Griff4AU

+1 I LOVE it down there. I love my country, but there are many other places on this planet where folks just "live life better and fuller" and I think Brazil, with their sense of family and "living life large," is one of them. Problems? Loads of them, but I stand by my statement. Many are quick to become experts on places they have never been - those who are experts because of the internet I refer to as "keyboard commandos". So yes, I am willing to start the argument. There is no modern list that considers Brazil 3rd world as it has the 10th largest economy in the world.

Folks... I am pretty familiar with this as I am in Brazil no less than 6 times per year - and was doing so even during the Pandemic. Just about every pharmacy does the test. Even during the pandemic, the tests were plentiful and fast. Your hotel almost certainly has an arrangement with a pharmacy or a hospital. The tests will be anywhere from $35 - 60ish USD (if you pay in R$ and you have a decent CCard to do the Fx transaction). I'm not on your sailing, but I am on the Preziosa on the 27th sailing and a Canadian on my roll call is very concerned. She needn't be. Brazil was slow to take the severity of the pandemic seriously... and because of it their already "fair at best" economy was crushed. When they did start to take it seriously, they took it far more seriously than nearly every state in the US did. They still do. I arrived back from Rio yesterday (Monday) and when you land in Rio or Sao Paulo, you are going to be given a mask. Entering the airport to leave the country, you are going to be given a mask. Cases started rising again a few weeks ago and the country is responding. Getting back to the tests... they are quick and easy and cheap and you'll have the results in 20 minutes. Heck, they are even given at the airport (at least at GRU and GIG). Of course this is the internet and hysteria makes for more interesting internet posts, but please relax. For those of you picking up the boat in Rio, on your way out of the country, please leave yourself ample time at GIG. Rio's immigration is woefully understaffed - far worse than Sao Paulo / GRU and many other Central / South American countries. WJ - I am trying YC myself. For what we're paying, I too hope it's worth the hype.

@Georgia_PeachesGot it. You can delete the post if you don't want your email visible to the world. You'll see an email from an email addy with "spam" in the address so it can't attach to me in any way.

Then happy to share. And if she has no idea.. then she is likely missing out on for some $$$ for herself. I wish we could PM here.

Wow Steve, I am sorry to read that. There's just such a varied appreciation (or not) on YC / Haven / Retreat that it's hard to know what to think on whether it's worth it or not. It's clearly not a "winner" for you. Have you tried Haven / Retreat and if so, what dis you think of those? I guess I'll know in 4 weeks - although I am glad I was able to get it at a "reasonable" price. @Georgia_Peaches I'm not going to toss my email addy on here to answer your question. For what I am referring to with the MSC promotion that only TA's know about, I suggest you speak (like on the phone) with someone.

David, you did a really nice job with those videos. Thank you. We'll be on our first MSC sailing next month (in the YC) and your vids are some of the most informative without being robotic out there. Some of the vids out there are absolutely painful to watch. Well done, and thanks.

I cannot speak for the airlines. Whether Latam will transfer to Delta is something I do not know, Customs is a different issue. Since you are on a cruise forum, I am going to assume that you are re-entering Brazil from a cruise. And when you get off that cruise ship, regardless of where you are, you are going to pass through customs. I have never sailed in to Brazil, but I will experience it next month. So I cannot pretend to answer that. But once you are in-country, you are in-country. Just like the US. When you step in to the Rio airport (SDU or GIG), you are taking a domestic flight - Rio (either airport) to GRU. No different than Atlanta to Chicago. Once at GRU, the customs will be at terminal 3. Your bags will have already been checked before you speak with the immigration officer. I have no idea if Latam will transfer them. My guess (offered as such) is no. Depending your time of departure at GRU (probably at night), I would not leave myself less than 2 hours. As I stated, Terminal 3 customs can be really fast or painfully slow. Sorry I cannot offer more guidance. For your exact reasons I always make my first Brasil airport my airport of exit direct to the US.

I was intentionally vague, and necessarily so. This is a thread about YC, period. And it seems like this thread is getting much attention from folks who have never been on YC. I posted a link from the MSC public site and did a copy/paste from the site that only TA's can access relating to YC. Quoting myself... what I said was literal - you should take it as such. I can not go deeper as this forum does not care for TA talk. For those who use independent TA's, speak with them and they can enlighten you (or not, I really don't care). Independent TA's can always offer you a better deal than you can get on your own or with an in-house TA. That doesn't mean they will...but they can. That is not an opinion... that is a fact. So, trying to get back on this back on the OP's subject, the right independent TA can help make YC (and the costs associated with it) more appealing (or less painful).

