Marcelo OliveiraA New Year’s Eve cruise combines the big night with days of relaxation in a setup you don’t have to build or tear down: no racing to book a restaurant months in advance. But before confirming the reservation, most people want to know whether the R$ 8,000 to R$ 15,000 (Sept/2026 range) they’re about to spend is really worth it, and what exactly goes into that bill.
| Departure ports | Santos (SP), Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Itajaí (SC), Salvador (BA), Maceió (AL) |
|---|---|
| Typical period | Dec 31, 2026 – Jan 7, 2027 (7 nights) |
| Cruise lines in Brazil | MSC Cruzeiros, Costa Cruzeiros |
| Confirmed ships (2026/27) | MSC Virtuosa, MSC Divina, MSC Musica; Costa Serena, Costa Diadema; Buenavista (Corazul)* — *confirm availability on the cruise line’s website |
| Price range (interior cabin) | from R$ 8,113/person (Sept/2026) — InterCruzeiros |
| What’s included | Meals, non-alcoholic drinks at the buffet, shows, gym, pool, New Year’s Eve dinner and sparkling wine at midnight |
| What’s NOT included | Alcoholic drinks, specialty restaurants, shore excursions, gratuities, transfer to the port |
| Documents (Brazilian coast) | Original ID issued less than 10 years ago or driver’s license — confirm with the cruise line |
| Documents (Mercosur stop) | Passport or travel document valid in Mercosur (Argentina/Uruguay) |
| Travel insurance | Not mandatory for domestic cruises; strongly recommended (onboard medical care is billed separately) |
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A 2026/2027 New Year’s Eve cruise starts at R$ 8,113 per person in a double interior cabin (InterCruzeiros, Sept/2026), with all meals, the New Year’s dinner and midnight sparkling wine included. Alcoholic drinks, shore excursions and gratuities are not. Departures leave mainly from Santos (SP), Rio de Janeiro and Itajaí (SC).
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🚢 This article is part of the 2026/2027 Cruise Guide: every ship, port and price of the season.
Want an international option already on sale? Check out the New Year’s Eve cruise in the Caribbean, departing Miami on December 26, 2026, with itinerary and date pricing verified on Logitravel.
Want the celebration with drinks already in the fare? See the all-inclusive New Year’s Eve cruise departures, with Dec 31 on board and a drinks package.
How does a New Year’s Eve cruise work and which port does it leave from in Brazil?
A New Year’s Eve cruise is a 7-night trip with the turn from December 31, 2026 to January 1, 2027 happening on board: you board on the 31st, during the day the ship may be in port or at sea, and at midnight the party happens on deck or in the theater — dinner, show and sparkling wine included. On the following days, the ship sails to other cities, you take shore excursions (on your own or through the cruise line’s packages) and disembark on January 7.
In Brazil, the main departure ports for New Year’s Eve 2026/2027 are Santos (SP), which concentrates most MSC and Costa Cruzeiros departures, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Itajaí (SC) and Salvador (BA), according to Portal World Cruises (Feb/2026). Maceió (AL) and Paranaguá (PR) also appear on some MSC itineraries as intermediate ports.
For the 2026/2027 New Year’s Eve season, MSC Cruzeiros confirmed the ships MSC Virtuosa, MSC Divina, MSC Musica and MSC Seaview operating in Brazil, with MSC Splendida on itineraries that include Argentina (Portal World Cruises, Feb/2026). Costa Cruzeiros is expected to operate with Costa Serena and Costa Diadema, but confirm availability directly on the cruise line’s website before booking (Clube dos Cruzeiros, Dec/2025). The season’s newcomer is Spain’s Corazul Cruceros, making its Brazil debut with the Buenavista — the only ship with alcoholic drinks included in the fare.
The typical 7-night itinerary leaves Santos on December 31 and stops in cities like Búzios (RJ), Ilhéus (BA), Salvador (BA) and Ilhabela (SP), depending on the ship — each cruise line has its own itinerary. Some packages include stops in Buenos Aires or Montevideo, which changes the required documents (see more in the documents section).
