From pagodas to country music, musical ships were a highlight of the 2025/2026 season, with room sales up 20%. More than 125 artists will be participating across 14 stages over 43 days. In numbers, it even looks like a music festival like Rock in Rio, The Town, or Lollapalooza. However, this is the 2025/2026 season of music-themed cruises, which begins on November 15th with “Navio ChX” by Kitaodinho & Xorolo and ends on January 14th with “Navio do Zeze” by singer Zese di Camargo.
There will be a total of 14 musical cruises (one more than last season), from Gilberto Gil to Ana Castella, Leonardo to Wesley Safadan, and Bello to Gustavo Lima. “The secret of success lies in the experience: immersion with comfort and safety in the connection between artists and fans,” said Bruno Ribeiro, vice president of PromoAção, a reference company in this field. “On land, the audience goes to see a show and then goes home. On a ship, no, they experience the artist’s world 24 hours a day.”
The shows that open the season are Chita Osinho and Xororo. This will be the first time for the two to enter Brazilian waters. Celebrating 50 years in the Caribbean in 2023. I stayed for three nights from July 13th to 16th on the MSC Seaside, which connects Florida in the United States and Nassau in the Bahamas. “We are no longer beginners,” jokes Xororo, 68. “We needed 30 hours a day to use everything on board. 24 hours is not enough.”
When Chitaosinho, 71, isn’t on stage providing second vocals on the duo’s classics like Fio de Cabello, No Rancho Fundo and Evidencias, he likes to enjoy the scenery. “Inspiration comes to me when I’m at the sea,” he sighs. “A moment of rest and gratitude.” Singers Fabio Jr. and Daniel will also be among the guests aboard the ship ChX, which will disembark at Santos Port.
musical roulette
The lineup of music cruises is divided from beginners to veterans. Among the other artists who are part of the first team are the singer Gilberto Gil, the duo Jorge & Mateus and the group Sorriso Maroto. Bruno Cardoso, 44, lead singer of Sorriso Maroto, explains, “Some of our members have already gone on cruises, but this is our first time doing a show.” “I’m going to make the most of it,” he vowed, counting down the days until boarding.
Each artist has a different strategy to win the hearts of the public. For Sorriso Maroto, the group will perform two shows on board. “Solisso eu Gosto Pagode”, in which he performs songs by other artists, and “Solisso as Antigas”, in which he plays hits from his own repertoire. If that wasn’t enough, he called on musicians from different generations, including Pericles, Fergem and Fundo de Quintal, to come aboard the ship, which bills itself as “Brazil’s largest samba and pagoda ship.”
The 63-year-old singer Zeze di Camargo decided to change tack and invited musicians from other genres, such as rock (Jota Quest), acces (Durval Lelis) and forro (Liman comme Mel). “The more diverse your repertoire, the better. The more likely you are to please the crowd,” explains the 63-year-old compatriot, who is preparing for his seventh cruise and second solo cruise. Previously, he had taken five solo cruises with his brother Luciano. “My ship will be the happiest this season,” he warns.
One of the guests at Zezé di Camargo is 49-year-old Alexandre Pires. However, Pagodeiro will set sail on his own ship in early December before joining the Compatriot cruise in January. For him, the difference between shows on land and on the high seas is the proximity to his fans. “There are no railings separating the stage from the audience. It’s a lot of fun,” says the singer, who spends his free time taking selfies and signing autographs for all the passengers.
Successful Pararamas do not yet have a ship to call their own. But it’s as if they did. One of the most requested cruises of the season, they will perform on Gilberto Gil, Alexandre Pires and Lupa Nova Cruises. Drummer Joanne Barone, 63, has “de-glorified” musical cruises. “Remember the song ‘Melo de Marinheiro’? So it’s pretty much like this: The artist wants to drink on the deck, but he’s in the basement peeling potatoes,” he jokes.
In the long term, the success of Musical Cruises is such that PromoAção’s Bruno Ribeiro plans to expand the show season on the high seas from November to April and then from January to January. “I believe that this phenomenon is due to the combination of three factors: the strength of experiential tourism, the credibility of high-quality projects and, of course, the presence of great artists. It was they who turned this format into a consumption dream for many fans.”
royal ship
This year, Roberto Carlos, who has pioneered musical cruises since 2005, will not be participating this season. Meanwhile, the official “cover” Carlos Evany will depart at 11am on December 14th at Marina da Gloria. The sloop, with a capacity of 145 passengers, will sail in the waters of Flamengo, Botafogo and Urca, returning at 5 p.m. “When Roberto is at home, he says goodbye to everyone!” joked Evanie, recreating his idol’s laugh.
