Brazilian Visa - Don't Miss Out

Many people ask about getting a Brazilian Visa and how difficult is it. 

Brazil like many countries requires a visa for some Nationalities. First thing to check is click here to see if your country requires a visa. Canadians, Americans, and Australians require visas. British passport holders do not. 

Once you have the page open scroll down to see the number beside your country and then scroll up to see what that number means. 1 means you need a visa 

I can report how our experience was five years ago. It took about a week to gather all the necessary documents and fill out the forms. For use we required:  letter from employer, pay stubs, and travel itinerary. 

We delivered the forms, money and passports to the Brazilian Consulate in Vancouver and because everything was in order we got our passport and visa back about 10 days later.

Note each consulate and country is different. Our experience with the consulate here in Vancouver that represents western Canada asked for different documents than our friends who dealt with the consulate in Ottawa. Friends in San Francisco had a totally different experience too.

Note, many people feel more comfortable dealing with a visa service. The cost of using this type of service is almost double the cost of the visa and you still need to provide all the same information as you would if you processed it yourself. 

So really the only thing the visa service is doing is taking your money, and collecting your documents and submitting to Consulate. Save your money and do it yourself.

Processing time varies significantly so don't wait, get your visa right away so you are not disappointed. Yes in some cases it can be expediated but make sure you give yourself at least two months prior to get the visa. 

Remember if you do not have your visa you will not even be allowed to board a flight to Brazil. If you are getting on a ship that is going to Brazil, you are require to have the visa before you even get on the ship. You will be denied boarding the ship if you don't have it.

Our last cruise that went to Brazil, over 30 people were denied boarding in Fort Lauderdale. These were Americans who were lucky they were able to head to Miami and get their visa processed quickly and then flew and met the ship in Barbados before it headed South to Brazil. 

One couple from Canada was not so lucky as they had to return to Canada to get their Visa. They opted to meet the ship in Argentina and missed the first 14 days of their cruise. Don't let this happen to you.

If you are heading to South America, take note that you also require an Argentinian Reciprocal Fee that needs to be completed before you arrive.  Currently the fee is $72 US and the information for Canadians can be found here.  

Here is a great site that you can put the information of where you are going and it will tell you if you require a visa or not.  Note this is a visa service website so they are trying to get your business.  Save the money and submit yourself.

A good travel agent will make sure you know about the requirements for each country.  You can also check on your cruise personalizer with Princess and they have notifications about your visa requirements.  It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documentation.

Ilhabela, Brazil - March 3, 2014

Today is first tender port and we are sent a notice that tender operations for priority passengers (elite/suite) are to proceed to the Da Vinci dining room.  But we are in no real rush to head out and don’t go ashore until 9:30, we are in our bathing suits, sunscreen is on and oh bring bug spray (we forgot).

The tender ride is very short and it runs often so there was no wait when we went down.

The area is a tourist spot for many from the mainland.  There is a small community right at the pier with some shops, restaurants, boutiques and bars.  Our first stop is a little coffee shop to grab an espresso and we sit and relax.  We are both out of sorts and we needed this small break.

We decide to take the bus to the Southern part of the Island towards Curral Beach.  The bus stop is right across from the main church and we board the bus.  Fare during Carnival is 3.50 R each – make sure you have your money out and in Reals.  We soon find out this is not a direct bus and we travel into a small community before making our way back to the main road and heading South again.  We have to get off and transfer to another bus and it is packed!  Seems many locals are heading to Curral Beach too.  Many have their swimming gear, lunches, barbecues, beers etc etc.  Oh and it is HOT and humid so be prepared.

We stop at a beach and many get off and I look at Bernie and say lets get off.  I wish I could tell you which beach it was I believe it was Praia Grande but not 100% sure.  It was nice with what looked like some great snorkeling and a few restaurants right on the beach.  We started to walk further south thinking we would come upon Curral Beach but it was obviously farther than we thought and we decide to head back to the beach that we passed earlier closer to the pier (about a 40 min walk from the pier). 

So back on the bus and then the transfer to the other bus and we are heading back towards to the main town.  While at the transfer point two couples boarded, they were loud and well something I pray I never get to be like.

