Brazilian city, Ilhabela welcomes first large Ship of the Season

The Costa Favolosa became the first large ship to visit Ilhabela this season with a call on November 24, 2025.

The Costa Cruises ship arrived at the Brazilian destination during its first sailing in the region after repositioning to South America for the winter. The three-night cruise departed from Santos on November 23, 2025, and included a visit to Balneário Camboriú.

“Cruise tourism brings visitors who consume, enjoy tours, restaurants, and local commerce, generating direct returns for residents who depend on tourism,” said Ilhabela’s Mayor, Toninho Colucci. “Many of these tourists fall in love with the island and return at other times to enjoy Ilhabela for longer. We are prepared to welcome them well and showcase the best of the city,” he added.

The 2025-26 season in Ilhabela started in early October with a visit from the Scenic Eclipse, which brought over 150 guests to the town as part of its repositioning voyage to Antarctica. After the Costa Favolosa and the Scenic Eclipse, Ilhabela is expected to welcome 49 additional calls through April 2026.

The vessels are set to bring over 217,000 passengers and crew members to the town for a projected economic impact of over USD 80 million. Other ships set to visit Ilhabela in 2025-26 include the MSC Fantasia, which will make regular visits to the town during its cruises from Argentina.