The 2022/2023 cruise season promises to be the BIGGEST in the last 10 years. There will be more than 600 thousand lucky people transiting from October 28th of this year to April 17th, 2023, coming from 37 ships. MSC Cruises will bring six vessels: MSC Armonia, MSC Musica, MSC Fantasia, MSC Seashore, MSC Seaview and MSC Preziosa and Costa Cruises three: Costa Firenze, Costa Fortuna and Costa Favolosa. At Pier Mauá alone there will be 35 ships on international calls, 84 national ones and seven ships coming for the first time.
Do you want to know which ships will pass through Pier Mauá in the season that has just started?
Continue reading until the end to discover a little about each one, curiosities, itineraries and perhaps in the middle of it all, decide once and for all, that it is NOW that you embark on a true dream trip.
The itineraries of most cruises in this Brazilian season are to the northeast, southeast and south of the country, as well as to Uruguay and Argentina, on trips lasting 3 to 8 nights.
The highlights go to the GIANTS that will be here. With a large supply of beds available, they are responsible for this being expected to be the busiest season in the last decade, according to the Brazilian Cruise Ship Association (CLIA Brasil).
Check out the ships with exuberant capacity:
O MSC Seashore, the largest cruise ship that will be in Brazil, has a capacity for 7,077 people and will pass through Pier Mauá on December 9, 2022 and March 27, 2023. Opened in 2021, the vessel is the first in the Seaside EVO class and is proposal to further connect guests with the sea. The Seashore will make trips of six to eight nights departing from Santos and passing through Ilha Grande, Búzios, Maceió and Salvador – it will also be possible to board in the latter two capitals.
Built in 2108, the MSC Seaview It has capacity for 6,842 people. The vessel will have trips lasting three to 14 nights, the first of which will be on December 6th. The ship will travel along the coast of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro (Rio, Ilhabela and Ilha Grande); there will also be trips along the coast of Rio de Janeiro plus Ilhéus and Salvador; options departing from Rio de Janeiro towards Uruguay and Argentina, in addition to longer itineraries, which cover the entire coast between Salvador and Buenos Aires.
O Costa Firenze It is the largest ship in the history of Costa Cruises to come to South America. It will pass through Pier Mauá on December 25th. Its capacity is 6,538 people on board, including the crew. The itineraries on board this vessel will have departures in Rio de Janeiro, Santos and Salvador, with departures between December 2022 and April 2023. The five to eight day trips make stops in the three cities.
Twin to the ships MSC Fantasia, MSC Splendida and MSC Divina, the MSC Preziosa It has capacity for 5,767 people and will run itineraries of three to seven nights from December 20th, passing through Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. Preziosa will be at Pier Mauá on December 30th and leaves the following day for New Year's Eve in Copacabana.
Passing through Pier Mauá only twice this season, on November 1st this year and April 4th next year, the MSC Fantasia was the first MSC Crociere ship to exceed 100 thousand tons and entered service on December 18, 2008. She was the largest ship in the Italian company's fleet until 2012, was one of the largest cruise ships in the world when launched and was still the first to have the exclusive Yacht Club area, now present on most MSC ships. The ship will have trips lasting three to seven nights, embarking at the port of Santos. There are routes passing along the coast of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro (Rio, Ilhabela, Ilha Grande and Búzios), travel options to Itajaí and also longer trips passing through Punta del Este, Montevideo and Buenos Aires.
In addition to these true GIANTS already mentioned, Pier Mauá will also host in the 2022/2023 season:
Costa Favolosa – Costa Favolosa was built in Italy and entered into operation for Costa Crociere on July 4, 2011. Named by Italian actress Margareth Madè in Trieste, its name was chosen in a public competition held online. After debuting in Brazil in the 2012/2013 season, it has been a constant presence in national waters. With departures in the cities of Santos, coastal São Paulo and Itajaí, coastal Santa Catarina, the Costa Favolosa will pass through Santos – SP (embarkation), Itajaí – SC (embarkation), Balneário Camboriu – SC, Ilha Grande – RJ, Ilhabela – SP, Montevideo – Uruguay and Buenos Aires – Argentina.
Costa Fortuna – Costa Fortuna was the first state-of-the-art ship, with more than 100,000 tons, to operate in Brazil. His debut season in the country was 2006/2007, when he took cruises from Santos and Rio de Janeiro to Bahia. Starting to sail to Prata, it made another three stops in South America until 2013. Built in Italy, the ship was designed based on the Destiny class, from Carnival Cruise Line – the company that has controlled Costa since 1999. The company's third ship Designed by famous architect Joe Farcus, the Costa Fortuna had interiors inspired by the great Italian ships of the past. Most of the original decoration, however, was removed between 2015 and 2018, in several renovations.