How much does a New Year’s Eve cruise cost and what’s included in the price?
The price of a 2026/2027 New Year’s Eve cruise starts at R$ 8,113 per person for two adults sharing an interior cabin (InterCruzeiros and Clube dos Cruzeiros, Sept/2026) — that amount covers accommodation, all main meals at the buffet, non-alcoholic drinks during meals, the onboard entertainment program, the special New Year’s dinner and the midnight sparkling wine. What is not included makes a real difference to your final budget.
What the base price includes:
- All meals in the main restaurant and buffet (except themed/specialty restaurants, billed separately)
- Non-alcoholic drinks during meals (water, juices, sodas and coffee)
- Theater shows, pool activities, gym, nightclub and general entertainment
- Special New Year’s dinner on December 31 and midnight sparkling wine (1 glass per person included)
- Use of common areas: pools, deck, gym, basic spa
What’s not in the package:
- Alcoholic drinks (packages cost between US$ 30 and US$ 100/person/day, plus 15% service fee — Shopping de Cruzeiros, Mar/2026)
- Specialty restaurants on board (Japanese rodízio, steakhouse, etc.)
- Shore excursions in ports (optional — from R$ 200 to R$ 800/person per stop, Sept/2026)
- Suggested gratuity of €10 to €12/person/day (InterCruzeiros, Sept/2026)
- Transfer between your city and the departure port
- Onboard internet/Wi-Fi package
Real total cost: how much you’ll actually spend
The per-person price in the ads is just the cabin rate. For two adults in an interior cabin departing from Santos, the real total cost in Sept/2026 looks like this:
| Item | Per person | For 2 people |
|---|---|---|
| Interior cabin (7n, Sept/2026) | R$ 8,113–8,175 (Sept/2026) | R$ 16,226–16,350 (Sept/2026) |
| Port fees | R$ 150–300 (Sept/2026) | R$ 300–600 (Sept/2026) |
| Suggested gratuity (€11 × 7n × ~R$ 6.50, Sept/2026) | R$ 500–520 (Sept/2026, ref. exchange rate) | R$ 1,000–1,040 (Sept/2026) |
| Santos transfer (from SP, car or van) | R$ 200–350 (Sept/2026) | R$ 200–350 (Sept/2026, shared) |
| Subtotal without drinks | ~R$ 9,000–9,350 (Sept/2026) | ~R$ 17,726–18,340 (Sept/2026) |
| Alcoholic drinks package (optional) | US$ 210–700 (~R$ 1,050–3,500) (Sept/2026) | R$ 2,100–7,000 (Sept/2026) |
Sources: InterCruzeiros and Clube dos Cruzeiros (Sept/2026); US$/R$ exchange rate estimated at R$ 5.00 for reference. Confirm current prices before booking.
What cabin types are there and which one is worth it?
New Year’s Eve cruises offer four cabin categories — interior, exterior/oceanview, balcony and suite/Yacht Club — with important differences in price, size and experience that go far beyond a window or balcony. The table below sums up what changes in each one and who each option is worth it for.
| Type | Average price/pp (Sept/2026) | What it has | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior | R$ 8,113–8,175 (Sept/2026) | Windowless room, double bed or bunk beds, bathroom, TV. Size: ~14–17 m² | Those who spend little time in the room and want to save as much as possible |
| Exterior / Oceanview | R$ 9,000–10,500 (est. Sept/2026 — confirm with the cruise line) | Fixed window with sea view. Same size as interior, but with natural light | Those who want natural light without paying for a balcony; good value for money |
| Balcony | R$ 10,763–12,523 (Sept/2026) | Private balcony, chairs and small table. Open sea view. ~18–22 m² | Couples who want to see the sea up close; worth it for watching the fireworks or arriving in port |
| Suite / Yacht Club | R$ 12,075–14,975+ (Sept/2026) | Separate living room, larger balcony, butler service, access to an exclusive restaurant and private deck area | Those who want a premium experience and don’t want to share spaces with the rest of the ship |
Price source: InterCruzeiros and Clube dos Cruzeiros (Sept/2026). Tip: in some years, the balcony cabin ends up cheaper than the exterior one thanks to last-minute promotions — there were cases like that in Jan/2026, according to Melhores Destinos. Monitor prices and book early to guarantee the cabin you want, not the one that’s left.
