Our adventure started in Rio and included a visit to Iguazu Falls. If you take any cruise in this area, I strongly suggest you visit Iguazu Falls. We did not take the Princess pre-cruise, but opted to make the reservations on our own and hired a Tours by Locals tour guide for the falls. The plans were easy to make, and saved us a bundle. As for Iguazu Falls, I do not have the words to describe the experience. Eleanor Roosevelt reportedly said upon first seeing IF, “Poor Niagara.” It would be a real shame to visit Rio or Buenos Aires and not experience Iguazu Falls.

Rio was a great city and we enjoyed every minute, including New Year’s Eve on Copacabana Beach. The people in Rio were kind, helpful, and the food was fantastic. Our hotel, the Golden Tulip Regente, was perfectly located, and met our every need. I eagerly recommend this hotel, and will on Trip Advisor as soon as time allows.

Embarkation at the port to board the Golden Princess was historically bad. Princess reps were missing in action. With the exception of a couple of folks handing out the “are you feeling well today” forms, there was no guidance that we found of any kind. In the end, we saw a line, got in it, and an hour or so later made our way to the people with computers who got us registered. Read more