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Thanks, Peggy. In the past few days things have come together for us (and two other couples) in Rio - we have a guide who found us a hotel day room at the Sheraton beyond Leblon, so we're set. And hopefully, one of those couples is on Delta 82 to Nice on November 7th (she thinks they are) and will be sharing a van with us from Nice airport to Monaco. We'll both save a few bucks, even though we're staying at different hotels there.

Look forward to seeing you again on the Mariner. Maybe a little earlier at HeeHaw?

Since Thanksgiving will be while we are on GP, for those who have been on Regent during Thanksgiving, so they serve a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, or can you put together a table and special order it? I know we are in Recife that day, but we leave at a reasonable time if I remember right, so just wondering.

JoAnn,

We were on Mariner for Thanksgiving in 2008. They served a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Here's the menu:

I assume something similar will be served on GP.

Like Dave said, our experience has been that they always have a turkey dinner option, but their ideas about stuffing/dressing are pretty different than what we are used to down here in the South! If you want a more traditional cornbread or bread stuffing, you might want to pre-order it! You'll have to ask for extra gravy - they never give you enough! And of course you can always order mashed potatoes any night (that's one of our traditions, along with corn and green beans!). Yum! I'm making myself hungry!

Thanks Dave and Cindy. Looks like fun, and we will definitely be ordering mashed potatos and extra gravy and maybe green beans and corn and will have a chat about the stuffing.

Finally getting around to applying for Brazil visa; wondering what procedures everyone else has used. Apply direct via mail? Consulate same day in person? Service? Which one? Any lessons learned?

thanks,

Marc - I know we paid extra to do this, but we did it thru Regent and they sent us an email with all the links to fill out the ZVS form and then the link to the online Brazilian VISA form, and we followed the instructions and sent everything to in our case the ZVS office here in DC and got it all back within two weeks.

Again, I know we paid more to do this, but since it was our first time doing a VISA we just felt more comfortable, kind of like doing Regent air and transfers on your first European or Asian or such cruise. Once you have done it you feel more confident.

Know that did not answer your question. But you are much more expereienced than we at thisl

We are going to make an appointment at the Consulate in SF once we get additional passport photos taken and get our check at the post office.

I just can't seem to be able to get Mark to go with me to Costco for the photo...

Marc, first of all, have you already paid for them? B&K seems to include the visa charge unless you ask them to drop it.

I work two blocks from the DC visa office and I decided it was still worth it to use the service. If you do it yourself it's going to cost 160-180 dollars depending on whether they charge a processing fee. Regent charges 299. So it doesn't cost that much more to use the service since they will do the legwork for you.

As far as I can tell they won't issue a visa same day unless it is an emergency. You have to come back in a week to pick it up or give them a pre paid mailer to send it back to you.

No matter which way you decide to do it you must go to the Brazil consulate website to fill out the on line application.

Also, if you decide to do it yourself check whether Arlene needs to be there too or you can submit the application for her.

Good luck. Tom.

Marc,

Here's the general information page for visas from the consulate in Atlanta which is the consulate you have to use. (Visa Information - Atlanta) It should answer most of your questions.

If you apply in person, you may pickup the visa the same day. The fee is $160. You can also get the visa by mail which takes five business days. The fee is $180. As far as I know, Arlene would not have to accompany you. That is the practice in other Brazilian consulates but you should check with the consulate by email because each consulate has slightly different rules. Good luck.

Thanks for all the info!!

One answer I can't find is whether I can put two applications in the same envelope when contacting Consulate directly; anyone know?

I think I will have to pay the additional $20 for both applications but want to make sure they will put both passports in same express mail on return.

Again, thanks for the info,

Yet two more questions:

Did you use B&K's "paid" invoice to satisfy the requirement for "signed cruise itinerary?" Or, did you provide additional info?

What information did you include for "contact in brazil?"

