First Silversea cruise -- bound for the Amazon!

[TLCOhio]

Nice pix, thanks tlcohio. Do you think Virtuoso is a better choice for managing the Brazilian visas?

 

Appreciate the comments on the pictures. YES, after what I viewed as a bait-and-switch "shake-down" attempt by the vendor suggested by the Silversea folks, things worked very well with the other firm fro9m Virtuoso. The folks that I used were Visa Central. You can reach them at visacentral.com or 877-535-0688. Very professional and effective, in my view and from our experiences.

 

Personally, I sought to avoid Pinnacle Travel Document Systems. Maybe I had bad luck and/or an unusual staff contact. Just sharing my comparison of these two firms.

 

Medical shots?: Brazil and the Amazon River gets a little challenging for the medical requirements, depending on your country's specific rules, requirements, etc. These shots can get costly and there are a number of factors to consider. In most cases, it takes more than you family MD to get your arms around these various requirements and needs. In many cases, a specialist firm with these international requirements is best in knowing these various "in-and-outs" on the needs, what works best, etc. Also, most smaller medical offices do not regularly stock certain of these meds.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now at 178,789 views.

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

[duct tape]

Passport health.com. Travel medicine and immunization s.

[OctoberKat]

Passport health.com. Travel medicine and immunization s.

 

Thank you.

[OctoberKat]

I had a bad moment this week when it seemed I might not be able to have the yellow fever vaccination (immunisppresive meds) but it seems I am under the risk threshold so all is well.

[Howasaur]

I have been up the Amazon twice Boca da valeria you will see Pink Dolphins (and they are Pink)you may hear them first. I have lots of pictures it does take a lot of patienced

[Howasaur]

Hi Again take a look at Photo Gallery and type in pink dolphin this is one I took

also type in Flying fish I have a few pictures.. Take Care You will really enjoy it.

[Howasaur]

Hi OctoberKat:

On Cruise Critics go to Photo Gallery search Username Howasaur and all these pictures I took this year with the exception of the sunset this years while on the Maasdam January 23rd to March 13th Carnavel and Amazon Cruise. Flying fish Birds(Mask Booby) and of course the Pink Dolphins I have been up the Amazon twice and Iwould go again. Have Fun.

[TLCOhio]

I had a bad moment this week when it seemed I might not be able to have the yellow fever vaccination (immunisppresive meds) but it seems I am under the risk threshold so all is well.

 

If you are not able to get the vaccine for yellow fever, it does not mean you cannot go on this sailing. My wife discovered just a month and a half before our cruise that there was an immune system issue for her and having this "live" vaccine might not be best or safe. BUT, we had a signed letter/Rx from the MD indicating her situation and why she could not have this vaccine. That worked for Silversea and things worked out fine for us in doing this sailing. Always various trade-offs and factors to consider. My wife is an RN and we were able to work out this situation.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

From our Jan. 25-Feb. 20, 2015, Amazon River-Caribbean combo sailing over 26 days that started in Barbados, here is the link below to that live/blog. Lots of great visuals from this amazing Brazil river and these various Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, etc.) that we experienced. Check it out at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696

Now at 24,365 views for these postings.

[TLCOhio]

I have been up the Amazon twice Boca da valeria you will see Pink Dolphins (and they are Pink)you may hear them first. I have lots of pictures it does take a lot of patienced

 

YES, the pink dolphins can be fun and very interesting. And it takes patience to capture them as they are quick and unpredictable for when and where they will pop up their heads. Below are just three of my photo examples of these cute creatures. More visuals from this overall trip on the full live/blog. Keep sharing the good examples, details, questions, comments, etc., from this fun and exciting adventure going 1000 miles up the amazing Amazon River.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 110,124 views for this posting.

 

 

From the fish market area in Santarem, we got great views of the “action show” featuring the pink dolphins that are famous in this region. Here are three of my visual samples. Very cute and active!! Santarem is where the dark gray River Tapajos joins the brown Amazon Amazon. It is called the "Meeting of the Waters" and it is amazing to see how long these two types of waters stay distinct.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And nearby as we approached the local fish market in Santarem, here are some of the two-level boats commonly used on the Amazon River for transpiration, tourism tours, etc.:

 

[Fletcher]

 

We're booked into a tiny boutique beachfront hotel in Barbados with a highly regarded restaurant; four nights pre-cruise and three nights post-cruise: http://thelonestar.com.

 

 

The Lone Star is a lovely place - decidedly better food than rooms but there's a trade-off between character and luxury. It's on a nice beach, a few hundred yards up from the Royal Pavilion Hotel. I'd rent a car on Barbados and drive over to the wild and dramatically beautiful east coast. Driving is easy - the roads are empty - but it's also badly signposted. The area around Sandy Lane is appalling nowadays. Bling central.

[OctoberKat]

Sounds good, thanks, Fletcher.

[Travelcat2]

Make a wise decision when it comes too the visa. With the upcoming Olympics, the time to get a visa for Brazil is getting longer. We used an agency in San Francisco -- the promised two weeks ended up being six weeks (and only after bugging them at the four week mark).

 

 

Note: This information is from March, 2015.

[TLCOhio]

Make a wise decision when it comes too the visa. With the upcoming Olympics, the time to get a visa for Brazil is getting longer. We used an agency in San Francisco -- the promised two weeks ended up being six weeks (and only after bugging them at the four week mark).

