In Rio de Janeiro today, MSC Fantasia, the first cruise ship to open the 2022-23 Brazilian cruise season, arrived after an 11-day transatlantic voyage. MSC Fantasia will offer regular sailings from Santos, Sao Paulo, beginning tomorrow, November 2.
This year there will be a record cruise season in Brazil that will last almost six months. Nine cruise ships will visit Brazilian ports with 780 thousand berths, 47 percent more than the pre-pandemic season (2019/2020), which has 530 thousand berths.
Other cruise ships scheduled to arrive in Brazil include Costa Firenze, Costa Fortuna, Costa Favolosa, MSC Armonia, MSC Musica, MSC Preziosa, MSC Seashore and MSC Seaview will offer a total of 184 sailings from the ports of Itajai (SC), Macejo (AL), Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Salvador (BA) and Santos (SP). A total of 486 stops are planned in 17 destinations, including Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Montevideo and Punta del Este, in Uruguay.
The Brazilian Ministry of Tourism emphasized the importance of the cruise season, which will bring about 772 million US dollars into the economy and create 44,000 direct and indirect jobs.
“Cruises are the best way to see the world, as they offer accommodation, transport, entertainment, food, and a different view every day of a holiday.” We started this season with great responsibility, always putting guests, crew, environment, and compliance first, and delivering the unforgettable journeys that cruise passengers are already familiar with,” said Marco Ferraz, president of CLIA Brazil. “In addition, we see many opportunities for expansion in the sector in Brazil, as activity increases worldwide, with new ships under construction and investments in efficiency, technology and sustainability. We are continuously working to ensure that the Brazilian cruise industry continues to develop and contribute even more economy and the creation of jobs in the country”.
This season also marks the return of Brazil to the routes of important shipping companies from around the world. From October 7, 2022 to May 17, 2023, 35 long-haul ships will make 309 stops in 45 destinations located in 15 Brazilian states such as Amazonas, Bahia, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Rio Grande do Sul, with large expectations of generating economic impact on the national economy.