With departures only in the city of Rio de Janeiro – RJ and eight-night cruises, Costa Fortuna will be in Rio de Janeiro – RJ (embarkation), Búzios – RJ, Ilha Grande – RJ, Ilhabela – SP, Montevideo – Uruguay and Buenos Aires - Argentina. On 12/31, for the New Year's Eve cruise, the ship will be in Rio de Janeiro for the fireworks display on Copacabana beach.
Costa Deliziosa– On the round-the-world cruise on the Costa Deliziosa ship, Brazilian travelers will have the chance to embark in Rio de Janeiro in March 2023 and take a 60-day itinerary visiting 31 ports in destinations such as Namibia, Greece, India, Maldives, Mexico and Costa Rica. Disembarkation will be in May 2023, in Savona (Italy).
MSC Music – Despite being the third built for MSC Crociere, MSC Musica was the first cruise ship completely designed by the company. Christened by Italian actress Sophia Loren in Venice, Italy, Musica was delivered to MSC on June 19, 2006. Built in France, MSC Musica debuted in South America approximately two years after her inauguration. The ship will have dedicated departures in Argentina and Uruguay and will make stops at Brazilian destinations.
MSC Armonia – MSC Armonia is an extraordinary ship that combines a classic cruise ambience with luxurious facilities. Opened in 2001, it is currently the oldest ship in the MSC Crociere fleet. MSC Armonia will depart from Itajaí on new itineraries: cruises to Argentina, Uruguay and Brazilian beaches. The ship will carry out six- and seven-night cruises, visiting Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro, Cabo Frio and Ilhabela. And it will also offer seven and eight night itineraries including Ilhabela, Punta del Este, and Buenos Aires.
MSC Magnifica – MSC Magnifica is a cruise ship operated by MSC Cruises and is a variation of the Musica class. It was built by STX Europe in Saint-Nazaire and launched in 2010 to initially operate in the Mediterranean. MSC Magnifica will visit destinations in Brazil during its round-the-world cruise.
The internationals returned in full swing in the 2022/2023 season:
Arcadia – Built in 2005, Arcadia usually carries out round-the-world cruises annually. Her first time in Brazil was in 2013. She is a ship dedicated to adults only, so she does not allow children or teenagers under 18 years of age.
Celebrity Infinity – After two seasons of absence, in November the ship marks the return of Celebrity Cruises to South America. In Brazil, Infinity visits Salvador on December 9th and Búzios on December 11th, before ending the trip in Rio de Janeiro on December 12th. It then undertakes a second positional cruise, this time to Buenos Aires, Argentina. The eight-night trip includes stops in Santos, Búzios and Ilhabela, as well as Montevideo and Punta del Este, in Uruguay. Upon arriving in the Argentine capital, the ship begins to carry out regular itineraries through Tierra del Fuego, Patagonia and Antarctica. At the beginning of April, before returning to the northern hemisphere, Infinity still makes new stops in Brazilian territory.
Aurora – Opened in 2000, Aurora was built in Germany, by the Meyer Werft shipyard. Without twins, it was the last ship built by P&O Cruises before the brand was sold to Carnival Corporation. It passes through the Marvelous City in January 2023 and has capacity for 1878 passengers.
Volendam – The Holland America ship was renovated in 2019 and can accommodate up to 1,718 passengers, with a crew of 647 employees. Your 28-day cruise will embark and disembark in Fort Lauderdale (Florida), and one of the sections will include navigation on the Amazon River passing through Santarém, Alter do Chão, Parintins, Boca do Valéria and Manaus. He will be at Pier Mauá on February 18th and 19th, 2023.
MS Marina – With embarkations in Miami and also in Rio de Janeiro, the Marina ship will have five itineraries passing along the Brazilian coast, between December 2022 and February 2023. The itineraries embarking in Miami will travel along the Amazon River with stops in places such as Santarém, Parintins and Manaus, among other locations. As it descends the Brazilian coast towards Buenos Aires and Santiago do Chile, the ship will visit Recife, Maceió, Salvador, Búzios, Ilha Grande, Paraty, Santos and Itajaí. Itineraries will last 10, 21, 30 and 31 nights.
Balmoral – Opened in 1988, the Balmoral has sailed under different names and for different companies. Built at the Meyer shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, it currently has 43,000 tons and capacity for 1,340 passengers.
Viking Jupiter- Sixth ship for the Viking Ocean Cruises division and the second of the new generation that proposed small changes to the initial design of the first four units. Built by Fincantieri, it entered service in February 2019, although it was only christened in June in Norway. The modern Nordic style fascinates guests, who can enjoy beautiful relaxation areas, free-service restaurants, an all-inclusive and very attentive service staff. It has capacity for 930 passengers.
