The 2025-26 cruise season for Costa Cruises in South America has officially commenced with the arrival of the Costa Favolosa in Santos, Brazil. The 2011-built vessel completed its trans-Atlantic journey, which began in Italy earlier in November, docking at the Brazilian port on November 23, 2025. This arrival marks the start of a two-ship deployment for the Italian cruise line in the region.
The initial phase of the Costa Favolosa’s season focuses on short getaways along the Brazilian coast. From its Santos homeport, the ship is offering three and four-night itineraries to popular coastal destinations. Guests can currently enjoy calls at scenic ports like Ilhabela, Porto Belo, and Balneário Camboriú. This schedule of shorter cruises will run until mid-December, catering to travelers seeking quick, sun-filled breaks.
Following this initial period, the vessel will reposition to Buenos Aires, Argentina, transitioning to longer, more comprehensive South American voyages. Sailing from Argentina, the Favolosa will embark on eight and nine-night cruises, expanding its reach to include destinations in Uruguay and back to Brazil.
Key ports of call on these extended itineraries feature Montevideo, Uruguay, and Brazilian gems such as Balneário Camboriú and Ilha Grande. A notable addition is a stop in Rio de Janeiro, which will also serve as a convenient embarkation point for guests. Costa Favolosa is scheduled to conclude its season in the region and return to Europe in March.
The second vessel joining the South American lineup is the Costa Diadema, a newer ship built in 2014. Before beginning its cruise service, the Diadema will serve a unique role as a floating hotel during a climate summit in Belém. Once this assignment is complete, the ship will sail alongside the Favolosa, offering cruises from both Santos and Itajaí.
The Costa Diadema’s season will kick off with short, three- and four-night cruises to Ilhabela. This will be quickly followed by weeklong itineraries that delve into the Southern Cone, visiting Argentina and Uruguay.
These longer voyages will feature stops in major cities like Montevideo and Buenos Aires and will also incorporate three days of cruising in the picturesque South Atlantic. The Diadema will have a longer presence in South America than its counterpart, with its deployment scheduled to run through late April.
Costa Cruises is part of a bustling cruise season already underway. The overall 2025-26 cruise season in South America began in late October with the arrival of the MSC Preziosa. MSC Cruises is demonstrating a strong commitment to the region, having already added three more ships to its local fleet: the MSC Seaview, the MSC Fantasia, and the MSC Sinfonia.
Furthermore, the MSC Armonia is currently crossing the Atlantic and is set to join the robust lineup of MSC ships, offering regular itineraries in Brazil starting in December.
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