Rio during Carnaval

[jwds]

We are considering an 11 night RCCL cruise round trip from Buenos Aires in Feb. 2010 and following it with a 14 night from Buenos Aires to Santiago. The 11 night cruise spends 3 days in Rio during Carnaval. We would like to know how difficult is it to “see Rio” during Carnaval. Has anyone done this?

Our alternative is a 16 night HAL cruise from Rio to Santiago in March. We would spend 3-4 nights in Rio pre-cruise.

Thanks for your comments on this. We would really like to see Carnaval but fear that we would miss ont on a lot of Rio.

[greatam]

We are considering an 11 night RCCL cruise round trip from Buenos Aires in Feb. 2010 and following it with a 14 night from Buenos Aires to Santiago. The 11 night cruise spends 3 days in Rio during Carnaval. We would like to know how difficult is it to “see Rio” during Carnaval. Has anyone done this?

Our alternative is a 16 night HAL cruise from Rio to Santiago in March. We would spend 3-4 nights in Rio pre-cruise.

Thanks for your comments on this. We would really like to see Carnaval but fear that we would miss ont on a lot of Rio.

 

I will give you my experience. Booked Infinity for Carnival 2007. Tickets to the Sambadrome were included. But then it came down to-which tickets, which night??? The cruise lines didn't know early on. In September, I purchased my own Sambadrome tickets-cheaper, MUCH better seats AND I could book specifically for the second night, which normally has the BEST samba schools. X continued to waiver about the Sambadrome tickets-finally stated that it was first come, first served which night you get.

 

We canceled the cruise. Flew to Rio with family and friends. Our friends and some of our family arrived two days before we did. They had never been to Rio. The "kids" (35+ year old) had a pretty good time sightseeing. They DID NOT mind the crowds, didn't have any "incidents" with the many thieves and muggers and they think they saw what they wanted to see (although our one son was perfectly content to do nothing except watch the almost naked girls on the beach). But our friends-late 50's-early 60's-another story. HATED the crowds, couldn't stand the lines for attractions, missed a lot of stuff and didn't particularly appreciate all the naked people running around, acting VERY "in your face". So two totally different experiences.

 

I have been to Rio quite a few times. It is a dirty, dangerous city if you don't pay attention and "have your ducks in a row".

 

JMHO, unless you REALLY want to see the Sambadrome parade and can put up with IMMENSE crowds anyplace else in Rio, take the HAL cruise OUT of Rio and forget Carnival.

 

You can fly to Rio JUST for Carnival, as we did, if it is REALLY something you want to see. And that is exactly what we did-I wanted to see the parade in the Sambadromo. That is the only thing DH and I did for the entire trip, other than meeting up with our friends and family for dinner. Two nights-about 12 hours per night at the Sambadromo. Then I flew to Chile for work-DH, friends and family flew to Peru and partied.

 

You decision.

[greatam]

dup post

[Keith1010]

If I understand your question correctly it is how difficult it is to see Rio during Carnaval.

 

It is not a problem to see Rio during Carnval. We were there during Carnaval as part of the 2007 World Cruise and we had no problems getting around Rio. Yes, there are lots of cruise ships in port but that was no big deal. In fact, it was fun to see all of the cruise ships lined up in port.

 

Rio is a place that one needs to be careful in anytime of the year. So, as long as you are cautious you will have no problems.

 

Where Rio is a challenge during Carnanval is if you want to stay in one of the hotels. They book up quickly.

 

In terms of seeing the Carnaval the cruise lines will undoubtedly offer this for a fee as one of the shore excursions. It will likely be fairly expensive. We did not attend the carnaval but I would say that 70% of the passengers did. The vast majority spoke very highly of it and thought it was an experience that they would remember for the rest of their lifetime.

 

Keith

[Tampa Girl]

O.K., now I am concerned! We will be on the HAL Oosterdam, arriving in Rio on 2/20/2010. Tell, me, please, that this is not Carnival time??? I'm one of those who also dislikes huge, drunken crowds. (A small, drunken crowd - o.k.)

[greatam]

O.K., now I am concerned! We will be on the HAL Oosterdam, arriving in Rio on 2/20/2010. Tell, me, please, that this is not Carnival time??? I'm one of those who also dislikes huge, drunken crowds. (A small, drunken crowd - o.k.)

