Marcelo OliveiraThe 2026/2027 cruise season in Brazil runs from November 2026 to April 2027. The updated schedule brings together five MSC ships with Brazilian homeports and two from Costa: Santos concentrates several departures, while Rio de Janeiro, Itajaí and Northeast ports expand the options. Check the ship and the exact day before you buy, because the lineup has already changed since the initial announcement.
For a special end-of-year departure, see the Costa Serena New Year’s Eve 2027 guide, with embarkation in Buenos Aires and expected arrival at Copacabana Bay on the night of December 31.
| Period | November 2026 to April 2027 |
|---|---|
| MSC with embarkation in Brazil | Virtuosa, Divina, Musica, Splendida and Seaview |
| Costa with embarkation in Brazil | Diadema and Serena |
| Main ports | Santos, Rio de Janeiro and Itajaí; other embarkation points depend on ship and date |
| Duration | Mini-cruises of 3 to 5 nights and trips of 7 to 9 nights; confirm your chosen departure |
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In this article
🚢 This article is part of the 2026/2027 Cruise Guide.
Which ships sail the 2026/2027 season?
MSC Virtuosa, MSC Divina, MSC Musica, MSC Splendida and MSC Seaview have Brazilian embarkations announced for the season. Costa Diadema and Costa Serena complete Costa’s regular lineup. MSC Magnifica visits the country on its world cruise itinerary, but that call is not the same as a regular season with local embarkations.
The most recent information matters. MSC’s initial announcement mentioned the Lirica, but the company announced its repositioning to the Mediterranean and, later, the arrival of the Seaview to South America. If an old table still shows the Lirica, confirm the voyage number before planning flights and hotels.
| Ship | Base and profile |
|---|---|
| MSC Virtuosa | Brazilian itineraries, including the Northeast; debuts in the country. |
| MSC Divina | Mini-cruises and itineraries to the Plata region departing from Santos. |
| MSC Musica | Departures from Santos, Rio, Itajaí and Paranaguá, depending on itinerary. |
| MSC Splendida | Embarkations in Rio and Buenos Aires. |
| MSC Seaview | Mini-cruises and Plata trips from Santos and Balneário Camboriú. |
| Costa Diadema | Santos and Itajaí, mini-cruises and Plata itinerary. |
| Costa Serena | Rio de Janeiro, 8- and 9-night itineraries. |
Which ports do the cruises leave from?
Santos, Rio de Janeiro and Itajaí are the central embarkation points in the 2026/2027 schedule. MSC also announced departures from Salvador, Maceió, Balneário Camboriú and Paranaguá, depending on the ship. Buenos Aires is an option within the South American season, but it is not a Brazilian port.
Two of these ports have their own guides: see the cruise departing from Salvador, with Carnival and New Year’s Eve on board, and the Carnival cruise departing from Rio de Janeiro.
Choosing by port can save you a night of hotel and ground transfers, but compare the total trip price. A lower cabin fare from another city may lose its advantage once airfare, baggage and transfers are added. In Santos, identify the terminal indicated on your voucher; in Rio, cruise embarkation uses Pier Mauá. Check the address and boarding window on your departure document.
Boarding in Santos? The cruise departing from Santos guide gathers the ships, dates, the Concais terminal and the route to the port.
Among the season’s themed cruises, MSC Divina departs from Santos with shows in November and December: Navio Cabaré, Navio Roberto Carlos and Embaixador em Alto Mar.
When does the season start and end?
The regular operations announced by MSC and Costa are concentrated from November 2026 to April 2027. Costa Diadema opens its schedule in November; Costa Serena operates from December. Departures and prices for the first month are in the November cruises guide. There are crossing voyages before and after this period, but they have different logic, duration and ports from the summer circuits.
To fit school holidays, your first filter should be the embarkation day, followed by the disembarkation day. “Eight days” in a listing usually means seven nights. For Christmas, New Year’s Eve and Carnival, selecting the month isn’t enough: confirm that the party date falls within the trip. Also see our guides to Carnival cruises and New Year’s Eve on a cruise.
How much does a cruise cost during the season?
The price changes with date, cabin, occupancy and fare. In September 2026, Costa’s season page showed examples of seven nights starting at around R$ 4,900 per person, with maritime, port and service fees included in the displayed offer. That’s a snapshot of specific departures, not a promise for Christmas or New Year’s Eve.
