South America Cruises 2028

Where Do South America Cruises Go in 2028?

South America sailings in 2028 cover a wide arc of the continent and beyond. The heart of the programme is the continent itself — itineraries running along the eastern and western seaboards, calling at ports in Brazil, Argentina and Chile. Beyond that, a strong thread of transatlantic crossings links South America to Europe, making 2028 a particularly good year if you want a longer voyage with real variety. Central America and the Caribbean round out the wider picture, and a smaller number of world cruise segments pass through the region entirely.

South America

The core of the programme concentrates on South America itself. Sailings embark from Buenos Aires, Argentina, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Santos (the port for São Paulo), with itineraries looping along the coastline or tracking south toward Ushuaia, Argentina. A dedicated Brazil programme — best explored through Brazil cruises — gives the country’s ports their own spotlight, with Santos and Rio among the key embarkation and disembarkation points. For those starting from the Pacific side, Valparaíso (Santiago), Chile is a major embarkation port.

Transatlantic

Transatlantic crossings form the second-largest group in the 2028 programme. These are predominantly one-way sailings — many repositioning between South America and European ports, including Southampton. If you’re considering one, bear in mind that a flight at one end will be needed; the good news is that Cruise1st can book that flight alongside hotels and transfers, so there’s no separate trip to sort. Explore the full range of transatlantic cruises to see what suits your calendar. If you’re specifically interested in sailing with P&O, check Transatlantic 2028 Cruises with P&O Cruises for what they have on offer.

Central America and the Caribbean

Central America sailings often incorporate a Panama Canal transit, with Colon, Panama among the ports featured. The Caribbean and Southern Caribbean extend the itinerary options further, with some sailings ending at Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades) or Miami. Those two Florida ports are about half an hour apart, so a sailing ending in Florida is worth checking across both — dates and prices can vary.

World Cruises

A number of world cruise segments pass through South America as part of voyages calling at ports across multiple continents. These are longer commitments — voyages in this category can stretch well beyond a month — but they suit anyone who wants South America as one chapter of a much bigger journey. See the full world cruises 2028 programme for the complete picture.

Which Ports Do These Sailings Use?

The embarkation ports are spread across South America’s Atlantic and Pacific coasts, with a handful in Florida for sailings that cross into the Caribbean or finish in the United States. Buenos Aires and the Brazilian ports — Rio de Janeiro and Santos — handle the largest share of departures. On the Pacific side, Valparaíso serves as the gateway for sailings along the Chilean coast and beyond. Southampton appears as a disembarkation port for transatlantic repositioning sailings, meaning some passengers can complete a voyage back to the UK without a return flight — though these represent a small share of the overall programme.

Miami and Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades) both feature as end points for sailings coming north through Central America. As noted above, they’re close enough that checking both is worth a few minutes of your time. You can also explore the Miami port page directly if you’re planning time in Florida around the cruise.

Which Cruise Lines Sail South America in 2028?

MSC Cruises is the most active line in this programme, with a broad spread of itineraries across the region. Azamara brings a very different style — smaller ships, longer port stays, and more immersive access to destinations. Princess Cruises and Holland America Line both offer well-established South America programmes, while Celebrity Cruises and Hapag Lloyd Cruises add further variety at the premium end. Cruise1st Packages bundle cruise fares from multiple lines with flights, hotels and transfers for a single-booking experience.

MSC’s volume means you’ll find the widest choice of departure dates and cabin categories, particularly if you’re flexible on timing. Azamara suits travellers who want more time ashore and access to smaller ports. Princess and Holland America are strong picks for longer, port-rich voyages with well-rounded onboard programmes. Celebrity sits at the premium end of the contemporary market, with a strong focus on food and suite-level luxury. If you’re also considering MSC sailings from Southampton, the MSC Cruises from Southampton 2028 page covers that specifically.

For Princess Cruises options in 2028 more broadly, the Princess Cruises 2028 page covers their full year’s programme, and the Princess Cruises 2028 from Southampton page focuses on UK departures. If you’d like to look at fly-cruise options with MSC, see Fly 2028 Cruises with MSC Cruises.

Which Ships Are Sailing South America in 2028?

Several well-known ships feature across the 2028 South America programme. Below is a closer look at the key vessels, starting with the MSC fleet — which accounts for the largest share of available sailings — followed by the ships from Azamara and Celebrity Cruises.