Azamara Pursuit – In November 2022, the ship departs from Lisbon (Portugal) on a 16-night cruise to Rio de Janeiro. In December this year, the Azamara Pursuit begins a new itinerary lasting 14 nights with embarkation and disembarkation in Rio de Janeiro, where the ship sails directly to Buenos Aires (Argentina) and then goes up the coast again, stopping in Montevideo (Uruguay) , Santos, Ilhabela and Paraty.
In February 2023, the ship will embark on a 15-day itinerary with embarkation and disembarkation in Buenos Aires but will visit Búzios and Rio de Janeiro during Carnival. It will also include visits to Paraty, Ilhabela, Santos, as well as Montevideo and Punta del Este, in Uruguay.
From Buenos Aires, a new 10-night itinerary begins with arrival in Rio de Janeiro – and passages through Uruguay, Ilhabela, Santos and Paraty.
In March 2023, the ship returns to Portugal on a 16-night trip, departing from Rio de Janeiro.
Seven Seas Voyager – Departing from Rio de Janeiro in January 2023, Voyager will embark on a 19-night cruise towards Buenos Aires. When departing from the Argentine capital, the itinerary will also be extended to Santiago de Chile, with another 10 nights of sailing. With a new embarkation in Chile, the ship will complete a 26-night itinerary back to Rio de Janeiro, including several stops on the Brazilian coast.
In March 2023, Voyager will begin another 10-night itinerary leaving from Buenos Aires and disembarking in Rio de Janeiro. From the capital of Rio de Janeiro, the ship will depart on a 21-night cruise towards Miami. Along the way, it makes stops in Maceió and Recife – and sails along the Amazon River visiting Alter do Chão, Manaus, Parintins and Santarém, before returning to the Atlantic.
Seven Seas Mariner – In December this year, the ship will go on a 10-day cruise leaving Buenos Aires and arriving in Rio de Janeiro. From the coast of Rio de Janeiro, the ship begins a new 18-day itinerary to Miami; in both it sails along the Brazilian coast with stops in places such as Búzios, Ilhabela, Salvador, Maceió and Recife.
MS Insignia – On its round-the-world itinerary, the ship will also visit Brazilian ports. Departing in Miami in December this year, and in San Francisco in January 2023, the Insignia will travel along the Brazilian coast in March 2023, visiting Santos, Rio de Janeiro, Cabo Frio, Vitória, Salvador, Maceió, Recife, Natal, Fortaleza . From the capital of Ceará, the ship will cross the Atlantic Ocean towards Africa – and continues its long 214-day round-the-world itinerary.
MS Hamburg – The MS Hamburg is a little jewel managed by the German company Plantours, the only ship in its maritime fleet. The maximum capacity of 420 passengers makes it a small ship, but with an excellent crew-passenger and passenger-space ratio.
MS Europe – The MS Europa ship has capacity for 516 passengers and 370 crew and has a curious fact: it never travels the same route twice in a season and makes exciting routes around the world where tourists go to places that are simply inaccessible by other cruise ships .
Silver Wind – The Silver Wind ship has a capacity for 274 guests. On the nine-night itinerary that begins in March 2023, it departs from Buenos Aires (Argentina), stops in Punta Del Este (Uruguay) and then goes up the Brazilian coast, stopping at locations in Rio Grande do Sul; Porto Belo, on the coast of Santa Catarina; Paranaguá (Paraná); Anchieta Island on the coast of São Paulo (Ubatuba); Paraty (Rio de Janeiro) and disembarkation will be at Pier Mauá.
Silver Cloud – With capacity for around 315 passengers, Silver Cloud operates high-luxury cruises, on an all-inclusive basis. It was the first ship to arrive at Pier Mauá on October 28, 2022. It was here during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and was home to the US basketball team during the competition.
Seabourn Venture – Seabourn is a company specializing in expedition cruises. The first stop in Brazil is the disembarkation of an expedition trip to Antarctica, in the port of Rio de Janeiro, in March 2023. In the same month, the ship will have two new itineraries that include visits to the Brazilian coast. The first is a seven-night flight departing from Buenos Aires and disembarking in Rio de Janeiro, passing through Montevideo (Uruguay) and Santos, Ilhabela. In the second itinerary, the ship will embark on a 12-night cruise departing from Rio de Janeiro and arriving in Manaus, where it will visit Búzios, Recife, Natal, Macapá, Santarém and Parintins.
