Cruise luggage Sao Paulo to Rio

[LaBayouGirl]

We will be on Regency Mariner 2/2010 from Rio to Ft. Lauderdale for 21 days. As we will visit friends in Sao Paulo before embarking in Rio, we will have luggage over the 44 lb. weight limit for our Sao Paulo-Rio flight. (I'm not even sure if they will accept luggage over 44 lbs. at this time.) Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get our luggage (two suitcases avg. 50 lbs.each) from Sao Paulo to Rio? We will arrive Rio one day prior to sailing, so we will be in a hotel. We have thought about flying to Rio, dropping luggage at hotel and then flying to Sao Paulo, but that's another flight and more time! Also have thought of a driver from SP - Rio but that's a long drive! Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[brazilgirl]

In order to help , could you tell us what airline you are booked on? (TAM , GOL , AZUL?)

Kim

[LaBayouGirl]

Brazilgirl - TA has yet to book flight; looking at options. I will re-post when information is available. Thanks so much!

[brazilgirl]

I often use a private shuttle to take me from my city ( which is between Sao Paulo and Rio) to Sao Paulo when I am going to travel with my family and all our luggage. It would be a bit of a drive(around 5 hours) but it is very pretty and you could stop along the way for lunch.
This might be an option to think about. It would probably be around 500 reais (around 270 dollars) and may be less of a hassle than dealing with Brazilian airports , which can be a hassle (like most airports!)You´d see a different part of Brazil.
I can check with my driver and others if you decide on this option.
Kim

[LaBayouGirl]

Brazilgirl, thank you for your generous offer. That might be the best suggestion. We have driven Rio to Sao Paulo with our friends and it is a beautiful trip, even though long. If we could fly into Sao Paulo and have a driver as you suggested, that would solve it all! Thanks again. We can't wait to return to Brazil - we are in love with the country after participating in Carnival back in the late '80s! Such memories....

[greatam]

You essentially have four options to get your luggage on a plane from GRU to GIG.

1. Buy a MAX ticket on TAM (highest price economy fare) $330 one way for most of the summer season. You are allowed a total of 23kg PLUS a bonus of 20 KG. You will pay .5% of your fare PER KILO for any excess over 43 kilos total. Don't forget-you are restricted to 5KG in the cabin, so you most likely will not be able to take your 20-25 pound US standard roller on the plane unless you lighten it considerably. And no extra "personal" item but this is debatable. I have been allowed my briefcase a couple times. One time I had to unload the electronics and check the almost empty briefcase.

2. Buy the FLEX ticket on TAM-$244 for most of the summer season one way. You are allowed 23KG PLUS 10kg bonus. Again, you will need to pay .5% of the MAX fare for the additional kg over 33.

3. Buy a ticket from the USA to GRU to GIG with a LAYOVER in GRU. Your US allowance will carry over for the entire flight, BUT this is usually the MOST expensive way to do this.

4. Buy a ticket to/from Brazil on TAM or one of its partners. Then if you have any reason to go to Iguazu, buy the TAM Airpass. If you have no reason to go to Iguazu, forget this option as it is too expensive. $532-582.00 for up to 4 inter SA flights on TAM (more money if you need more than 4 flights-each stop at ANY airport is considered a flight even if it is just a change plane stop). Your luggage allowance is standard USA allowance ( 2 bags, 50 pounds each) using the Airpass. Your TA will have to argue about this slightly-the rules state RT flight. You are on an open jaw itinerary. So it may take some argument to get them to allow you to fly into Brazil, but out of FLL to your home.

You will have to run the numbers on this, but just a cursory look says the FLEX ticket, paying the fees on the overage for luggage will be the cheapest. .5% of $330 is only $1.65 per KG. So about $23.00 over and above the price of the ticket.

[owl61]

Greatam,
I'm surprised that you say that option # 3 would be the most expensive. Many flights from the US to Rio stop in GRU first. Is a 24 hour layover really so costly?

[greatam]

Originally Posted by owl61

Greatam,
I'm surprised that you say that option # 3 would be the most expensive. Many flights from the US to Rio stop in GRU first. Is a 24 hour layover really so costly?