Marc,

It has been two years but I think I used both B&K's "paid" invoice and the Regent "paid" invoice because the B&K invoice didn't show the itinerary. As for the contact information, I used "Regent Seven Seas Mariner Cruise Ship" in the "Name/Hotel" box on the application. I also used Regent's headquarters address, telephone and email on the application.

Hope this helps.

Reading this in beautiful Hermanus at Birkenhead House a lovely sunny day,

This is the address you use for contact information in Brazil on your visa application.

Brazil Shorex,
Avenue Djalma Batista N 946
Suite #4,
Manaus,
Brazil CEP CEP 69053-010
Phone: 1155(92)35841551

All you should need for the application is the Regent invoice with the itinerary attached and this contact address for Brazil.
These are the two things that are on file when you pre pay visas with Zierer Visa Service that you need to know.

Plus of course all the other personal information on the visa application form.

Everything can go into the same envelope, and you only need to fill out one ZVS form for the both of you, assuming you are using the Regent service.

I don't know the answer if you are applying on your own, but it would seem that you could put both your applications in the same envelope.

FINALLY!

After much worrying and information collection (Ngaire, thanks for the Shorex address), I finally completed our applications tonight. I figure I saved $119 per visa doing myself (instead of ZVS thru Regent) so even if I have to go back and forth a couple of times I came out ahead.

Again, thanks for everyone's help!

GOOD job Marc!!!!! Now you are wealthier in knowledge than usual

Not too far away now everyone. Looking forward to this wonderful trip.

Lets get some chatter going, there must be something we can talk about. We have all our excursions, as I'm sure everyone does, I have my spa appointment, we have our P7 and Signatures reservations and every now and then I think a little about what I'm taking, Frank and our friend Jack are doing Tux's for the two optional formal nights, love seeing him in that tux!!! VISA's are done and other than packing we are ready.

We are really excited about our three days pre cruise in Paris although probably November won't be the best weather, hey Paris is Paris, right?

Will start the packing as soon as we get back from HEE HAW.

We are new to LCT and are currently GTY for Grand Prix. Will also be on the prior cruise from Venice to Monte Carlo.

Sue and Ray

Hi Sue and Ray and welcome to LCT

Welcome Sue and Ray. Look forward to meeting you. The Venice to MC sounds wonderful and I know you will love it. You can get the ship ready for the rest of us

We got our document booklet today and all seems to be in order. Did find out our CD will be Lorraine, haven't seen her in ages, so looking forward to seeing her again. Emailed her yesterday and she did confirm she is on until Buenos Aries.

Hi Sue and Ray!!!! XXOO Joanna and Tony

Glad to see you here on LCT...you're going to have such a wonderful time on your B2B cruises !!

Welcome to the LCT family.

Looking forward to meeting you Sue and Ray.... save a night for dinner with Marc and I if you can.

Sue and Ray, welcome aboard; I have edited the Roll Call to include you.

Any other changes to the Roll Call? Cat H guaranteed still available so there is still room to join at the original low prices!

Add me to your welcome wagon, Sue and Ray! Looking forward to meeting you as I have heard such nice things about you both from Marcie and Joanna!

Oh Marc, you're killing me....dang I wish we hadn't cancelled.

Well then only one thing to do Marcie.... rebook!

so yeah Marcie, rebook and you probably can still get the original contract rate Ngaire had.

Tempting but after we cancelled we made plans to go to Gina & Josh's for Thanksgiving.

We will sure miss everyone and will be with you in spirit

Has anyone been contacted yet regarding "buying" an upgrade? As we are H GTY, I assume we will be last contacted. with four weeks to go, I would think the calls will start soon. If you are contacted, can you post the offer you were given?

A bit early yet - most of the time offers do not come until about 7 days before sailing. It just depends on the cruise it varies a lot.

We and Dreyfus's are on a gty also, I keep checking to see if we've been assigned yet, although I know it could be much closer in, keep checking anyway. LOL. I was wondering too if those on gty would get any possible upsell offers last or at the same time as anyone else.

Even though we have an assigned suite, we were offered the following by email:
Act Now for Big Savings on Suite Upgrades!