What happens at the New Year’s party on board?
On the night of December 31, the ship transforms its spaces: the main restaurant serves a special New Year’s dinner — usually a more elaborate buffet than usual, with seafood options, prime cuts and festive desserts — and at 11:30 pm the main deck and theater fill up for the countdown show. At midnight, the cruise line hands out one glass of sparkling wine per person for the official toast.
Depending on the itinerary, the ship may be docked in a port at midnight — in that case, you watch the local fireworks from the edge of the deck — or at sea, with the fireworks show happening on the ship itself. MSC Cruzeiros usually organizes live shows with national and international artists on the larger ships like the MSC Virtuosa; confirm the schedule directly with the cruise line before boarding, since each ship has its own line-up.
The bars stay open longer on New Year’s Eve night, and the deck party can go on until 3 or 4 am. Those with small children can use the Kids Club or the family area while the adults enjoy the nighttime program — the ship has dedicated spaces for that. Note: the midnight sparkling wine includes 1 glass per person; anyone wanting more alcoholic drinks during the party needs the drinks package or pays à la carte at the bar.
What documents do I need for a New Year’s Eve cruise?
For cruises exclusively along the Brazilian coast, an original ID issued less than 10 years ago or a driver’s license is the accepted document for boarding — a passport is not required in that case (MSC Cruzeiros and CVC, Sept/2026). If the itinerary includes stops in Mercosur countries like Argentina and Uruguay, you’ll need a valid Brazilian passport or a civil identity document accepted in Mercosur.
Documents by situation:
- Brazilian coast only: Original ID (issued less than 10 years ago) or driver’s license. Confirm with the cruise line whether they accept the digital version via gov.br.
- Stop in Argentina or Uruguay: Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the return date, or a travel document valid in Mercosur. Always confirm on the cruise line’s website before boarding (MSC Cruzeiros, Sept/2026).
- Children under 18: Birth certificate and, if traveling with only one parent or a third party, a travel authorization with notarized signature. Check the current requirements of the cruise line and the Federal Police.
- Foreigners residing in Brazil: Passport + valid RNE (National Foreigner Registration). Confirm with the cruise line.
What you can’t bring on board: alcohol brought from outside (most cruise lines prohibit it or limit it to 1–2 bottles of wine), weapons of any kind, and flammable items. Dry, packaged foods are usually allowed, but confirm with the company before boarding.
Is a New Year’s Eve cruise worth it? Who it’s for and who it’s NOT for?
A New Year’s Eve cruise is worth it for anyone who wants an organized party with everything in one place — accommodation, meals, shows and the midnight celebration — without worrying about logistics, late-night transportation or booking a restaurant a year in advance. But it’s not for everyone: the format has limitations that make some people regret it.
Who it’s for:
- Those who want convenience above all: you pay once and no longer have to decide where to have dinner, where to sleep or how to get home.
- Couples and families with older children (over 5–6 years old): the ship has entertainment for all ages, and the party is safe and organized.
- Those who already enjoy cruises and want a special edition: New Year’s Eve is the gala version of a regular cruise, with more production.
- Those who live in São Paulo or on the SP coast: Santos is the largest departure port, less than 2 hours from São Paulo.
- Those tired of land-based New Year’s Eve with crowds, impossible parking and packed restaurants.
Who it’s NOT for:
- Those who get seasick easily: December and January in the South Atlantic have above-average winds and swells — even ships with stabilizers can rock enough to ruin the trip.
- Those who want the “Rio New Year’s”: watching the Copacabana fireworks from a ship’s deck isn’t the same as being on the beach — and the ship is rarely docked in Rio at midnight.
- Those who like lots of activity and outside options: on New Year’s Eve, you spend most of your time on the ship; outings are limited to daytime port stops.
