Brazil Cruises: Sailings, Embarkations & Ports of Call
38 ships from 17 cruise lines
Brazil cruises at a glance
Waterways Cruise lists 272 upcoming sailings on 38 ships from 17 cruise lines visiting Brazil, calling at 24 places. Cruises can start in Rio de Janeiro, Santos, Salvador, Maceió, Manaus, Balneário Camboriú and 2 more and end in Rio de Janeiro, Santos, Salvador, Maceió, Manaus, Itajaí and 2 more. Of 272 upcoming sailings, 102 start in Brazil and 122 end there. More South America cruises.
Reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard · About this page · About us
Compare Brazil cruise lines
See every Brazil cruise line by ocean and river and by ultra-luxury, luxury, premium and contemporary style, with fares, cruise lengths, ships and ports.
About Brazil
Brazil offers two very different cruise experiences: expedition river cruising through the Amazon from Manaus toward Belém, and coastal expedition or small-ship cruising from Rio de Janeiro toward Salvador. This is not herded, marble-lobby river cruising; it is a destination for travelers who want wildlife, scale, history, and a little unpredictability. The best experience comes from choosing a small expedition vessel, booking with a specialist operator, and accepting that the country rewards flexible travelers.
Typical routes
- Amazon River & Rainforest (Manaus–Belém or Manaus round-trip)
- Atlantic Coast & Colonial Heritage (Rio–Salvador, with Paraty and island anchorages)
Ports overview
Brazilian cruising splits into two families: river expedition cruising in the Amazon and small-ship coastal cruising along the Atlantic. Amazon ports are generally river docks or anchorages; coastal ports are a mix of modern terminals and tender stops. Most cruises are expedition-style rather than classic European river cruises.
Cruise season
Amazon high-water Dec–Jun; low-water Aug–Nov; coastal cruises run year-round; Brazilian Carnival dates shift (Feb–Mar); shoulder seasons Apr–Jun and Sep–Nov are often best.
Find your Brazil sailing
Upcoming sailings calling at Brazil, earliest departure first.
14 Days One-Way from Barcelona to Rio De Janeiro
Ends in Brazil. Also visits Spain
MSC Armonia
15 Days One-Way from Barcelona to Santos
Ends in Brazil. Also visits Spain
MSC Armonia
15 Days One-Way from Valencia to Rio De Janeiro
Ends in Brazil. Also visits Spain, Portugal
MSC Musica
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16 Days One-Way from Valencia to Santos
Ends in Brazil. Also visits Spain, Portugal
MSC Musica
26 Days One-Way from Kusadasi to Buenos Aires
Visits Brazil. Also visits Turkey, Greece, Italy
MSC Splendida
23 Days One-Way from Palermo to Santos
Ends in Brazil. Also visits Italy, France, Spain
MSC Virtuosa
20 Days One-Way from Naples to Rio De Janeiro
Ends in Brazil. Also visits Italy, France, Spain
MSC Virtuosa
22 Days One-Way from Naples to Santos
Ends in Brazil. Also visits Italy, France, Spain
MSC Virtuosa
22 Days One-Way from Naples to Buenos Aires
Visits Brazil. Also visits Italy, Spain, Uruguay
MSC Splendida
19 Days One-Way from Livorno to Rio De Janeiro
Ends in Brazil. Also visits Italy, France, Spain
MSC Virtuosa
21 Days One-Way from Genoa to Buenos Aires
Visits Brazil. Also visits Italy, Spain, Uruguay
MSC Splendida
18 Days One-Way from Marseille to Rio De Janeiro
Ends in Brazil. Also visits France, Spain
MSC Virtuosa
Where Brazil cruises start and end
Embarkation ports (9)
Balneário Camboriú (29) (cruises from) · Belém (22) (cruises from) · Itajaí (12) (cruises from) · Maceió (69) (cruises from) · Manaus (33) (cruises from) · Paranagua (21) (cruises from) · Rio de Janeiro (218) (cruises from) · Salvador (130) (cruises from) · Santos (91) (cruises from)
Disembarkation ports (9)
Balneário Camboriú (29) · Belém (22) · Itajaí (12) · Maceió (69) · Manaus (33) · Paranagua (21) · Rio de Janeiro (218) · Salvador (130) · Santos (91)
Ships by type: 37 ocean 3 expedition · a ship that visits several places here is counted once; an expedition ship that also sails as an ocean ship appears under both types.
Plan your Brazil cruise
Brazil cruise port guide
Cruise ports, what to see, history and practical advice.
Brazil cruise port guide →More South America cruises
Colombia · Argentina · Chile · Falkland Islands · Peru · Uruguay · Ecuador · South Georgia And South Sandwich Islands
Frequently asked questions about Brazil cruises
How many places do cruises visit in Brazil?
24 Brazil places are visited by 38 ships from 17 cruise lines.
When is the best time to take a Brazil cruise?
Amazon high-water Dec–Jun; low-water Aug–Nov; coastal cruises run year-round; Brazilian Carnival dates shift (Feb–Mar); shoulder seasons Apr–Jun and Sep–Nov are often best.
Sources and further reading
Background on Brazil draws on these references. Sailing, fare and port data come from cruise line itineraries and are refreshed regularly.
- CIA: The World Factbook - Brazil
- Encyclopaedia Britannica: Brazil
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Brazil - Properties inscribed on the World Heritage List
- World Bank: Brazil Overview
- Wikivoyage: Brazil
Created by the Waterways Cruise content team and reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard, Sr. Cruise Travel Agent and Founder of Waterways Cruise.
Published September 9, 2026 · Last updated October 31, 2026
Fares, availability and itineraries change often. Confirm current details with your cruise line or a Waterways Cruise agent before you book.
Cruise Disclosure
Good to know: Prices are quoted per person based on double occupancy and include all applicable taxes and fees. Availability and prices can change quickly, so please continue through the booking process to confirm the latest availability and pricing before you pay.
We work hard to make sure everything on this website is accurate and up to date. However, some information may be incomplete or inaccurate, including details supplied by third parties or otherwise outside our control, and we cannot be held responsible for such errors. We work with 41 cruise line operators, that are providing cruises on 585 ships visiting 1,731 ports across 7,194 unique cruises, creating 13,822 itineraries. This is a great deal of data to continually update daily from our suppliers. If a pricing error, misrepresentation, or omission occurs, we reserve the right to adjust the pricing, correct the information, or cancel or decline any booking made in error, with notice to you. Thank you for your understanding!