Costa Opens 2026-27 South America Cruise Sales With Two Ships

Costa Cruises has opened sales for its 2026-2027 South America season, confirming that Costa Diadema and Costa Serena will sail in the region from November 2026 through April 2027.

The program will feature three- to nine-night itineraries departing from ports in Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay, as well as end-of-season repositioning voyages back to Europe.

Two ships, five homeports, and a renewed focus on South America

Dario Rustico, Costa’s executive president for the Americas, positioned the two-ship lineup as a signal of the company’s longer-term strategy in the region. “Brazil and South America are priority and strategic markets for Costa, and the confirmation of two iconic ships for the 2026-2027 season reinforces our long-term commitment,” Rustico said.

Rustico also highlighted planned product changes tied to Costa Serena’s return, saying, “In addition to a robust offer for the classic destinations most requested by our guests, the arrival of the Costa Serena, a completely reimagined ship, guarantees an authentic travel experience.”

Across the season, Costa said sailings are scheduled to depart from Santos, Itajaí, and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, as well as Buenos Aires in Argentina and Montevideo in Uruguay.

Itineraries and ports of call named for the season

Costa’s schedule is built around short getaways and longer weeklong options, with cruise durations ranging from three nights to nine nights and embarkation available in multiple cities depending on routing.

Among the destinations specifically highlighted for the season are Punta del Este in Uruguay, along with Ilhabela and Balneário Camboriú in Brazil.

Ship-by-ship plans: start dates, routing, and repositioning voyages

Costa Diadema is set to begin its South America season on Nov. 26, 2026. The 2014-built ship is scheduled to start with three- and four-night mini-cruises departing from Santos and Itajaí and calling at Ilhabela.

Beginning Dec. 20, 2026, Costa Diadema is slated to shift to seven-night itineraries focused on Argentina and Uruguay, including calls in Buenos Aires and Montevideo.

Costa Serena will enter the South America market on Dec. 22, 2026, after a 65-night voyage from Tokyo to Buenos Aires. The 2007-built ship’s arrival will mark its first deployment in the region in more than ten years.

During the season, Costa Serena is scheduled to offer three- to nine-night cruises departing from Buenos Aires and Montevideo, and the ship will also allow embarkation in Rio de Janeiro on select itineraries that sail across Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay.

Costa Serena’s refurbishment ahead of the return

Costa said Costa Serena is entering the South America season following a major revitalization carried out in Asia earlier this year, adding that the ship is now sailing with new features after that work.

End-of-season crossings back to Europe, including an April sailing to Kiel

At the end of the South America season, both ships are scheduled to operate repositioning voyages to Europe. Costa highlighted a 26-night trans-Atlantic itinerary aboard Costa Diadema that is scheduled to depart Santos on April 5, 2027, and arrive in Kiel, Germany.

How the 2026-2027 announcement follows Costa’s current South America operations

The newly announced season follows Costa’s continued presence in South America during 2025-26, which includes Costa Diadema and Costa Favolosa. In the current season, Costa Diadema has operated a mix of short cruises in Brazil and seven-night itineraries visiting Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay, with departures offered from Santos, Itajaí, and Buenos Aires.

For the 2025-26 season, Costa Diadema arrived in Brazil in early November and began with short cruises to Ilhabela before moving into longer sailings. Costa also said the ship served as a floating hotel in Belém alongside MSC Seaview for attendees of the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP30) before beginning its regular cruise program.

Medical evacuation during the current season

During the 2025-26 deployment, a medical evacuation occurred onboard Costa Diadema on Dec. 29, 2025, when a passenger suspected of having meningitis was evacuated for specialized treatment in Laguna, Brazil. Costa Diadema diverted its route to facilitate the transfer, and the guest was transported to Hospital de Caridade Senhor Bom Jesus dos Passos via one of the vessel’s lifeboats acting as a tender.

While the passenger’s condition was not disclosed, the incident highlighted the role of shoreside care in some onboard medical events. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), meningitis can be a serious medical emergency that may require treatment beyond the scope of onboard facilities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which Costa ships will sail in South America for the 2026-2027 season?

Costa Diadema and Costa Serena will operate in South America between November 2026 and April 2027.

Where will Costa’s 2026-2027 South America cruises depart from?

Departures are scheduled from Santos, Itajaí, and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, plus Buenos Aires in Argentina and Montevideo in Uruguay.

Is Costa Serena returning to South America after a long absence?

Yes. Costa Serena’s 2026-2027 deployment will be its first in the region in more than ten years, beginning after a 65-night voyage from Tokyo to Buenos Aires on Dec. 22, 2026.

Will there be a trans-Atlantic repositioning cruise at the end of the season?

Yes. Costa Diadema is scheduled to offer a 26-night trans-Atlantic crossing from Santos to Kiel, departing on April 5, 2027.

Why are medical evacuations sometimes necessary on cruise ships?

Medical evacuations occur when passengers require specialized or urgent care beyond the scope of a ship’s medical facilities. In the Costa Diadema case on Dec. 29, 2025, the ship diverted so a passenger suspected of having meningitis could be transferred ashore for treatment, and the CDC notes that meningitis can be a serious medical emergency.