South America Cruise Seasons & Lines
The southern summer is cruise season. Here is when each route sails and who sails it.
Compare South America CruisesSouth America Cruise Seasons at a Glance
The southern hemisphere’s summer is South America’s cruise season. Here is how the main routes line up through the year.
| Route | Main season | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Horn & Chilean fjords | About November to March | Longest days and mildest weather in December and January; still cool and changeable |
| Antarctica (scenic or expedition) | About November to March | Ice and wildlife vary through the season; see expedition lines for landings |
| Brazil & River Plate | About November to April | Brazil’s 2026–27 season runs October 31, 2026 to April 9, 2027 |
| Amazon (ocean ships) | Northern autumn to spring | Voyages often start and end in Florida or the Caribbean |
| Pacific coast (Peru, Ecuador, Colombia) | Varies; often autumn to spring | Usually part of Panama Canal or longer voyages |
Which Lines Sail Where (2026–27 and Beyond)
Deployments change every year, so treat this as a snapshot from our October 2026 research rather than a permanent list. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise check the current schedule for every quote.
Princess Cruises
Majestic Princess sails South America and Antarctica from November 2026 to January 2027, on voyages of 15 to 33 nights, including Cape Horn sailings between Buenos Aires and San Antonio. Princess has also announced a 2027–28 season on the same ship.
Viking
Viking Jupiter sails 17-night voyages between Buenos Aires and Valparaíso from December 2026, and Viking’s expedition ships sail the Chilean fjords and Antarctica.
Holland America Line
Long Amazon voyages from Fort Lauderdale, including a 27-night Volendam sailing in late 2026, plus South America itineraries in some seasons.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Star returns to South America for December 2027 to March 2028, with 15- and 16-night voyages between Buenos Aires and San Antonio.
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity has announced a return to South America and Antarctica for the 2026–27 season.
MSC Cruises & Costa
Ships based in Brazil and Argentina for the southern summer, with cruises sold mainly in South America.
Choosing Your Month
- November and early December: spring in Patagonia, with fewer crowds and wildlife activity beginning; weather can be brisk.
- Late December and January: peak season, long daylight hours and holiday sailings that book early.
- February and March: late summer, often good weather in Brazil and Rio’s Carnival; Patagonia starts to cool by March.
Wildlife timing matters to many travelers. Penguin colonies in Patagonia and the Falklands are generally occupied through the southern spring and summer, and whale season along the Patagonian coast centers on the southern winter and spring. Ask your advisor which months suit what you most want to see.
Holiday dates and peak weeks sell first. If you are flexible, Wave Season lists current cruise promotions, and Cruising for Less tracks lower fares and discounts.
Find the Right South America Sailing
Tell us your months and the route you prefer. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will compare lines and send free quotes.
Compare South America Cruises