Princess Cruises Unveils 2027–28 South America Odyssey

Princess Cruises has revealed its 2027–28 South America season, outlining a series of sailings that combine marquee cities in Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay with access to 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a refreshed portfolio of guided shore excursions designed to emphasize culture, history and dramatic scenery.

New Season Showcases South America’s Cultural Powerhouses

The newly announced 2027–28 program centers on Majestic Princess, which is scheduled to operate a focused South America season between October 2027 and January 2028. According to published deployment details, itineraries link major ports such as Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo and Santiago with classic routes around Cape Horn and into the fjords and channels of Patagonia. The season builds on the line’s recent South America and Antarctica offerings, which already feature multiple UNESCO-recognized locations.

Princess Cruises’ most recent South America brochures highlight a strategy of pairing headline cities with extended time ashore and scenic cruising. Earlier South America collections for 2024–25 cite more than a dozen UNESCO sites across 26 destinations, and the new 2027–28 deployment expands that concept, bringing the total to 15 UNESCO locations featured either in port calls, optional tours or longer cruisetour-style add-ons. Publicly available information indicates that this mix is intended to appeal to travelers seeking in-depth regional immersion rather than short, single-country calls.

While full day-by-day itineraries vary by departure date, the structure typically includes multi-country voyages that run along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Many sailings are expected to offer overnight or late-evening stays in key cities, giving guests more time to experience local food, music and nightlife. The emphasis on cultural discovery positions the 2027–28 season as one of the line’s most detailed South American deployments to date.

Fifteen UNESCO World Heritage Sites Anchor Itineraries

The cornerstone of the new program is the focus on 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites spread across the region. In Argentina, published materials for recent and upcoming seasons already point to Iguazú National Park and the historic quarters of Buenos Aires as headline draws, often packaged with overland extensions or full-day excursions. In Chile, destinations tied to previous Princess programs, including Valparaíso’s historic quarter and the Andean landscapes accessed from Santiago, are expected to remain central pillars of the 2027–28 lineup.

Brazilian calls are positioned as gateways to several World Heritage locations. Earlier Princess South America collections highlight Iguazú Falls from the Brazilian side and the iconic cityscape of Rio de Janeiro, recognized for its blend of urban development with surrounding natural landmarks. For the 2027–28 season, program descriptions indicate that these sites will continue to feature prominently, integrated into shore excursions that balance panoramic viewpoints with guided cultural walks.

In Uruguay, itineraries continue to draw interest to the historic quarter of Colonia del Sacramento, a UNESCO-listed colonial town on the Río de la Plata. The port of Montevideo remains a common call on South America routes, and many shore programs use it as a jumping-off point for visits to Colonia’s cobbled streets and riverside fortifications. The overall portfolio of 15 World Heritage locations is distributed across coastal cities, inland natural areas and historic districts, reflecting South America’s diversity across architecture, archaeology and landscape.

Exclusive Shore Excursions Emphasize Depth Over Checklist Tourism

Alongside the itinerary announcement, Princess Cruises is promoting an expanded selection of shore excursions curated specifically for the 2027–28 South America season. Drawing on patterns visible in current 2024–25 offerings, the line continues to classify excursions into themes such as scenic and cultural discovery, food and drink, adventure, and nature and wildlife. In practical terms, that means port calls are often supported by multiple layers of experiences, from small-group walking tours to full-day overland journeys to UNESCO sites.

Reports on recent Princess South America seasons show examples such as guided visits to Colonia del Sacramento, immersive tours of Iguazú Falls and overland programs to Machu Picchu or the Andean highlands. For 2027–28, publicly available planning materials suggest that the line is refining this approach by highlighting more limited-capacity experiences and extended-time options labeled as deeper immersion. These may include small-boat sightseeing at major waterfalls, winery visits outside major cities, and culinary-focused tours that showcase regional specialties in Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay.

In keeping with broader industry trends, the line is also prioritizing flexibility and choice. Many excursions are expected to be tiered by activity level, allowing guests to select from gentle walking tours, more strenuous hikes, or panoramic coach and railway journeys. Scenic cruising segments, particularly in the fjords of southern Chile and around Cape Horn, serve as a complementary element to time ashore, giving guests additional opportunities to observe glaciers, coastal wildlife and remote headlands from the ship.

Patagonia, Antarctica and Scenic Cruising Remain a Seasonal Highlight

The 2027–28 program continues Princess Cruises’ established pattern of pairing South America itineraries with high-profile scenic regions such as Patagonia and, on select departures, the Antarctic Peninsula. Current and recent seasons feature multi-day segments that include the Drake Passage, the Antarctic Sound and channels along the peninsula, as well as calls in Ushuaia, Punta Arenas and the Falkland Islands. Planning documents and industry coverage indicate that similar elements are scheduled to appear in the 2027–28 lineup, reinforcing the region’s reputation for dramatic seascapes.

These sailings typically include designated scenic cruising days where the ship remains in motion through glacial bays, narrow channels or around remote islands without a port call. Narrated commentary and expert-led programming are often offered on board, although specific 2027–28 programming details have not yet been fully published. For travelers, these segments add a visual counterpoint to the more urban, culture-driven port days in Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay.

The combination of Cape Horn, the Chilean fjords and optional Antarctica routes places the 2027–28 collection in the category of expedition-style sightseeing delivered on a contemporary cruise platform. Weather conditions and seasonal daylight patterns in the Southern Hemisphere spring and early summer shape these experiences, with most departures timed for late-year and early-year windows that typically offer more favorable sailing conditions.

Growing Demand for Immersive Regional Voyages

The decision to spotlight South America in the 2027–28 season aligns with broader cruise industry trends that favor longer, more destination-focused voyages. Trade coverage and company planning documents show that Princess has steadily increased the complexity of its South American offerings in recent years, layering cruise-only itineraries with cruisetours that combine sailing segments with escorted land programs in locations such as Iguazú Falls and the Andes.

The emphasis on 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites positions the new South America season as a choice for travelers who prioritize educational and cultural content alongside scenery. With sailings spanning multiple countries and a portfolio of exclusive shore excursions, the 2027–28 program reflects an effort to offer a single itinerary that can encompass major urban centers, colonial towns, national parks and remote coastal landscapes in one extended journey. For many travelers, that breadth may make South America a centerpiece destination in long-range cruise planning for the late 2020s.