For those of you who book with independent TA's, MSC is an extra great deal now (through the end of 2023). Your TA's are possibly pushing MSC for a reason.. use it to your advantage and try YC. Get extra "spiffs" from the TA, whether it be OBC or whatever. From the MSC customer page: https://www.msccruisesusa.com/cruise/msc-yacht-club From the Travel Agent Page (can't / won't link this as you need an agent PW): Discover MSC Yacht Club, a Ship within a Ship Available on board MSC Seashore, MSC Virtuosa, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Bellissima, MSC Seaview, MSC Seaside, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Preziosa, MSC Divina, MSC Splendida and MSC Fantasia A Unique Cruise ConceptWow your clients with the ultimate luxury and privacy at sea. Introduce them the MSC Yacht Club, our exclusive ship-within-a-ship concept, offering the benefits of a private club with exclusivity and privacy, while providing the wealth of leisure and entertainment possibilities:• Private Entrance• 24-hour Butler Service offering the highest standards of personal care• Dedicated Concierge • Private venues and elegant amenities• An exclusive fine-dining restaurant• Unlimited drinks• Superior suite accommodation • A complete all-inclusive experience • Privileged access to the industry-leading amenities, entertainment and services of the ship TARGET:• Guests looking for private atmosphere, exclusivity and/or tailor-made experience• Guests who wants to celebrate a special occasion such as a honeymoon, a special anniversary, a birthday, a graduation, a job promotion, a retirement and so on That's a copy / paste from their Agent site... With YC, MSC isn't targeting most cruisers. They are targeting the special occasion folks and the people who usually go full-suite (NCL Haven, X Retreat, RCL or Princess full Suite) on the other lines. I haven't "hung around" the MSC page here on CC long, but I do spend time with my normal (primarily Princess, NCL and RCL) cruise lines.. and the folks on the other pages rave about YC and say the X Retreat is the closest thing to YC - and that's huge praise.

@rool Wow, that is disappointing and I am sorry to hear that. The loud music does not surprise me, nor do the long lines. There is more than 1 cruise line that had reduced capacity or even changed sailings because of staffing issues. Cruising is back, but some lines can't get the staff. They would certainly prefer not to use paper / disposable.

This info may be slightly dated, but not that much. I am in Brasil no less than 6-8 times per year. You need to make sure when flying from RIO (either airport) to GRU (you said the Sao Paulo airport - there are 3, but GRU is the primary international one) you leave yourself ample time. Terminal 3 handles all international flights at GRU. If I recall, you take a shuttle from 2 to 3 and it was 15ish minutes. It is NOT a short walk. No, no no. Yes, flying back to the US you will go through customs in Terminal 3. It's outbound customs and not incoming - but the line can be extensive as most outgoing international flights all leave late at night. I've been in line for as little as 5 minutes - and waited as much as an hour (only 1 time and very unusual). If the same airline Rio - GRU - wherever: you won't have to grab your bags... at least not last year. You usually only have to grab bags when you are incoming to a different country - like you will in the US if your flight from GRU is not direct to your home.

I did use the Search function and there is loads of good information you won't find on this thread. Google / YouTube is also your friend and worth the effort. Make the effort... you will learn more. A good friend of mine who sails 6 times a year (minimum) on nearly every line told me this just yesterday, "I would rather be in an inside cabin on MSC / YC than a balcony or Mini Suite on any other mainstream line". That's extreme praise from a guy who is "heavy elite" (my term for the highest tiers) on every mainstream line. I was "sold" and paid for my YC cabin on Preziosa. All of the extra space and lack of crowding and reserved areas make it worth it. Heck, not having to "stake out and lay claim" to pool chairs at 6:00am is worth something to me. My "biggest concern" now is that my better half, who I have only been with since right before pandemic time, has never been on a cruise... She's going to be spoiled. Am I going to change my favorite from Princess (for me, best balance of polish and fun-factor and itineraries) to MSC? Probably not, but the more I read.. the more I am impressed with the YC experience. Ask me on 3 January!

Right.... And Chicago, and... I find the State Department summaries pretty useless as they lump a whole country together. That's like skipping a trip to Provo, UT because the State Department reviewed Chicago and Detroit's crime statistics and determined the whole US is bad. (well, our crime is). To the OP, Brazil is a REALLY big country. I have been there a bunch and and spent lots of time there. Never have I not felt safe.

