MSC Cruises will send five ships to South America for the 2026-27 winter season, following the addition of the MSC Seaview to the region’s deployment.

Initially set to offer itineraries in the Southern Caribbean, the 2018-built vessel is now set to offer cruises to Brazil and Argentina.

The move is related to a broader redeployment initiative, which also included the cancellation of MSC World Europa’s cruises in the Middle East.

The MSC Seaview will join the MSC Virtuosa, the MSC Divina, the MSC Splendida and the MSC Musica for cruises departing from eight homeports.

One of the highlights of the season is the debut of the MSC Virtuosa, which will become the largest cruise ship in South America.

Sailing from Santos, Salvador and Maceió, the 4,888-passenger vessel is set to offer seven-night itineraries to Brazilian destinations.

After a short stint in the region during the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the MSC Divina is also set to offer its first full season in South America.

Deployment plans call for the 2012-built ship to offer short cruises departing from Santos, in addition to weeklong itineraries to Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay that also sail from Buenos Aires and Balneário Camboriú.

A second Fantasia-class vessel, the MSC Splendida, is also scheduled to offer cruises to Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. In addition to Buenos Aires, the 133,500-ton ship will offer itineraries departing from Rio de Janeiro.

Completing MSC Cruises’ lineup in South America, the MSC Musica is set to offer short cruises from Santos during most of the season.

Between December and February, the 2006-built vessel offers longer cruises to Argentina and Uruguay, as well as seven-night voyages departing from Itajaí, Paranaguá and Rio de Janeiro.

Of note, during the 2026-27 season, MSC will no longer offer cruises departing from Montevideo in Uruguay.

According to local sources, the decision was related to higher-than-average operational costs in the country.

Previously a traditional homeport for the brand in the region, the city will continue to welcome ships for transit calls.

In addition to MSC, two other companies are set to serve local markets in South America in 2026-27: Costa Cruises and Corazul Cruceros.

The brands will deploy three additional ships in the region, including the 3,700-passenger Costa Diadema and the 1995-built Buenavista.