Build the full bill before comparing: cabin and fees; travel to the port; a possible hotel the night before; drinks and paid restaurants; internet; shore excursions; insurance; and foreign currency spending on international itineraries. Confirm on your booking summary what’s already included. An interior cabin is usually the entry point; a balcony brings private open space but tends to cost more. For families, check the actual cabin occupancy and children’s policy instead of multiplying an adult fare by four.
There are drink package promotions on selected departures and categories. They change in deadline and conditions. Compare two bookings with the same items included; a cabin discount without drinks can end up costing more for those who plan to drink every day. The ship’s medical center is paid, so evaluate insurance and read the assistance and cancellation coverage.
To add up everything beyond the cabin — service charge, drinks, internet and transport to the port — see how much a 7-night cruise costs.
Which itinerary to choose: mini-cruise, Northeast or Plata?
A three- to five-night mini-cruise is a way to test the experience and use fewer vacation days. The Northeast calls for more sailing time and usually combines stops like Salvador and Maceió. The Plata itinerary passes through Argentina and Uruguay, requires attention to documents and involves international travel conditions.
The best ship depends on what you’ll do on board. Those prioritizing dates and price should first select port and week; those looking for larger structures can compare Virtuosa and Seaview; those wanting to depart from Rio find options like Serena and Splendida. Don’t choose based on a pool photo without looking at the stops and the number of days at sea. Check whether the departure stops in a city you’re interested in or whether it only appears on another cruise’s route.
To sail at the end of the year, separate two different intentions: Christmas on a cruise 2026 requires December 25 to be on board; ringing in the New Year on a cruise requires December 31 on board. A trip departing on the 26th is not a Christmas cruise, even if it appears in holiday listings.
Still unsure about the cruise line? The MSC or Costa comparison puts price on the same date, food, entertainment and kids side by side.
How do you get to the embarkation port?
Arrive in the embarkation city with a buffer for road or flight delays. Your booking states the terminal, the check-in window and the deadline; use that data, not the ship’s departure time, to plan your route. If you fly to São Paulo to leave from Santos, you still need the transfer to the coast. The same care applies to the airports in Rio, Navegantes, Salvador and Maceió.
If you have a free day before boarding in Santos, you can look into things to do in Santos. Leave the visit for the day before or for a morning with real spare time: an excursion and embarkation in the same period can create unnecessary risk.
Which documents and precautions should you check?
The accepted document depends on the itinerary and nationality. For trips passing through Argentina and Uruguay, check the cruise line’s current guidance on a valid RG (Brazilian ID), passport and documents for minors; a driver’s license does not replace a physical RG or passport on these international itineraries. For a child traveling without guardians, see the required authorization. Pregnant travelers and people with accessibility needs should confirm the company’s rules and the appropriate cabin in advance.
Driver’s license at embarkation — checked on 10/16/2026: for Brazilian adults, MSC and Costa accept a valid driver’s license on cruises with stops only in Brazil. With Argentina or Uruguay, a driver’s license is not valid: bring the original accepted physical ID or a valid passport, according to the cruise line.
Under 18: 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 according to the accompanying adults and the itinerary. Details are in cruise documents.
Also read the cancellation policy of the fare you booked and the insurance coverage. Deadlines can change according to how far in advance you depart and the cabin type. Keeping the contract, passenger data and the documentation used at purchase avoids rushing to correct names close to embarkation.
Sources consulted in September 2026: MSC, April 2026 update; MSC, Lirica change; Costa, 2026/2027 season.
Frequently asked questions
How many ships will have regular embarkations in Brazil in 2026/2027?
The updated MSC and Costa schedules list five MSC ships with embarkations in Brazil and two from Costa. MSC Magnifica passes through the region on a world cruise, a distinct operation from the regular circuits.
Is MSC Lirica coming to Brazil in the 2026/2027 season?
Not in the updated schedule released by MSC. The company announced the repositioning of MSC Lirica to the Mediterranean and announced MSC Seaview for South America.
What is the main embarkation port?
Santos concentrates many departures, but Rio de Janeiro, Itajaí and other ports also appear in the schedules. The available port depends on the ship, the date and the itinerary.