New cruise line could bring forward the start of the cruise season at the Port of Santos by nearly two months

The official start of the cruise season at the Port of Santos is scheduled for October 31 (Corazul/Disclosure)

Spanish cruise line Corazul Cruzeiros may bring forward its debut in the Brazilian market and, consequently, the start of the 2026/2027 cruise season, with its first call at Santos, on the coast of São Paulo. Although the company has not yet confirmed the exact date, A Tribuna has learned that the schedule could be moved from November 5 to September 19. In addition, 46 port calls are reportedly planned instead of the original 26, extending the company's cruise operations in Brazil through April rather than ending in March.

"Indeed, Corazul is expected to arrive in Brazil earlier than originally planned. At the moment, we are preparing to begin operations in the second half of September, although the exact date is still subject to confirmation", Corazul's Operations Director, Camille Appeldoorn, told A Tribuna .

According to Camille, bookings for these cruises have not yet opened, but the company expects to make them available soon. "The first call will be at Santos, which will serve as our home port. The original plan was indeed for the ship to arrive in Santos on November 5", he added.

At present, the Brazilian cruise season is officially scheduled to begin on October 31, with Corazul's only vessel, Buenavista, making its first call in Recife (PE), according to information released in May by the Associação Brasileira de Cruzeiros Marítimos (Clia Brasil). Sailing under the Spanish flag, the vessel is 261 meters long and can accommodate 2,231 passengers.

The vessel has capacity for 2,231 passengers, according to the company (Corazul/Disclosure)

Planned itinerary

Camille also revealed that the possibility of extending the season through April is currently under review and that further information will be released once a final decision has been made.

"Santos and Rio de Janeiro will serve as embarkation and disembarkation ports. Our planned itinerary also includes Búzios (RJ), Balneário Camboriú (SC), Salvador (BA), Maceió (AL), Ilhabela (SP), Cabo Frio (RJ) and Copacabana (for the New Year's Eve fireworks display in Rio de Janeiro's famous neighborhood). Recife is being considered as a port of call during the Atlantic crossings", he said.

The Operations Director also noted that an inaugural event is being planned in Santos.

"The date has not yet been confirmed, but we will release further information soon", he added.

Along the same lines

As Corazul's exclusive sales representative in Brazil, R11 Travel echoed the company's position, stating that there is currently no confirmed date for any changes to the schedule originally announced.

"The possibility of bringing the start forward to September is only an expectation and remains subject to official confirmation. Therefore, any reference to a new date at this point would be premature", R11 Travel said in a statement. "The only officially confirmed schedule remains the one originally announced for the season. Nevertheless, we are closely monitoring the matter, and as soon as there is a definitive decision regarding any possible advance of the season, we will promptly inform the public", the company added.

Sailing under the Spanish flag, Corazul's ship is 261 meters long and features dining, leisure and sports facilities (Disclosure)

What has been confirmed

In May, the Associação Brasileira de Cruzeiros Marítimos (Clia Brasil) announced that the 2026/2027 cruise season will feature eight ships — one more than in the previous season — with a 24% increase in berth capacity. Of these, six ocean liners will call at the Port of Santos, including MSC Virtuosa and Buenavista, both of which will sail along the Brazilian coast for the first time.

According to the association, three cruise operators will offer regular itineraries during the upcoming season: the Italian companies MSC Cruzeiros and Costa Cruzeiros, both already established in the Brazilian market, and the Spanish company Corazul Cruzeiros, founded last year and making its debut in Brazilian waters.

As of now, the Brazilian season is scheduled to begin on October 31, with Buenavista, operated by Corazul, making its first call in Recife (PE), and will end on April 9, 2027. The eight ocean liners operating cruises in Brazil will be Costa Diadema, Costa Serena, Buenavista, MSC Virtuosa, MSC Splendida, MSC Divina, MSC Musica, and MSC Seaview. Only Costa Serena and MSC Splendida will not call at Santos.

According to the association, a total of 831,254 berths will be available, compared with 672,437 during the 2025/2026 season, which featured seven ships. A total of 190 itineraries will be operated, up from 160 in the previous season, while the number of port calls will increase from 617 to 675.