Harry1954

Same here, Joanie, even though I've switched to an e-cig...which is sometimes even more of a hot button topic!

 

that is interesting thought! Dont know much about e-cigs, but I watched a cousin recently use one and it only gives off a vapor ...

harry

I'm from the Bay Area where smoking is banned all over the place. I find it funny that out here, traffic is crazy, oil refineries are all around, and yet people think that a wafting bit of smoke, as they pass someone on the sidewalk, is going to kill them. I think the smoke free "air" we breathe out here is way worse then smelling occasional cigarette smoke. And exactly how much polluted air does a cruise ship spew?? I think it's sad that smokers are judged so harshly. I'm surprised, as a new CC member to see that that same hatred spews forth here too.

 

Personally, I don't get hung up on breathing fouled air from smokers due to medical issues, especially since I was a smoker as a yoot. However, I prefer smelling the clean, salt air when I have the opportunity to relax on the verandah ... and that is not happening when someone either below or next to me is smoking away. They are enjoying their cruise, but at my expense ... again .. this is a win-lose either way sadly to say.

harry

We just completed this in February ... if you are lucky enough to stop in the Falklands .. book Volunteer Point - but you must do it as soon the ship confirms they are stopping there. It fills up in milliseconds.

It is by far the most penguins you will see on this trip. The King penguins are really fun in particular ..and as others have mentioned, there are other types of penguins there too.

harry

Well, they paid for a verandah, so they can do as they please. And, they chose HAL because HAL allows them to smoke. If I were a smoker, I would not sail any line but HAL, for that reason. As a former smoker, I know the drill. I wouldn't have wanted to get dressed and go outside to find a spot for my first smoke!

 

There is no way HAL will ever stop smoking on verandahs. I know many of us have our reasons for sailing HAL, but it is known as a line for older people. If they cut off smoking, there is really no reason for smokers to choose HAL over another line. What is has now that differentiates itself is smoking on verandahs and midsized ships.

yep, it is a win-lose situation. while we have done many HAL cruises, we have gotten back to Crystal because of their smoking policy. we always get a deluxe suite on HAL and prefer to enjoy the verandah ... however, about 20-25% of the HAL cruises we have encountered chain smokers ... we found we would be so upset we just didnt use the verandah. I wrote HAL but that went over like a lead balloon. So, we find ourselves booking less HAL cruises each year and more of others.

 

Boy do I love these topics .. I use to be very considerate of smokers ... but after realizing that it is win-lose, I am no more.

 

I do predict that HAL will indeed ban smoking on the verandahs ... imho.

harry

Roy is correct .. HAL really stepped in it as far as I am concerned. If they are going to allow smoking it should be in the cabin and then they can clean up between segments. What they did instead was push the problem off on the pax ... we have had nothing but terrible experiences with smokers on the verandah ... and we are not suggesting they ban it - merely return it to the cabin and deal with it.

Having aft cabin is the worst as many smokers camp out on the back deck.

harry

We did the gardens the day before disembarking in Seattle ... used HAL excursion. It was truly worth the effort - we had already packed most of our stuff, leaving out what we needed for dinner and then for trip home.

harry

It is quite disheartening to have read of the new wine policy crafted in the ivory tower in Seattle or wherever.

We too are wine drinkers (DW/me), enjoy better quality wines, and, fortunately for us, can afford them. Generally we will order the wines from our wine steward for dinner on short cruises – 12-16 days. There are enough decent wines that we just repeat after a few days and get by.

However, on longer cruises it is quite a challenge for several reasons. First and foremost, there is a very limited selection of premium wines on HAL’s wine list. This creates a problem as it interferes with our enjoyment of the cruise. Thus, we either buy wines on an excursion where we go to a winery, or we will bring back wines from port purchases – always buying high quality alternatives to the HAL wine list and paying the corkage fee as well as a generous tip to the wine steward.

