The MSC Splendida will reposition to South America for the upcoming winter, MSC Cruises announced in a press release.

Previously poised to become the company’s second ship in the Chinese market, the 3,300-guest ship will now sail from different ports in Brazil for the 2024-25 winter season.

According to MSC, the change strengthens its leadership position in South America, increasing its offering in the region to 126 departures.

“(We) continue to work with local governments, ports, partners, and suppliers to invest in this important region, which is very relevant to our global strategy,” the company said.

In addition to the MSC Splendida, five other ships from the MSC fleet are also set to sail from Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina during the upcoming winter.

That fleet fleet includes the MSC Grandiosa, which debuted in the region in 2023, becoming the largest ever ship to sail in South America.

As part of its new deployment, the MSC Splendida is now scheduled to offer cruises departing from Santos and Itajaí starting in mid-December following her repositioning from Europe.

Set to be offered through late March, the ship’s regular seven-night itinerary also features visits to Buenos Aires, Punta del Este and Balneário Camboriú.

“We are committed to providing our guests with even more opportunities for unforgettable vacations, and the arrival of the MSC Splendida, our sixth ship for the 2024-25 season, in December, represents exactly that,” said Adrian Ursilli, General Director of MSC Cruises in Brazil.

Moving away from Asia, the MSC Splendida becomes the latest in a growing list of vessels that are departing the Chinese market.

The 2009-built vessel was scheduled to offer cruises departing from Shenzhen and Xiamen starting in November 2024.

In a similar move, Royal Caribbean International announced plans to withdraw the Ovation of the Seas from the lChinese market. Instead of sailing from Tianjin in 2025, the Quantum-class ship will now operate on the West Coast, with cruises out of Los Angeles.