The layover is EXPENSIVE as a general rule. The stopover (change planes) on TAM through GRU is one of the cheaper ways to get to SA. In fact, TAM is running ANOTHER special from JFK to GIG-$474.00RT + taxes. But add the stopover-almost $200.00 and you don't get the LAYOVER with the sale fare, even though the plane stops in GRU. I know it doesn't make sense, but that's the way airline yield management works.

I should add that when you want the LAYOVER, you have to book the ticket as multi city and you generally add the MINIMUM price ticket ($160 one way-GRU-GIG) IF there are tickets in that fare bucket available.

[brazilgirl]

LaBayouGirl-

It is Independence Day here and my husband and I had a lovely lunch at a restaurant in Penedo , a small foothill village between Rio and Sao Paulo. Believe or not , you were among our topics of conversation! Some further ideas for you problem:


Cheapest solution- get the "ponte aerea" (air bridge) between Rio and Sao Paulo on GOL Airlines. Currently a one way ticket is around 159 reais (less than $100) for the month of February . Best of all , you are allowed two , yes , two 50lb suitcases even on their domestic flights!

I was actually quite surprised...all other Brazilian Airlines (TAM , OceanAir , Azul..)have a strict 1 50lb bag allowance . You may also take a carry-on with max. 5kg (11 lb)and dim. total of 115 cm.

If you want to try out your Portuguese , check out GOL´s website www.voegol.com.br

The fares I cited are available at http://www.submarinoviagens.com.br/a...s-aereas.xhtml
GOL is not the cheapest (there is a fare on OceanAir for 139 reais) , but it has the best baggage allowance.

Craziest/Fun solutions:

If you could add on a couple extra days to your trip (not sure how flexible your dates are) , you could hire a car and driver and take the Rio / Santos highway. This highway is akin to Highway 1 in California (where I grow up) , or the Amalfi Coast...stunning coastal scenary all the way to Rio. You could stop for the night in Parati (a UNESCO heritage site) , which is my favorite place in Brazil. There is a wonderful (but pricey!) pousada there called Casa Turquesa (www.casaturquesa.com.br) and loads of fabulous restaurants and shopping. You could even take a schooner cruise around all the islands in the bay. The driver could accomodate himself at one of the inexpensive places outside the historic center.

This is really on of Brazil´s most beautiful areas , very different than the Amazon region.It is worth seeing.

If you haven´t booked a hotel in Rio , you might consider the Santa Teresa district. Very charming , with a completely different vibe than the big international hotels near the beach. Check out the Hotel Santa Teresa or Rio 180 (i´ll be staying there next month when my mom comes to visit.)

No matter what you decide , have fun. If you need any help with Portuguese or further tips , I´d be glad to help.

Kim

[LaBayouGirl]

Kim, thank you for your continued assistance! We had decided to pursue the "driver" idea and forgo the hassle of the airports. Now, we may need to reconsider. While we muddle over the new flight info, would you know how we might go about arranging for a driver?

I keep thinking of other questions as well. Would you prefer to email me at rrr03 at cox dot net? Thanks again for all the help.

[sjpo]

A bus from Sao Paulo to Rio may be an option. I think it is only six hours away and you can carry as much luggage as you want. From the bus station is Rio is not difficult to get a taxi to your hotel or they may even organise a pick up

[brazilgirl]

SJPO-
I think the bus station might on the marginal tiete might overwhelm the op... I wouldn´t want to hang out at the bus station with all my luggage , not speaking Portuguese. However , on the postive side , buses in Brazil are very comfortable and in other circumstances are convenient and a nice option to have.

LaBayouGirl-

I will check with the driver I spoke of in my first post. The van from SP to Rio is still a nice option , as you get see a lot of beautiful scenery too (as you know from your previous trip). You could even stop for lunch in Penedo (where I went to lunch with my husband yesterday) , which is right in the middle of the trip. There is a restaurant called Vernissage which sits literally on top of a mountain stream in the middle of the forest. A huge variety of hummingbirds come flitting through the open windows (there are feeders all over)and the food is amazing.