Evany said the idea came from a fan in 2008, when he rented a 200-person boat. The project Emoções no Mar da Guanabara, which borrowed its title from Roberto Carlos’ Emoções em Alto-Mar, was so successful that Evanney produced four editions in a year. In 2015, he slowed down on medical advice. “I’ve been on King Cruises three times. Can you believe so many people thought I was Roberto Carlos himself?” he laughs.
in the waves of the sea
A musical cruise is just one of many. There are other types such as dance, literature, and religion. “We’re successful because we bring everything together in one place. You can travel, live your passion, discover new places, and even connect with a community that likes the same things you do,” said Paulo Papoi, CEO of Cruise, Brazil’s largest cruise platform. “Some ships are true floating ‘resorts’. ”
According to Cruise research, the sector saw a 20% increase in theme cruise sales in the 2025/2026 season compared to the previous year. “Music cruises are the most popular niche market today because of the combination of three factors: proximity to artists, immersive experiences, and a sense of community,” Papoi explains. “While young people go to the show, grandparents enjoy the theater and parents have dinner at the restaurant – all in one place.”
One of Brazil’s longest-running themed cruises is Dança do a Bordo. This time, the 21st time, they will depart from Santos on March 15th and return on the 22nd. On the way, you will pass through Argentina and Uruguay. There will be 15 classes and seven simultaneous dances from 9pm to 4am each day. “Demand is so high that many guests are still making reservations for next year while they are still on board,” said Rui Ribeiro, commercial director of Brazil’s Costa Cruises.
“This is the largest and most respected ballroom cruise on Brazil’s high seas.” It’s no coincidence that the ship won the Cruise Award for Best Themed Cruise, dubbed the “Oscar of the cruise world.” Mr. Cruz recognized 38 recipients in a total of 17 categories.
Dancer Ana Botafogo, 68, has already participated in five or six projects. He is currently performing with 72-year-old dancer Carlinhos de Jesus. I currently teach classes to cruise participants. “It’s always a challenge to maintain balance,” which he finds interesting. “Sometimes the swaying of the ocean can get in the way of the choreography. Dansad a Bord has a great social atmosphere. It’s beautiful to see how dance brings people together.”
To give you an idea of the size of the ship, the Costa Diadema, which will host the 21st Danzado a Bordo, is 306 meters long, weighs 132.5 thousand tons and has a passenger capacity of 4,947 people. There are 23 bars and restaurants alone. Not to be outdone, MSC Preziosa, home to shows by Wesley Safadan, Gustavo Lima, Ana Castella, and more. This cruise ship has an onboard theater, movie theater, waterslide, bowling alley, and casino.
Culture tank
Another cruise option is a literary cruise. In Brazil, the Navegar é Preciso project, a partnership between Livraria da Vila and Auroraeco, is in its 14th year. Next year’s authors have already been named: Itamar Vieira Jr., Tatiana Salem Levy, and Antonio Plata. In addition to one literary gathering in the morning and one in the afternoon, the trip also includes a walk in the forest, dolphin watching, and a walk in the river.
“We’ve always had a good turnout, and the last few years we’ve traveled to capacity,” said Samuel Seibel, a bookseller and the project’s inventor. “I attribute our success to two factors: the ability to sail in a very comfortable boat on the calm waters of the Rio Negro, and the good chemistry between ordinary people, writers and musicians in the middle of the Amazon forest,” he credits. Since 2012, Chico Cesar, Zelia Duncan, Monica Salmaso and others have taken part in this cruise.
“I liked it so much that I came back nine times,” says Bulgarian writer Ilko Minev, 79. The first time was in 2014 as a writer, and the rest as a reader. “This cruise combines usefulness with fun. In addition to meeting the wonderful Pedro Bandeira, Humberto Vernec and Carla Madeira, we also entered the Rio Negro,” boasts Minev. By the way, the next Navegar é Preciso will be held from April 27th to May 1st.
Hideaway on the high seas
Industry executives aren’t exaggerating when they say there are themed cruises for every type of customer. On the high seas, passengers can do everything from catch a show from their favorite artist, learn new dance moves, and get an autograph from their favorite author. Or you can simply attend Mass, say the Rosary, or listen to a sermon. These are religious cruises.
Two departures are scheduled for the 2025/2026 season. The first one is against Cruzeiro Católico on January 25th. The itinerary includes Argentina and Uruguay. The second one is from Cruzeiro Gospel on March 29th. In both cases, the vessel charter fee is not the full price. In other words, passengers from other religious denominations will also be able to join the cruise. Each group is given a tamper-proof bracelet that grants exclusive access to religious activities.
As with all self-respecting cruises, there are also some special guests. For the Cruzeiro Católico, Father Antonio María, singers Dunga and Sueli Fasaña are also part of it. In the case of Cruzeiro Gospel, it’s singer Fernandinho. “Every year, the number of pilgrim seafarers increases by 10%,” estimates Edson Durães, founder of the Cruzeiro Católico Group. “It’s like a retreat on the high seas, complete with masses, praise and sermons.”
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