Secondly, on the longer cruises, HAL runs out of the very good wines … for instance, on World Cruise 2011, they ran out of Silverado Cab 2 ½ weeks into the cruise. They also ran out of several other alternatives as well, leaving the choices for cab-style red wines close to zero. On World Cruise 2013, they repeated this process … and included their top wines .. Heitz Cellar being one I clearly remember. There were no high quality white wines either … out of stock. This was very frustrating to us. Fortunately, we had port calls in Hong Kong and Cape Town where we stocked up on alternatives.

We expect HAL to make a profit as that is what they are in business for .. but .. basic management theory puts service-to-customer ahead of profits as service is the horse that lugs the profit cart along … sadly, I am coming to the conclusion that the HAL ivory tower types are missing this.

Fortunately for us, we have Crystal as an alternative … sad to say, we will be forced to limit our bookings on HAL .. being five star doesn’t seem to matter in this type of situation. We want to book cruises where we have a high probability of enjoyment throughout the whole experience.

harry

I agree that the Lido sushi isn't worth it, but at Eurodam's Tamarind I had Nigiri sushi that was very good. I had tuna, salmon and unagi.

I'm measuring against the following. The best Nigiri sushi I ever had was at Hane Sushi in San Diego. Next best was Bar Masa in Las Vegas. Close was Nobu, also in Las Vegas. I have also had sushi at Morimoto in Philadelphia as well as at various places near Chicago. The Tamarind sushi compared favorably to our best local sushi restaurant, Sushi House and was "better" to my taste than at Morimoto.

 

If you're in San Diego give Hane Sushi a try.

 

You can find excellent sushi on a cruise ship ... Crystal ... while I mentioned earlier in thread that I eat the HAL sushi but that it is simple fare ... Crystal's Silk Road restaurant is equal to any sushi restaurant I have been to around the world.

harry

Thanks everyone .. much appreciated ... we are looking forward to it. Rumor has it that we will stop at Falklands weather permitting .. hope we do.

In any event, I will toast ALL OF YOU once onboard.

 

harry

As many of the posters in this thread are, I am a sushi lover too. The choices are indeed extremely limited to mainly veggie maki sushi ... they usually have some toro or sake. However, on the world cruises, they have sashimi and it is very good.

 

I find the quality of maki sushi ok so that i tend to eat it once or twice a week on a HAL cruise for lunch.

 

harry

DW and I have been in Caribbean many times in February - on the islands, it is high season .. the water is a bit cooler, but I do not avoid snorkeling all day when staying at resort or when on an excursion with swimming/snorkeling.

 

harry

We took the cable car to Thira and walked to the bus station. After beautiful Oia we returned by bus and had enough time for a great meal overlooking our ship from the edge.

 

This is what we do each time we dock in Santorini .. the bus ride is like a tour as your traverse most of the island. Oi is wonderful and has some very nice restaurants ..

 

This is one of the few places where we found the HAL tours boring and expensive ...

 

harry

21 day South America/Antarctica Explorer Zaandam 29 Jan 14 thru 19 Feb 14

Just as explained by others, it appears that HAL's policy is to determine the cause of the injury, the hazard involved if any, and then if this is HAL-related, not to charge.

 

I was on an excursion in New Zealand on WC in 2011 and slipped on some rocks walking downhill on a steep incline that was paved with gravel. Falling forward, I used my left hand to break the fall, preventing more serious injury. The result was I sustained very deep gashes in my hand and wrist. I went to the infirmary and the nurse and doctor treated me with both professionalism and kindness. (The latter due to my being embarrassed about it having happened.)

 

There was no charge and two years later on another WC, I ran into the nurse - she actually remembered me and my incident. I showed her the scars and thanked her profusely for the attention they gave me.

 

My conclusion from above thread notes and my own experience is that one is in good hands regardless of cause of an accident, but if not related to HAL, one would/should pay.

 

harry

While personally I always wear a tux as my wife enjoys the dress up, I have indeed noticed that Caribbean cruises tend to have considerably less tux wearers than any other part of the world.

