The MSC Sinfonia was forced to divert to Ilhabela this week after strong winds and rough seas disrupted its itinerary along the Brazilian coast.
The four-night cruise departed from Santos and was scheduled to visit Búzios and Ilha Grande. But unsafe conditions at those ports led the ship to reroute and dock at Ilhabela instead.
Ilhabela sits in the São Sebastião Channel, a naturally sheltered area known for protecting ships during adverse weather.
Mayor Toninho Colucci said the diversion reinforces the island’s reliability as a safe harbor.
“Cruise ship stops are very important for our main industry, tourism,” Colucci said, noting that diverted calls still bring visibility and local revenue.
Ilhabela is preparing for a strong season. The island expects 50+ cruise calls and more than 217,000 passengers by the end of 2025–26, a boost worth roughly $14.8 million USD to the local economy.
The diversion highlights how quickly weather can reshape cruise schedules, even on short coastal routes.
