Costa Cruises is sending the Costa Serena back to South America for the 2026-27 season, ending a 15-year absence from the region. The ship will sail alongside the Costa Diadema on routes linking Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay.
The Serena arrives at the tail end of a world cruise that sounds like a trip in itself: departing Tokyo, calling in Chile, threading through Tierra del Fuego, and finishing in Buenos Aires on 22 December 2026. From there, the 2007-built vessel takes over some itineraries the Costa Favolosa ran this season, with seven- to nine-night cruises from Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro.
There's a catch for bargain hunters, though. Costa's institutional president for Brazil, Renê Hermann, confirmed the Serena's season is shorter and won't include the popular three- and four-night short cruises the Favolosa operated from Santos in late 2025. Costa wants to bring that format back, but says it depends on ship availability - and Hermann noted the loss is felt beyond passengers, hitting cruise terminals and local economies too.
Another gap in the plan: Brazil's Northeast coast, home to destinations like Salvador, Ilhéus and Maceió, misses out for a third straight season. Costa insists it wants to return once operating costs make the routes viable.
The fun new addition is Costa's Sea Destinations concept, already running in Europe since 2024, coming to South America. The Serena has Brazilian Navy authorisation to anchor off Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro for an onboard party with front-row beach views, plus a similar event anchored in central Balneário Camboriú. Hermann calls it "a destination between two destinations" and says it could expand to other regional ports if it lands well.
For context, the Costa Diadema will run three- to seven-night cruises from Santos, Itajaí and Buenos Aires. There's also been a leadership shuffle behind the scenes - Dario Rustico, president for the Americas, stepped down in August after five years, with Jorge Serrano taking over in January 2027. Costa insists operations won't be affected.
Why it matters: if you've been eyeing a South American cruise, 2026-27 brings a fresh ship and a novel onboard-party experience off Rio's most famous beach - but fewer short, budget-friendly options from Santos, and no Northeast Brazil itineraries just yet. Plan around the longer seven- to nine-night sailings if you want the Serena, or the Diadema's shorter hops if time is tight.
