Marcelo OliveiraThe Buenavista New Year’s cruise 2027 marks Corazul Cruceros’ debut in Brazil, with alcoholic drinks included in the fare. The ship leaves Santos on December 28, sails 5 nights with a stop in Rio for the Copacabana fireworks, plus Búzios and Ilhabela. Inside cabin from R$ 7,883 per person (Sept 2026, Clube dos Cruzeiros).
| Quick facts — Buenavista New Year’s Cruise 2027 | |
|---|---|
| Price (inside cabin) | From R$ 7,883/person (Sept 2026) — Clube dos Cruzeiros |
| Drinks included? | Yes — Corazul Plus package (beer, wine, spirits, cocktails) on all fares |
| Duration | 5 nights (Dec 28, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027) |
| Embarkation | Santos, SP |
| Itinerary | Santos → Rio de Janeiro (Copacabana fireworks) → Búzios → Ilhabela → Santos |
| Ship | Buenavista — 70,000 GT, 939 cabins, 2,140 passengers, 13 decks |
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Built in 1995 at the German shipyard Meyer Werft and originally operated by Britain’s P&O Cruises as Oriana, the Buenavista has 70,000 gross tons, 939 cabins and capacity for around 2,140 passengers spread across 13 decks. With three pools, five restaurants, eight bars, a 674-seat theater and a cinema, the ship leans into a more intimate vibe than MSC’s mega-ships — and this New Year’s, it promises a countdown seen from the sea, with Copacabana in the background.
In this article · 10 topics
- How much does the Buenavista New Year’s cruise 2027 cost?
- What is the Buenavista’s New Year’s itinerary?
- What’s included on the Buenavista cruise?
- What are the Buenavista cabins like?
- Does the Buenavista include drinks in the price?
- What is the Buenavista like inside?
- Do you need a passport for the Buenavista cruise?
- Is the Buenavista worth it for New Year’s?
- Frequently asked questions
- Conclusion
🚢 This article is part of the 2026/2027 Cruise Guide: every ship, port and price of the season.
Want to see the ship’s other itineraries, what the Corazul Plus package includes and what the cabins are like? Read the full Corazul Buenavista guide.
How much does the Buenavista New Year’s cruise 2027 cost?
The Buenavista New Year’s cruise starts at R$ 7,883 per person in a double inside cabin, with the Corazul Plus drinks package already included (Sept 2026, Clube dos Cruzeiros). An outside cabin runs R$ 7,890, a balcony R$ 9,290 and a suite R$ 15,990 — all per person in double occupancy.
The difference between inside and outside is just R$ 7 (Sept 2026), which makes the outside cabin an almost obvious choice — you get a window for the price of a coffee. The jump to a balcony is about R$ 1,400 more, and the suite more than doubles the inside fare. A common strategy is to book the outside cabin and use the savings for onboard upgrades, like the premium drinks package or spa treatments.
| Category | Price per person | Approx. area | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inside | R$ 7,883 (Sept 2026) | ~14 m² | No window; includes Corazul Plus |
| Outside | R$ 7,890 (Sept 2026) | ~14 m² | With window; best value |
| Balcony | R$ 9,290 (Sept 2026) | ~21 m² | Private balcony; ideal for fireworks |
| Suite | R$ 15,990 (Sept 2026) | ~49 m² | Most comfort; exclusive services |
In practice, the total cost per person lands around R$ 8,500–9,000 (Sept 2026) for an outside cabin: R$ 7,890 for the fare + port fees (confirm the updated amount with the agency, since Corazul hasn’t yet released the final table for Brazil) + extras like Wi-Fi and specialty restaurants. The advantage over MSC and Costa is that drinks are already in the price — on the competitors, the drinks package starts at US$ 250 per person for 5 nights.
What is the Buenavista’s New Year’s itinerary for 2026/2027?
The Buenavista leaves Santos on December 28, 2026 and returns to the same port on January 2, 2027, completing 5 nights with stops in Rio de Janeiro, Búzios and Ilhabela. The countdown happens in Guanabara Bay, with a prime view of the Copacabana fireworks.
| Day | Port | What’s happening |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 28 (Sun) | Santos — embarkation | Check-in from 12pm; departure in the afternoon |
| Dec 29 (Mon) | At sea | Full day at sea; explore the ship, pools and shows |
| Dec 30 (Tue) | Rio de Janeiro | Disembark at Pier Mauá; free day in the city |
| Dec 31 (Wed) | Rio de Janeiro — New Year’s | Copacabana fireworks seen from the sea; party onboard |
| Jan 1 (Thu) | Búzios | Beach stop; tender boat to Rua das Pedras |
| Jan 2 (Fri) | Ilhabela → Santos | Morning in Ilhabela; return to Santos in the afternoon |
The highlight of the itinerary is the night of December 31: the ship positions itself in Guanabara Bay during the Copacabana fireworks, which last about 16 minutes. Unlike being on the sand — squeezed among 2 million people — you watch from the outer decks with a drink in hand and room to move. The next day, Búzios offers beaches like João Fernandes and Azeda, perfect for starting the year with your feet in the sand.
