding 2 hours before the ship’s departure; for the 02/05 departure at 6 p.m., that’s 4 p.m.
By car from São Paulo, the Anchieta and Imigrantes highways lead to Santos; terminal parking and tolls are detailed in the Port of Santos for cruises guide. The e-ticket includes an individual check-in time, which can be changed in MSC’s web check-in. Arriving before your time may mean waiting outside, and arriving after it ends may mean being denied boarding. Checked luggage goes to the cabin between late afternoon and early evening, so keep what you need for the first day and your medication in your carry-on.
On a long holiday weekend, the mountain descent can have traffic: leave São Paulo with time to spare relative to your check-in time, or stay in Santos the night before. To compare with other departures this season, see the cruise from Santos.
Before Carnival, the MSC Divina also departs from Santos with a December show: the Roberto Carlos Ship (12/06 to 12/09).
Can you enjoy Santos before boarding?
Yes, if you arrive in Santos the night before or on Friday morning: there are a few-hour tours of the city that fit before check-in. On boarding day, treat the 2 hours before departure, 4 p.m. for the 02/05 departure, as the deadline to be at the terminal.
If you sleep in Santos on Thursday, 02/04, you get all of Friday for a tour and board without depending on the road. The Port of Santos for cruises guide shows the route to the terminal and parking.
Which documents do you need to board?
On a cruise that stays only in Brazil, like the 02/05 mini-cruise, MSC accepts an RG (Brazilian ID), passport or driver’s license. No visa or passport is needed, since the stops are Ilha Grande and Búzios.
Driver’s license for boarding — checked on 10/16/2026: for Brazilian adults, MSC and Costa accept a driver’s license in good condition on cruises with stops only in Brazil. With Argentina or Uruguay, the driver’s license is not valid: bring the original physical ID accepted or a valid passport, according to the cruise line.
Under 18s: MSC’s list (clause 5.9.1) for domestic trips requires an RG, original birth certificate or passport valid for at least 6 months; Costa requires an RG issued less than 10 years ago or an original birth certificate only for children under 12. A driver’s license is not on these lists for minors. Bring proof of parentage and the authorizations required depending on the accompanying adults and the itinerary. Details are in cruise documents.
A digital driver’s license and DNI are only valid if presented through the official platform; a photo or printout of the document is not accepted. An under-18 traveling without both parents or a guardian needs written authorization, with a notarized signature, in two copies, on the Federal Police form. The full rules are on MSC’s documents page and the boarding rules on the boarding page.
Keep your documents in your carry-on, never in checked luggage, and check that the name on the ticket matches the one on the document. For an overview of boarding, the guide first cruise: how it works walks you through it step by step.
Is a Carnival mini-cruise worth it?
It’s worth it for those who want to try cruising, can travel from Friday to Tuesday and accept seeing only two towns. It’s not worth it for those who want the whole festivities, including Ash Wednesday, or for those expecting a week-long itinerary.
| Profile | 02/05 mini-cruise | Best alternative |
|---|---|---|
| First cruise, tight budget | Worth it: R$ 3,149 per person (Oct/2026), 4 nights | 02/12 departure, 3 nights, from R$ 2,104 (Oct/2026) |
| Couple who wants party and sea | Worth it, with drinks on your own tab | 7-night Carnival cruise |
| Family with children | Worth it if it fits the budget: each cabin is a separate booking | 02/12 departure, from R$ 2,104 (Oct/2026) |
| Those who want to explore towns | Not worth it: 9 to 10 hours per stop | Northeast or Río de la Plata itineraries |
| Those prone to seasickness | Worth a try: only one sea day | No gentler alternative at Carnival |
The mini-cruise is cheaper overall than the 7-night trip, but each night costs more: R$ 787 versus R$ 710 (Sep and Oct/2026, different departures). The R$ 77 difference per night buys the comfort of traveling fewer days and returning on Tuesday. If the budget is tight, the Divina on 02/12 for 3 nights brings the price below R$ 2,200 per person (Oct/2026), without the festivities, and the MSC vs. Costa comparison helps you choose the cruise line for a longer trip.
What nobody tells you about the Carnival mini-cruise
The catch of the Carnival mini-cruise is disembarkation: the ship docks at 8 a.m. on Tuesday and Ash Wednesday, 02/10, is already a regular workday. If you were planning to “stretch out” the festivities, you need to know this before buying.
- The advertised price is for the cheapest cabin. The R$ 3,149 (Oct/2026) is the table’s minimum; the interior only reaches that amount while cabins in that category remain.
- The drinks bill doesn’t show up. Logitravel doesn’t state the price of drinks or internet, so ask MSC for the price list before estimating what you’ll spend.
- Each cabin is a separate booking. For a group, book them all on the same date and check passengers’ ages, which are based on the cruise start date.
- Times change. The 6 p.m. departure and the stops are estimates; the final times come on your ticket and check-in closes 2 hours earlier.
- The sea day is Sunday. On the liveliest Carnival day, 02/07, there’s no stop: you stay on the ship all day.
- Similar dates aren’t the same. The 02/12 departure is 3 nights and the 02/05 is 4; read the day and duration on the page, not just the itinerary name.
For an overview of the other ships and ports, the cruise guide gathers the whole season.
Outside Carnival, the season has other 3- and 4-night departures from Santos and Itajaí, from R$ 2,084 per person (Oct/2026): see them all in the 2026/2027 mini-cruise guide.
Conclusion
To spend Carnival 2027 on board in just a few days, your pick is the MSC Divina departing 02/05 from Santos, starting at R$ 3,149 per person in an interior cabin (Oct/2026). If those dates don’t work, the Divina’s 02/12 sailing is 3 nights, costs less, and leaves the party behind. Check availability for your date before you book: at Carnival, the cheap cabins go first.
Frequently asked questions
Are there Carnival 2027 mini-cruises departing from Rio de Janeiro?
I didn’t find any 3- or 4-night mini-cruise departing from Rio de Janeiro during Carnival week 2027 on Logitravel (checked 10/09/2026). Rio departures on those dates are 7 to 9 nights. The season’s short mini-cruises leave from Santos, on the MSC Divina and the MSC Musica.
How many days is a mini-cruise?
A mini-cruise is 3 to 4 nights, or 4 to 5 days counting embarkation day. For Carnival 2027, the MSC Divina departing 02/05 is 4 nights (5 days), and the 02/12 and 02/19 departures are 3 nights (4 days), always from Santos.
Are drinks included in the mini-cruise price?
No. On the MSC Divina Carnival mini-cruise, the price includes full board, water, coffee and juice from the dispensers, port fees and the service charge. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, internet, specialty restaurants, shore excursions and medical care are paid separately.
What is the mini-cruise cancellation and refund policy?
MSC allows you to change your date up to 30 days before departure, with a R$ 300 fee per cabin on the Bella fare and no fee on higher fares, as long as the new date is within 90 days of the original (Oct/2026). Cancellation penalties vary with how far in advance you cancel and are set out in MSC’s general conditions: confirm on the cruise line’s website before you pay.
Are there restrictions for children, seniors or pregnant travelers on the mini-cruise?
Pregnant travelers up to 23 weeks on the last day of the cruise can board with a doctor’s note; at 24 weeks or more, MSC does not allow boarding. Babies under 2 can travel on cruises of up to 10 nights, like the mini-cruise. Minors under 18 traveling without both parents need a notarized authorization. MSC’s document rules set no age limit for seniors; accessible cabins and boarding with reduced mobility are covered in the cruise guide for seniors.