Amazon River cruise

[carolina cruisin]

Read a couple of places that "boots" are provided for excursions in the river basin area.  Anyone with experience in this area?

[Sharle]

we took the Amazon River cruise last year and did not encounter any "boots" provided, or situation where they would be needed.  Was there a specific excursion that you were thinking of?

[RJ2002]

We were on the Mariner's Amazon cruise a couple of years ago, and I don't recall being provided with boots.  However, we may not have been on the particular excursion where they might have been offered.  I'm guessing the boots would be provided by the tour operator, not Regent.

[carolina cruisin]

Appreciate responses.  Suspect you are correct in that the tour operator would be the one providing - if at all.  Looking forward to the trip

[GOARMY]

TS:

 

Having been there and done that aboard May-June 2017 Navigator--It is, indeed a unique experience.  No boots needed on our excursions.  But, due to medical concerns related to past military service in Vietnam; and sound advice from my Doctor, we stuck to Regent included events when off the ship.  Contributed to a Thread concerning that voyage detailing taking the necessary medical actions beginning about six months before Miami embarkation.  Wife and I remained in good health throughout that cruise, and followed advice NOT to eat or drink anything offered by the locals off the ship.  

 

The Amazon is, indeed, the greatest River in the World.  

 

GOARMY!

 

 

 

 

 

[Mudhen]

Agree with all of the above posters. We did the Amazon on the Mariner and didn't come across any excursions where boots were necessary, however that may have changed. We did bring all of the "bug" paraphanalia (sp?)....spray for clothing, insect repellent, bug hats, etc but due to heavy smoke from burning the rainforest down, we encountered not a single bug. Will not get into the yellow fever shot thing.....could write a lot on that one!

[carolina cruisin]

Would be interested in hearing your thoughts/experiences with the YF shots.  This is something we have been researching

[Wendy The Wanderer]

3 hours ago, carolina cruisin said:

Would be interested in hearing your thoughts/experiences with the YF shots.  This is something we have been researching

 

Regent may or may not demand this from you.  If you're young enough, I'd just go ahead and get it, and if you're older, think about getting a doctor's waiver.  We got ours 10 years ago when we were in our 60's, so it wasn't a big deal, and now apparently it provides lifetime immunity.

[carolina cruisin]

Appreciate your feedback.  We are in the "older" category - mid-70's, but - our Dr. suggested we get the shot.  As you already know, a lot of different opinions out there.  We are both in good health and normally don't have an adverse reaction to shots, so......

[GOARMY]

Reference my earlier post:  Did a little CC research.  For those planning an Amazon Adventure--

 

You might want to peruse the Mariner 11/17/2017 Roll Call.  Title:  Miami to Miami Radiant Amazon.  That can be found on Page 4 of that Roll Call.  That is  9-pages.  My contributions were made on various pages, as, at the time of my initial post, we were aboard Navigator at the Mouth of the River, about to begin the upriver portion to Manaus.  Different time of year, which made a lot of difference as to River conditions, accessibility to planned stops, and so-forth.  

 

One aspect which attracted postings was the matter of acquiring a Brazilian Visa.  That was then; this is now.  It is my understanding there is no-longer a need for that Visa.  

 

Otherwise--from a precautionary medical standpoint as to vaccinations, malaria pills, and such--some of what I posted might be relevant to folks' planning a similar itinerary.  Our planning began over six months before boarding Navigator at Miami.   

 

Happy reading.  Any questions, let me know.  

 

It was, to repeat, a once-in-a-lifetime experience.  

 

GOARMY!

 

 

 

 

 

[downsmead]

Many thanks GOARMY, we are debating on booking this cruise - deciding whether to go in November or April 2020. November is on the Mariner, April is on the Navigator.  As this will be our first Regent cruise, we are not familiar with either ship. It will probably be the latter as we are meant to be doing a Caribbean cruise with family in November, but that is not booked yet!!

I haven’t looked at the roll call you mentioned yet, but will go and read it for further information. 
Any other info / suggestions are very welcome.

[Mudhen]

Our yellow fever shot story.....

We did the Mariner "Radiant Amazon" as well. We were told that we must have the yellow fever shot, IF we were going to Devil's Island....yup, we were and most certainly didn't want to miss that. The next case was where to get the shot.....most drs do not stock that vaccine so then the search was on....Did finally find a travel medicine clinic which would give the shot....300$ each...600$ for my husband and myself. ok....did that, got our "yellow " card, etc. 

When we were boarding our cruise, when we showed our documents and presented the "yelow card", they said "oh, we don't need that now, just give it to destination services....ok. When we went to DS and showed our innoculation cards, they said and I quote..."what's that? We don't know anything about that...." oooooo kay.......Then I thought, maybe when we get to Devil's Island, the French Guiana folks would check....nope, not even a sole on the dock.

Long story short, we flushed 600$ down the toilet for absolutely nothing.....except we've got these really niffty "yellow cards" ...sigh.....

