Bretteee

For awhile R7S required yellow fever shots, but later rescinded. We had received these shots for a prior cruise. Can't hurt, but is an expense. The shot requirements continue to change and therefore you always need to insure you have up to date data. The issue with R7S was some tours might go to some of the areas of the Amazon that did require shots. This is not an issue in Rio in any case.

Our room (see pictures) was a corner suite with balcony's on both sides. while we have been to Rio before, it has always been very hot and very muggy.

The base cost on R7S was WAY more that Holland. The R7S price includes many thing that HAL does not. While a couple of these things depend on cabin level and history with R7S, generally all get free/included airfare, pre cruise hotel night, open bar, drinks of your choosing stocked in your room, almost every tour offered, multiple free tours if time allows. No charge for the first class alternative dining venues. some wifi time, phone time, etc. The value of these inclusive depend on your use. Heavy drinkers, more value. Upscale drinking, more value. Scuba tour, more value that if you just take a city tour. The crew to passenger ratio gives a lot more potential for fantastic service. If you get sick on board, all these things you "prepaid" for have no refund. Lots of choices for cruise lines to fit "your" type of travel.

The R7S ships tend toward being smaller ships, and therefore perhaps a bit less "friendly" to children in terms of rides, slides and activities. IMO. HAL is also a bit more of an older crowd, and therefore a bit less hospitable for children, on most longer itinerates.