deadzone1003

No such animal as "Ipanema Street Party". She may be referring to Banda de Ipanema - that gay group bloco which is the biggest bloco in Ipanema - you can buy one of their t-shirts and join the parade group, we were there in 2017 and we still have their t-shirts. However, they move at a snail's pace, like many popular blocos in Rio. Problem with many popular blocos, they are crowded like a Tokyo subway during rush hour. Amazing atmosphere is right, but crowded. If you are covid-shy, don't bother with Carnival.

Running into "gale strength winds or heavy swells" in French Polynesia would be a very, very small probability. Don't talk yourself out of something just because you think you are most unlucky person in the world.

There is really no advantage to either hotel as to how close it is to the metro. The area around both hotels is flat (just go to Google Maps and look at the exterior/360 option and see how flat the area is around them). I wouldn't be surprised if both are build on landfill. One major recommendation is that since both of you are in your mid-80's and you will be quite near the equator, I recommend taking a taxi to the Gardens. It is a somewhat of a long walk from the metro station to the entrance of the Gardens. The temperature will be in 80's, but it is the humidity that will exhaust you. Stay at the Bliss Hotel so you can easily afford taxis, LOL.

I believe they still do plus they are planning to eat at 8 or later when walk ups are more easily available, but this is all academic since they are a party of 12 and will require two tables, at least, so some booking ahead will be required.

If you like to eat late, like 8pm or later, and you are more than willing to share tables, you should be able to eat at most specialty restaurants each night by just walking up to the restaurant without reservations (that's how they filled those tables with 6 to 8 diners, usually). You may have a good chance of reserving a table for 6 or 8 on the same day. Most reservations are made for 2 to 4 people and at an early time. Unless there are big groups who happen to be on your cruise, those larger tables are usually available.

Please elaborate. We will be on the Sirena in December.

Those solo cabins are the oceanviews from 6030-39. These are those 143 sq ft oceanviews with door entry from the side. If they left the original double bed in there, it may be adequate. If they reduce the size of the original bed to a twin. It will be more than adequate in terms of space. Also these rooms never had a couch, if I recall. Have you considered calling Oceania?

In 2016, we visited Tetiaroa (Marlon Brando's former Tahitian island that he owned), it was quite interesting and enjoyable. When you are in Bora-Bora, I would get a few couples and chartered a pontoon boat and just sailed around the island of Bora-Bora - you will see how beautiful Bora-Bora really is and you will be able to visit the north part of the atoll where all those over-the-water hotels are.

Your itinerary requires alot of tendering. With 2650 passengers on the Konigsdam, it may take awhile to get ashore, not a pleasant option. Just remember, the passengers on longer cruises tend to be older, but even older if it is a round-trip cruise. With a larger ship, you have more activities though this could be offset a little bit by an older less active fellow passengers. My biggest strike against the Konigsdam is that when you think of Tahiti, you are really thinking of Bora-Bora - the Konigsdam doesn't go there - it is too big. Food is much better on Oceania though the entertainment is better on Holland America. So, Oceania would be the better choice unless you like to be on a really long cruise or you hate flying or entertainment is very important to you.