My suggestion is that if you want to dress up, then have Hubby bring tux as it will take up same space as suit; otherwise, you can dress more relaxed and he can wear the suit.

harry

Thanks for the update.

 

Will miss the Caesar salad in PG ... like to have them make it my way. More nanny state overstepping ... oh well.

 

Too bad about the price increase. I wonder if this is because so many long time HAL cruisers eat so many free meals now in PG that they are having trouble seating them?

 

The last time I recall PG price being this high (circa 2008 $30/person), the PG was empty often .. then they cut it in half and it filled up .. duh.

 

 

harry

thanks harry for posting hal's entire itinerary for those days

years ago we looked at a princess cruise where we would be away from the ship for 3 days -- back then princess wanted $4000 per person and we just felt it wasn't worth it -- now we wish we had done it as neither of us is healthy enough to do it

 

Thanks for your candid post ... this was the reason we broke down and paid such an enormous sum. We only have done that one other time and that was when our cruise stopped in Shanghai in 2007 offering a side trip to X'ian to see the Terracotta warriors. IT was very expensive as well, but at that time as this time, we felt we better do it while a) we had the chance and b) had our health ---- and we have no regrets.

 

harry

The prices have really gone up. They are charging $4,299.00 per person next year for 2 nights, not 2.

 

But, for $8,600.00 for two persons for 2 nights,.....I can report back when I have all of the numbers. It is about $400.00 per person for flights from LIM/CUZ, CUZ/LIM, and LIM/GYE (We will actually make an international flight). One of the hotels mentioned is about $600.00 with breakfast for 2, and I believe someone said the lunch buffet is about $25.00. The other hotels range from $250.00-$450.00 for two persons with breakfast, so that would add $750.00 per person for the Superior accommodations. So, that is about $1,200.00 per person for flights (3, not the 2 on the HAL excursion), and three nights at the top hotels.

 

That is too bad that they are jacking the prices up like that. My college offered a 4 day 3 night including flight for less than HAL, but we knew that we would be there onboard and it was less hassle than doing it later with college crowd. However, that did send me the message that the prices we encountered (which were less than what you are saying they will be next year) were a bit higher than a solo trip - as I would have expected.

 

We felt we were charged fairly for what we got in return with a small group, first class accommodations etc ..

 

 

harry

We booked and went on the 4day 3 night superior double on this year's World Cruise. We were there in mid-January and it was a fabulous trip albeit very expensive.

We stayed at two fabulous hotels first Sol and Luna in the Sacred Valley 2 nights with a private show the first night and then in El Monasterio the top hotel in Peru the last night.

To get to Machu Picchu, we were on the Hiram Bingham train .. with both dining and club car for our use.

 

The whole trip was first class and we would do it again, if we could afford it at the time.

 

HAL did a great job as they should have for the price. By going tiwh the Superior rather than Standard, we had a small group (six of us) with our own guide .. that really was nice.

 

harry

 

PS: below is the cost and full itinerary for each option:

Peru of the Incas - Machu Picchu & Sacred Valley Overland - Superior Double 4499/person

Day 1 (L, D)

Transfer from the port of Manta to the airport for your flight to Cuzco, located at an elevation of 11,152 feet above sea level. Your local guide will be waiting for you at the airport while a ship’s escort will accompany you on the flight. Upon arrival in Cuzco, you will transfer by motor coach to your hotel in Urubamba (1½ hours). Drive into the Sacred Valley of the Incas (Urubamba), which is fed by numerous rivers which descend through valleys and gorges, and contains numerous archaeological remains and villages. It is lower than Cuzco at 9,350 feet. The special geographical and climatic qualities of the valley have made it invaluable to the Incas. It was one of the empire’s main points for the extraction of natural wealth, and the best place for maize production in Peru. You will enjoy a box lunch en route. Arrive at your hotel—the Sol & Luna Lodge and Spa, where you will enjoy a peaceful environment. In Sol & Luna’s gardens, the sun will energize you, as the mountains invite you to explore their bewitching landscapes. Rich soil, ideal weather and local wisdom have combined to make the Sacred Valley among the most fertile regions in the world. Indulge in its bounty with a surprising gastronomic feast created by prominent chefs. A stunning equestrian demonstration to the rhythm of marinera music will showcase the

skill of the Peruvian Paso horse, renowned for its smooth gait.

