South and Central America
The cruise industry in South America has grown significantly in recent years, driven by increasing demand, diverse itineraries, and an appealing mix of natural beauty, vibrant cultures, and unique destinations.
Passenger Volume
776 Thousand
# of cruise passengers from Brazil in 2024, which is almost a 5% increase from 2023
Total Impact
R$ 5.057 billion
the sum of the direct, indirect, and induced impacts from cruise activity on the Brasil economy in 2023
Passengers
1.08 Million
# of passengers that traveled to the Panama Canal and South America in 2023
Gateway
Antarctica Expeditions
South America, particularly from Ushuaia, is a prominent gateway to Antarctic expeditions. Travelers interested in unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences frequently depart from this region.
Seasonality
Southern Hemisphere Summer
The primary cruising season is from November to April, aligning with the Southern Hemisphere summer, attracting both regional and international travelers looking to escape winter in the Northern Hemisphere.
Economic Impact
Local Contributions
Cruises significantly contribute to local economies through passenger expenditures, port fees, employment, and associated tourism services.
Popular Destinations
- Brazil: Rio de Janeiro, Santos, and Salvador are major departure ports. Brazil is renowned for its festive atmosphere, beaches, and vibrant culture, making it a hub for regional cruising.
- Argentina: Buenos Aires serves as a primary cruise port, attracting tourists interested in tango, gastronomy, and historical sightseeing. Ushuaia in the south is a gateway to Antarctica cruises.
- Chile: Valparaíso and Santiago offer departure points for exploring Chilean Patagonia, fjords, glaciers, and scenic coastal landscapes.
- Uruguay: Montevideo and Punta del Este are notable ports, providing charming cultural experiences and relaxation options for travelers.
Charting South America's Cruise Industry Future
- Continued investment in port infrastructure, combined with strategic partnerships between cruise operators and local governments, suggests strong future growth.
- Sustainable tourism practices and expanded itineraries, including niche cultural and adventure-focused offerings, will likely play a critical role in future cruise development in the region.
Destination Spotlight: South America
The South America/Panama Canal region plays a crucial role in making several cruise itineraries possible. Cruise guests may explore the continent on South America-focused cruises that visit such key port cities as Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires or destinations such as the Chilean Fjords. They may explore the continent on world cruises, some sailing around Cape Horn at the southernmost tip of the continent. Or they may experience the continent on Caribbean and South America itineraries visiting, for instance, Colombia and Central American countries.Adventurous travelers might opt for a bucket list expedition cruise to the Galapagos Islands or visit Argentina or Chile as gateways to Antarctica. Others might hop on a river ship, sailing along the Peruvian Amazon or Colombia’s Magdalena River.Panama Canal itineraries embarking from ports in Florida or California, offering cruisers a first-hand look at an engineering marvel as they sail through the legendary waterway. Cruise lines traverse the canal seasonally as they reposition vessels from Florida to the Pacific Coast and Alaska, while providing guests access to, for instance, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico.According to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), in 2025, 1.20 million* cruisers sailed in the South America/Panama Canal region, making the region the 8th largest cruise destination in the world (*The number does not include the Galapagos Islands).In addition to international appeal, South America has strong regional appeal. According to CLIA, in 2025, 1.12 South Americans took an ocean-going cruise, many staying close to home in South America or the Caribbean.A Perfect Winter DestinationMost South American countries are in the southern hemisphere and remain warm all year due to their tropical climate. Even the region’s coldest temperature locations are at their warmest between November and March – which is winter in the northern hemisphere. South America during this time provides the opportunity for those from northern regions to escape the chill.Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro, Santos and Salvador; Lima, Peru; Argentina’s Buenos Aires; Chile’s Valparaiso and Santiago; and Uruguay’s Montevideo and Punta del Este, are featured cruise ports on world cruises and other South America itineraries. The Falkland Islands offer a bit of British flavor in the region, and the mighty Amazon as it runs through Peru provides opportunity to explore inland on a fascinating river cruise. River cruise line AmaWaterways recently inaugurated the Magdalena River in Colombia as a new cruising destination in South America.Ecuador’s lush and largely untouched Galapagos Islands archipelago is a prime expedition cruise region, featuring animals like giant tortoises, marine iguanas, sea lions, Galapagos penguins and Darwin’s finches, which you won’t find anywhere else in the world. Most islands are uninhabited and cruise lines such as Celebrity Cruises, HX Expeditions, and Silversea Cruises ferry passengers ashore in inflatable boats for wet landings that take them straight onto the sands of pristine beaches. Many passengers begin their cruises with a visit to Guayaquil or Quito, Ecuador. A popular add-on is an inland visit Peru’s Machu Picchu.With sailings starting in South America, Antarctica, a key bucket-list destination for intrepid cruisers – with its icy landscapes, penguins and whales, is most easily reached by ship. Passengers have several options for embarkation. The most common include boarding the ship in Ushuaia, Argentina, for a sailing across the Drake Passage. A newer option is flying from Chile to King George Island, in the South Shetland Islands, to board a vessel. Silversea is opening a hotel in Puerto Williams, Chile, to accommodate its guests. Quark Expeditions offers a fly-cruise program originating in Punta Arenes, Chile.A Partnership Made in ParadiseWith their presence, cruise lines contribute significantly to local economies in the region. Cruise lines pay port fees, employ local personnel, and partner with shore excursion providers in the locations the vessels frequent. The direct, indirect, and induced impacts from cruise activity on the Brazil economy alone is more than $1 billion.More than a dozen CLIA member lines – including MSC Cruises, Costa Cruises, Holland America Line, Oceania Cruises, Princess Cruises, Ponant Explorations, Azamara Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, and Seabourn – regularly visit South America.A spokesperson for MSC Cruises, which has the largest market share in South America, notes the variety of itineraries, intuitive hospitality and culture are important draws in the market, and contribute to South America being a standout destination.© 2026 Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). All rights reserved.This content may be shared or republished with clear attribution to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). Content must remain intact and may not be altered, edited, or excerpted in any way that changes its meaning or context. For additional permissions, media inquiries, or additional information, please [email protected]. 02 June, 2026South America Leadership