To answer your specific question... I will answer next month as I will be on the Preziosa for New Years. My better half is Brazilian and I am "in country" at least 7 times per year and have been for a few years. So I think what I offer about the country comes from experience and not the "internet keyboard commandos". Like many places in Central and South America, Brasil has some tougher areas - especially in SP and Rio and some of the jungle areas. I happen to love SP and Rio. Do I walk around with a Breitling / Omega exposed staring at Instagram on my iPhone 20 Super MaxGiant? No... but I wouldn't do that in Chicago either. Most of the SA cruises run up and down the Atlantic from Argentina to Brasil. Honestly not great stops (just one guys opinion) but often the ship is nicer than the ports (on just about any cruise). I will know next month, but I would NOT expect to see a bunch of Brazilians. They likely want to run up and down their coast as much as I would have an interest in an Atlantic cruise in the US. March is still the end of Winter / beginning of Spring in the N hemisphere - but it's still Summer heading in to Fall there - so I would GUESS (offered as such) more Europeans traveling for better weather. Honestly for a fun cruise, I think the Europeans and S Americans are more fun cruisers (less uptight) than US cruisers are. As for the cruise ship stops (if they don't change)... there won't be nearly the aggressive hustle the many of the central American and Caribbean stops have. With any cruise ship stop - there will be some and Brasil was hit VERY hard with the Pandemic - more so than any of the other countries I have been to during Covid (Peru, Panama, Mexico and Brasil). So if you enjoyed your visit to BR, I am sure you will enjoy the cruise. Like anywhere outside of the US, just don't act like an "arrogant American" and remember South America is just as much "America" as North and Central.... and you'll be fine and have a great time.

Thanks all for the advice. We'll be on the Preziosa for New Year's Eve and will get to experience the MSC Yacht Club for the first time. This may be a "game changer" and change how I look at cruise bookings. Not going to post this separately and I know CC hate TA talk... BUT... if any of you are thinking about an MSC cruise.. now is the time to book with your INDEPENDENT TA. And I offer that NOT referring to the Black Friday sales. Honestly I never thought I'd be on MSC, but I am absolutely very excited about this.

This was your incorrect statement. And I had edited my post it to make it sound softer. There was lots of basis behind Bigeagle12's statement. He's worked in the industry. I work in the industry. Even if I did not fully agree with his statement (which I did not), his advice was very good advice and he recommended a site that nearly every independent TA uses and those of us who work in the industry use. You wanted to show his advice was not solid. It actually was extremely solid.

Incorrect statement and this thread has some "not good" advice.. Would I have used the term "never buy from.." that Bigeagle12 used? ? No as I think the Platinum from Princess is decent - especially if you are a Platinum / Elite cruiser and get it for the regular rate. Like Bigeagle12, I've been in the insurance industry forever (30+) - not on the agency side but with carriers. Currently I am a C Suite Exec for a group of carriers. So I pretty much know this stuff. The cruise lines just take something that a carrier has and slaps their name on it. Just like any affinity insurance program in any industry. The cruise line has little say in it and wants it to be zero touch. It's free money for the cruise line and the true insurance carrier has "free marketing" although they pay a ton of commission for it... Does that concept sound familiar? Kind of like shore excursions... For those who can think past the "I may miss the ship if I take an independent excursion," you know you usually (much more often than not) get a better excursion for less money with the independents. Why would you think the insurance is any different? If anything, the cruise lines have more input with the excursions than the travel insurance. The site that Bigeagle12 recommended is a good one and I can almost guarantee your independent TA uses it. But then again, what do I know.

Thanks both. I think the Boss will be "very spoiled" with YC as her first sailing!

Thank you Peaches. The YC experience is catching my eye. Brazil isn't home, but I am there 8+ times per year, so I am not worried about the help getting on the ship. But the YC experience is appealing.