Day 2 (B, L, D)

Breakfast is served at the hotel, then you’ll set out on an excursion to the picturesque Andean village of Chinchero. Admire its wellpreserved Inca wall at the main square and visit the Colonial church with interesting frescoes on the portico. Stroll through the colorful native market of Chinchero and haggle with local vendors for handicrafts. You will visit the Traditional Textile Center, where the techniques of traditional weaving are preserved. The Center has arranged a private demonstration so you can watch weavers from associated villages as they demonstrate their skills. Textiles of the highest quality are for sale. Most have been specially selected by Nilda Callanaupa, one of the Center’s finest weavers. The local weaving techniques have remained virtually unchanged for centuries. Watch as wool is carded, spun and dyed, and learn about the different techniques used to create ponchos, fajas (belts), and mantas (shawls). You will enjoy a delicious lunch at a local hacienda,, where the family will be your hosts. The house has various collections of popular and colonial art ceramics, paintings, weapons, photography, ceremonial vessels and the ceramic bulls of Pucara. The environs include a forest of eucalyptus trees and other native species and the famous giant white corn is cultivated for export here. Proceed to Ollantaytambo to admire the magnificent Inca fortress, built just as the Spaniards arrived. Evidence of how it was constructed is still visible. Wander through the quaint streets of today’s town. Relax over a set menu dinner at hotel.

Day 3 (B, L, D)

Breakfast at the hotel. Your day includes a memorable train ride on the Hiram Bingham railway to Machu Picchu. The timing of this very special adventure enables you to explore Machu Picchu during a less crowded time, for a more intimate and up-close look at this remarkable historic landmark. Your trip to Machu Picchu today begins with a bus ride from Cuzco to Poroy, followed by a train ride from Poroy Station to Aguas Calientes. The railway is an adventure in itself. You will enjoy brunch upon boarding the train, and relax for three hours. Warm hues, elegant upholstery, two dining cars and a bar make the Hiram Bingham train, named for the explorer who “discovered” Machu Picchu almost a century ago, a pleasant experience. Upon arrival at the station near Machu Picchu, travel with your guide by coach up to the ruins at an elevation of a “mere” 7,874 feet. You’ll arrive just as many of the visitors are leaving for lunch, and you will have plenty of time to explore Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas, in relative peace and quiet. This stone city was constructed by incredibly sophisticated techniques with huge blocks of stone fitted together perfectly—an example of precision that is elusive even with laser technology used in construction today. After a guided visit to the ruins, you will enjoy a private afternoon tea buffet before transferring back to Puente Ruinas to board the Hiram Bingham train. On the train ride back to Cuzco, relax over a cocktail. Dinner will be served in the dining car and you’ll arrive back in Cuzco in the late evening. Overnight at Monasterio Hotel, a unique hotelmuseum. This architectural treasure is built on Inca foundations with a beautiful chapel adorned by extraordinary gold ornaments. It combines the solemnity of a colonial monastery with the luxury, elegance, comfort and quality of a modern five-star hotel.

Day 4 (B)

After breakfast you will visit one of the remarkable Inca ruins of the Inca empire—the culture center of Sacsayhuaman. This Inca walled complex is near the old city of Cuzco, at an altitude of 12,100 feet. It is part of the City of Cuzco and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then, you will continue with a panoramic tour of the city of Cuzco which today is a city that blends colonial Spanish charm with more ancient remains of pre-Columbian glory. The foundations of precolonial construction are still visible on many city streets today. Cuzco also boasts the finest examples of Inca history and architecture. You will visit several historic monuments during a guided sightseeing tour—the Main Square, the cathedral and the Korikancha Temple of the Sun. Transfer from the hotel to the Cuzco Airport in time for your flight to Lima, City of the Kings. Upon arrival in Lima, time permitting a brief city tour is included before you transfer to Callao and the ship.