- Very tight budgets: the real total cost (with gratuities, transfer and some drinks) easily exceeds R$ 9,000 per person (est. Sept/2026) — for that amount, there are good land-based New Year’s Eve options.
- Large groups of friends who want total freedom: the ship has rules and schedules that can limit the “wild” vibe of a more improvised New Year’s Eve.
For more ideas on how to spend New Year’s Eve, see our complete New Year’s Eve guide, with land and sea destinations for different budgets and profiles.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cancellation and refund policy for a New Year’s Eve cruise?
The cancellation policy varies by cruise line, but the industry standard for New Year’s Eve cruises is: cancellation more than 90 days before boarding generally refunds most of the amount paid; between 45 and 90 days, the penalty is usually 50%; with less than 30 days, the loss is total. MSC Cruzeiros and Costa Cruzeiros have their own policies that can change — check your booking contract and travel agency before confirming payment.
Are drinks included? Do I need to buy a drinks package?
On a New Year’s Eve cruise, non-alcoholic drinks (water, juices, sodas and coffee during meals) are included in the base package. Alcoholic drinks — beers, wines, cocktails and spirits — are not included and are billed separately, at the ship’s bar or through a drinks package. Alcoholic drinks packages cost between US$ 30 and US$ 100 per person per day, plus 15% service fee (Shopping de Cruzeiros, Mar/2026) — for 7 nights, that’s between US$ 240 and US$ 800 per person. One glass of sparkling wine is handed out per person at midnight, at no extra cost.
Are there restrictions for children, seniors or pregnant women?
Babies under 6 months are generally not accepted by cruise lines; check the exact policy with MSC or Costa before booking. Children over 6 months to 1 year can usually board, but need complete documentation (birth certificate + travel authorization when accompanied by only one parent). For pregnant women, most cruise lines don’t allow boarding after the 24th week of pregnancy — confirm with the company and your obstetrician. For seniors, there’s no age restriction, but people with reduced mobility should check the ships’ accessibility in advance.
Do I need travel insurance to board a New Year’s Eve cruise?
Travel insurance is not mandatory for cruises along the Brazilian coast, but it is strongly recommended. Onboard medical care is billed separately and can be very expensive — a simple consultation can cost R$ 500 or more (est. Sept/2026), and a medical evacuation at sea can reach tens of thousands of reais. Good travel insurance covers onboard medical expenses, trip cancellation due to illness, lost luggage and, on some plans, even the lost drinks package if you’re evacuated. For cruises that include international stops, insurance is already required.
What’s the best time to book a New Year’s Eve cruise?
The best cabins for New Year’s Eve 2026/2027 usually sell out between June and August 2026 — those who wait until November get what’s left. The best prices usually appear on Black Friday in November and December of the previous year; in Sept/2026 there’s still availability, but balcony and suite options are already scarce. If you have a preferred destination or ship, book at least 6 to 8 months in advance.
Prefer the party at sea? See the dates, ships and prices for the 2027 Carnival cruise, with departures from Santos and Rio.
Conclusion
A New Year’s Eve cruise is one of the most organized and surprise-free ways to spend the turn of the year: the party comes with accommodation, dinner and sparkling wine — no chasing restaurants, parking or an Uber at 1 am. The real price, adding port fees, gratuities and transfer, comes to around R$ 9,000 to R$ 10,000 per person without alcoholic drinks (est. Sept/2026) — expensive, but comparable to a good New Year’s Eve party at a beachfront hotel.
The most important thing before booking: check whether you get seasick and book early if you have a preferred ship or cabin type. Balconies and suites for New Year’s Eve 2026/2027 were already scarce in Sept/2026. For more information on available packages, compare MSC and Costa departures on Logitravel, which gathers Christmas and New Year’s cruises in a single search.
Want to plan the rest of your trip? Check out our New Year’s Eve guide with other destination options for the celebration. To compare all ships side by side, see the comparison of the 7 New Year’s Eve ships for 2027. If it’s your first time on a ship, the first New Year’s Eve cruise guide explains boarding, extra costs and the mistakes every beginner makes.