RIO DE JANEIRO CARNIVAL

[Sunnydale]

We are looking at the Eclipse next February that has two nights docked in Rio during the the Carnival period. Has anyone experienced the Sambadrome by taking ships tour, any idea of the cost and was it worth it? Private tours are another option, but as it does not start until 10.30pm and runs until 4.30am we are hesitant to be in the streets of Rio without the relative safety of a ships tour. Malcolm

[emmas gran]

Hi

We did 3 days in Rio in 2011 including Carnival prior to joining a Princess cruise. We used a local guide who took us to the Sambadrome and picked us up at a pre-arranged time, as part of our arranged tours. Each samba school parades and it takes about 1hr.15 min for each they get time penalties from the judges if they over-run

To be honest I would do the ship tour as getting tickets on your own is difficult, we ordered online and paid they then delivered ours to the hotel we were staying at.

Ships tours usually have prime location in area 9, I would also suggest you take a towel or something to sit on --think football ground seating but on concrete steps not chairs.

 

Hope that helps-I can't find our guide info now so cannot help further

[bigdawgs]

We took a Celebrity Cruise last year during Carnival. There are many posts regarding this subject. Based on a lot of research, we opted to book with DoBrazilRight. They run escorted sightseeing tours, pick u up and drop off at the pier and also offer tickets and transfers to/from the Sambadrome for Carnival. Their prices are much lower than the ship’s tours. The owner, Marcelo, has a Miami phone number so you can call him with any questions you may have.

 

If you log onto DoBrazilRight.com you will find all the information you need.

Happy travels.

 

Larry

[jelayne]

We also got our tickets and transportation to the Sambadrome through  Marcelo at DoBrazilRight.  The seats were directly across from the seats for cruise ships tours (6 in port).  Although the event runs into the early morning hours the return buses leave on a schedule- you don’t have to stay until the end.  I believe we left about 2am.

 

We were a group of 12 who met on the Roll Call and had a guide and driver for the 3 days.  We went to the sambadrome together also and had a ball.  The ships tours arrived later than we did and left rather early.  Sitting in a section with the Brazilians gave us a feeling of being a part of the event, not a spectator.  Locals were friendly and so much fun.

 

Price was significantly less.

Highly recommend getting a group together and going.

 

[Sunnydale]

Tank you for your replies, we will look further into a private tour, and will see if there is any group already formed on the roll call.

Malcolm

 

[REEtired]

Definitely check on your roll call. That’s how we found out about Marcelo and DoBrazilRight.  We are on the February 16 sailing and have booked the 3 day tour, transfers round trip and Sambadrome, all with Marcelo. He answered all emails and questions quickly and is far below ship prices. He has very good reviews on Trip Advisor. 

 

[bigdawgs]

We took this tour last year. That’s why I recommended DoBrazilRight.com.  The only negative was the weather — it was beastly hot. If I find the message with the lengthy review, I will post it.

 

Larry