Good thread. Thank you. Last minute changes have me going to have me sailing out of Brazil next month. Question for the MSC Pros... A or B: Plan A is the Seaview. 2018 build and 5,429 pax - which is larger than I have ever been on. My "Suite-spot" (bad word-play) is the 3600ish pax Princess boats. Premium Suite on the Stern overlooking the wake - one of my favorite places on the ship. The Seaview get 5* on that rating site that we're not allowed to talk about. Plan B is the Preziosa - 2013 build and I don't see it's been refurb'd. 3.5* on that site. However for just $1k more than Plan A, we're be in the Yacht Club - which honestly is the envy of many mainstream cruise line folks. Many folks in the US with cruise line loyalty bash MSC, but I have heard nothing but great things about YC. Forget the itinerary... irrelevant to the the decision. Older ship without the refurb but in YC, or the newer boat. Again, only $1k difference so I will take that out of the decision making process. If it matters, I'm Elite or near elite on many of the major lines but not elite enough to ger Black / Diamond with MSC, the only matched me to Gold. The "better half" is a new cruiser. Thanks for your suggestions. Griff Oh, and another thing... are the whirlpool balconies "worth it"? (I know, subjective...) But the whirlpool balcony on Seaview equals YC on Preziosa.

Thank you all. @reedprincess that is what I am looking for. @Essiesmomand @alyssamma (again) -very helpful and appreciated. ‘Having lived in 3 countries and 15 states, I am much more accepting of other cultures and styles than most from the US. I love our country, but we’re a little close-minded here (for the most part). I enjoy the cruise community because folks here have at least experienced other cultures. am thinking a December MSC sailing out of Brazil or Argentina will largely be Europeans (we have Winter, down there it's Summer) and South Americans.. Way over generalizing here, but both cultures tend to life life large. It should be fun. It will be fun. The Armonia was probably lowest on the list, but I am believing I would rather try a newer MSC ship than a very old and small RCL ship. Zero desire to go back to an old RCL boats... I thought they were terrible. The Seaview (‘18) , Seashore (‘21) and Seaview look good. I appreciate saying you like Preziosa as I had eliminated it as it was “”older” and I think only had YC available, but then again I still love the Caribbean Princess and by some standards she is ancient (‘04 with a ’17 refurb). I will look at the Preziosa again. As for the service level, admittedly I have been spoiled by Princess and X, but I have learned that anywhere (anywhere, any segment) that if you treat people well and talk TO people and not AT them, you will almost always have great service.

Thank you. Would you mind sharing which ship was the "one and done". I am wondering if the newer vs older ships offer totally different experiences. Just like an older RCL boat is a totally different experience than the newer ships. They matched me to Gold (I am Platinum with Princess), so I appreciated the Match.

Thank you. I have heard that Yacht Club is special. That might be beyond my price point due to the bath I am going to take from Princess and the remaining YC cabins are the "purchase a new car" rates. But it is something to consider. The MSC (lack of) customer service is something that concerns me. That's why I am considering the older RCL Rhapsody.

‘Sorry for the somewhat direct thread title, but one of my frustrations with this (and many) internet forums is the “armchair quarterback wisdom” rather than the experienced advice. I am looking for the latter here. For reasons I don’t want to get in to here, it looks like me and the better half will be spending the holidays in Brasil instead of the US and I am going to be getting crushed with some Princess cancelation fees. I still want to be on the water between Christmas and New Years and I am not as familiar with the choices I have. I am posting this in the Princess forum because Princess is my sweet-spot. For me it’s the right blend of polish and fun and service tied in to price. However I am anything but “high maintenance and I expect everything to be perfect every single minute” That’s not me. Heck, I have had fun on some Carnival boats... (sacrilege to some of the folks who hang out in this forum). So I am looking for fellow Princess travelers who have been on MSC and Costa. I haven’t been on a Costa boat in 30+ years (I guess I am old). I’ve never been on a MSC ship. My choices are the newer MSC boats (Seaside, Seashore… 5* and 5,400ish pax), some of the older MSC boats (Musica, Preziosa, Fantasia, Armonia), the Rhapsody (older RCL boat - I know what I am getting), and some of the older Costa boats (Pacifica, Favolosa, Fortuna). I know the clientele is different. I am in Central or South America no less than 8 times per year – so I get it. I am hoping there are some folks here who have actually been on those lines / ships can offer some advice as I make a decision. Your experience would be appreciated.

No Sir, not in the travel industry. I've been a pilot forever and I travel a lot - but not in the industry. I "accidentally own" a small TA that I don't / won't talk about here - so I use it to book for myself and friends / family. On the Roll Call a gentlemen names Scott showed a link that stated that in April we may be better close to the land than on the water. So I give up and just going to be of the mindset that I'm going on a ship I haven't sailed before, we'll have an eclipse and the bars better concoct a special drink for it.