Cruise visiting Rio during carnivale

[Jenallan18]

Hi all.  Looking at SS cruise from BA to Rio for Carnivale.  Has anyone done this cruise to coincide with Carnivale? I don’t see the event as an excursion so not sure how you would visit it and if it’s a good way to do so.  Appreciate your advice. Thanks

[emmas gran]

I have done Carnival in Rio but pre cruise for 3 days with Princess. The event is a parade of Samba schools and doesn't start until after 9 pm going on till 3/4 am, usually 5/6 schools a night and each one is timed losing points if they over run . If memory is correct it's 90 minutes per school. 

I found a local guide on Tripadvisor for the 3 days , he took us to Carnival and picked us up at 2 am back to hotel.  The seating area is like a soccer stadium with concrete seating in tiers, take something comfortable to sit on as it is uncomfortable-- we didn't!!  . Hope that helps

[Jenallan18]

Thanks Emmas Gran.  Where did your cruise go from there? 

[emmas gran]

To be honest it’s a while ago and I seem to remember French Guyana and somewhere we had to confirm we had had yellow fever shots. Basically the cruise was Caribbean islands. Sorry can’t remember anymore but we did stay at the Sheraton just off Copacabana beach and a nearby favella.

 

Our tour guide did get tickets for Carnival as they are difficult to get hold off.

Edited August 2, 2023 by emmas gran
Addition

[emmas gran]

You will probably get more information on the Ports of call section

[Jenallan18]

Thanks Emmas Gran.  Has anyone done the Silversea’s cruise from Buenos Aries to Rio ? 

[WesW]

Yes, Jenallan18; Ida and I did this outstanding voyage with Silversea back in 2014.  Silversea then offered an excellent Carnival excursion from early evening until near dawn (6pm-4am).  Our price then was  $999 pp.  Pricey but Carnival was a visual extravaganza.

 

Expect crowds but Silversea escorts during this excursion,make going to the Sambadrome and returning to the ship, despite heavy Rio traffic, fairly comfortable .  You will able to leave Sambadrome from midnight until 4am (e.g., I left after the first Samba School processed down the Sambadrome main street).  DW stayed until 3am to enjoy more Samba schools parade during this marvelous & colorful spectacle.  

[Jenallan18]

7 hours ago, WesW said:

Yes, Jenallan18; Ida and I did this outstanding voyage with Silversea back in 2014.  Silversea then offered an excellent Carnival excursion from early evening until near dawn (6pm-4am).  Our price then was  $999 pp.  Pricey but Carnival was a visual extravaganza.

 

Expect crowds but Silversea escorts during this excursion,make going to the Sambadrome and returning to the ship, despite heavy Rio traffic, fairly comfortable .  You will able to leave Sambadrome from midnight until 4am (e.g., I left after the first Samba School processed down the Sambadrome main street).  DW stayed until 3am to enjoy more Samba schools parade during this marvelous & colorful spectacle.  

Thanks WesW.  Sounds great.  How was the rest of the cruise? 

[Lirio]

Hello from Rio de Janeiro.

The main event of Carnaval is the parade.  But there a lot of popular get together on the streets follwoing bands so traffic sometimes can be hard. Be carefull with your schedule.

Because these popular bands on streets, pick pockets are all around be carefull with yours belongs.

In Sambodrome (for the parade) there are some options starting with stadium type (arquibancada), chairs on ground level (frisa) - red in the photo below and camarote which is the most exensive area (covered, private bath, air conditioner, and usually bar with food and drinks). In the picture below camarote is in between arquibancada (upper part, not convered) and chairs in the groun level.

 

 

I strongly recommend you get a guide or use the SS service. I do not go the the parade anymore, but if I would go, I would contract an agency to get the ticket, to pickup at and bring me back.

 

 

 

[Jenallan18]

Thank you Lirio.  That is helpful advice. 

[Lirio]

Someone asked me about things to do in Rio. So here it is:

1.     Obvious places: Corcovado and Sugar Loaf. For Corcovado I highly recommend the Tram. Sugar Loaf: In fact, there are 2 hills connected by the cable car. The 1st part of the cable car one goes up to the first hill (Morro da Urca) and 2nd part to Sugar Loaf itself. Should you like hiking, there is a beautiful trail to get to the 1st part (Morro da Urca) and from there, take the cable car to the Sugar Loaf.

2.     Historical part of the city: close to the maritime terminal. A guided walk tour is a good suggestion. Somes places I like: 1) Cinelandia where is located Theatro Municipal, Biblioteca Nacional and Museum de Belas Artes. You can visit them all these, but in case you a short on time, the buildings themselves are worth seeing from outside. 2) Praça XV where is located Arco do Teles and some small old streets. 3) Real Gabinete Português de Leitura (hidden gem). 4) Pequena Africa (little Africa) walking tour.

3.     Historical churches: The most beautiful is Mosteiro de São Bento, walking distance from the cruise terminal. Should you have to choose just 1, I recommend choosing this one. Other interesting churches: Convento Santo Antonio that can be reached by a tram that departures from the cruise terminal. Should you like to see more churches: Igreja Nossa Senhora do Carmo da Antiga Sé and Outeiro da Gloria. The first one is in the historical neighborhood and the second one a bit further, but still close.

4.     Museums: There is one just very close to the cruise terminal Museu do Amanhã (Tomorrow Museum) and some others in the historical neighborhood. There is lot of specific museums and art and culture centers in the historical area and further away.

5.     Fortress – Due to the war against the French in XVI century and WWI there several fortresses around Rio. 2 are in Copacabana beach, one in each side. Forte do Leme is up in a hill that is reached on foot and a paved road. It is very steep, so if one is not fit, I do not recommend hiking it. The view from the above is very beautiful. The other one is flat and very ease to visit (Forte Copacabana) and the view from the cannons roof top is great. Should you be seriously interested in fortresses, the most interesting are those in a near by city Niteroi on the other side of the bay. But it is necessary 3 hours to visit all the 3 fortress there. One of them you will probably see from the ship while she gest into the Guanabara Bay approaching the maritime terminal. It is Fortaleza de Santa Cruz.

6.     Botanical Garden is beautiful and should one is very interested in flowers and plants, Sitio Burle Marx is a must do, but it will need more time because it about 50km from the maritime terminal.

7.     Rio is a city for jogging, biking and hiking. Should want more information just ask.

[Jenallan18]

Great advice there Lirio.  Sorry for my delayed response was off grid in Botswana. Thanks so much 🏆