Copacabana’s Legendary Roxy Dinner Show Highlights Rio Visit

Days 15-16, 2026 Grand World Voyage

Sunday and Monday, Jan. 18-19, 2026; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Having previously toured the tourist highlights of Rio de Janeiro – Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, and even the nearby summer royal resort town of Petropolis – I wasn’t sure how to spend my two days in this exciting city.

The answer wasn’t in filling the days, but in immersing myself for an evening at the Roxy Dinner Show on Copacabana. What a wonderful and very “Rio” extravaganza! It’s no surprise it made Time Magazine’s list of World’s Greatest Places of 2025.

For almost two hours a troupe of 60 entertained us with songs, dances and a high-energy swing through every part of this huge country. The large stage is backed by a huge concave LED screen that embraces you in scenes of Brazil and its people, resulting in a more intimate experience than you expect — enhanced by our front-row seats at small dinner tables.

At times, I had to put my feet under my chair to avoid tripping some of the performers whose acts spilled down to the floor.

Fellow cruise blogger Pete arranged the evening for about 20 of us, including a chartered bus for the 30-minute drive to Copacabana from the ship. Our tickets included a very Brazilian (and delicious) three-course dinner with a half-bottle of wine each. Holland America offered an excursion to the show with balcony seats but without the dinner.

Production numbers reminded me of past visits to Brazil, such as the Parintins Folklore Festival along the Amazon River, the excitement of its large urban cities and, of course, Carnival. The music varied from bossa nova, samba, funk and Afro-Brazilian rhythms – all produced by the acclaimed director of Rio’s 2016 Olympic opening and closing ceremonies.

The day started with the always popular sail-in to Guanabara Bay (world’s largest natural bay), passing by the long sweep of Copacabana beach and then Sugarloaf Mountain, with the Christ the Redeemer statue in the distance. Waitstaff served the ever-popular Panama rolls, renamed Rio rolls for the occasion, on the open bow of the ship and in the Crow’s Nest.

Elaine and I left the ship midmorning, exiting the terminal into a throng of partiers. While Rio’s famous Carnival doesn’t start until Feb. 13, this weekend is considered the opening of the carnival season. I don’t think it takes much of an excuse for Brazilians to put on their party clothes (or in the case of many, wearing as little as possible in the heat and humidity).

Our first stop was Escadaria Selarón or Selarón Steps, where one of many stairways heading up Rio’s steep terrain is decorated with tiles from around the world. On an earlier visit I climbed up a bit, finding tiles for many places I’ve been and even some Holland America tiles. Today I focused on the crowd of tourists, posing for Insta-worthy selfies.

Next we took an Uber to Copacabana Beach, where we stood out like sore thumbs in our sturdy hiking shoes. I didn’t care – I knew I wouldn’t see anyone I knew. The long expanse of hot sand from the boulevard to the waterline is made tolerable by frequent rows of soaker hoses. We managed to avoid getting caught in the surf before retreating to a beachside café for a local beer (Elaine) and a gin drink (Jo).

For days the weather forecast had predicted continuous rain on Monday, our second day in Rio. We planned to stay close to the ship, walking a few blocks to the Museu do Amanhā, or Museum of Tomorrow, figuring we wouldn’t be wet for long. The Santiago Calatrava-designed building “floats” over a pier, suggesting perhaps a bird or a spaceship.

Lucky us – one of the greeters assumed we were seniors (imagine that!) and gave us free passes to the museum. The main exhibit focuses on the growing impact of humans on the planet, as we use natural resources faster than they are regenerated. We moved through a dozen or more interactive scientific and thought-provoking exhibits that did a good job of asking questions rather than dictating controversial solutions. Hoping to get back to the ship before the rain (we did), we passed on lunch overlooking the bay.