MSC Virtuosa

MSC Virtuosa launched in 2021 and is MSC’s Meraviglia-Plus class flagship. It’s a ship that earns its reputation through detail: the world’s first humanoid robotic bartender at sea — named Rob — tends the bar, while the 1,168 m² LED Galleria creates an indoor promenade unlike anything else afloat. Dining spans seven specialty restaurants, including Indochine for French-Vietnamese fusion and Butcher’s Cut steakhouse. The Savannah Aquapark keeps active passengers busy, and the exclusive MSC Yacht Club provides a ship-within-a-ship experience for those who want butler service and a private sundeck. Starlink internet runs throughout. For cabin options, see the MSC Virtuosa cabins and deck plans.

MSC Meraviglia

MSC Meraviglia is built around its 96-metre LED sky promenade — the Galleria Meraviglia — which runs the length of the ship and hosts restaurants, boutiques and nightly entertainment under a constantly shifting digital sky. The Polar Aquapark, a full-sized bowling alley and Formula 1 simulators give families and groups plenty to fill sea days. The MSC Yacht Club enclave offers a more private experience within the ship. For more on what’s available by deck and cabin grade, the MSC Meraviglia cabins and deck plans page has the full breakdown.

MSC Divina

MSC Divina carries a distinctly Italian character — it was christened by Sophia Loren, and the design reflects that heritage, with a Swarovski crystal staircase and a De Jorio-designed Piazza at its heart. The Infinity Pool at the stern creates a striking visual, appearing to merge with the ocean horizon. The Pantheon Theatre delivers large-scale productions, while a Casino Veneziano, 4D cinema and F1 simulator sit alongside it. Full cabin details are on the MSC Divina cabins and deck plans page.

MSC Musica

MSC Musica is a 294-metre ship launched in 2006 and renovated in 2024. Its La Scala Theatre seats 1,200 guests for Broadway-style productions combining song, dance and acrobatics. A three-tiered waterfall anchors the atrium, giving the ship a classic ocean liner feel that the newer MSC vessels have moved away from. Dining highlights include the Kaito Sushi Bar and Butcher’s Cut steakhouse. The MSC Yacht Club provides the elevated-service option for those who want it. Cabin grades on MSC Musica cover a wide range:

• Inside cabin Bella I1 — 14 m², sleeps up to 4, a practical choice for those spending their time ashore or on deck
• Ocean-view cabin Bella O1 — 16 m², sleeps up to 4, with a partially obstructed view; a more affordable way into a sea-view cabin
• Aurea Suite S3 — 28 m² balcony suite, sleeps up to 5, with the added space that works well for longer voyages
• Super Family Balcony FLA — 40 m², sleeps up to 4, more than twice the size of a standard balcony and well suited to families or anyone wanting room to spread out
• MSC Yacht Club Royal Suite — 47 m² with a separate living and dining area, accessing the private Yacht Club facilities

See the full MSC Musica cabins and deck plans for deck-by-deck positions.

Azamara Quest

Azamara Quest takes a fundamentally different approach to South America. As a smaller ship, it can access boutique ports that the large MSC vessels cannot enter. Overnight and late-night port stays are standard — so you can stay ashore long after the day-trippers have gone back to their ships. Azamara also includes exclusive AzAmazing Evenings: private cultural experiences ashore, from symphony concerts to intimate local dinners, arranged as part of the voyage rather than as an optional extra. Cabin grades on Azamara Quest run from compact to suite-level:

• Inside cabin 09 — 14.7 m², sleeps 2, quiet and well suited to those who prioritise port time over cabin size
• Ocean-view cabin 04 — 13.3 m², sleeps up to 3, with natural daylight from a sea-view window
• Veranda Plus Ocean-view P1 — 16.3 m², sleeps up to 3, with a private balcony for direct sea air access
• Panorama Suite CS — 61 m², sleeps 2, the largest suite on board with approximately 20% more living space than the Club World Owner’s Suite

Full deck positions and cabin details are on the Azamara Quest cabins and deck plans page.

Celebrity Equinox

Celebrity Equinox is one of Celebrity Cruises’ Solstice-class ships, and it has a few features that genuinely stand out. The Lawn Club is half an acre of real grass at sea — it hosts Hot Glass Show glassblowing demonstrations and converts into an outdoor cinema after dark. The Retreat suite enclave has its own private pool sundeck, butler service, and Luminae restaurant with Daniel Boulud menus. Other dining highlights include Murano French fine dining, Le Petit Chef’s 3D animated dinner, and Sushi on Five. An adults-only solarium provides a quieter alternative to the main pool. Cabin grades span a wide range:

• Prime Inside cabin I1 — 17 m², sleeps 2, on higher decks with a seating area and shorter distance to pool decks
• Prime Sea-view cabin O1 — 16.4 m², sleeps 2, with an unobstructed sea-view window and natural daylight
• Ultra Deluxe Veranda UV — 54.6 m², sleeps up to 4, more than 3 times the space of a standard balcony with a generous living and dining area
• Penthouse Suite with private hot tub — 156.1 m², sleeps up to 4, the largest suite on the ship

See the Celebrity Equinox cabins and deck plans for the full picture. If you’re looking at Celebrity sailings from Southampton in 2028 more broadly, Celebrity 2028 Cruises from Southampton covers that angle. The wider Celebrity Cruises 2028 programme is also worth a look.