Notes: The tour to Machu Picchu requires traveling from sea level to an altitude of 11,152 feet, which may cause altitude sickness for some guests. Touring the ruins of Machu Picchu requires climbing many stairs and negotiating uneven and rugged terrain in rarefied air. Guests with a heart condition and/or known respiratory difficulties should consult their physician prior to booking this tour. There are two paths at the ruins from which guests may choose; both are fully guided. One requires moderate walking and the other requires considerable walking. Bring comfortable, casual clothing in natural, “breathable” fabrics. Temperatures will change as altitudes and time of day change, so it’s best to bring shorts as well as long trousers, and clothing you can layer. A sweater or lightweight jacket will be needed for the cooler evening temperatures common in upland regions. Oxygenated rooms are available at an extra cost and can be booked on board the ship. You will be spending two nights at a hotel in Sacred Valley and one night in Cuzco. Luggage assistance is available during this tour. The tour operator reserves the right to change hotels but will offer the same category. Depending on flight availability, there is a possibility that the flight from Manta to Guayaquil will be replaced by a three-hour drive, and the flight to Peru will leave from Guayaquil.

Departure Times: 7:00 AM Duration: 4 days/3 nights

____________________________________________________________________

 

Cuzco & Machu Picchu Overland – Superior Double 3699/person superior double

Day 1 (L, D)

Transfer from the port of Manta to the airport for your flight to Cuzco, located at an elevation of 11,152 feet above sea level. Your local guide will be waiting for you at the airport while a ship’s escort will accompany you on the flight. Upon arrival in Cuzco check in at your hotel. Lunch will be followed by a sightseeing drive through colonial Cuzco to see the main square, the cathedral (step inside if time and traffic permit) and either the Temple of Korikancha or the Santo Domingo Convent, where you will also step inside if time and traffic permit. Dinner and overnight at your Cuzco hotel.

Day 2 (B, L, D)

The Superior Option includes five-star hotel accommodations, as well as a memorable train ride on the Hiram Bingham railway to Machu Picchu. The timing of this very special adventure enables you to explore Machu Picchu during a less crowded time, for a more intimate and up-close look at this remarkable historic landmark. Your trip to Machu Picchu today begins with a 20-minute bus ride from Cuzco to Poroy followed by a 3½-hour train ride from Poroy Station to Aguas Calientes along the Urubamba River. Urubamba River is located in the Sacred Valley approximately 9,350 feet above sea level. The railway is an adventure in itself. You will enjoy brunch upon boarding the train, and relax for three hours. Warm hues, elegant upholstery, two dining cars and a bar make the Hiram Bingham train, named for the explorer who “discovered” Machu Picchu almost a century ago—a pleasant experience indeed. From the train station, it is just a short walk to the bus loading area, and a 25-minute coach ride to Machu Picchu—the Lost City of the Incas—at an elevation of a “mere” 7,874 feet. The bus ride is on unpaved roads but the end reward is to immerse yourself in the timeless history and intangible magic of this strange and wondrous ancient citadel. Your guided tour is an awe-inspiring, a-once-in-a-lifetime experience. Upon arrival at the station near Machu Picchu, travel with your guide by coach up to the ruins. You’ll arrive just as many of the visitors are leaving for lunch, and you will have plenty of time to explore Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas, in relative peace and quiet. This stone city was constructed by incredibly sophisticated techniques with huge blocks of stone fitted together perfectly—an example of precision that is elusive even with laser technology used in building today. After a guided visit to the ruins, you will enjoy a private afternoon tea buffet at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, transferring back to Puente Ruinas to board the Hiram Bingham train. On the train ride back to Cuzco, relax over a cocktail, then dinner will be served in the dining car. You will arrive back in Cuzco in the late evening after a day of dazzling sightseeing and wonderful memories. Overnight at a five-star hotel in Cuzco.

