Argentina, Uraquay and Brazil

[roothy123]

It's less than 2 weeks from our departure date on the Samba cruise Buenos Aires to Rio, and I have a couple questions:

 

If you flew into Buenos Aires, did you have to pay a $130 (or whatever) arrival fee? Were credit cards accepted?

 

In Paraty, did you dock close to the old colonial buildings - within walking distance?

 

In Rio Grande, is there ANYTHING to do, other than the one or two excursions offered by Oceania?

 

Were the only tender locations Punta del Esta and Buzios? (I realize that this could be different for different cruises, especially if a lot of ships are scheduled to be in a port the same day. However, I'd like to know likely scenario. We go to Porto Belo, Ihle Grande, etc.)

 

What time do you have to vacate the ship (not cabin) on the last day of the cruise if you are on your own? I imagine that's on the O web site, but if anyone can provide a quick answer, that would be great!

[LuAnn]

just returned from a SA cruise on Celebrity...we flew out of BA and there was no departure tax, which we had anticipated after reading about it on CC...not sure about flying in as we flew into Santiago...we did have an arrival tax in Chile and they did take a credit card...

 

re Punta del Este we had to tender...while Infinity is a much larger ship than you will be on I didn't see any type of pier facilities there. Enjoy your cruise...we just feel in love with SA!! LuAnn

[RetiredFL]

We did the Samba Serenade over the holidays.

We went from Rio to BA so can't comment on the arrival tax.

All the ports after Rio to Montevideo were tender ports except for Rio Grande and Santos.

In Paraty there is a long walk on the pier to get to town but once there you are right in the middle of the old town. Be warned the cobblestone streets and sidewalks are the worst we ever walked on. Wear comfortable, sure-footed shoes. It is no place for flip flops, etc.

In Rio Grande we took a taxi into town, the take American $,(US$15 for up to 4 people) and you can see a couple of churches and a semi-sad main street. An hour but no more than that.

As we were in Santos on X-mass day we did not get off the ship.

In Porto Belo it is a US$10 or 15 reales round trip bus ride from the dock to town. Town is a couple of blocks of stores and a few gift shops. Nothing special.

Buzios was interesting and some good shops but be aware most don't open until 10 or 11am.

We did not feel the need to do the ship's tours in any of the coastal towns but if there is a tour that piques your interest, consider it.

Punta del Este was one of the highlights of the cruise. We took the ship's tour than included the modern art museum and got off the bus at the "hand" and walked back to the ship along the main street.(about a 6 block walk)

In Montevideo we did the ship's tour. Kind of a sad town and be careful. Pickpockets everywhere.

As to vacating the ship, you usually have to be out of your cabin by 8am and off the ship by 9am. Breakfast is usually served from 6am so you can eat and get back to your cabin and get your carry-ons.