MSC Cruises announced in a press release that the MSC Splendida will reposition to South America for the upcoming winter season. Initially intended to become the company’s second ship in the Chinese market, the 3,300-guest vessel will now sail from various ports in Brazil during the 2024-25 winter season.

MSC Cruises stated that this change reinforces its leadership position in South America, increasing its offerings in the region to 126 departures. The company emphasized its commitment to collaborating with “local governments, ports, partners, and suppliers to invest in this important region,” which aligns with its global strategy.

In addition to the MSC Splendida, five other ships from the MSC fleet are set to sail from Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina in the upcoming winter. This includes the MSC Grandiosa, which made its debut in the region in 2023, becoming the largest ship ever to sail in South America.

The MSC Splendida’s new deployment schedule includes cruises departing from Santos and Itajaí starting in mid-December, following her repositioning from Europe. The ship’s regular seven-night itinerary will feature visits to Buenos Aires, Punta del Este, and Balneário Camboriú, offered through late March.

Adrian Ursilli, General Director of MSC Cruises in Brazil, assured the company’s commitment: “We are committed to providing our guests with even more opportunities for unforgettable vacations, and the arrival of the MSC Splendida, our sixth ship for the 2024-25 season, in December represents exactly that.”

Moving away from the Chinese market, the MSC Splendida joins a growing list of vessels departing from the region. The ship was initially scheduled to offer cruises departing from Shenzhen and Xiamen starting in November 2024. Similarly, Royal Caribbean International announced plans to withdraw the Ovation of the Seas from the Chinese market. Instead of sailing from Tianjin in 2025, the Quantum-class ship will now operate on the West Coast, with cruises out of Los Angeles.