Day 3 (B)

Enjoy a buffet breakfast, then transfer to the airport for your flight to Callao and, time permitting, enjoy a city tour before returning the ship.

 

Notes: The tour to Machu Picchu requires traveling from sea level to an altitude of 11,200 feet, which may cause altitude sickness for some guests. Touring the ruins of Machu Picchu requires climbing many stairs and negotiating uneven and rugged terrain in rarefied air. Guests with a heart condition and/or known respiratory difficulties should consult their physician prior to booking this tour. There are two paths at the ruins from which guests may choose; both are fully guided. One requires moderate walking and the other requires considerable walking. Bring comfortable, casual clothing in natural, “breathable” fabrics. Temperatures will change as altitudes and time of day change, so it’s best to bring shorts as well as long trousers, and clothing you can layer. A sweater or lightweight jacket will be needed for the cooler evening temperatures common in upland regions. Oxygenated rooms are available at an extra cost and can be booked on board the ship. Luggage assistance is available during this tour. The tour operator reserves the right to change hotels but will offer the same category. Depending on flight availability, there is a possibility that the flight from Manta to Guayaquil will be replaced by a three-hour drive, and the flight to Peru will leave from Guayaquil.

Departure Times: 7:00 AM Duration: 3 days/2 nights

____________________________________________________________________ Cuzco & Machu Picchu Overland - Standard Double 2999/person standard double

Day 1 (L, D)

Transfer from the port of Manta to the airport for your flight to Cuzco, located at an elevation of 11,152 feet above sea level. Your local guide will be waiting for you at the airport while a ship’s escort will accompany you on the flight. Upon arrival in Cuzco check in at your hotel. Lunch will be followed by a sightseeing drive through colonial Cuzco to see the main square, the cathedral (step inside if time and traffic permit) and either the Temple of Korikancha or the Santo Domingo Convent, where you will also step inside if time and traffic permit. Dinner and overnight at your Cuzco hotel.

Day 2 (B, L, D)

Enjoy an early buffet breakfast, then transfer 1½ hours by bus to Ollanta Station. From there it is a 1½-hour Vistadome train ride along the Urubamba River to the Aguas Calientes Station. Urubamba River is located in the Sacred Valley approximately 9,350 feet above sea level. From the train station, it is just a short walk to the bus loading area, and a 25-minute coach ride to Machu Picchu—the Lost City of the Incas—at an elevation of a “mere” 7,874 feet. The bus ride is on unpaved roads but the end reward is to immerse yourself in the timeless history and intangible magic of this strange and wondrous ancient citadel. Your guided tour is an awe-inspiring, a-once-in-a-lifetime experience and you will climb the switchback road up to the ruins of Machu Picchu. “Discovered” in 1911, Machu Picchu, called the Lost City of the Incas, represents the cultural heritage of mankind. It is a stone city constructed by incredibly sophisticated techniques, even in present-day terms. Stone upon stone are fitted together perfectly without cement, with exquisite detail worthy of the world’s greatest palaces. After a guided visit to the ruins, you will lunch buffet-style at a local hotel, transferring back to Aguas Calientes for the train ride back to Cuzco. Dinner will be served at a local restaurant. Four-star accommodation is provided for the standard option.

Day 3 (B)

Enjoy a buffet breakfast, then transfer to the airport for your flight to Callao and, time permitting, enjoy a city tour before returning the ship.