 

Good thing you are going in 2010, NOT 2009. You will miss most of the crowds.

 

 

Carnival 2009 : 21 - 24 February

Carnival 2010 : 13 - 16 February

[Keith1010]

O.K., now I am concerned! We will be on the HAL Oosterdam, arriving in Rio on 2/20/2010. Tell, me, please, that this is not Carnival time??? I'm one of those who also dislikes huge, drunken crowds. (A small, drunken crowd - o.k.)

 

You will miss the Carnaval.

 

With that said, we were there during Carnaval and the crowds were not a problem.

 

Rio is a very large city.

 

Keith

[Tampa Girl]

Thank you, all! Luck is with us. Having lived through many New Orleans' Mardi Gras's and now Tampa's Gasparilla's, I can do without these yearly celebrations. OTOH, I am sure that neither of those two can hold a candle to the Carnival. Any recommendations for other sights in Rio?

[jwds]

Thanks for your responses. I think that we're going to take the cruise during Carnaval. This will likely be our only time in Rio and we fell that we would always regret missing it.

[Keith1010]

Glad to hear this. Again, we were in Rio during Carnaval in 2007 and it was fine. Just use caution in Rio whatever time of the year you are there. Keep valuables on the ship (jewlery, etc.) and watch your wallet. I wear a wallet that goes under my shirt. This is a port to be street smart when you walk around. Know your surroundings. But I say this in a variety of other ports around thew world.

 

Keith

[owl61]

jwds,

Hi. I have lived in Rio for the past 5 years. Staying on a cruise ship during carnaval is actually a good idea as luxury and near luxury hotel prices are significantly higher than the per diem cost of the cabin, even on the premium lines. Rio is quite lively during carnaval which is why a lot of locals pack up and leave town. :) You won't miss out on any part of Rio by coming here during carnaval except those absent locals and perhaps a seat in the finest restaurants as reservations will be hard to come by. PLAN AHEAD if you want to dine off the ship. See the restaurant thread at the Rio forum on www.tripadvsior for detailed restaurant info.

Assuming the ship ports for 3 or 4 nights in Rio you can opt to take in the Copacabana Palace costume ball always held on Saturday night starting around 11 pm. Tickets will run about $400/500 for general admission and more for a table seat in the main ballroom. If you are in tall cotton or just feel like splurging it's a fun evening, however having been to the Palace ball a few times I acually prefer the ball at the Sofitel on the Friday following carnaval. If you happen to be in town that night, don't miss it. It is more entertaining than and just as luxurious as the Palace ball at half the cost.

Keep an eye out for the official custume contest held annually at the Hotel Gloria, taking place in the early evening on Saturday. Socialite, billionaire Ike Bauptista just bought the Gloria and I suspect will bring it back to the preeminent status it once occupied in Rio. In any case, the official costume party is a hoot. And not expensive.

The ship's carnaval parade excursion prices will be extraordinarily high in part because good seats to the sambodromo are exrtraordinarily expensive (US $500 for a good seat, $1000+ for a covered, catered box - per night) and also because the ship will , as ususal, mark up its cost for those requiring convenience, e.g. transportation, escorts, etc. One can obtain better prices on line from an agency and if you are going to be here for carnaval and want to take in a night of parade, I 'd recommend you line up such an agent/seller now. Though tickets are not yet available you may be able to discuss the seating options and place the order for when the tickets become available. The parade covers 2 nights and it is not accurate to say that one night has better samba schools than the other.

P.s. Don't overlook a fun late night excursion to one of the miniballs held at Help disco, the infamous pick up (and take home for a price) disco in Copacabana. Great music, lights, dancing, good security, good vibes. Entertaining to watch the fabulous dancing (and participate) and to observe the action. It's something for the adventurous, but it would be great fun for the open minded.

[greatam]

I 'd recommend you line up such an agent/seller now. Though tickets are not yet available you may be able to discuss the seating options and place the order for when the tickets become available. The parade covers 2 nights and it is not accurate to say that one night has better samba schools than the other.

