The MSC Musica has left Malta and is currently crossing the Atlantic to Brazil with an unusual passenger list: nobody at all. The 2006-built ship paused regular operations in late September, spent 45 days in drydock at the Palumbo Shipyard in Valletta, then set off on its repositioning voyage to Santos, stopping at Las Palmas en route for fuel and provisions. Guests won't see it again until November 16, 2026, when its South America season begins.
The drydock was part of MSC's fleet-wide modernisation of the Musica class, following similar work on the MSC Magnifica and MSC Poesia. The headline addition is MSC's Yacht Club — the line's ship-within-a-ship suite complex, with larger staterooms, a private dining room, lounge and solarium, plus dedicated services. Foodies get two new speciality venues too: the Butcher's Cut steakhouse and the Kaito Sushi Bar.
Once in Brazil, the 2,550-guest ship will sail from four ports: Santos, Rio de Janeiro, Itajaí and Paranaguá. The first itineraries are short three- and four-night hops to Búzios and Ilha Grande — the glamorous beach towns near Rio — before switching to a programme of weeklong cruises.
The Musica is one piece of a much bigger South American push. MSC is fielding five ships in the region for 2026-27, adding the MSC Virtuosa, Seaview, Divina and Splendida on routes covering Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. Competition is heating up as well: Costa is sending the Costa Serena and Costa Diadema south for the season, and Corazul Crucero's new Buenavista is launching its maiden season in Brazil. That makes eight international cruise ships plus MSC's fleet sailing the region this winter — good news for anyone eyeing a Southern Hemisphere summer at sea.
For travellers, the timing works nicely: December to March is Brazil's summer, so these sailings coincide with the best beach weather. Short Búzios and Ilha Grande cruises are an easy, affordable way to sample cruise life or squeeze in a beach break, while the weeklong itineraries suit travellers wanting a fuller sweep of the coast. With three ships from MSC alone competing, expect relatively keen pricing on 2026-27 Brazil sailings.