Notes: The tour to Machu Picchu requires traveling from sea level to an altitude of 11,200 feet, which may cause altitude sickness for some guests. Touring the ruins of Machu Picchu requires climbing many stairs and negotiating uneven and rugged terrain in rarefied air. Guests with a heart condition and/or known respiratory difficulties should consult their physician prior to booking this tour. There are two paths at the ruins from which guests may choose; both are fully guided. One requires moderate walking and the other requires considerable walking. Bring comfortable, casual clothing in natural, “breathable” fabrics. Temperatures will change as altitudes and time of day change, so it’s best to bring shorts as well as long trousers, and clothing you can layer. A sweater or lightweight jacket will be needed for the cooler evening temperatures common in upland regions. Oxygenated rooms are available at an extra cost and can be booked on board the ship. Luggage assistance is available during this tour. The tour operator reserves the right to change hotels but will offer the same category. Depending on flight availability, there is a possibility that the flight from Manta to Guayaquil will be replaced by a three-hour drive, and the flight to Peru will leave from Guayaquil.

Departure Times: 7:00 AM Duration: 3 days/2 nights

____________________________________________________________________

Peru of the Incas - Machu Picchu & Sacred Valley Overland - Standard Double 3399/person

Day 1 (L, D)

Transfer from the port of Manta to the airport for your flight to Cuzco, located at an elevation of 11,152 feet above sea level. Your local guide will be waiting for you at the airport while a ship’s escort will accompany you on the flight. Upon arrival in Cuzco, you will transfer by motor coach to your hotel in Urubamba (1½ hours). Drive into the Sacred Valley of the Incas (Urubamba), which is fed by numerous rivers which descend through valleys and gorges, and contains numerous archaeological remains and villages. It is lower than Cuzco at 9,350 feet. The special geographical and climatic qualities of the valley have made it invaluable to the Incas. It was one of the empire’s main points for the extraction of natural wealth, and the best place for maize production in Peru. You will enjoy a box lunch en route. Arrive at your hotel—Casa Andina Private Collection Valle Sagrado—a mountain chalet-styled retreat with panoramic views of the Andes from every room. A Pachamanca dinner will be served at the hotel. Pachamanca is a traditional Peruvian dish based on baking lamb, mutton and pork cooked in an earthen oven known as a huatia.

Day 2 (B, L, D)

Breakfast is served at the hotel, then you’ll set out on an excursion to Urubamba—the Sacred Valley of the Incas. First visit the town of Pisac, where the Incas built an observatory to study astronomy as well as an impressive network of cultivated terraces. You will then have the opportunity to haggle with vendors at the local handicrafts market in Pisac. Enjoy lunch at a pleasant countryside hotel built when the Spaniards arrived. Evidence of how it was constructed is still visible. After admiring the site’s magnificent past, stroll through the quaint streets of today’s town and return to your hotel in Urubamba. Relax over a set menu dinner at the hotel.

Day 3 (B, L, D)

Enjoy an early buffet breakfast, then transfer to Ollanta Station for a 1½-hour Vistadome train ride along the Urubamba River to the Aguas Calientes Station. By minibus you will climb the switchback road up to the ruins of Machu Picchu at an elevation of a “mere” 7,874 feet. “Discovered” in 1911, Machu Picchu, called the Lost City of the Incas, represents the cultural heritage of mankind. It is a stone city constructed by incredibly sophisticated techniques, even in present-day terms. Stone upon stone are fitted together perfectly without cement, with exquisite detail worthy of the world’s greatest palaces. After a guided visit to the ruins, you will lunch buffet-style before transferring back to Aguas Calientes for the train ride back to Ollanta Station. Then you will be driven to Cuzco (1½ hours). A set menu dinner will be served at your hotel in the historical center of this magical city. Venture out and familiarize yourself with this world of culture and hundreds of years of history.

Day 4 (B)

After breakfast, visit one of the remarkable Inca ruins of the Inca empire—the culture center of Sacsayhuaman. This Inca walled complex is near the old city of Cuzco, at an altitude of 12,100 feet. It is part of the City of Cuzco and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then, you will continue with a panoramic tour of the city of Cuzco which today is a city that blends colonial Spanish charm with more ancient remains of pre-Columbian glory. The foundations of precolonial construction are still visible on many city streets today. Cuzco also boasts the finest examples of Inca history and architecture. You will visit several historic monuments during a guided sightseeing tour—the Main Square, the cathedral and the Korikancha Temple of the Sun. Transfer from the hotel to the Cuzco Airport in time for your flight to Lima, City of the Kings. Upon arrival in Lima, time permitting a brief city tour is included before you transfer to Callao and the ship.