They were not speaking softly and their conversation was well how do I say it annoying.  They were making some distasteful comments about having to get Reals back when they paid in US dollar.   They argued about where to get off, and how hot it was, and that traffic was bad, and oh look at pharmacy and how poor looking and that is should be in a big store not a small store.  They commented how concerned they were about walking around and how far away the pier was and how come this bus wasn’t going the slow route thru the community (obviously they were on the non direct bus earlier).  All I keep thinking is if you want to have an experience like you have at home, then stay home. 

Both Bernie and I just say to each other, oh I hope we never get like this.  Sure our day didn’t turn out exactly how we expected, it is very hot and humid, and we are having a hard time with the language and finding the store we need to find to buy some things, but we say it is all part of the experience. 

Our motto is “it is the journey not the destination” and we realize this even more when we jump off the bus in the community of Perque and have a meal in an Italian restaurant that looks out over the beach. 

I have my Caipirinha and Bernie has a small beer (ha ha it is huge and served in it’s own cooler).  We order a few appetizers and salad and we are happy and comment this is what was meant to happen today.  I will point out that we have found Brazil to be quite expensive when it comes to food.  Our lunch was around $70 including drinks.  Note tip is usually added to all bills in Brazil so no need to add unless you want to. 

We decide to walk back to the pier and it is about a 40 minute walk, but make sure you are prepared for uneven sidewalks, washed out sidewalks and humidity. 

There are some cute shops all around the pier and I want to buy a bottle of the Cachaca which is the liquor that you make Caipirinha with so I can enjoy a taste of Brazil back home this summer.  There are of course many types of Cachaca and of different qualities and we get some advice from a store and buy a bottle.  We also stop in a small grocery store to buy a few sodas, some nuts and a bottle of wine.

We were prepared to check our bottle of liquor at the ship and our bottle of wine but the security didn’t not say anything and there was no table set up at the ship.  But we are saving the bottle for home anyways and the wine we may drink in our cabin but will probably take to dinner one night and then just pay the corkage then.

Once on board the ship I have another nap and I slept so soundly that when room service delivered a plate of canapes I didn’t even hear the knock or them come in (I should of put up the do not disturb).  After I wake I finally feel like I am back to normal.

We decide to head back to our table for dinner tonight.  We notice that it is Italian night again and they have started to repeat the menus but we love Italian night. 

Now you may recall that we had requested a set table and we were assigned a great table with great servers in Da Vinci – table 514.  But every night there is a large table of 10 beside us and usually a table for 6 on the other side of us and we are right in the corner and it can get very loud.  So loud that Bernie and I have to lean in to talk to each other. 

Now I don’t blame the tables they are just having conversation and a good time but we agree we need to change tables for future and ask the Head Waiter to arrange a new table and he said he will take care of it.  We also tipped him to thank him and we also informed our waiter we would be moving and tipped him extra.  He has been excellent. 

But truly this is why we love Anytime dining.  If we would have had fixed seating it would have been harder, but not impossible to move, since most table are occupied.

We check in with many of friends in the shops on board to see how they faired during Rio.  We had some fun catching up with them.  We loved hearing about Vicky’s stories and then Sanja’s stories.

Joey Van is performing in Explorer’s Lounge, he also performed last night in the Princess Theater but we were too tired to make it in there to see him.  We have seen Joey’s show many times and had the pleasure of getting to know him better last year when we met him thru Al Katz in Florida before boarding the Emerald.  We got a chance tonight to say hi to him and he remembered us and he says he is on till Montevideo so we will try and grab a coffee with him some time.

Miscellaneous Comments

We received a notification that due to environmental restrictions in the River Plate Channel (between Montevideo and Buenos Aries) the Main Laundry has to remain closed from the 5^th of March at 2pm until March 9^th at 9 am.  Although Passengers laundry on each floor is still open.  We didn’t have this on the last voyage we did here but have experienced it in Alaska too.  We just have to plan for this but should not be a problem.

There are a 1,000 people getting off in Buenos Aries.

We are still on Red Alert and found out there are many other Princess ships also experiencing Alerts of some kind – also many other cruise lines are experiencing it too.  The numbers are going down on board but the ship is taking precautions and keeping the level up to ensure that they keep it under control.  They are doing a great job and people seem to be adhering to the rules too.  I witness a lot of people washing their hands and using the sanitizers.  But boy I am ready for this to be over cause I want to start serving myself again.