What Do the Fares Include?

Fare inclusions vary by cruise line and by the tier you choose. Here’s a plain summary of what to expect from the three lines where we hold detailed fare information.

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises offers 2 main fare tiers for South America sailings. The base Princess Standard fare covers the cruise itself — drinks packages, Wi-Fi and crew gratuities are not included but can be added. The Princess Plus package builds in 4 casual dining meals per voyage, beverages up to a set daily limit, MedallionNet® Max Wi-Fi, pre-paid crew appreciation, unlimited digital photographs plus 3 prints, and reserved theatre seating. For those who book through Princess Cruises 2028 from Southampton, the same fare tiers apply. If Princess in Asia interests you alongside South America, Princess Japan and Southeast Asia 2027–2028 covers that programme.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises has 3 fare tiers on these sailings. The cruise-only rate is the entry point, letting you choose add-ons later. The mid-tier includes a classic drinks package and basic Wi-Fi in one price. The Retreat tier — exclusively for suite guests — covers premium drinks, premium Wi-Fi, suite accommodation, access to the exclusive Retreat lounge and sundeck, and dedicated personal service.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean operates a range of fare types including a Solo/Single fare for single-occupancy bookings, an early booking option and last-minute offers. Royal Caribbean also runs promotional fare types such as reduced fares for additional guests — exact promotions change, so it’s worth checking what’s current when you enquire. One ship sailing on South America itineraries with Royal Caribbean is Grandeur of the Seas; cabin and deck information is on the Grandeur of the Seas cabins and deck plans page.

Are There Discounts on South America Cruises 2028?

Discounts do appear across the 2028 South America programme. Reductions are measured from the price previously listed for the same cabin grade on the same sailing — so you’re comparing like with like. The headline maximum is up to 34% off on a single departure, though that’s the top of the range. Most reduced sailings are discounted by around 10%, which is a more realistic guide to what you’ll typically find when browsing. The sensible approach is to check individual sailings rather than assume a blanket reduction applies across the board.

Making It a Full Holiday

Most South America sailings in 2028 depart from ports in Brazil, Argentina, Chile or Florida, so the vast majority of UK passengers will need a flight to reach the ship. That’s where booking with a cruise specialist rather than directly through the cruise line makes a practical difference. Cruise1st can put the whole trip — flights, hotels the night before embarkation, transfers to the port, tours ashore and travel insurance — onto a single booking, so there’s one call to make if anything changes. A small number of repositioning sailings disembark at Southampton, which means some passengers can complete the voyage back to the UK without arranging a separate return flight; for those, we can add a hotel and transfers at the far end instead.

If you’d like to look at what’s available from Southampton specifically, the All Inclusive No Fly Southampton 2028 Cruises page is a useful starting point. For the wider range of 2028 sailings across all destinations, Cruises 2028 gives the broadest view. Our trust credentials: Cruise1st is rated 4.5/5 on Trustpilot from over 7,000 reviews, and is fully ABTA and ATOL protected.

Also Sailing in 2028

If South America is one option among several, 2028 is a strong year across multiple regions. The Mediterranean programme is extensive — Mediterranean cruises 2028 covers that in full. World cruises from Southampton are worth considering if you want the longest possible voyage; world cruises from Southampton gives a sense of what’s available on that itinerary shape. The Caribbean, which connects naturally to South America sailings ending in Florida, is covered at Caribbean cruises. For the 2028 sailing year in full across all lines and destinations, browse all cruises.

If you’re planning around a specific ship or line rather than a destination, Princess Cruises from Southampton and Royal Caribbean from Southampton cover those lines’ UK departures in the neighbouring year, giving a good picture of the routes and ships on offer. For 2028 sailings from Liverpool, see 2028 cruises from Liverpool.

Where a discount is shown, it is a reduction from the price previously listed for that cabin grade on that sailing, not a comparison between cabin grades or against a brochure rate. Discounts and prices shown are not kept up to date: the reduction available now may be smaller, or may have ended, and prices may have changed.