Brazil prepares for the 2025/2026 cruise season

For nearly six months, thousands of cruise passengers will embark on more than 160 itineraries that connect destinations, boost local economies, and reinforce Brazil's role as an important destination for the cruise industry.

Seven ships will operate along the Brazilian coast: MSC Preziosa, Seaview, Armonia, Sinfonia, and Fantasia, in addition to Costa Diadema and Costa Favolosa. Throughout the season, more than 600 calls will be made to 16 destinations, with embarkations and disembarkations in Santos, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Maceió, Itajaí, and Balneário Camboriú, which debuts as a embarkation port this season. The itineraries also include Angra dos Reis, Búzios, Ilha Grande, Ilhabela, Ilhéus, Porto Belo, and Recife, in addition to international stops in Buenos Aires, Montevideo, and Punta del Este.

The latest study by CLIA Brasil in partnership with FGV shows that the average economic impact per passenger is approximately R$710 in stopover cities and R$920 in embarkation and disembarkation cities, considering direct, indirect, and induced effects. These figures demonstrate the power of cruises in generating income and jobs, benefiting commerce, services, transportation, hotels, and gastronomy.

With two fewer ships than last season, the total number of beds will be approximately 670,000, about 20% lower than the previous season. This reduction is likely to impact economic activity and job creation, which last season generated over 84,000 jobs and generated R$5.43 billion in revenue along the entire Brazilian coast, with 838,000 cruise passengers embarked. 

Despite this reduction in the number of vessels, the season will be marked by a wide variety of experiences for all types of travelers — from mini-cruises ideal for short breaks to themed itineraries, those sailing during festive dates, and longer itineraries of up to seven days, combining leisure, gastronomy, and culture on board.

In addition to coastal shipping operations, approximately 21 long-haul vessels will also call in Brazil during the period, connecting the country to important international routes and strengthening destinations such as Amazonas, Bahia, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Pará, Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte, Alagoas, and Rio Grande do Sul. These stops reinforce the country's relevance on the global maritime tourism map and expand the economic and tourism reach of the activity.

The industry also remains committed to the global sustainability and decarbonization agenda, which aims to achieve total carbon neutrality by 2050. The use of alternative fuels, energy efficiency technologies, and innovative environmental solutions is already a growing reality, reflecting the search for a more responsible and sustainable future for the sector.

"The upcoming season reaffirms the cruise industry's commitment to developing tourism and local economies. CLIA Brazil and its members remain committed to strengthening dialogue with government agencies and destinations, promoting structural and regulatory improvements, increasing competitiveness, and attracting new companies to the country. The cruise industry continues to invest in sustainability and innovation, while also maintaining its focus on the excellence of the experiences offered to cruise passengers, a distinguishing feature that makes cruises a transformative product, capable of generating opportunities, enchanting people, and boosting Brazilian tourism," says Marco Ferraz, president of CLIA Brazil.

Source: Agência Guanabara