I have had some tummy aches lately and of course I go – oh no -  but it doesn’t last long and has more to do with all the rich foods I am consuming and the drinks I am enjoying too.

Again I have to say how much I enjoy the Entertainment staff, Lisa and Dan make an amazing team and watching them on the Wake Show is a highlight of ours each day.

Rio de Janeiro March 1, 2014

Wow can you believe it we are back in Rio.  It was two years ago that we were here for just under a week.  We loved it then and we are both excited to be coming back.  We pull into the harbour early and the views are stunning.  Lots of people are up and about on deck.  We pull into our berth along side an MSC ship that is disembarking people today.  

We are here overnight and don’t depart until tomorrow at 5:30.  The crew are all excited, and many passengers too.

I grab a small bite of food from horizon court, but because of the staff having to serve us with everything I end up getting very little cause I just don’t want to wait.  Maybe this red alert is a good thing I am eating less!

We are meeting up with the Sambadrom ticket group to go off all together to meet up with Marcelo  who works for a travel agent who coordinated our evening.  His company is Marecelo Zahar Tours and Travel and he can be found at his email  marcelozahar@dobrazilright.com  We meet up with him to get our Carnvial tickts.  We paid $139 each for our boxed seat and $60 for transportation, so basically $200 each and had to pay in advance and we got a bit of a discount for paying it all up front.

We run into Sue and Alan from Campbell River and they tell us their daughter is reading the blog so here is a shout out to her and to tell her they are having a great time.

We then get ready for a day out on the town in Rio.  Now since we have been here before and since we are adventurous and don’t mind public transit we head out on our own.  

I will add because it is Carnival the traffic is extra crazy, many streets are blocked because of parades and taxis are hard to come by.  We know where to walk and we head down the street to the Metro station and we come across a street parade so we join in.

We get to the Metro station (which is not that well marked) we check the balance on our Metro cards and since there is only .70 R we go to the machine to add money to them.  The fare for the Metro is 3.50 R each and we take it to Botafogo to go to the Rio Sol Shopping Mall.  Now of course when you come out of the station we are like “where the heck are we” and it isn’t like the mall is right there but with a bit of figuring things out we determine where we have to walk. 

key to keep your possessions in front

Of course there is another block party parade and we join in again and dance down the street.  I have some video and will put it up on my Youtube channel so make sure you check it out when I get back home.

We find the mall and we have two reasons for visiting this mall.  First Starbucks!  And then we head to the store where Bernie bought a t shirt last time that he loves, well more than loves.  It is one of those shirts that he wore all the time, so much that I told him, really!  You need to wear something different.  The old shirt is showing it’s age and I promised him this trip he could get a new one and he buys two but they are lovely.

We head out and since there is so much traffic there is really no sense in waiting for a bus so we head to the beach on foot.  

We walk about 20 minutes towards Copacabana Beach and walk along it for quite a distance and people watch.  Then we cross the street to some restaurants that we know and we get a seat up front and order.

First thing, beer for Bernie and Caipirinha drink for me.  We order their barbecue dish that is to share and we get a huge plate of steak, chicken, pork and sausage and it is so good.  The people watching is even better.

We leave there and walk inland a few blocks to the Metro and the ride back to the pier to the closest stop which is Uruguaiana station.  We walk the few blocks back to the pier.

Note this is not an area to walk around during the evening, take a taxi.  During the day it is okay but make sure you still keep your wits about you.  Don’t keep your wallet in your pocket keep it in a money belt or in a pacsafe bag (or something similar).  We used our pacsafe bag and locked the zipper clips.  We also wore the bag in busy areas in the front and we didn’t wear any jewelry at all.  No chairs, no rings, no expensive watches, nothing.  Did not take our expensive camera just a cheaper camera.  Leave all non essential items in the cabin.  We carry only one credit card and id and that is it.  A small amount of money is all you need too. 

Tonight is Carnival and they are picking us up at 11 pm at the pier.  Can’t wait.

I know the ship has chartered some buses for the crew to take them to Copacabana - so glad and so many have never been here so should be a fun night for them too.

Recife February 26, 2014

 

Recife is called the Venice of Brazil as it made up of three islands with numerous bridges.  It is hot when we dock and humid.

We are docked at a working pier and passengers are not allowed to walk from the ship to the port so they have free shuttles for everyone. 

