We went to Brasil in December 2007 on the Splendour of the seas. The weather was hot the further west you went and very hot in Rio. Check the disembarking time against your flight time if you are leaving the ship in Sao Paolo with a return flight from Rio as it is a 2 hr minimum drive between the 2 cities and if you have a late flight time you could have a very long wait at the airport. Top Tip. Make use of the trips the jewelry companies offer as opposed to the ships excursions they will save you a fortune and all it costs is a little time spent at their premisis Good Luck

I would advise March because the weather in Braxil will be good on either trip but the weather in the Northern Hemisphere will be better in March. Also the flight HOME OUT OF SAO PAOLO WAS A NIGHTMARE SO YOU WOULD BE BETTER DOING THE LONG FLIGHT FIRST. Plus you would be getting home for the better weather and not the January February drag

We had a March stay in Rio before crossing the Atlantic on board Island Escape. Weather was warm and sunny both in Rio and on our voyage to Majorca - except for Madeira where it rained! We stayed for four nights at the Luxor Regente on Copacabana Beach. It was very good - comfortable, impeccably clean, friendly, helpful staff who were always ready to offer advice with regard to places of interest, bus routes etc. The buffet breakfast was excellent and, in the evening, the dinner buffet was absolutely superb - and very modestly priced. Pool was on the roof and minute! However, the sea and beautiful beach were literally just across the road - with loungers, umbrellas etc.

We travelled out on the Island Star last Novmeber to Brazil.In our opinion this was the best time. The weather improved daily especially after Madeira.I tried to be very organised and bought all the Christmas presents before I left, arranged for all the Christmas cards to be posted on December 1st then arrived home with suntan and just "coasted" through to Christmas on the memories. We stayed in the Hotel Regente. Ok hotel nothing special, but central and over looking the beach. Don't be fooled by the size of the swimming pool on the photographs, think of it to be more like a bath! Must confess this January and February had been long months so in summarising there are benefits for both times. Enjoy