Following an 11-day Transatlantic crossing (RepositionCruises.com), MSC Fantasia became the first cruise liner to open Brazil's 2022-2023 season with her arrival on Tuesday, November 1, in Rio de Janeiro.
As part of her Brazilian season, the MSC ship is expected to offer regular sailings from homeport Santos (Sao Paulo), starting today, November 2.
In 2022 Brazil is expecting a record-breaking cruise season lasting ~6 months. 9 cruise ships will call at Brazilian ports providing 780,000 berths, 47% higher than the pre-COVID 2019-2020 season which had 530,000 berths.
The rest of the liners scheduled to arrive in Brazil include Costa Favolosa, Costa Firenze, Costa Fortuna, MSC Armonia, MSC Preziosa, MSC Musica, MSC Seashore, MSC Seaview, and will offer 184 voyages from the ports of Itajai, Maceio, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, and Santos. A total of 486 stopovers are scheduled in 17 different destinations, including Buenos Aires (Argentina), Montevideo, and Punta del Este (Uruguay).
According to Brazil's Ministry of Tourism, the cruise season will inject ~US$772 million into the economy and create ~44,000 direct/indirect jobs.
Marco Ferraz, president of CLIA Brazil said cruises were the best way to get to know the world, as they offered "accommodation, transportation, entertainment, food, and a different view every day in a single holiday."
"We started this season with great responsibility, always putting guests, crew, the environment and compliance first, and delivering the memorable trips that cruise travelers already known.
"In addition, we see many opportunities for expansion in the sector in Brazil, as the activity grows around the world, with new ships under construction, and investments in efficiency, technology, and sustainability. We are working continuously so that the Brazilian cruise industry continues to evolve and contribute even more to the economy and job creation in the country."