We would like to present a limited time opportunity to experience the added luxury of a suite upgrade at a special price for your booking referenced above. Availability is extremely limited and is on a strictly first-come, first-served basis!



o Upgrade to a Master Suite for only $1799 per person, double occupancy. The going retail price for this significant upgrade currently ranges up to $24,099 per person. Master Suites are 1,024 sq. ft inside with a 727 sq. ft. front balcony and 71 sq ft side balcony. They are located on deck 9. All these suites include Regent’s butler service for an enhanced level of personal attention. Whether unpacking luggage, serving canapés at cocktail hour or handling dinner and spa reservations, a Regent butler makes your clients’ stay even more carefree, welcoming, effortless and memorable.

OR

o Upgrade to a Grand Suite for $1599per person, double occupancy. The going retail price for this significant upgrade currently ranges up to $21,099 per person. Grand Suites are 903 sq. ft inside with a 84 sq. ft. balcony. They are located on deck 11. All these suites include Regent’s butler service for an enhanced level of personal attention. Whether unpacking luggage, serving canapés at cocktail hour or handling dinner and spa reservations, a Regent butler makes your clients’ stay even more carefree, welcoming, effortless and memorable.

OR



o Upgrade to a Mariner Suite for $1399 per person, double occupancy. The going retail price for this significant upgrade currently ranges up to $23,199 per person. Mariner Suites are 650 sq. ft inside with a 89 sq. ft. balcony. They are located on decks 8, 9, and 10. All these suites include Regent’s butler service for an enhanced level of personal attention. Whether unpacking luggage, serving canapés at cocktail hour or handling dinner and spa reservations, a Regent butler makes your clients’ stay even more carefree, welcoming, effortless and memorable.

OR

o Upgrade to a Seven Seas Suite for $1199 per person, double occupancy. The going retail price for this significant upgrade currently ranges up to $19,599 per person. Seven Seas Suite (Aft) are 561 sq. ft inside with a 286 sq. ft. balcony. Seven Seas Suite (Forward) are 505 sq. ft. inside with a 97 sq. ft. balcony. They are located on decks7, 8, 9, and 10. All these suites include Regent’s butler service for an enhanced level of personal attention. Whether unpacking luggage, serving canapés at cocktail hour or handling dinner and spa reservations, a Regent butler makes your clients’ stay even more carefree, welcoming, effortless and memorable.

OR

o Upgrade to a Horizon View Suite for $900 per person, double occupancy. The going retail price for this significant upgrade currently ranges up to $13,199 per person. Horizon View Suites are 359 sq. ft inside with a 268 sq. ft. balcony. They are located on decks 7, 8, 9, and 10. All these suites include Regent’s butler service for an enhanced level of personal attention. Whether unpacking luggage, serving canapés at cocktail hour or handling dinner and spa reservations, a Regent butler makes your clients’ stay even more carefree, welcoming, effortless and memorable.

OR

o Upgrade to a Penthouse Suites for $800 per person, double occupancy. The going retail price for this significant upgrade currently ranges up to $12,899 per person. Penthouse Suites are 376 sq. ft inside with a 73 sq. ft. balcony. They are located on decks 8, 9, 10 and 11. All these suites include Regent’s butler service for an enhanced level of personal attention. Whether unpacking luggage, serving canapés at cocktail hour or handling dinner and spa reservations, a Regent butler makes your clients’ stay even more carefree, welcoming, effortless and memorable.

JIm just have to clarify so my email does not go nuts that offer was not on the Monte Carlo to Rio but on your earlier cruise.

Sorry LCT. I didn't read my email closely enough and I posted for the wrong segment. Thanks for correcting me Ngaire.
Jim

I just checked the average temperatures for our ports on this cruise. Looks like cool weather, 60's, in Monaco, Spain and Morocco....but warmer as we get to South America...high 70's and low 80's. Beeeeautiful!

Vrooom vroooom!

What a great pin! Ngaire and her team do it again!!!!!