The Seaborne Quest is also in port with us and it is beautiful.

We ordered room service for breakfast this morning to take our time and not have to deal with service issues.  I tried to get pineapple juice by writing it in but they didn’t deliver it and got Cranberry juice instead.  We ordered tea, they brought water, sugar but no tea bags.  Ordered for 8 – 8:30 and got it right at 8 am, and the server was very helpful and friendly.

Today’s happenings on board are:  trivia, solo travellers get together, paddle tennis, champagne hoopla, Wii@sea bowling, Muts: Coldplay, Pacific Rim, James Taylor, The Tango Club Quintet, Arizona Party Band, Tri-Band Trivia, Hollywould you Gameshow, Spotlight Showtime featuring Amor Dance Magic.

the new port building

We leave the ship around 9:15 and we have to board a shuttle bus to take us to the main port entrance.  This is obviously a new building and the locals seem very proud.  There is a great tourist information desk there and I was able to get some maps and booklets. 

Upon exiting there were staff there to assist and numerous taxis.  Note taxis here are metered but make sure to agree on a price before getting in.  The language barrier did prove to be a bit of an issue but we managed to figure out enough to understand that the price for a taxi to Olinda would be $50 Real or $25 US. 

They drive like crazy here!  Similar to Rio and even though Olinda is about 8 km North of Recife we changed lanes around 50 times and lots of beeps along the way too. 

We were dropped of at Parca da Abolicao where I pulled out the map and we started walking.  It is hot and really humid and the town is getting ready for Carnival.  We walk and our first stop is the Church of Saint John of the Military, and as we continue up the road we stop and take pictures of the many decorations for Carnival. 

At the top of the hill we start to encounter numerous tourist and tourist vans.  We see the Church of Mercy.  The Church of Saint Savior of the World.  Also there are some amazing views up here.  The Church of Our Lady of Conception.

Many shops line the streets with numerous artisans.  We run into Barb and Craig. 

We start to wander down the hill and we enter the Convent of Saint Francisco which was initially established in 1577 and was the first monastery in Brazil.  The complex is huge and includes the Church of Our Lady of the Snow and the Chapel of Saint Roque and the Cloister of Azulejos (blue tiles).  The church is in the midst of some rehabilitation but the tile work is still stunning.  The courtyard is tranquil and we can hear the monks praying. 

We are back in the same square that we arrived at and we see many buses zipping by and we managed to communicate with a young lady and she directs to a bus that will take us back to Recife.  Don’t ask me which one but we got on and the fare was 2.15 R each.  The buses here have a driver and then a bit further back is a person who collects fares.  I see they have the Compass fare system that we are in the midst of implementing in Vancouver.

We sit at the back and a man beside me tries to communicate and help us but boy the language is so difficult.  I do speak fluent French and my Spanish is minimal.  We do the hand gestures and we bring out the map and we manage to make it back to the new town of Recife. 

The city is stunning and the bridges are all decorated for Carnival too.  We try to get money out at a bank machine but have no luck at the first one.  We finally find a Citi Bank that has the Plus banking system and we have no problem getting money.  We have two more ports in Brazil (three days) so it is helpful to have local currency.

We walk along the old town of Recife and find an outside terrace that isn’t busy and we sit to enjoy a meal.  But it doesn’t take long to get busy.  We both enjoy a local beer – Skol for 7 R each ($3.50 US) and we have meal of steak and rice, beans, that grainy thing (forgot the name), plantains and salsa.  In total the large meal and the three drinks with bottled water came to 68 R.  We easily paid with credit card.  The waiter was wonderful and we gave him a Canadian pen on a lanyard and he immediately put it on.

We then wandered around the town for a bit, checked out some artisan shops.  It is hot though and it has been a long day so we wander back to the ship.

We are back on board around 3 pm and we quickly change into our bathing suits and head up to the sun deck and take a dip in the Lotus Spa pool and lay out in the sun for about an hour.  I come back to the cabin and go thru my pictures and relive the great day in Recife.

I would like to come back here some time.  The people are very nice and helpful.  Both cities are stunning and would love to come back.  Recife is a huge metropolis with numerous high rises and malls and beautiful beaches. 

Tonight is dinner in the Crown Grill with our friends B and C.  We have also arranged to have a set table in Da Vinci each night too.  We will dine there tomorrow.