2026 South America Cruises

Published: March 27, 2026
Cruise ship sailing through Patagonian fjords with mountains in the background
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Table of Contents

Quick Facts

  • Total Sailings: 8
  • Departure Ports: Buenos Aires (Argentina), Miami (Florida), Lima/Callao (Peru)
  • Ships: Norwegian Star, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Joy
  • Durations: 12 to 18 nights
  • Peak Season: January through April (Southern Hemisphere summer)
  • Popular Ports of Call: Ushuaia (Argentina), Punta Arenas (Chile), Puerto Madryn (Argentina), Montevideo (Uruguay), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Manta (Ecuador), Cartagena (Colombia)

Introduction

Norwegian Cruise Line's 2026 South America season offers an extraordinary collection of voyages stretching from the windswept shores of Patagonia to the tropical coasts of Colombia and Ecuador. With itineraries ranging from immersive 14-night Patagonia round trips departing Buenos Aires to sweeping 18-night repositioning journeys linking Miami to Seattle via the Panama Canal, these sailings appeal to adventurers seeking some of the most dramatic scenery on earth - glaciers, fjords, Andean peaks, and vibrant port cities - all on a single voyage.

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Season Highlights

Norwegian Cruise Line's South America season runs from January through April 2026, coinciding with the Southern Hemisphere's summer and early autumn - the optimal window for sailing Patagonian waters and exploring destinations like Ushuaia and Punta Arenas before winter conditions set in.

Norwegian Star anchors the season with five sailings, all based out of Buenos Aires. Four are identical 14-night round trips through Patagonia, calling at Montevideo, Puerto Madryn, Punta Arenas, Ushuaia, and Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands. A fifth Star sailing repositions from Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro in 16 nights, threading through the same Patagonian highlights before ending on Brazil's iconic coastline.

Norwegian Jade contributes two one-way voyages connecting Miami and Lima (Callao), Peru. The first heads southward from Miami in February, traversing the Caribbean and Pacific coast to reach Lima in 12 nights. The second departs Lima in March and makes its way north to San Diego over 17 nights, visiting ports along the Pacific coasts of Ecuador, Central America, and Mexico.

Norwegian Joy rounds out the season with a single 18-night sailing in April, departing Miami and calling at Cartagena, Colombia and Colón, Panama before concluding in Seattle - a grand repositioning voyage that blends South American flair with the Panama Canal experience.

Why Choose a South America Cruise?

South America cruises offer some of the most geographically and culturally diverse experiences available at sea. In a single voyage, passengers can witness the dramatic landscapes of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, explore cosmopolitan cities like Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro, and discover the colonial history of Cartagena or the ancient cultures along Peru's Pacific coastline.

Norwegian Cruise Line's South America itineraries are particularly well-suited for travelers seeking grand, immersive journeys. These are not quick getaway sailings - durations of 12 to 18 nights allow meaningful time in each destination rather than a rushed port-hopping experience. The opportunity to sail into Ushuaia, widely considered the world's southernmost city, or to pass through the legendary Strait of Magellan near Punta Arenas is a bucket-list milestone for many cruisers.

Departures from Buenos Aires are especially appealing for those wishing to base themselves in Argentina before or after the cruise. Buenos Aires is a world-class destination in its own right, and its position as the primary homeport for Norwegian Star makes it easy to combine a pre-cruise city stay with the sailing. For travelers departing from the United States, Miami remains a convenient gateway for westbound voyages into South America via the Pacific coast.

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Port Breakdown

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Buenos Aires is the dominant departure port for Norwegian's 2026 South America season. Norwegian Star operates four 14-night round trips and one 16-night one-way sailing from the Argentine capital. These voyages call at Montevideo (Uruguay), Puerto Madryn (Argentina), Punta Arenas (Chile), Ushuaia (Argentina), and Port Stanley (Falkland Islands) - a classic Patagonia circuit covering the remote southern reaches of the continent. Sailings depart in January, February, and March, with January featuring the highest frequency at two departures.