I will call the driver later today and price the van for you. Feel free to ask all the questions you need here (maybe the info will be useful for future travelers with the same issue. ) I enjoy being of assistance and fellow CC members have helped me immensely in the past!
Kim

[greatam]

Originally Posted by brazilgirl

Cheapest solution- get the "ponte aerea" (air bridge) between Rio and Sao Paulo on GOL Airlines. Currently a one way ticket is around 159 reais (less than $100) for the month of February . Best of all , you are allowed two , yes , two 50lb suitcases even on their domestic flights!

I was actually quite surprised...all other Brazilian Airlines (TAM , OceanAir , Azul..)have a strict 1 50lb bag allowance . You may also take a carry-on with max. 5kg (11 lb)and dim. total of 115 cm.

Please point out where GOL allows TWO bags of 50 pounds each. They allow TWO bags-TOTAL weight 23KG. This is not only published on the GOL website (there is an English version available), but in the GDS database I use daily in my business (international logistics)

From the GOL website:

"Checked baggage is baggage that will be placed in the cargo hold of the aircraft. Checked baggage is baggage that will be placed in the hold position of the aircraft. For checked baggage on the cargo hold, each adult passenger is entitled to check as many as two pieces of luggage, which weigh a total of 23 kilos, according to line b of article 37, Ordinance 676 issued November 13, 2000 by the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC)."

Excess luggage is the same price as TAM EXCEPT for international destinations (Chile, Paraguay, Peru, etc.) Excess on international is 1% of the FULL FARE coach ticket (Y) instead of .5%. AND GOL SPECIFICALLY points out that EXCESS luggage MAY NOT travel on the same plane as you do. I am sure this is dependent on passenger load AND cargo weight per plane. If YOUR flight is heavy (total weight), your luggage most likely will fly on another plane.

"The luggage that exceeds the allowed franchise will be considered excess, being charged 0.5% of the normal economic fee (Y) for domestic flights or 1% of the normal economic fee (Y) for departure to international flights, per kg in excess and the luggage may be dispatched as unaccompanied post in the next flight."

[LaBayouGirl]

Thanks brazilgirl and greatam! I did note the TOTAL wt. on the GOL site last night and am concerned with the ruling that any overweight luggage might not accompany us on our flight.

Our friends in SP have said "no" to the bus idea, although I think we could do it! SO, we're back to where we started I think. brazilgirl - I would be thrilled to hear what you find from your driver as this may still be an option. Otherwise, I think we fly to Rio, drop "cruise luggage" at our hotel, and fly to SP and then back to Rio. Much commotion and expense, but it's what one does to visit with friends AND cruise!

Thanks to all who have responded.

P.S. brazilgirl - both hotels in Rio that you suggested are already booked! As we have been to Rio on two occasions, we're really there only for embarkation. Any other clean and safe hotel suggestions? A nice meal the evening before we leave is all we care about other than the hotel.

[brazilgirl]

Sadly , my Portuguese failed me (and I pride myself on it!) On the GOL website , I read "...tem direito a ate 2 malas com o peso total de 23 kilos" ...I understood as 2 "2 suitcases with up to 23 kilos (I interpreted "each" in my excitement of having found a good deal ). Bad mistake and I apologize - I will check and double check my work from now on! Thank you , Greatam , for correcting my mistake.

Now , onto the good news ...not all is lost!

OceanAir ´s fare to Rio is 139 reais . I called and personally spoke to the manager of the OceanAir agency in the Guarulhos airport . I explained your situation in detail and asked how much would be the charge for excess baggage and if there was a chance that the baggage would not be allowed and would have to be put on another flight.

She gave me the following answer , which I´d be happy to get in writing if you think it is prudent...."We have a fixed rate for the excess bagagge charge , which is 3.12 reais per kilo for each kilo over the 23kg (50lb) limit. " This calculation applies to the Rio/ SP flight.