If you’re comparing with other New Year’s cruises, the Buenavista’s itinerary is shorter than the 7 nights of the Costa Diadema (which goes as far as Argentina), but it has the advantage of the Copacabana fireworks — the Diadema spends New Year’s in Montevideo.
What’s included on the Corazul Buenavista cruise?
All Buenavista fares include full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks in the main restaurants) and the Corazul Plus drinks package, with beers, wines, sparkling wines, spirits and cocktails. That’s Corazul’s biggest differentiator in the Brazilian market.
What’s included in the fare:
- Meals in the five restaurants (buffet, two main restaurants, outdoor grill and pizzeria)
- Corazul Plus package: draft beer, wines by the glass (red, white, rosé and sparkling), spirits (vodka, gin, rum, whiskey, tequila), 15+ classic and tropical cocktails, sodas, juices and specialty coffees
- Shows in the theater (674 seats), cinema (188 seats) and daily entertainment
- Pools, jacuzzis and leisure areas across the three pool decks
- Kids Club (ages 3–13) and Teens Club (13+)
- Gym and sports court
What’s NOT included:
- Port fees (confirm with the agency; Corazul hasn’t yet published the amounts for Brazil)
- Wi-Fi (packages purchased onboard)
- Specialty restaurant (Steak House — reservation with extra fee)
- Upgrade to Corazul Premium (premium drinks like aged whiskeys and champagnes)
- Spa Oceana treatments
- Duty-free shop purchases
What are the Buenavista cabins like?
The Buenavista has 939 cabins in five categories: inside (329 units, ~14 m²), outside with window (476, ~14 m²), balcony (110, ~21 m²), mini-suite (16, ~36 m²) and suite (8, ~49 m²), plus 8 accessible cabins (Clube dos Cruzeiros, Sept 2026).
Most cabins are outside with a window — 476 of them, more than half the ship. That’s a legacy of the original 1990s P&O Cruises design, when balconies were rare. If you want a balcony to watch the Copacabana fireworks from inside your cabin, book early: there are only 110 units, and New Year’s is the most sought-after date of the season.
Inside and outside cabins are ~14 m², a standard size for ships of this generation — comparable to the MSC Seaview, which also has 14–16 m² inside cabins. The mini-suite (36 m²) and suite (49 m²) offer a separate living room and dedicated services, but with only 24 units between the two, they sell out fast.
Does the Buenavista include drinks in the price?
Yes. The Buenavista is the only ship operating in Brazil for New Year’s that includes alcoholic drinks in the standard fare, with no need to buy an extra package. Corazul Plus covers beer, wine, sparkling wine, spirits and cocktails across all eight bars on the ship.
In practice, that makes a difference to your wallet. On MSC, the Easy package (water and soda only) costs US$ 24/day, and the package with alcohol starts at US$ 52/day (MSC Cruzeiros, Sept 2026). On Costa, the Bevande Incluse package runs €21/day (Costa Cruzeiros, Sept 2026). Over 5 nights, MSC’s drinks package would cost around R$ 1,400 per person — an amount that’s already in the Buenavista’s price.
The Corazul Plus list includes: mojito, spritz, piña colada and more than 20 classic cocktails; red, white and rosé wines and sparkling wines by the glass; vodka, gin, rum, whiskey, tequila and brandy; draft beers; sodas, juices and specialty coffees. Premium drinks — like aged whiskeys and vintage champagnes — are outside the Plus package and require the Corazul Premium upgrade, purchased onboard.
What is the Buenavista like inside?
The Buenavista has a style Corazul calls “English spirit” — a legacy of its years as Oriana in the P&O Cruises fleet. The interiors are more classic than those of modern mega-ships: wood in the corridors, understated decor, smaller gathering areas spread throughout the ship (Portal World Cruises, Jan 2026).
The five restaurants range from an international buffet (open for breakfast, lunch and dinner) to two main restaurants with a rotating menu, an outdoor grill and a pizzeria. The Steak House is the only one with an extra fee — it works by reservation, with a premium cuts menu. The eight bars include the Captain’s Lounge (English pub style), the Starlight Lounge (for pre-dinner drinks), a piano bar and pool bars.
The theater seats 674 and hosts musical shows, magic and themed performances every night. The cinema (188 seats) screens recent films. For those who want a party, the Star Club doubles as a nightclub after 11pm. The casino has blackjack tables, roulette and slot machines — open when the ship is at sea.
The three pools occupy different decks: the main one in the center of the ship, one with a retractable roof and the Terrace Pool at the stern, with a jacuzzi and integrated bar — the most sought-after spot on sea days. The Spa Oceana has a sauna, Turkish bath, relaxation room and treatments paid separately. The gym is open 24 hours.
Do you need a passport for the Buenavista New Year’s cruise?
No. The Buenavista’s New Year’s itinerary (Santos → Rio → Búzios → Ilhabela → Santos) is entirely in Brazilian waters, so Brazilians board with an original ID card in good condition. Minors under 18 traveling without their parents need judicial authorization — Corazul follows the same rules as the other companies operating in Brazil.