Notes: The tour to Machu Picchu requires traveling from sea level to an altitude of 11,152 feet, which may cause altitude sickness for some guests. Touring the ruins of Machu Picchu requires climbing many stairs and negotiating uneven and rugged terrain in rarefied air. Guests with a heart condition and/or known respiratory difficulties should consult their physician prior to booking this tour. There are two paths at the ruins from which guests may choose; both are fully guided. One requires moderate walking and the other requires considerable walking. Bring comfortable, casual clothing in natural, “breathable” fabrics. Temperatures will change as altitudes and time of day change, so it’s best to bring shorts as well as long trousers, and clothing you can layer. A sweater or lightweight jacket will be needed for the cooler evening temperatures common in upland regions. Oxygenated rooms are available at an extra cost and can be booked on board the ship. You will be spending two nights at a hotel in Sacred Valley and one night in Cuzco. Luggage assistance is available during this tour. The tour operator reserves the right to change hotels but will offer the same category. Depending on flight availability, there is a possibility that the flight from Manta to Guayaquil will be replaced by a three-hour drive, and the flight to Peru will leave from Guayaquil.

Departure Times: 7:00 AM Duration: 4 days/3 nights

wow .. I suppose if one airs their own humble opinion and it happens to coincide with someone else's viewpoint then they have become gang of two. Before you know it, they might even get into politics.

I suggest the purpose of this board is to exchange information, to be critical (hence, Cruise CRITIC) and to be honest and forthright. I do not wish to offend anyone, but sometimes we are going to agree to disagree. Unless someone is obnoxious, I take it as their opinion and leave it at that. This is not a life/death situation .. those are the only ones one should be obnoxious to a fault if necessary IMHO.

harry

I think you do a disservice to all readers of this thread to insist there will be web notice of a pending strike. Anyone who has traveled through Italy to any large extent knows Italian public transportation can be sporadic and undependable.

While it is highly likely most will ride their train with no interruption or cancellation of service, SOME may not.

Please do not insist it cannot happen. It is unfair to people depending upon this information and you cannot know it will not happen to them.

Thanks for the rescue ... we travel to Italy at least once a year, sometimes more often. While it is reassuring to know there may be a website predicting strikes, the last time we were in Cinque Terra, there was a strike called the morning we were taking the train from one village to another rather than doing the more athletic approach via the path and naturally we had to wait.

I avoid trains in Italy only when I have a tight schedule .. otherwise, we love them.

harry

The word you are looking for is "scioperi"

There are no strikes on the day she is going to be in Rome. The strikes are not "wildcat" but planned. If one does their homework one will know when the strikes will occur and plan around it.

Terri

sorry, thanks for the correction .. the verb should have been scioperare. That is what one gets for not having anyone to speak to in Italian in their town .. or is it turning 60? Regarding timing, we have been in places in Italy when they have turned up on short notice which was posted at the train station - hence not a wildcatter. Granted we knew several hours in advance, but if one is arriving by ship, how do it know?

harry

I strongly suggest you look up the Italian word scaricare because it haunts all foreigners who are attempting to depend on timeliness of train schedules. We have experienced strikes that lasted for two hours or two days .. they are random and are for reasons that never make sense to us. However it is a cultural thing and who are we to criticize them. Hence, we avoid trains when we have serious time limitations. Take the HAL bus as S7S suggested.

harry

I have to voice another vote for Shane .. very upbeat and always getting something going .. the others mentioned are great as well, but the energy here was superlative.

harry

we always bring an electric strip as it facilitates multiple devices such as charger for phone, laptop electrical cord, etc . etc ..

harry