Therefore :139 fare plus taxes=173 reais , plus simulated excess of 50 additional lbs=71.76 reais
Grand total...244, 71 reais
Exchange rate is currently 1 dollar=1 , 83 reais Total -$133,33

I also spoke to the TAM and GOl people -they were much more elusive about the excess baggage charges , giving me the formula which is cited on the internet , but not able to give me an estimate based on the fare and route I gave them.

OceanAir is currently number one in customer satisfaction among Brazilian Airlines , TAM is rated 6th. I have only flown on GOL and TAM , but now I´ll consider OceanAir as on option. I really liked their service and clear answers.

Mr. Juarez , my driver...I talked to him today. He could pick you up at your friend´s residence in SP and take you to your hotel in Rio. He has an air -conditioned Mercedes van which could accomodate all your luggage. The total for door to door service would be 1000 reais , which comes out to to a little over $500 . He usually charge 1.5 real per kilometer , but I asked for a discount , since we are good customers. I gave a you bad estimate before..he charges us 300 reais to go to the airport in SP , which is 250 km away. The trip to SP , then to Rio , then back to Lorena (my town) is over 1000 km for him.

You need to consider transport to and from airports when making you decision. I am not sure how much that would be , since I don´t know where you will be staying. The airport ,Guarulhos , is outside Sao Paulo´s city limits. The flight lands at the Santos Dumont airport in Rio.

I investigate other Rio hotels...what kind of food do you like? I can recommend some great Rio/SP restaurants , if you´d like.

Tchau!
Kim

[LaBayouGirl]

brazilgirl/Kim - you have gone beyond with all the assistance you've provided. I believe we may have resolved the problem. We will fly from the U.S. to Rio, store our "cruise" luggage at our Rio hotel (yet to be determined!) and our friends' son will drive us from Rio to Sao Paulo. We will then return to Rio via air on GOL or another - doesn't really matter. This has all been a mental exercise as we have no idea what luggage weights we will be faced with, but even packing lightly for a three week cruise will be "heavy", I'm certain!

As for Rio restaurants - yes, please. Being from Louisiana, we are spoiled and always in pursuit of great food! We love "local" - feijoada (I know, wrong day of the week!) and a good churrascaria is always delicious! We are open to just about anything!

Thanks again to all who tackled this luggage issue!

[brazilgirl]

I am pleased you have found a good solution!!!Are your friends Brazilian or Americans who live in Brazil?

It has been a pleasure researching for you-I have learned a lot too! Travel research is fascinating. If I ever visit Lousiana , I´ll have lots of questions for you...

It has been a crazy 2 days , terrible storms and floods here. I will post some restaurant and hotel suggestions tomorrow.

Kim

[brazilgirl]

LaBayouGirl-

I posted some further suggestions for Rio hotels on another thread (Rio-Help!)...


As far as restaurants go....

For a more upscale culinary treats , you could check out:

Cipriani -the Italian resturant located in the Copacabana Palace....old world glamour!

Satyricon (Seafood)

Quadrifoglio (Italian)

Antiquarius (Portuguese)

For meat , the most famous churrascaria is Porcão (the big pig!). Barra Grill is nice too , but might be out of the way. Esplanada Grill is also excellent.

For great pizza- Capricciosa ...Brazilian pizza is very different from American , fun to compare.

Lots of good oriental food all over.

For feijoada- Asa Da Feijoada , in Ipanema

Have a great time.

Kim

[LaBayouGirl]

Kim, I'll want to try all of the restaurants! A couple of names sound familiar from previous trips. Thank you also for the additional hotel suggestions. As you know, we've got to find one willing to safely store our luggage for a couple of days!

Hope your travels do bring you to Louisiana so I can share my knowledge with you as you have so graciously done with me.

RRR

P.S. Our friends are Brazilian; business contacts that remain friends long beyond the business relationships. I'll be in touch nearer our arrival should the need arise for your driver! I hope our plan works, but five months out is a looong time! Thank you again.

[brazilgirl]

I hope you have a wonderful stay in Brazil and a brilliant cruise. I will be here if you need me!

New Orleans is on my "must" list...I´ll stay in touch.

Bon Voyage (Boa Viagem in Portuguese)

Kim