If you have a passport, bring it anyway: it serves as a backup document and speeds up check-in at some terminals. If you’re boarding with an ID card, make sure the photo is recognizable and the document isn’t torn or has loose lamination — cases of boarding refusal due to a damaged document happen at the start of every season.
Is the Buenavista New Year’s cruise 2027 worth it compared to MSC and Costa?
It depends on what you prioritize. The Buenavista is the best option if included drinks weigh on your decision and if you prefer a smaller, less crowded ship. The MSC Seaview and Virtuosa are better if you want mega-infrastructure (water park, more dining options, a newer ship) and don’t mind paying for the drinks package separately.
| Criteria | Buenavista (Corazul) | MSC Seaview | Costa Diadema |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (inside) | R$ 7,883 (Sept 2026) | R$ 6,847 (Sept 2026) | R$ 7,948 (Sept 2026) |
| Drinks included | Yes (Corazul Plus) | No (package extra) | No (package extra) |
| Nights | 5 | 7 | 7 |
| New Year’s in | Copacabana (fireworks) | Open sea | Montevideo |
| Passengers | ~2,140 | ~5,179 | ~4,947 |
| Ship’s year | 1995 (refurb. 2024) | 2018 | 2014 (refurb. 2023) |
| Embarkation | Santos | Santos | Santos |
Quick math: adding drinks for 5 nights on MSC (~R$ 1,400/person), the real cost ends up close to the Buenavista’s — but with the Buenavista you get the Copacabana fireworks and a ship at half capacity. On the other hand, the Seaview is a 2018 ship with a water park, and the Diadema goes as far as Buenos Aires — experiences the Buenavista doesn’t offer.
Corazul is a newcomer to Brazil, so there are no reviews from Brazilian passengers about the onboard service. The ship sailed for years as Oriana for P&O Cruises (UK market) and later operated in the Mediterranean for Corazul itself, with good reviews on Cruise Critic. If you’re the type who likes to try things before everyone else and enjoys a more intimate atmosphere, the novelty may be worth the risk. If you prefer safety and established reviews, MSC and Costa have years of operation in Brazil.
Before boarding in Santos, set aside a few hours to explore the city’s historic center. The guided tour of Santos for cruisers by Civitatis is designed for those disembarking or embarking at the Cruise Terminal — it lasts half a day and includes the Coffee Museum, the Aquarium and the waterfront.
Frequently asked questions
How much are gratuities on the Corazul Buenavista?
Corazul Cruceros hasn’t yet officially announced its gratuity policy for the 2026/2027 Brazilian season. In its European operation, the company works with voluntary gratuities (not automatically charged to the account). Confirm directly with the travel agency at the time of booking, since the policy may be different in Brazil — MSC and Costa automatically charge between €12 and €15 per night.
What is there to do in Búzios during the cruise stop?
Búzios is a tender stop (a smaller boat takes passengers to shore), and the ship usually stays anchored for 6–8 hours. The most accessible beaches on foot are João Fernandes and Azeda, both a 15–20 minute walk from Rua das Pedras. If you prefer a water taxi, you can head to Geribá or Tartaruga. Set aside time for lunch on Rua das Pedras — the concentration of seafood restaurants is one of the best on the Rio de Janeiro coast.
Is the Buenavista good for families with children?
The Buenavista has a Kids Club for children ages 3 to 13 and a Teens Club for teens over 13, both with supervised activities. The three pools don’t have a water park — if your kids love slides and splash pads, the MSC Seaview is a better fit. For families with younger children who prefer a calmer ship with drinks already sorted (no worrying about the minibar bill), the Buenavista can work well.
What are the Buenavista’s restaurants?
The Buenavista has five restaurants included in the fare: the international buffet (breakfast, lunch and dinner), two main restaurants with a rotating menu and table service, an outdoor grill (open on sunny days) and a pizzeria. The only paid restaurant is the Steak House, with a premium cuts menu and advance reservation — the extra fee is usually between €25 and €35 per person in the European operation (Sept 2026) (confirm prices for Brazil with the agency).
Where does the Buenavista New Year’s cruise depart from?
The Buenavista New Year’s cruise departs from the Santos Cruise Terminal in São Paulo on December 28, 2026. The terminal is at Av. Cândido Gaffrée, s/n, in the Valongo neighborhood. Coming from the city of São Paulo takes about 1h20 via the Anchieta/Imigrantes highways outside peak hours. Parking lots around the terminal charge between R$ 40 and R$ 60 per day — book in advance, as they fill up in high season. Arrive at the terminal at least 3 hours before departure on embarkation day.
Conclusion
The Buenavista New Year’s cruise 2027 is the bet for anyone who wants to ring in the year facing Copacabana, with a drink in hand and no worries about the bar tab. Corazul is new to Brazil, and the ship doesn’t have the infrastructure of an MSC mega-ship — but it makes up for it with included drinks, a calmer vibe and the best position for the fireworks. Outside cabins start at R$ 7,890 and disappear fast. Book through our guide to cruises departing from Santos and compare with the other ships of the season on Voyage Voyage.