The number of cruise ships operating in South American waters during the 2009-10 Austral summer has risen by two to 18, offering around 900,000 berths, a huge 70 per cent increase on 2008.

MSC has sent six ships, which represents over half its fleet, with MSC Orchestra (2007/) and MSC Musica (2006) based out of the Brazilian port of Santos, MSC Opera (2004) and MSC Lirica (2003) sailing from Rio de Janeiro, and Melody from Salvador. MSC Armonia (2001) is homeported in Argentina's capital, Buenos Aires.

Brazilian operator CVC has chartered Sovereign, Empress (1990) and Zenith (1992) from Pullmantur, and for the first time is also taking the smaller Orient Queen (1968) of Louis Cruise Lines.

Costa Concordia (2006) and Costa Magica (2004) are sailing from Santos and Costa Victoria (1996) from Buenos Aires. Iberojet's Grand Celebration, Grand Mistral and Grand Voyager, RCI's Vision of the Seas (1998) and Splendour of the Seas (1996/ 69,130gt) and Celebrity Infinity (2001) are among other cruise ships in the region.