Soth America with Oceania

[Doctor I]

Hi, I would like to have the opinion of experienced cruisers who have taken a cruise along Brazilian coast with Oceania. Was it good and impressive?

Thanks. Doctor I.

[Andee]

We took the Rio to San Antonio cruise on Marina Dec 14-Jan 3. Loved it.

We added 3 days in Rio and 3 at Iguazu Falls before the cruise and 4 days in Santiago after the cruise.

My only complaint is that 8 sea days are too many for me.

[roothy123]

What's your itinerary?  If it's similar, I can recommend it, and share a link to my photos.  While it wasn't one of my absolute favorites, I would recommend it - a nice combination of big cities, beach cities, and smaller cities.   We did NOT have many sea days, so perhaps it wasn't the one Andee went on.  There was one port that was definitely so-so, but no big deal.  To me, a so-so port is better than a sea day, as you can go out for a few hours and make the rest of the day a sea day!

[Camillus112]

On 1/25/2019 at 11:30 AM, roothy123 said:

What's your itinerary?  If it's similar, I can recommend it, and share a link to my photos.  While it wasn't one of my absolute favorites, I would recommend it - a nice combination of big cities, beach cities, and smaller cities.   We did NOT have many sea days, so perhaps it wasn't the one Andee went on.  There was one port that was definitely so-so, but no big deal.  To me, a so-so port is better than a sea day, as you can go out for a few hours and make the rest of the day a sea day!

 

I am also interested in a Feb 2020 itinerary from Rio to Buenos Aires, only one sea day.  Did you do a review on your cruise?  I would certainly appreciate your sharing your link!  Thanks.

 

[IWantToLiveOverTheSea]

1 hour ago, Camillus112 said:

 

I am also interested in a Feb 2020 itinerary from Rio to Buenos Aires, only one sea day.  Did you do a review on your cruise?  I would certainly appreciate your sharing your link!  Thanks.

 

Sounds like what we did, just in reverse. I didn't do a review. I DO, however, have lots of pictures for each place we visited. I can send a link later today. Rio and Paraty were  my favorites and Rio Grande my least favorite. This was back in Feb. 2011, though.

[roothy123]

roothy here, using my own login, etc. - I responded using someone else's (I Want...) laptop.  Anyway, here's a link to my photos (no need to sign in, pay, etc. - just go): http://www.pbase.com/roothy123/south_america_cruise&page=all

 

I enjoyed the cruise a lot.  Rio is a great city.   If you take a cruise from Rio to Buenos Aires, keep in mind that unless you have an overnight in those cities, or you go early or stay late, you won't see much of those cities.  

 

We're very independent, and don't take too many ship excursions.  So I can't comment on excursions for the cruise we took.  

 

We didn't go into town on the Santos day.  I think that's mostly a huge city, and that's not my favorite kind of place, anyway, so it was OK.  I think the cab ride there was a bit pricey, too.

 

In either Buenos Aires or Rio, we were hit with a fairly large tax when we landed at the airport.  I don't remember the specifics, but someone on the "Ports of Call" section on Cruise Critic could probably tell you more.  

 

I thought the cruise was a nice combination of big cities, small cities, beach cities, and colonial towns.  I would take the warnings of crime seriously in Montevideo.  An older European woman went out on her own there at night and got punched in the eye.  We all speculated that she was carrying a regular purse, wearing regular (nice?) jewelry, etc. - things that put you at risk.  However, we never knew the specifics.  Be aware of your surroundings, and what you might look like to bad people.   

 

The cruise itself was pretty typical Oceania, so can't really comment on that, or provide "Currents" papers or anything like that. 

 

I would like to go back to South America some day. 

 

Anyway, check out my photos, check to see if anyone in the Ports of Call section has good info on South American cruises, and enjoy whatever cruise you ultimately choose!

[Andee]

The cab ride I to Old Town Santis was US $7. We enjoyed the Coffee Museum, Pele Museum,  narrated historical tram ride, beautiful church, walking around to admire street art and architecture,  views from top of the cable car.

In Montevideo,  we lived ahe audio walking tour DH downloaded, including multiple museums such as Andes, Carnival, artists homes. Never felt unsafe.

[Camillus112]

Thank you Roothy, Andee, and Iwanto...  You all have helped me to understand better this particular itinerary.  Visiting Rio is important to me since I am continuing my research into Carmen Miranda (if you are young, her name may not ring a bell, but maybe a tutti fruity hat will).  However, I'm disappointed to learn that her museum has been closed...  Oh well, an exciting cruise, I'm sure!  Thanks again.