The reason Argentina has changed tourist habits and sold out cruises to Brazil this summer

It contains habit When it comes to travel, October and November are the peak months in Argentina for defining summer vacations. The difference is, this year Coinciding with the uncertainty of the two elections. To this we must add the drag of post-STEP demonetisation, tax hikes on traveling and shopping abroad and the appreciation of the official dollar. so, He The card dollar (or tourist dollar) is the most expensive exchange rate in the market today.

In that opposite current, Cruise ships departing from the port of Buenos Aires were filled. Making nautical miles New All inclusive. Ships already They traveled Sold.

Argentine travelers are experienced captains in the waters of economic crisis, but two keys mark these humid coordinates: power Disable priceA common one of all-inclusive service, and Save on flight ticket prices.

Also, the main attraction of the trips is the visit BrazilThe golden rule of these crisis-driven final seasons.

“Although the original idea was not to travel by ship to Brazil, many people call us because they compare it to paying for plane tickets and a hotel.” All inclusive For the whole family, and rent on the beach and go out for lunch and dinner every day, and Shipping is sometimes cheaper“, he says Clarion Joaquín Salgueiro, shipping expert and Vice President of Organfur.

At the port of Buenos Aires, the departure point for many Argentinians on cruise vacations and an important stopover for foreigners arriving by ship, 127 calls are expected with a total of 433,417 passengers. 26% more than last season.

“35% are predicted to be Argentine. Last year, there were 150,000 out of 400,000,” they say. Clarion From the general management of the ports, they expect a boom in domestic cruise passengers.

“If there are no changes, it will be on January 31 Four ships at once Time At the port of Buenos Aires, from here there are more passengers and the season is extended, ending on April 30th with the arrival of the Costa Favolosa.

Once you've crossed the classic walkway and left dry land, you're floating on the open sea in an all-inclusive comfortable trial.

But for a journey The same visitors are not uploading Diesel Travel to Florianopolis by car and stay in a hostel or condominium. He The final price of the package is sent to those who are not available Low-cost airfare and a week in a five-star hotel in northern Brazil.

“The ticket price for a family is very expensive. And to America with air, it means 8 or 10 thousand dollars… to start talking. The ship can sail, Very good qualityFrom here, to places that are very popular for us, like Brazil At the very least, it's a super option” Salqueiro continues.

At the same pace in the taste buds for this nautical program – for 7, 8 or 9 nights without having to pay even a dollar more – the trend Go ahead with the purchase.

“This demand was expected during every election, especially before STEP. At the same time, the purchase was stopped after changes in the regulations (on November 29, AFIP established the collection of 100% of income tax and 25% of personal property, which was added to the 30% PAIS tax).

The cost is defined according to the type and level of occupancy. Through “early” advertising, the industry encouraged this expectation, and the result is today Full cabin occupancy level. Even the most expensive, with a balcony.

“Without a doubt, there is no alternative but full boats in all seasons. To date, We have high occupancy rates“, he says Clarion Javier Massignani, MSC Cruises Director for Argentina and Latin America.

Sales at this leading luxury company grew by 15% and were “significantly improved” over 2022.

The cruise industry – which has a high range of repeat passengers – has its own peak. In March, with pre-season sales, can be enjoyed now. Whoever pre-purchases will know and navigate There was a high profit margin.

Another peak occurs in April and May, and the classic October one for Mother's Day – $999 per person with inside cabins – 50% off for second passengers and the most recent, Black Friday and the extension of its discount days.

Due to the heavy flow of cruise passengers, only two ships, MSC Música and MSC Lírica, board. 3,800 passengers per week. “With demand like this, it's impossible to meet a very compelling, last-minute demand,” says the ship manager.

By choosing this travel option, you are a Full payment (The ban on quotas for foreign voyages continues), or the sale price is guaranteed in dollars of that cabin plus 25%, and payment is due 45 days prior to departure.

Funding is provided by travelers, and this year there were several directions: there are those who made a reservation and made several intermediate payments, and those who paid part in dollars (5% of the cost was added to the deposit), another part changed. pesos and another with card.

Ships to Brazil This year they will be especially full of family groupsThey find in this All inclusive The benefit of not having to pay for all those plane tickets. Then, in pairs.

Each ship has its destination, even between ships of the same company.

Among these types of cruises and cruise companies, there are 7-night cruises to the south of Brazil, 8-night cruises to Rio de Janeiro, and 9-night cruises (which are the most preferred by Argentina). It reaches Buzios.

“It allows you to gain experience International tourism, from the port of Buenos Aires. It's the perfect combination for a trip. You don't have all the stress of having to take a plane and fly to Miami to get on a ferry, with the expense it reflects. In Price-quality ratio for Brazil You have nothing to give” explains Massinani.

With a “silver” atmosphere like MSC Música, 90% of passengers are from our country and 10% from Uruguay, where singer Guillermo Guido performs in concerts. MSC Lírica is different, with 60% Brazilian passengers.

Musica has a variety of itineraries with 15 departures in Montevideo, Cambori, Ilhabela, Itajai, Rio de Janeiro and Angra dos Reis. Lirica, 14 departures over 7 nights and stops in Punta del Este, Ilha do Mel and Campori.

Another characteristic of new (and experienced) Argentine cruisers: They went up a notch in proportion. They choose a balcony. They charge 20% extra for sea view, compared to barbed view. Besides having breakfast with the breeze of the waves (cabin service included), the room is huge.

At Christmas, 8 nights, $1,050 per person (final MSC Música price) so affordable, it's clear that there is no longer a place in an interior cabin. Not even for January, for 1,160 dollars (today it is already 1,360 dollars if it is with a balcony). But the promotion is valid on February 27 and March 15, with doubles in an internal cabin for $1,199 per person.

Another change: Until last season, a specific warning “depending on how much is consumed” led to not pre-purchasing the beverage package. Almost 100% of Argentinians now have it in reserve. The aim is to set the cost of all optional activities (such as an excursion to Christ the Redeemer) at the official dollar rate of the day.

Beverage package prices vary, except for mineral water, soda, wine with meal, $6 to $9 drinks and coffee, premium bottles. On average, they start at $16 per person per day.

You can pay upfront for Wi-Fi.

“We have increased the offer by 30%. We noticed more travelers and more willingness to travel. This format works similarly to all-inclusive hotels. So, you have a Control of total travel budget, because the packages include food and drinks. The board knows that nothing is going to change on price or quality,” he says Clarion Fernando Joselevich, Country Manager for Costa Cruises.

Costa Cruises offers two options for Brazil. The Costa Fascinosa departs on nights 3, 4 and 8 and stops in Montevideo, Camporee, Ilhabela and Ilha Grande and Rio de Janeiro. It has 1,508 rooms, four swimming pools, a water slide, eight restaurants and nine bars.

Costa Favolosa offers 7-night cruises between Montevideo, Santos and Itajai, as well as 3- and 4-night cruises from Santos port to Cambori, Ilha Grande and Ilhabela. The ship will close this record era in the port of Buenos Aires.

“This season will be the longest in Costa's history in the region. It started this Thursday and will extend until April 4, 2024,” says Joslewicz, emphasizing that the 25% discount promotion on selected departures continues.

There are two companies The whole season fills Brazil completely, but Patagonia and Antarctica also had a great sales pitch. Among those ships, Celebrity, NCL and Princess, no longer carry more than 4,000 passengers. Only 10% to 15% are Argentinians.

Among those passing through Europe, in all companies Sales volumes for Argentina are higher compared to 2019Those moving from Florida to the Caribbean or the Bahamas today are associated with higher prices and are showing a strong contraction in sales.