I am taking an MSC Cruise out of Buenos Aires, leaving January 6, 2024 and returning to Buenos Aires on January 14. There are three ports in Brazil on this cruise, on January 9, 10, and 11. The visa requirement goes into effect on January 10, so in theory people who first enter Brazilian waters on January 9 should be okay. Of course, I would hate to fly all the way down to Argentina only to be denied boarding. The MSC Cruise website says I need the visa and cannot just remain on the ship while in port (I wouldn't want to anyway). The visa processing company that seems to be contracted by the Brazilian government (VFS Global) informed me by email that I am not eligible for a visa because they are only for "Americans, Australians, and Canadians traveling to Brazil by air," not for cruise or land boarder crossing. So MSC says I need a visa, but the people who process the Brazilian visas say I can't get one. I have literally contacted each Brazilian consulate location in the United States by email and phone. The emails go without reply and there is no option to speak to a representative by phone - they just refer me to their website or ask me to email. There is nothing but contradictory information on the websites and no one who can answer definitively. I've considered taking a day off work and driving the 2 hours from Albany to the Brazilian Consulate in New York City, but am afraid that I would end up getting the run-around there too (if I can even get in to speak to a person). Does anyone have any suggestions? Has anyone had any luck with this? I foresee a very messy embarkation process for all the Canadians, Americans, and Australians who are on this cruise!