Costa Crociere will expand its South American deployment, sending five ships to the region for the 2012/2013 season, to join three from Iberocruceros, which falls under the Costa umbrella.

The new Costa Fascinosa is set to sail in South American waters, according to an announcement coming out of Brazil, and will be joined by the already announced Serena, Magica, Fortuna and 2011-launched Costa Favolosa.

The company is also bringing back longer voyages, up to 16 days, according to Costa Cruises South America CEO Rene Hermann. A formal announcement is expected sometime this month.

The Costa Favolosa will embark passengers in Rio, Santos and Salvador. The Serena will embark passengers in Buenos Aires, where sister-company Iberocruceros also embarks passengers.

The Fortuna will serve Argentinean market but will also embark passengers in Santos, Rio, Buenos Aires and Montevideo.

The Magica will also inter-port at number of places including Salvador, Buenos Aires, Rio, Imbituba, and Maceio. 

The brand new Fascinosa will offer nine-night voyages to Argentina and Uruguay, with an overnight stay in Buenos Aires, embarking passengers in Santos, Rio and Buenos Aires, according to a source in South America.