Buenavista arrives at the Port of Santos, marking the start of the cruise season

Flying the Spanish flag and carrying 541 crew members, Buenavista has a capacity for 2,231 passengers (Sílvio Luiz/AT)

The wait is over. After months of anticipation and several schedule changes, the cruise ship Buenavista, operated by Spanish company Corazul, arrived at the Port of Santos this Wednesday (28), marking the start of the cruise season.

The first commercial voyage will take place this Friday (30), departing from Santos at 6 p.m., with stops in Rio de Janeiro and Búzios. The ship is scheduled to return to Santos on Monday (2). At the Santos port complex, it will make 39 calls throughout the 2026/2027 season. The final call is scheduled for March 29 next year.

The vessel entered the shipping channel shortly before 5 p.m. and subsequently headed to Berth 25, where it docked opposite the Giusfredo Santini Passenger Terminal, operated by Concais.

Flying the Spanish flag and carrying 541 crew members, Buenavista is 261 meters long and has a capacity for 2,231 passengers. An estimated 1,400 passengers are expected to board for the inaugural voyage.

Commotion and uncertainty

Corazul's arrival has generated considerable attention from the outset. This marks the company's debut in the Brazilian market. However, uncertainty has accompanied the process to an equal extent.

The reason is that the company, which began operations in January, canceled its entire Mediterranean cruise schedule in Europe in June. Corazul, however, assured the market that there would be no problems with its operations in Brazil.

The ship that arrived in Brazilian waters is the same vessel originally scheduled to operate the canceled itinerary. It has a 31-year history, having been launched in 1995 under the name Oriana, when it operated for P&O Cruises.

The vessel was renamed Piano Land in 2019 and operated by Chinese company Astro Ocean, with which Corazul signed a charter agreement. Preparations were carried out in Hong Kong and during the voyage, followed by the name change to Buenavista.

Other destinations

The season's schedule will also include three- and four-night cruises to Balneário Camboriú (SC), while voyages featuring Rio de Janeiro and Salvador will last seven nights.