The Valparaíso cruise season officially began on Saturday, October 17, 2026, with the arrival of the MS Fridtjof Nansen, a Norwegian expedition ship operated by HX Expeditions that docked with about 500 passengers. The port expects 30 calls until April 15, 2027, 25% more than the 24 of the previous season, according to the schedule released by the Valparaíso Port Company and reported by Apuntes y Viajes and Duplos.
The figure local businesses like most is a different one: nine of those ships will spend at least one night in port, 13 nights in total. For restaurants, cafés, hotels and tour operators in Valparaíso and Viña del Mar, an overnight stay means passengers who have dinner, explore the hills at a relaxed pace and book full-day excursions.
The Valparaíso cruise season in numbers
| Item | 2026-2027 season | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Projected calls | 30 | Valparaíso Port Company, via El Mercurio de Valparaíso |
| Previous season (2025-2026) | 24 | Ladevi / Apuntes y Viajes |
| Change | +25% | Calculated from the figures above |
| Official opening | Saturday, October 17, 2026, MS Fridtjof Nansen | Duplos |
| Scheduled end | April 15, 2027 | Ladevi |
| Calls with overnight stays | 9 ships, 13 nights in total | Apuntes y Viajes |
| Busiest month | February 2027, with 8 calls | Apuntes y Viajes |
| Days with two ships at once | February 14 and 17, 2027, among others | Apuntes y Viajes |
One date difference is worth clarifying. According to Ladevi, the first call of the cycle was the Silver Wind on October 5 at the Terminal Pacífico Sur. The opening ceremony, with regional and municipal authorities, took place on October 17 with the Fridtjof Nansen, which arrived from Callao and continued to Niebla, in the Los Ríos Region.
The ships coming to Valparaíso
The schedule mixes expedition ships, luxury vessels and large cruise ships. Debuts in the port include the Queen Anne, the Spirit of Adventure and the Discovery, according to Apuntes y Viajes, based on El Mercurio de Valparaíso; Ladevi also lists the Carnival Firenze and the Majestic Princess among the largest ships. The Majestic Princess carries about 3,560 passengers.
| Ship | Type | What we know |
|---|---|---|
| MS Fridtjof Nansen | Expedition (HX Expeditions) | Opened the season on October 17; about 500 passengers |
| Silver Wind | Luxury (Silversea) | First call of the cycle, on October 5 |
| Majestic Princess | Large cruise ship (Princess) | One of the biggest on the schedule, about 3,560 passengers |
| Queen Anne | Large cruise ship (Cunard) | Debut in Valparaíso |
| Carnival Firenze | Large cruise ship (Carnival) | Among the large ships of the season |
Itineraries can change: cruise lines adjust calls because of weather or commercial reasons, and Apuntes y Viajes notes that the schedule is the one announced at the start of the season. If you want to see a particular ship, check the port schedule a few days ahead.
Does your restaurant, hotel or tour in Valparaíso want to reach cruise passengers before they disembark?
See advertising optionsWhat Valparaíso officials asked for
At the opening, Valparaíso mayor Camila Nieto pressed for a dedicated cruise pier: "We need to move forward promptly with creating and building the exclusive priority pier for cruise ships," she said, according to Duplos. She also called for better cleaning and security in the neighborhoods visitors walk through. Viña del Mar mayor Macarena Ripamonti highlighted coordination between the two cities to create jobs.
Regional presidential delegate Manuel Millones called the increase "good news for Valparaíso" but warned that it requires preparation, and the regional public security secretary, Hernán Silva, described prevention campaigns and police presence at tourist spots. Sernatur regional director Carolina Carrasco welcomed the longer stays, which spread spending across more businesses.
An uneven map: not every port is growing
Valparaíso's growth contrasts with the north. On October 6, Ladevi published an overview of the season in which Iquique and Coquimbo drop to six calls each and Antofagasta has just one, the Discoverer on March 30. Magallanes remains the hub of activity, with about 50% of the country's cruise operations.
| Port | 2026-2027 calls | Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Magallanes | 160 vessels (national, international and Antarctic) | 17 fewer than the previous period |
| Valparaíso | 30 | +25% |
| Iquique | 6 | Three fewer than last season |
| Coquimbo | 6 | A similar drop to Iquique |
| Antofagasta | 1 (Discoverer, March 30) | Four ships since 2015-2016 |
The Magallanes figure includes Antarctic expeditions, which leave from Punta Arenas and Puerto Williams. If you're heading there, our guide to things to do in Punta Arenas covers the strait and penguin trips.
What to do ashore if you arrive in Valparaíso by cruise ship
- Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción: a few minutes from the pier, with funiculars, viewpoints and murals. Our guide to Valparaíso's historic quarter explains the walk.
- A full day in the city: our one-day Valparaíso guide lines up funiculars, museums and lunch.
- Viña del Mar and Concón: the joint circuit promoted by the cities includes the coastline; see things to do in Viña del Mar.
- Wine valleys: Casablanca is less than an hour away on Route 68; our Chile wine route guide sums up the valleys.
- Safety: use services registered with Sernatur and read our safety tips for tourists in Chile.
None of the sources has published an estimate of total passenger spending for the season yet. If the Valparaíso Port Company or Sernatur releases one, we will update this story.
Frequently asked questions
When does the Valparaíso cruise season start and end?
The official opening was on October 17, 2026, and the season is scheduled to end on April 15, 2027. The first call of the cycle was on October 5.
How many cruise ships will call at Valparaíso in 2026-2027?
Thirty calls are planned, 25% more than the 24 of the 2025-2026 season. February is the busiest month, with eight.
How long do cruise ships stay in port?
Most stay one day, but nine ships have committed to at least one night in port, 13 nights in total.