 

 

Bejia Flor, which has won more times than any other samba school in the last 10 years, USUALLY parades on the second night. Their floats are SPECTACULAR. This year, Bejia Flor will parade on the first night. Mangueira, consistently the runner up, usually parades the first night but will parade the second night this year. http://www.rio-carnival.net/samba_parade/samba_parade_2008.php

 

Tickets will be available from Rio-Carnival.net in two weeks. You don't get an actual ticket until you arrive in Rio, but you will get a voucher and confirmation. Our sons are going to Carnival with friends AGAIN this year. They are trying to talk Dad into going with them. I need to be in Ecuador at that time, so I won't be going. But Dad and sons can enjoy to their hearts content.

[Paulchili]

jwds,

I would highly recommend that you go and see the Carnaval - it is unlike ANYTHING else in the world (not to be even mentioned in the same sentence as New Orleans’ Mardi Gras). You will NEVER forget it - there is nothing like it.

I have been to 3 Carnavals - 2 on my own, 1 with a cruise line (Celebrity).

You would do well to head owl61 & greatam's advice - get your own tickets for a box (they are usually for 6 or 8 people, I think, with individual seats and lots of room). The seats from the cruise line are expensive, non reserved seating, without back support (try that for 5 hours); when you get up to go to bathroom someone can take your seat. There is always someone standing or moving in front of you – hard to see. By the time you get there from the ship you’ll be way up in the sky..

Box tickets will be expensive as well ($ 500 and up) but well worth it.

If you are like most of us non natives, you won't last more than 4 samba schools - but that will be plenty. A total sensory, visual and auditory overload (in the best sense) with a lot of people having a good time; no one is drunk/offensive - they are all there to sing & dance and have fun.

DON'T miss the opportunity, unless you can go back some other time.

It’s one of those things you have to do at least once in your life – just IMHO

[owl61]

Paulchili's description of "box" seats are the open "friza" lower box seats. These will be in excess of $500 per, probably closer to $700 per. The covered catered balcony boxes are called camarotes and a seat, if you can get one, will be well in excess of $1000. Good non-box seats will probably run about $300 and yes, they are not reserved spaces although you should be able to get up for a john / refreshment break and be able to have your place secured. Agent sellers can be googled or search the Rio forum on www.tripadvisor.com.

People of good faith can dispute whether it is "worth it" to pay this kind of money to see the parade. I don't think so. I have seen a couple and danced in one. Most locals think the prices are absurd.

If I do attend it is a dress rehearsal prior to carnaval or the parade of champions ( top 6 finishers repeat their performance) on the first Saturday after carnaval when frisas go for about $150. The savvy Rio resident intent on seeing the parade goes to the sambodromo around 2/3 am to buy a ticket from someone who has already had their fill and is leaving.

[jwds]

Paulchili's description of "box" seats are the open "friza" lower box seats. These will be in excess of $500 per, probably closer to $700 per. The covered catered balcony boxes are called camarotes and a seat, if you can get one, will be well in excess of $1000. Good non-box seats will probably run about $300 and yes, they are not reserved spaces although you should be able to get up for a john / refreshment break and be able to have your place secured. Agent sellers can be googled or search the Rio forum on www.tripadvisor.com.

People of good faith can dispute whether it is "worth it" to pay this kind of money to see the parade. I don't think so. I have seen a couple and danced in one. Most locals think the prices are absurd.

If I do attend it is a dress rehearsal prior to carnaval or the parade of champions ( top 6 finishers repeat their performance) on the first Saturday after carnaval when frisas go for about $150. The savvy Rio resident intent on seeing the parade goes to the sambodromo around 2/3 am to buy a ticket from someone who has already had their fill and is leaving.

 

Thanks for your comments. We have decided to take the Carnaval cruise and have decided, for now at least, to pass on the Sambodromo due to the prices. We hope to get some of the "flavor" of Carnaval, perhaps with the "blocos", and still get to "see Rio".

 

I do like the idea of going late and trying to buy a ticket from someone leaving. If we can establish some level of comfort in Rio we may try that.

[Paulchili]

Thank you owl61 - I couldn't think of the word (frisas) and was too lazy to find my souvenir ticket. That is what I ment.