 

Appreciate this great, wise point for how the Olympics could impact the timing for getting Visas processed by the Brazil folks. Our timing in early December 2014 ended up working well, but from several sources we got the info that Brazil and India are two of the countries in the world where their "processing" tends to be rather "crazy" and confused. Lots of people in BOTH countries and there is a large number of people needing their "services". That makes the timing pressure there more challenging and in question.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

From our Jan. 25-Feb. 20, 2015, Amazon River-Caribbean combo sailing over 26 days that started in Barbados, here is the link below to that live/blog. Lots of great visuals from this amazing Brazil river and these various Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, etc.) that we experienced. Check it out at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696

Now at 24,745 views for these postings.

[brimary]

Terry,from experience confirm India is a nightmare process when obtaining a visa for UK citizens.For some strange reason we don't need one for Brazil thank goodness!

[Skeezics]

Notice you live in SF. There is an easy way to obtain your visa....if you want to do a week in the Southern California Area. You can obtain your visa through the Brazilian Embassy in LA. You take your passport and money in one week and collect it a week later.

 

You will love the Amazon cruise; especially wonderful was cruising through the Breves Narrows, not all cruise ships can make it through. The Cloud fortunately one of those that can. Enjoy!

[Travelcat2]

 

You will love the Amazon cruise; especially wonderful was cruising through the Breves Narrows, not all cruise ships can make it through. The Cloud fortunately one of those that can. Enjoy!

 

Interesting post..... the OP mentioned on the Regent board that she was sailing on the Whisper (our favorite ship). After not finding the level of luxury that was expected on Regent, she was hopeful to find it on Silversea. While we are Regent "regulars", our second favorite cruise line is Silversea. We actually find the two cruise lines very similar (in a good way). We have sailed on the Spirit, Whisper and Shadow and have toured the Cloud (maybe it was the Wind - think they are similar or perhaps "twins":) ). In any event, the Cloud and Wind can definitely cruise in areas that the larger ships can not go.

[TLCOhio]

Notice you live in SF. There is an easy way to obtain your visa....if you want to do a week in the Southern California Area. You can obtain your visa through the Brazilian Embassy in LA. You take your passport and money in one week and collect it a week later. You will love the Amazon cruise; especially wonderful was cruising through the Breves Narrows, not all cruise ships can make it through. The Cloud fortunately one of those that can. Enjoy!

 

brimary: Terry' date='from experience confirm India is a nightmare process when obtaining a visa for UK citizens.For some strange reason we don't need one for Brazil thank goodness! [/quote']

 

Here are a couple of quick items to consider. First on the Breves Narrows, neither our Silver Cloud cruise earlier this year and on the Silver Whisper later last year, did do a routing through that specific area of Brazil. The Breves Narrows seems very interesting, but maybe SS has decided that this routing would take more time and/or is not worth doing. Check the details before booking. Do not always assume it will be included with each Amazon River sailing.

 

Second, if the Brazil Consulate in LA is like what they have in Washington, DC, we were warned to not even think about dropping it off yourself and hoping for efficient processing. Crazy, confused, etc., were among the words used to described the situation. And with the Olympics coming in 2016, that making getting even more challenged in getting those items processed.

 

Surprised to learn from brimary, that those in the UK do not need to get a Brazil visa. That's lucky and fortunate, plus saving you lots of money and hassle.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now at 180,701 views.

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

[Travelcat2]

TLCOhio, you bring up an excellent point. My DH is a dual citizen (U.S./U.K.). While he typically travels with his U.S. passport, when visiting Brazil, he uses his British passport to avoid the high visa fees (unfortunately, he has to pay for me:) )

[TLCOhio]

TLCOhio, you bring up an excellent point. My DH is a dual citizen (U.S./U.K.). While he typically travels with his U.S. passport, when visiting Brazil, he uses his British passport to avoid the high visa fees (unfortunately, he has to pay for me:) )

 

Yes, that Brazil Visa cost is high, BUT, you are worth it, right?? Good luck!!

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Dozens of nice visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc. We are now at 201,430 views for this live/blog re-cap, including much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

[duct tape]

It is also good for 10 years.

[blondietoo]

Just made final payment on this our first SS cruise. When do we usually get the documents??? a month before??.

Has anyone booked private shore excursions?

 

Blondietoo

[OctoberKat]

Just made final payment on this our first SS cruise. When do we usually get the documents??? a month before??.

Has anyone booked private shore excursions?

 

Blondietoo

 

I don't know the answer, Blondietoo. But I bet amongst the cognoscenti here someone will tell us when to expect documents. We paid full on Bastille Day.

[CruisinPashmina]

I'm very sorry to hear that SS is not sailing thru The Brevis Narrows. I believe that only the Cloud and the Wind,and the expedition ships are small enough to navigate thru this truly narrow bend in the river. Our day long journey , on the Cloud, thru this part of the river was fascinating...one of our most memorable experiences...ever. Watching the life on the river felt totally authentic...so remote, isolated and, to us, exotic...in a way we wanted to see but definitely not to live.

[Emtbsam]

I'm very sorry to hear that SS is not sailing thru The Brevis Narrows. I believe that only the Cloud and the Wind,and the expedition ships are small enough to navigate thru this truly narrow bend in the river. Our day long journey , on the Cloud, thru this part of the river was fascinating...one of our most memorable experiences...ever. Watching the life on the river felt totally authentic...so remote, isolated and, to us, exotic...in a way we wanted to see but definitely not to live.

 

I agree - the Breves Narrows was a wonderful experience. We were particularly amused by the locals in small boats who came out to see the Silver Cloud and took pictures of us with their I-pads!

[OctoberKat]

I agree - the Breves Narrows was a wonderful experience. We were particularly amused by the locals in small boats who came out to see the Silver Cloud and took pictures of us with their I-pads!

 

This alludes to a concern we have about this voyage which is sailing down the Amazon as if it were a zoo in places, humans included. We've booked and paid so we're going but we'll be looking for ways to ameliorate this concern. Let the flaming begin.