Rio de Janeiro Wraps Up Strong 2024-25 Cruise Season

The Brazilian port of Rio de Janeiro saw a bustling 2024-25 cruise season, welcoming over 327,000 visitors and hosting 36 cruise ships, according to the Pier Mauá Cruise Terminal.

Throughout the season, the terminal handled 107 cruise calls in total — 78 from ships regularly sailing in Brazil and 29 from vessels on extended international routes.

The season, which began in late October, concluded on April 21, 2025, with the arrival of the Costa Diadema. This Costa Cruises ship made its stop in Rio as part of a transatlantic voyage from Santos to Copenhagen, Denmark.

“We are successfully wrapping up another season. There were many challenges, but we are satisfied and optimistic. The terminal, the cruise lines and their passengers are all invested in the success of the next cruise season,” shared Marcello Chagas, operations manager at Pier Mauá.

The 2024-25 season also brought notable increases in the duration of ship stays at the port. According to Chagas, the surge in demand for new and alternative shore excursions encouraged longer port visits, giving passengers more time to enjoy Rio’s diverse attractions.

“We have seen this rise in interest for alternative tourist routes, attracting various vessels for longer stays,” he explained.

Several days during the season were especially busy, with the terminal accommodating as many as five cruise ships at once on four separate occasions.

“Pier Mauá plays a vital role in Rio de Janeiro’s tourism, directly contributing to the economic activity across the state. This season further demonstrates that Rio remains one of the most sought-after destinations for tourists from Brazil and around the world,” said Gustavo Tutuca, Secretary of State for Tourism in Rio de Janeiro.

“We will continue to work hard to promote Rio de Janeiro, further increasing visitor flow and generating opportunities for the entire sector,” he added.