Ocean cruises restart tomorrow – Friday 5 November – in South America following a 20 month pause caused by the industry’s voluntary shutdown in connection with the global COVID-19 pandemic, when MSC Preziosa sets sail from the Brazilian port of Santos for a 3-night voyage.

MSC Cruises, the market leader in the continent, marked the occasion with a special event on board the vessel ahead of her first sailing for the Mayor of Santos and senior officials from the city’s council, port authority and tourism body.

MSC Preziosa is the 12th ship in MSC Cruises’ fleet to resume operations with passengers on board since the global industry shutdown in March 2020.

The vessel will offer several mini-cruises in Brazilian waters from both Santos and Rio de Janeiro and will be joined next month when MSC Seaside and MSC Splendida start operations from their Santos homeports.

The three ships – with MSC Seaside set to make her debut in South America – will call at 11 separate Brazilian ports up to end of the local season in April 2022.

MSC Preziosa, MSC Seaside and MSC Splendida will all operate in Brazilian waters under MSC Cruises’ industry-leading health and safety protocol and a protocol announced last week by Brazil’s National Health Surveillance Agency.