Costa Pacifica Evolves the First Ship to Watch Santos’ Fireworks Display

The Costa Pacifica was the first cruise ship to view the New Year’s Eve fireworks display in Santos, Brazil.

The Costa Cruises ship arrived in town for an eight-night journey to Brazil.

Before anchoring in Santos Bay for the 14-minute fireworks display, the Pacifica welcomed guests in Santos and Rio de Janeiro.

The itinerary featured trips to Búzios, Angra dos Reis, Ilhabela, and Balneário Camboriú in addition to its two homeports.

According to Santos Mayor Rogério Santos, the operation emphasizes the town’s role as a key cruise terminal.

“It is an extremely important action to promote Santos not only during New Year’s Eve but throughout the season, in all seasons of the year,” according to him.

The Costa Pacifica will continue its deployment in South America, offering a series of three- to seven-night excursions between Santos and Rio through late March.

Costa’s 2024-25 season in the region will also feature the Costa Diadema and Costa Favolosa, with itineraries departing from several homeports.

Rio de Janeiro, a traditional New Year’s Eve destination, will welcome six cruise ships in 2025.

The lineup includes two Costa Cruises ships, the Costa Favolosa, and the Costa Deliziosa, as well as four MSC Cruises ships, including the MSC Grandiosa, the largest vessel currently sailing in Brazil.

The 4,888-passenger ship joined the MSC Seaview, the MSC Orchestra, and the MSC Poesia for the 12-minute fireworks show.

On Portugal’s Madeira Island, 11 cruise ships converged in Funchal to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

Nine different businesses were represented: AIDA, Cunard, and Fred. Olsen, Hapag-Lloyd, Marella, Phoenix Reisen, Saga, and TUI.

The largest ship on the scene was Cunard’s 3,000-guest Queen Anne, which began service in April 2024.