With capacity to carry 264 passengers, the ship has equipment for outdoor adventures, such as kayaks and bicycles, as well as submarines and a high-definition Cineplex camera that captures wildlife and transmits the images to a special place inside the ship. Itineraries on the new Seaborn Venture start from R$56,000 per person, excluding fees.
World Explorer – Built in Portugal, the World Explorer came into operation in April 2019. The first in a series of at least six ships, the Explorer was ordered by Mystic Investment, which also controls Douro Azul, a leader in river cruises in Portugal. The vessel has capacity for 200 passengers, in addition to around 9,500 tons.
Ocean Explorer – The Ocean Explorer is a passenger ship that was built in 2021 and is sailing under the Bahamian flag. Its cargo capacity is 8,228 gross tonnage and it has capacity for 160 passengers. He will be at Pier Mauá on December 9th.
Swan Hellenic – Vega – Her maiden voyage is in April 2022. The new ship, named after the first ship to cross the Northeast Arctic Passage, is designed to travel to off-the-beaten-path destinations and remote polar regions in style and convenience. Its reinforced hull category PC5 allows you to cross the freezing seas safely, which combined with extra-large stabilizers, makes the journey as comfortable as possible. It is the second ship to dock this season at Pier Mauá.
For the first time, we will have seven foreign ships anchored at Pier Mauá. Are they:
Vicking Octantis – The brand new Viking Octatins has capacity for 378 passengers and was launched in January this year. The ship is Viking's first “expedition” ship, designed to reach the most unexplored parts of the world, including Antarctica and the Arctic – including submarines, something quite rare on cruises. As is typical of expedition cruises, Viking Octatins has a specialized team on board, with biologists, ornithologists, geologists, botanists and more.
Aidamar – Aidamar was launched on April 1, 2012 for Meyer Werft in Papenburg. The AIDAmar is part of the successful Sphinx class in the evolved version, with cabins in the bow. The ship is a sister ship to AIDAblu and AIDAsol, delivered in 2010 and 2011 respectively. It has 71,300 tons and 1,097 cabins with capacity for 2,194 passengers.
Norwegian Star – Norwegian Cruise Line will return to Brazil in the 2022/2023 season and cruises to South America will take place aboard the Norwegian Star, which sails in Brazil for the first time. Completely remodeled, the ship measures 296 m, weighs 91,740 tons, has capacity for 2,300 passengers and offers 15 restaurant options full of delights (eight of which are included in the cruise fare), bars and lounges, a large spa, an exciting casino with VIP and lots of fun for children of all ages.
The Norwegian Star arrives at Pier Mauá for the first time on December 11th and departs on a seven-night itinerary to Buenos Aires on the 12th, heading to Búzios and Ilha Grande. It returns to the Pier on March 18, 2023.
Bolette – Bolette, formerly known as Amsterdam, joined Fred Olsen Cruise Lines in 2020. With a classic and elegant design, and spacious and comfortable public areas, it can accommodate 1338 passengers in its 690 cabins. It can travel at high speeds, allowing destinations to be reached more quickly, creating itineraries that include more visits to ports and sites, even on shorter cruises.
Silver Moon – In February 2023, the Silver Moon ship, with capacity for 596 guests, will have a 22-day itinerary visiting 11 ports and 5 countries. The trip departs from Buenos Aires (Argentina), disembarking on the Caribbean island of Barbados. On the Brazilian leg, the ship will stop in Porto Belo (Santa Catarina), Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Recife and Fortaleza. This itinerary can be divided into two smaller routes: the first disembarking in Rio de Janeiro and lasting 10 days – and the second embarking in Rio de Janeiro towards the Caribbean, lasting 12 days.
Seabourn Quest – Seabourn Quest is the third project in the Odyssey class of ships considered “a game changer for the luxury segment”. True to the Seabourn lineage, the ship offers award-winning dining options comparable to the best restaurants in the world and has capacity for 450 guests.
Hanseatic Spirit – Hanseatic Spirit is the third in the same class of expedition ships that Hapag-Lloyd Cruises built between 2019 and 2021 in Norwegian shipyards. Its hull is suitable for penetrating polar ice, and it offers unique itineraries to its guests. The interior design is modern, functional and welcoming. Three different dining options, all top notch. At the “Ocean Academy” guests can get to know the places visited during their itineraries up close and deepen their knowledge.
Ufa! It's a big ship, right? You see why we started the post saying that this season is PROMISING! We hope it was an interesting experience for you to get to know a little about each illustrious visitor to our Wonderful City!
And if you feel like taking another (or your first) cruise, just check out the countless destinations and packages available at your preferred travel agency! And remember to tag @piermauario on your Instagram when you’re boarding! We LOVE seeing you here! ; 0
