By Lucas Ferreira
The cruise industry was one of the most affected during the Covid-19 pandemic, as decreed by the WHO (World Health Organization) in March 2020.
The scenes of huge ships full of quarantined passengers shocked the world and were an omen of what would happen in the following years.
With more than 80% of the Brazilian population completely immunized against the new coronavirus, the Brazilian association of maritime cruises — Clia Brasil — estimates that the 2022/2023 season will be a fresh start, with an injection of up to R$3.8 billion (US$716 million) in the country.
There will be 780,000 beds available this summer, an increase of 47% compared to the 30,000 in 2019/2020.
Also, according to Clia Brasil, nine MSC and Costa ships will travel 184 routes and make 724 stopovers in 17 destinations between October and May. In addition to national trips, cruises will take Brazilian passengers to Buenos Aires, Argentina, Montevideo, and Punta del Este, Uruguay.
With the highest number of ships since the 2016/2017 season, the president of Clia Brasil, Marco Ferraz, highlighted that Covid-19 interrupted the growth the area was experiencing in the country.
“The sector was booming before the pandemic. Now, we have a season of great recovery and a return to the upward curve we were on, with nine cabotage ships, which will embark thousands of Brazilians”, said Ferraz.
During the inauguration event of the MSC Seashore — the largest ship of the 2022/2023 season in the country —the general director of MSC Cruzeiros in Brazil, Adrian Ursilli, revealed that the company’s strategy is to bring new vessels to the Brazilian coast each season. to attract the public.
“We have already launched the 2023/2024 season, and we will increase our offer of cabins to Brazil by another 7% with the arrival of MSC Grandiosa, which will be the largest and most modern ship in the next season”, revealed Ursilli.
The cruise market, which already embarked more than 800,000 people in the 2011/2012 season, is trying to recover from the years lost by the pandemic. As with other tourism areas, this summer is expected to represent the sector’s rebirth.
MSC Seashore arrived in Brazil last week and brought the country’s most technological and luxurious cruises for the 2022/2023 summer season.
It is 339 m long and 74 m high, divided into 20 floors, accommodating up to 5,877 passengers and approximately 1,650 crew members.
With information from R7