Miami, Florida

Miami serves as the embarkation point for Norwegian Jade's 12-night southbound voyage to Lima (Callao), Peru in late February, and as the departure port for Norwegian Joy's 18-night repositioning to Seattle in late April. The Miami sailings offer a different flavor - westbound Pacific coast voyages that mix Caribbean ports with South American and Central American destinations before transiting the Panama Canal.

Lima (Callao), Peru

Lima functions as both the terminus of Jade's southbound February sailing and the embarkation point for Jade's northbound March voyage to San Diego. Travelers can connect the two sailings for an extended journey: sailing from Miami to Lima in February and then onward from Lima to San Diego in March - an epic back-to-back itinerary spanning multiple regions.

Month-by-Month South America Cruise Calendar for 2026

January 2026

January is the busiest month of the South America season, with two Norwegian Star departures from Buenos Aires. The first sails on January 4 and the second on January 18 - both are identical 14-night round trips visiting Montevideo, Puerto Madryn, Punta Arenas, Ushuaia, and Port Stanley. January falls in the heart of the Southern Hemisphere's summer, offering the longest daylight hours and the most favorable conditions for glacier viewing and wildlife spotting in Patagonia. Ships: Norwegian Star. Destinations: Patagonia (Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Falkland Islands). Duration: 14 nights.

February 2026

February brings three sailings across two ships. Norwegian Star departs Buenos Aires again on February 1 and February 15 for its 14-night Patagonia round trips, while Norwegian Jade sets out from Miami on February 27 for a 12-night southbound voyage to Lima (Callao), Peru. The Miami-to-Lima sailing passes through the Caribbean, calls at Santa Marta (Colombia) and Cartagena (Colombia), transits to Panama City's Pacific terminal, visits Manta (Ecuador) and Trujillo/Salaverry (Peru), and concludes in Lima. February is an excellent month for both the Patagonia routes and the Pacific coast, with warm conditions along the equatorial ports. Ships: Norwegian Star, Norwegian Jade. Destinations: Patagonia round trips; Miami → Colombia → Panama → Ecuador → Peru. Duration: 14 nights (Star), 12 nights (Jade).

March 2026

March features two departures. Norwegian Star departs Buenos Aires on March 1 on a one-way 16-night voyage to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - sailing through the same Patagonian ports before heading north along the Brazilian coast to end in Rio. Norwegian Jade departs Lima (Callao) on March 11, heading northward over 17 nights to San Diego via Manzanillo (Mexico), Panama City, Acajutla (El Salvador), Acapulco, Puntarenas (Costa Rica), Huatulco, Manta (Ecuador), Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Quetzal (Guatemala), and Mazatlán. These are grand, sweeping voyages ideal for travelers with flexible itineraries. Ships: Norwegian Star, Norwegian Jade. Destinations: Buenos Aires → Patagonia → Rio de Janeiro; Lima → Central America → Mexico → San Diego. Duration: 16 nights (Star), 17 nights (Jade).

April 2026

April brings the final South America sailing of the season, with Norwegian Joy departing Miami on April 25 for an 18-night repositioning voyage to Seattle. This sailing calls at Los Angeles, Cartagena (Colombia), Puerto Vallarta (Mexico), Puntarenas (Costa Rica), Cabo San Lucas (Mexico), Puerto Quetzal (Guatemala), and Colón (Panama) before concluding in Seattle. While Joy's itinerary spans multiple regions including the Panama Canal, its South America port of call in Cartagena adds a distinctive flair to this westward repositioning journey. Ships: Norwegian Joy. Destinations: Miami → South America (Colombia) → Panama Canal → Mexico → Pacific Northwest. Duration: 18 nights.

Ship Deployment

  • Norwegian Star - January through March 2026; based in Buenos Aires, Argentina; operates four 14-night Patagonia round trips visiting Montevideo, Puerto Madryn, Punta Arenas, Ushuaia, and Port Stanley; concludes season with one 16-night one-way to Rio de Janeiro
  • Norwegian Jade - February through March 2026; one southbound 12-night sailing from Miami to Lima; one northbound 17-night repositioning from Lima to San Diego; Pacific coast specialist for the season
  • Norwegian Joy - April 2026; single 18-night sailing from Miami to Seattle via Cartagena, Panama Canal, and Mexican Pacific ports; seasonal repositioning voyage

Planning Tips

  1. Book early for Patagonia round trips - Norwegian Star's 14-night Buenos Aires sailings are the most accessible entry into the South America season, and these itineraries attract strong interest from seasoned cruisers seeking bucket-list destinations like Ushuaia and the Falkland Islands.