[mj_holiday]

We were on this cruise a year ago on the Navigator.

I saw no one in boots (but the spring trip may be different) but a poncho came in very handy since we had rain a couple of days.  I would think that any excursion that needed boots would state so in the description.

[Floridiana]

We were in the Amazon basin twice. Once on a November cruise on Oceania's Regatta. Definitely no rain boots needed, very low water, no rain. The second time was a land trip in the Ecuadorian part of the jungle. The lodge provided rain boots for one of the excursions because of aggressive ants, not because of water. They also provided sturdy ponchos, none of the flimsy stuff that rips at first wearing.

We will return to the Amazon on an expedition ship during the rainy season. The cruise line sent extensive literature on what to  wear and pack, no rain boots mentioned. They recommend ponchos, sturdy trekking sandals or walking shoes. I will take my oldest socks and sneakers as throw away items.

[RJ2002]

5 hours ago, downsmead said:

Many thanks GOARMY, we are debating on booking this cruise - deciding whether to go in November or April 2020. November is on the Mariner, April is on the Navigator.  As this will be our first Regent cruise, we are not familiar with either ship. It will probably be the latter as we are meant to be doing a Caribbean cruise with family in November, but that is not booked yet!!

I haven’t looked at the roll call you mentioned yet, but will go and read it for further information. 
Any other info / suggestions are very welcome.

 

Our first Regent cruise was on the Mariner for an Amazon cruise.  Word of warning:  Regent can be habit forming! LOL.

 

Our Mariner Amazon cruise was also in November.  If you choose Mariner, I'd recommend you consider a PH suite if your situation permits, as the regular veranda suites seemed a little small, at least for us.  Now if you decide on the Navigator (which we've also sailed), we found ourselves content with a veranda suite (they are 301 sq/ft on Navigator vs. 252 sq/ft on the Mariner). 

 

Either way, as GOARMY has noted, you are in for a real experience.  Quite unique sailing up the massive Amazon River.

[GOARMY]

Folks:  Upon review of Thread comments to date--

 

I will let the past speak for the past.  Not going to "relitigate" the Yellow Fever issue.  Our experience, based on medical history(ies) and our Doctor's (Tropical Disease Specialist at Evergreen Hospital, Kirkland, WA--same Hospital from which my wife retired after a long career as a R.N.) advice was to get that Yellow Fever "shot".   Did not incur Mudhen's cost.  This probably due to our insurance coverage, to include my Tricare for Life as retired Military.  

 

Like everything else in life:  It depends.   No two situations are the same.  (History does not repeat itself; but, it tends to rhyme.)  

Just suggest review of my comments on the above-referenced 11/17/2017 Mariner Roll Call, specifically as to the credentials of that Tropical Disease Specialist.  

 

Again, Sue and I took the May 23-June 17, 2017 segment.   This is KEY.  "Our" River was entered on/about June 1st.  Far-different experience from those who entered in late November of that year.  My comments on that Mariner Roll Call Thread supply specifics--not to be repeated here.  

 

As to checking the Yellow Fever element as part of check-in at Miami back on May 23, 2017:  Our experience was YES.  The lady going over our documents--to include current U.S. Passport w/Brazilian Visa insert--noted our bright Immunization Card showing Yellow Fever.  She checked that off.   Then, off we went well-in time for a pleasant on-board lunch.  I tried not to notice how other passengers' check-in procedures were going, specifically concerning checking for that Card.  Not my business.  

 

Given the total cost of that trip, plus medical history, the last-thing I wanted to experience was any hick-up at Miami boarding caused by NOT having that bright Immunization Card.  

 

The above is provided for context as to further Thread contributions.  

 

GOARMY!  

 

[flossie009]

On 12/26/2019 at 2:00 PM, Mudhen said:

Then I thought, maybe when we get to Devil's Island, the French Guiana folks would check....nope, not even a sole on the dock.

Long story short, we flushed 600$ down the toilet for absolutely nothing.....except we've got these really niffty "yellow cards" ...sigh.....

 

According to the CDC website, Regent's advice regarding entry requirements into French Guiana was correct in that the country requires proof of vaccination (or an official waiver) for travellers from all countries:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/french-guiana

Although your documentation was not checked during your visit, it might have been.

 

Yellow Fever vaccination is also recommended for the Amazonas region of Brazil:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/brazil

 

At least your YF vaccinations and the yellow cards are now valid for life should you decide to travel to any countries where there is a risk of Yellow Fever or where the country requires proof of vaccination; so your "investment" may prove to be useful again in the future.

 

 

[Mudhen]

"Flossie" and "Army", I was more or less ranting only because it was so difficult to get that shot and it cost so much money. And yes, we're all set to go on safari, deepest New Guinea, or interior South East Asia....when ever that's necessary...haha!

In spite of the stupid shot snafu, we had a wonderful time on our cruise thru the Amazon!