A delightful introduction to this vibrant and captivating city! Visit its major attractions including Sugar Loaf Mountain and the neo-futuristic building Museu do Amanhã or “(Tomorrow´s Museum)”. The group will also visit a Samba Factory to learn about the process of creating and producing a parade for Rio’s famed Carnival.

Day 1

Following disembarkation in Rio, meet your guide and take a drive downtown for an intriguing tour of Rio. You will see its beautiful buildings dating from colonial and Imperial days sharing space with the very modern architecture of the Brazilians Oscar Niemeyer, Afonso Reidy and many others. Adding to this group of masters, is the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava who designed the neo-futuristic building Museu do Amanhã, (Tomorrow´s Museum).

Your tour includes visits to the modern Catholic Cathedral, the ancient and gorgeous Saint Bento Monastery as well as The Tomorrow’s Museum. You will also see the Opera House, the Fine Arts Museum and the National Library.

Following your introductory tour of Rio de Janeiro, drive to your hotel and check in. The Sheraton Grand Rio Hotel & Resort is the city´s only beachfront resort with an extensive recreational area, spa and amenities. The lush, landscaped grounds are set above a white-sand beach fronting the tropical South Atlantic and flanked by towering mountains. Your hotel is located approximately a 10-minute drive from Ipanema Beach and 20-25 minutes to Copacabana Beach.

After checking in, the remainder of the day is at leisure for you to explore as you wish. Lunch and dinner are on your own. Note that hotel check in time is at 3:00pm and although every effort will be made to have rooms available before this time, this cannot be guaranteed. Guests may store luggage at Reception should your room not be ready immediately upon arrival.

Day 2

Enjoy a buffet breakfast at your hotel before driving to Praia Vermelha. Here, you’ll board a cable car for a ride to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain. The 600-million-year-old granite and quartz mountain was named for its tall cone, supposedly because it resembles sugar that was shaped into a loaf for transport in the 19th century.

The cable-car ride is in two stages. The first takes you to Urca Hill, where there are lush, fragrant gardens and several scenic lookouts. If you wish to venture even higher, the second segment of the cable car ride will take you to the very top of Sugarloaf, which rises 1300 feet above sea level. From here, you will enjoy mesmerizing views of the city, Guanabara Bay, the ocean and smaller, densely vegetated mountains.

After descending Sugarloaf, you will drive through a number of pleasant residential areas and eventually stop for a typical Brazilian BBQ lunch.

Lunch is followed by a drive downtown for a unique backstage visit to a Samba School Pavilion. Here, you will learn about the process of creating and producing a parade for Rio’s famed Carnival. It will be especially fascinating to see how the lavish costumes and floats are made. If you wish, you can try on some of the costumes from last year’s Carnival for a photo.

Following this entertaining visit, board your vehicle for a drive through the Rebouças tunnel and return to the hotel by late afternoon. On arrival, you still have time to relax at the hotel. Dinner is on your own.

Day 3

After your breakfast buffet the day is yours to explore at your leisure.

Your hotel concierge will be able to assist with sightseeing recommendations or you may wish to purchase in advance a private car and guide for the day through our Executive Collection team.

Lunch and dinner are on your own.

Day 4

Enjoy one final buffet breakfast at the hotel before checking out and transferring to the Rio de Janeiro International Airport. Transfers will be set up based on the flight time provided. Should you have a late flight, luggage storage will be available at the hotel until your transfer.

Land Program Details Step by Step:

•Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program timings are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.

•Itineraries with the most up to date details (at the time) will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.

•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.

•A departure transfer is not included if guests leave before the last day of the program.

Day 1

8:30am Disembark the ship in Rio and meet your guide

9:00am Introductory tour of downtown Rio

1:00pm Arrive at your hotel

The remainder of the day is at leisure with lunch and dinner on your own

3:00pm Official hotel check in time

Overnight at the Sheraton Grand Rio Resort or similar hotel

Day 2

7:00am Buffet breakfast at your hotel

8:30am Tour Sugar Loaf, BBQ lunch and visit the Samba School Pavilion

5:00pm Return to the hotel

The remainder of the day is at leisure with dinner on your own

Overnight at the Sheraton Grand Rio Resort or similar hotel

Day 3

From 7:00am Buffet breakfast at your hotel

Day at leisure

Lunch and dinner on own

Overnight at the Sheraton Grand Rio Resort or similar hotel

DAY 4

AM Buffet breakfast at your hotel

12:00pm Check out, settle any incidentals if you have any

TBA Transfer to Rio’s Galeão International Airport. Should you have a late flight, luggage storage is available at the hotel until your transfer. Transfers will be set up according to the flight details provided.

Extra Nights: If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be transferred to the airport per the flight details provided. Check-out time is 12:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast are on your own after Day 4 of your program.

Transfers: All guests booking their flights independently are required to ensure the cruise line has their most up to date flight details so that transfers to the airport can be arranged. If flight details are not received 14 days before your cruise start date, transfers will not be arranged.

Should you book any extra nights on your own or your flight is not on the last day of the program, transfers are not included.

Should you have a late departing flight you may wish to book an extra night so that you have occupation of your room until your departure. You will be asked to vacate your room by 12:00pm. Day rooms can only be purchased directly through the hotel.

Expected Weather:

Summer is from the end of November until March. During these months, the daily high averages 29° Celsius (84° Fahrenheit, although it can frequently climb as high as 40° Celsius (104° Fahrenheit) in parts of the city.

At night, the temperatures remain in the mid-20s Celsius (high 70s Fahrenheit).

What to Bring:

Casual, comfortable attire, good walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, camera, and umbrella

Local Currency:

The local currency is the Brazilian Real (BRL). You will need Real’s, as the U.S. Dollar is not accepted in Brazil; however, dollars can still be used for small tips or to buy items in some tourist shops.

Electricity

In Rio - 127V-60H - adaptors may be available at the hotel however we recommend brining your own international adaptor for electric devices.

Documents and Visa Requirements:

A valid passport is needed. International guests are required to check with their travel agents with regards to Visa requirements.

Hotel address:

Sheraton Grand Rio Hotel & Resort

Avenida Niemeyer 121, Leblon

Rio de Janeiro 22450-220

Phone (+55) – 21 2274 1122

Program Includes for guests:

3 nights at the Sheraton Grand Rio Hotel & Resort or similar hotel - Classic ocean sideview room/high floor

Breakfast buffets

Two half-day tours, including the Tomorrow’s Museum; the São Bento Monastery and Sugarloaf

1 BBQ lunch

Air-conditioned coaches with English-speaking guide

Luggage handling and porterage at the airport and hotel

Service charges, handling fees, and local taxes

Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated departure information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, a departure transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.

Program Excludes for guests:

Any meals not listed above

All beverages

Gratuities to drivers and guides

Other hotel incidentals including mini bar and personal expenses

Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include: inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.

Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.

Price: U$1.399 per guest based on double occupancy.

Land program promotions are per person for guests 1 and 2 for one pre- or post-cruise program only, subject to terms.