Rio De Janiero Carnival Cruise 2016

Looking at the tours offered by Celebrity, the cost of the Rio Carnival is about $600 per person, minimum cost. We will be in Rio for 3 days and wondered if there is a less expensive way to see the carnival, enjoy Rio and also keep busy there for 3 days in port. Not sure we can handle 3 days of carnival. Any and all suggestions would be appreciated from anyone with experience.

Looking at the tours offered by Celebrity, the cost of the Rio Carnival is about $600 per person, minimum cost. We will be in Rio for 3 days and wondered if there is a less expensive way to see the carnival, enjoy Rio and also keep busy there for 3 days in port. Not sure we can handle 3 days of carnival. Any and all suggestions would be appreciated from anyone with experience.

Let's refer to the festival as Carn"a"val, as the Brazilians do; Carnival is a cruise line (in my mind anyway).

So "tours offered by Celebrity, the cost of the Rio Carnival is about $600 per person, minimum". What does that include? Assuming that "tour" means a night at the parades at the Sambodromo. Which night? Transportation? Seating in which Sambodromo Sector? Just realize you are paying for convenience and "perceived" safety.

You can easily and safely go to the parades on your own (by taxi or metro) and choose where you want to sit (according to your budget; seat prices vary by sector/view). Many cruise tourists seem to be timid or intimidated by this, but if you are not, I would be happy to add details about how to go about this (examples of seat prices from this year, transport details, ticket vendors, etc)

As far as seeing the sights, patience is required at that crowded time of year. But it is quite easy to get around by taxi. The site ipanema dot com provides a good overview to attractions, neighborhoods, nightlife, etc. Please ask for more details as you discover your main interests and make your plans. More than enough to see/do to fill a week or even more.

We will also be in Rio next year & are wondering about getting tickets to see the parade. We have been to Rio before but not for carnival, so that is a must see, don't know what HAL charges for tickets to the parade. hoping to get a few of our fellow cc members to maybe do a private tour.

Allan & Marlane

We will also be in Rio next year & are wondering about getting tickets to see the parade. We have been to Rio before but not for carnival, so that is a must see, don't know what HAL charges for tickets to the parade. hoping to get a few of our fellow cc members to maybe do a private tour.

Allan & Marlane

Generally, the companies that arrange tours to the Sambodromo for foreign tourists put them in grandstand Sector 9. (The even side grandstand seating is a newish thing, so Sector 8 is now comparatively priced.)It will be all tourists and is the only grandstand sector with reserved seating, and the most expensive. Some people "perceive" that being among non-Brazilians is safer, and prefer a certain seat. However, the joy of the experience IMO is being among the locals, and you'll be on your feet most of the time anyway to see and dance.

The parades start late and go until the wee hours of the morning (6 schools at about an hour each).

The best samba schools parade on Sunday or Monday night. If you don't have Brazilian ID and know exactly when/how to call, you will be buying from some middleman anyway, and markups do vary slightly for each sector. Prices for each grandstand sector vary with the view, the best being most central with views in both directions, and there are varying prices for other types of seating. Sector 9 may run about $300 pp if bought early enough; prices rise in some cases closer to the event.

Here is a map of the Sambodromo, with explanations of seating:

http://www.rio-carnival.net/rio_carnival/sambodromo-samba-parade-tickets.php

That company is one that sells to tourists. You can have tickets delivered to your hotel/ship or pick them up at the agency's office.

This agency seems to be selling 2016 tickets already and has posted prices: https://carnivalservice.com/shopping/price-list/sambadrome

However, they themselves will not have actual tickets in hand until much closer to the event. But you can get an idea for comparison.

Transportation to and from is another issue, and really cuts both ways. A special bus from the port may seem very secure, but in the chaos of leaving, may be hard to locate. The metro works fine to both arrive and leave, with a fairly easily located taxi to/from closest station to ship. Or just taxi both ways, but again, leaving can be chaotic.

Generally, the companies that arrange tours to the Sambodromo for foreign tourists put them in grandstand Sector 9. (The even side grandstand seating is a newish thing, so Sector 8 is now comparatively priced.)It will be all tourists and is the only grandstand sector with reserved seating, and the most expensive. Some people "perceive" that being among non-Brazilians is safer, and prefer a certain seat. However, the joy of the experience IMO is being among the locals, and you'll be on your feet most of the time anyway to see and dance.

The parades start late and go until the wee hours of the morning (6 schools at about an hour each).

The best samba schools parade on Sunday or Monday night. If you don't have Brazilian ID and know exactly when/how to call, you will be buying from some middleman anyway, and markups do vary slightly for each sector. Prices for each grandstand sector vary with the view, the best being most central with views in both directions, and there are varying prices for other types of seating. Sector 9 may run about $300 pp if bought early enough; prices rise in some cases closer to the event.

Here is a map of the Sambodromo, with explanations of seating:

http://www.rio-carnival.net/rio_carnival/sambodromo-samba-parade-tickets.php

That company is one that sells to tourists. You can have tickets delivered to your hotel/ship or pick them up at the agency's office.

This agency seems to be selling 2016 tickets already and has posted prices: https://carnivalservice.com/shopping/price-list/sambadrome

However, they themselves will not have actual tickets in hand until much closer to the event. But you can get an idea for comparison.

 

Transportation to and from is another issue, and really cuts both ways. A special bus from the port may seem very secure, but in the chaos of leaving, may be hard to locate. The metro works fine to both arrive and leave, with a fairly easily located taxi to/from closest station to ship. Or just taxi both ways, but again, leaving can be chaotic.

I'll check it out & pass it along on our roll group hopefully we can get a bunch together.

Allan & Marlane

I'll check it out & pass it along on our roll group hopefully we can get a bunch together.

Allan & Marlane

Well, you probably have until maybe next September (when most middlemen themselves purchase from LIESA and start to resell) to decide what you want to buy.

Given what you have said previously, you might feel more comfortable with a group from your ship, even if not buying the cruise's package. You could make some early inquiries of some of the recommmended private tour guides for rates to accompany your group

Also do some reading online (maybe TripAdvisor) to see what people's experience this and past years has been with various transportation options/companies to/from.

Hi Vida - we are on the Celebrity cruise for Carnaval in 2016. If we do not book the cruise tour what sections would you recommend for a good view of the parades and the ability to keep our seats if we want to get a drink or use the restroom?

Read this carefully: http://www.ipanema.com/carnival/sambodro.htm

And take a good look at the photos illustrating conditions and views in various sections and types of seats. Note the wording about bringing a seat/stadium cushion of some kind both for comfort and to keep your place, and also about making friend with your "neighbors" to help keep your seats.

The middle grandstand sectors have the desirable views in both directions and enough height to get an overall view and photos. Note: the musicians file into the Drummers Niche between sectors 9 & 11 and stay there for much of their school's parade. It may or may not seem an advantage to be close to them.