  2. Consider a back-to-back on Jade - The February 27 Miami-to-Lima sailing and the March 11 Lima-to-San Diego sailing can be combined for a continuous journey from Miami across South America's Pacific coast all the way to California. This type of extended voyage offers exceptional destination variety.

  3. Plan arrivals in Buenos Aires in advance - Buenos Aires is a major international destination, and pre-cruise stays of two to three nights are popular. Arrange flights and accommodations well in advance, as Buenos Aires hotels fill quickly during the Southern Hemisphere summer.

  4. Pack for variable climates - Patagonia itineraries traverse dramatically different weather zones. Ushuaia and Punta Arenas can be cool and windy even in summer, while Montevideo and Buenos Aires enjoy warm summer conditions. Layering is essential.

  5. Verify documentation requirements early - South America sailings visit multiple countries, each with their own entry requirements. Some itineraries also transit the Panama Canal. Passport validity, visa requirements, and any health documentation should be verified with your cruise line and applicable government sources well before departure.

  6. Check the Panama Canal transit experience - For Joy's April sailing and Jade's February voyage, transiting the Panama Canal is a highlight. Decks are typically crowded during transit - arrive early to secure a good vantage point.

How to Find the Best Deals on South America Cruises

Norwegian Cruise Line pricing fluctuates based on demand, booking time, and availability. Here's how to maximize value:

  • Book early - Promotional fares often available 12-18 months in advance
  • Monitor price drops - Fares change weekly; set up deal alerts to track your preferred sailings
  • Consider shoulder season - March and April sailings typically see lower demand than the peak January departures
  • Look at one-way repositioning voyages - Jade's 12-night and 17-night one-way sailings and Joy's 18-night repositioning often offer different availability patterns than round trips
  • Explore back-to-back opportunities - Combining Jade's southbound and northbound Pacific coast voyages may open up additional options for extended travel

Compare current prices across all South America sailings →

Our deal finder shows real-time pricing across all 8 departures, helping you identify the best availability for your preferred dates and destinations.

South America cruises on Norwegian Cruise Line offer an unmatched breadth of experiences - from the wild remoteness of Patagonian fjords to the sun-soaked colonial streets of Cartagena - across three ships and a season that spans the continent's most rewarding travel months.

Ready to book? Check live pricing and availability for any of these sailings.

Data current as of March 2026. Always verify availability and details directly with Norwegian Cruise Line.

FAQ

When is the best time to cruise South America on Norwegian Cruise Line?

Norwegian Cruise Line offers South America sailings from January through April 2026, with the majority of departures concentrated in January and February. This aligns with the Southern Hemisphere's summer season, ideal for exploring Patagonia, Ushuaia, and the southern fjords.

Which Norwegian ships sail to South America in 2026?

Three Norwegian Cruise Line ships are deployed to South America in 2026: Norwegian Star, Norwegian Jade, and Norwegian Joy. Norwegian Star operates the majority of sailings, homeporting in Buenos Aires for Patagonia round trips.

How long are Norwegian South America cruises?

South America cruises on Norwegian Cruise Line range from 12 to 18 nights in 2026. The majority of sailings are 14-night round trips from Buenos Aires, with longer one-way repositioning voyages of 16, 17, and 18 nights also available.

Which ports can I depart from for a Norwegian South America cruise?

Norwegian Cruise Line offers South America departures from Buenos Aires (Argentina), Miami (Florida), and Lima/Callao (Peru) in 2026. Buenos Aires serves as the primary homeport, while Miami and Lima function as embarkation or disembarkation points for one-way voyages.

What ports will I visit on a Norwegian South America cruise?

Popular South American ports of call include Ushuaia (Argentina), Punta Arenas (Chile), Puerto Madryn (Argentina), Montevideo (Uruguay), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Manta (Ecuador), and Cartagena (Colombia). Several itineraries also transit the Panama Canal.