Majestic Princess Charts New Course Through South America

Princess Cruises is turning its spotlight on South America and Antarctica with the deployment of Majestic Princess on new and expanded itineraries that weave together Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay and the icy coasts of the Antarctic Peninsula for the 2025–26 and 2026–27 seasons.

Flagship Vessel Heads to the Southern Hemisphere

Publicly available information shows that Majestic Princess, the 3,560-guest Royal-class ship introduced in 2017, is being positioned as Princess Cruises’ primary large vessel for South America and Antarctica in the latter half of this decade. The ship, which has previously split its time between Asia and Australia, will focus on itineraries built around the southern cone of the Americas and the Southern Ocean.

Reports from cruise industry outlets indicate that for winter 2026–27 the line is redeploying Majestic Princess from its previously expected North American program to operate in South America and Antarctica instead. This move follows earlier deployment decisions that saw sister ships covering other regions, underscoring the company’s strategy of dedicating a high-capacity vessel to longer, more immersive itineraries in the region.

Princess Cruises’ destination flyers and brochure updates highlight Majestic Princess as the lead ship on these sailings, replacing earlier seasons that had centered more heavily on Sapphire Princess. The change places one of the line’s most modern ships on routes that combine marquee cities with remote landscapes, positioning it to tap into growing demand for expedition-style experiences delivered on large, amenity-rich vessels.

Linking Buenos Aires, Rio and Montevideo on Grand Voyages

Itinerary summaries for the 2025–26 and 2026–27 seasons show Majestic Princess operating multi-week “Grand Adventure” voyages that connect many of South America’s best-known urban gateways. Buenos Aires in Argentina, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and Montevideo in Uruguay feature prominently, often with overnight or extended calls designed to give guests more time ashore.

In Argentina, Buenos Aires serves as both a turnaround port and a cultural centerpiece, with marketing materials emphasizing tango heritage, historic neighborhoods and European-influenced architecture. Some longer itineraries also reference access to Iguazú Falls through optional land programs, allowing travelers to pair an Antarctica or Cape Horn sailing with one of the continent’s most famous natural attractions.

Across the border in Brazil, itineraries highlight Rio de Janeiro as a signature stop, with sailings timed to capture the city’s beaches, hillside vistas and vibrant neighborhoods. Public brochures also flag additional Brazilian ports such as Fortaleza on select repositioning or extended voyages, broadening access to the country’s Atlantic coastline beyond the classic Rio call.

Uruguay’s capital, Montevideo, appears regularly as a key port of call between Buenos Aires and Brazil. Program descriptions point to its historic center, riverside promenades and relaxed café culture, positioning the city as a contrast to the faster pace of its larger neighbors while still fitting neatly into north-south coastal routes.

Chile’s Fjords and the Gateway to Antarctica

Chile plays a central geographic role in the Majestic Princess deployment, with the port of San Antonio acting as a primary gateway for Santiago on many itineraries. Published deployment documents show San Antonio and nearby coastal cities such as Coquimbo and Puerto Montt appearing on extended voyages that trace the Pacific side of South America before rounding the continent’s southern tip.

Further south, calls at Puerto Chacabuco, Punta Arenas and scenic cruising along glaciers such as Amalia illustrate the line’s emphasis on Chilean fjords and Patagonian landscapes. These segments position the ship in narrow channels and dramatic coastlines that are often marketed as a prelude to the even more remote scenery of Antarctica.

Ushuaia, situated in Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego but closely linked to Chilean fjords routes, functions as another critical waypoint on Majestic Princess sailings. It serves as a jumping-off point for Cape Horn scenic cruising and for the transition from South America’s southern archipelagos into the open waters of the Drake Passage and the fringes of the Antarctic Peninsula.

According to updated South America and Antarctica brochures, several itineraries combine these Chilean and Patagonian segments with extended voyages that continue around the continent. These routes often link the Pacific coast to the Atlantic, enabling passengers to experience both sides of South America in a single sailing while positioning the ship for Antarctica-focused segments.

Scenic Cruising Along the Antarctic Peninsula

Princess Cruises’ recent announcements describe a series of longer voyages aboard Majestic Princess that include multiple days of scenic cruising in Antarctic waters. Public materials reference routes along iconic areas such as Elephant Island, the Antarctic Sound, Gerlache Strait and the South Shetland Islands, with the ship used as a platform for viewing ice formations, wildlife and remote research outposts from offshore.

These itineraries are framed as “Antarctica and South America” adventures rather than point-to-point expeditions, combining traditional cruise amenities with segments that resemble expedition cruising. The approach allows passengers to visit Buenos Aires, Montevideo and major Chilean ports on the same voyage in which they also spend several days navigating the fringes of the White Continent.

Seasonal schedules indicate that these Antarctica-inclusive journeys are typically operated during the austral summer, when conditions in the Southern Ocean are most favorable. Scenic cruising segments are often bracketed by calls in Ushuaia and the Falkland Islands, providing additional wildlife and history-focused experiences to complement the polar landscapes.

Marketing materials highlight that these routes are designed as extended voyages, in some cases stretching beyond 30 or even 50 days when combined with additional South American segments. This positions Majestic Princess for travelers seeking a comprehensive itinerary that links multiple countries with a rare visit to Antarctic waters.

Growing Demand for Longer South America Cruise Experiences

Industry analysis of the deployment suggests that Princess Cruises is responding to sustained interest in longer, destination-intensive itineraries that blend classic city calls with remote natural environments. South America and Antarctica itineraries have been recognized in trade awards, and the decision to assign Majestic Princess to these routes reflects a view that demand for this style of voyage is expanding.

Publicly available booking information and trade coverage indicate that sales have opened well in advance for the 2026–27 season, giving travelers the opportunity to secure cabins on voyages that include marquee destinations across Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay alongside Antarctic scenic cruising. This long lead time is typical for complex itineraries that require significant planning and air arrangements.

At the same time, brochure language underscores efforts to balance the adventure elements of Antarctica and Patagonia with the comforts of a modern large ship, including diverse dining venues, entertainment and wellness facilities. The combination is positioned as an alternative to small-ship expedition cruising, appealing to guests who want polar scenery and wildlife viewing without sacrificing mainstream cruise amenities.

As deployment plans continue to evolve, the focus on South America and Antarctica for Majestic Princess marks a notable shift in the ship’s global footprint. For travelers, it translates into a growing number of options to explore the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the southern cone, the cultural hubs of Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay, and the remote landscapes of the Antarctic Peninsula within a single extended journey.