Samba Shores – Rio & Montevideo

About this cruise

You sail from Buenos Aires on February 10, 2027 and spend 9 nights visiting Rio de Janeiro, Ilhabela, Ilha Grande, Balneario Camboriu and Montevideo. It's a well-tested route and there's a reason people keep booking it. The first couple of days are at sea, which gives you time to settle in and get to know the ship before the ports begin. Big cities one day, Tierra del Fuego the next. The variety is hard to match. Most ports give you about 9 hours, so you can do more than just tick off the main sights. As for the ship itself, MSC Splendida takes the food seriously, with 6 restaurants to choose from. 2 are included, and the rest are worth the splurge. If you like having options (restaurants, bars, activities, entertainment), a big ship delivers that. Pro tip: fly in the day before. Buenos Aires has plenty to offer, and you'll board relaxed instead of rushed. The timing adds to it: swapping cold weather for sunshine and sea air is the whole pitch for a winter cruise. Whether you've cruised before or not, this 9-night itinerary is a genuinely good one.