Newbcruiser1

Aww that's too bad, Lois! I hope they get enough people together to run the tour! If not, you can ask if any of their other tours will be running and perhaps switch to one of those?

Keep checking in with them for sure! They had offered me a private tour if they didn't have enough for semi-private for the low low price of 400 euros! Hahaha! As cool as that would have been to have my own private tour, I said I'd wait for the semi-private one to run! ;)

Good luck!!! :)

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Lois, did you post on your roll call that you booked the tour? If others see it they might book as well! That's how I got our tour up to the minimum number of participants so it would run! Worked like a charm! :)

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Lois - definitely do the tour!!! It was fantastic! And great customer service as well! We got to Montserrat early and have wonderful pictures of the sun rising above the clouds in the background - very neat!

And make sure to try some of the fruit drinks at La Boqueria! They're between 1 and 2 euros each and I ended up buying 3 throughout my wander around there because there where so many flavors to try and they were so delicious! The fruit cups looked amazing as well. To go with the drinks, I grabbed a slice of pizza from E Slice in La Boqueria which was pretty good too!

Overall did I need to do the HoHo on day 1? Nope! But it gave me time to just sit on the top deck of the bus on a beautiful day and enjoy the sights while getting some great pictures (in places where Barcelona Day Tours drove by but was unable to stop).

I did 1 full loop (without getting off I think), then got off at Placa Catalunya again, then walked down to La Boqueria, had the aforementioned lunch/snack, then walked back up to Catalunya and did the other Ho Ho loop (and DID get off to get a better look/pics at the Arc de Triomphe, and got off at Casa Battlo and walked back to the hotel from there).

Was it a long day after flying all night? You bet! But I was running on adrenaline for most of it! :) Was glad that I did it instead of just wandering around somewhat aimlessly!

When will you be there? Have a wonderful trip! Can't wait to hear about it!

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I had a similar stay to yours last year. Had 2 days pre-cruise in Barcelona. On the first day, I checked into my hotel via the Aerobus from the airport (like you, after flying all night) and did a day of exploring via the HoHo buses (Barcelona City Tours). Also hit up La Boqueria market for some lunch and a few delicious fruit drinks! I had a second wind until about 5pm when I began to fall asleep on the bus! But I saw a LOT in that time!

I then went back for a quick rest at the hotel, and then back out for dinner at a nearby tapas place. Turned in relatively early that night.

The next day I did the full day city and Montserrat tour with Barcelona Day Tours and loved it! Saw many of the same sites but it was great! After that, I changed and headed over to a tapas restaurant across from Palau de la Musica where I had a wonderful dinner before taking in a guitar and flamenco show at the Venue itself! Loved that too but admittedly was falling asleep during the show after 2 crazy days!

Day 3 before going to the cruise ship, I hopped on the metro to Sagrada Familia where I had purchased a skip the line audio tour of the inside. It was pretty neat! Then back to hotel to pick up luggage, and to the port by taxi!

All in all, I had a wonderful time in Barcelona and feel like I hit all of the major sites I had wanted to see in my short 48 hours there!

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Hi everyone!

Last year I spent 2 nights at Hotel Jazz near Placa Catalunya - loved the hotel, loved the area, and between the HoHo bus tour, a private tour of the city and Montserrat, and exploring on foot, I was able to see most of the city.

I will once again be in Barcelona for 1 night pre-cruise this fall. Unfortunately prices are insane for hotels that night. There are limited options available that are up to my standards and priced within my budget.

So I had the thought of maybe staying elsewhere and exploring a different area since I will only have from about 2:30pm when I expect to arrive at my hotel from the airport (preferably via Aerobus) until bedtime. Placa Espanya appears to be close to the magic fountains - one of the things I sadly missed last time around! So it might seem like a nice leisurely afternoon if I plan to stay in that area. I could check into the hotel, go for a stroll and grab lunch/a snack, either explore or rest at the hotel, then head for dinner and the fountain show (which looks like a 10 minute walk from most hotels in the area).

So my questions - have you stayed near Placa Espanya? Did you enjoy the area? Did it seem safe (young solo woman here). Did you get out to see the fountains at night? If so, did it seem like a safe walk? Were there some good restaurants or cafe's in the area? How much was a taxi to the port?

Thanks so much for any thoughts or advice anyone can provide!

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You could call and ask them - shouldn't take more than a couple minutes! The prices seem to fluctuate often so that would get you the most up to date information! :)

Best of Luck!

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Thanks Bionicbeacher! Very helpful!

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Thanks so much for your feedback!

Just to clarify, I have booked the Dec 8th sailing which is the same as yours - Pacific to Atlantic ending with the overnight in BA. It's good to know that the shipboard stuff (shopping, photos, etc) pretty much ends on arrival in BA as I wouldn't have considered that.

Re: your other tours - would you recommend them?

I think I have actually decided to do the ship's tour to Magdalena Island via ferry as I am quite worried about the small boats used by Solo. It'll take most of the day anyway so no issue to me to spend an extra 2 hours round trip on a more comfortable ferry! ;)

What I am trying to figure out is air to Santiago pre-cruise... I am trying to keep time off work and costs to a minimum (given the exorbitant pricing anyway as a solo traveler). My options are to fly in on the day of cruise via Choice Air arriving at 9:45am and using Celebrity's transfer (which would give me greater peace of mind) but risk a 2 hour connection in Atlanta. Other option is a direct flight in arriving at 1pm the day pre-cruise, but I would have to make my own way to Valparaiso (not an easy task, especially solo with no Spanish), and stay in a hotel overnight.

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Did a 1-way on the Millennium 2 years ago from Vancouver to Seward (with Hubbard Glacier) and HIGHLY recommend that 1-way itinerary!!!

We had a fabulous pre-cruise stay in Vancouver, the scenery got better and better as we headed north, Hubbard glacier was spectacular, and that last day in Seward where we booked a 13-hour ship's excursion ending at the airport was fully worth the long red-eye flight home and the marginally higher expense of the 2 1-way airline tickets.

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Currently have a deposit on the Infinity Dec 8th around the horn - not a "deal" by any stretch but significantly less than any other cruise on that itinerary at $5000CAD for a solo in an OV including 2 perks. (Starting rate is $1600CAD plus tax per person in an inside).

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Following along!

Planning a solo around the horn cruise this December, ending in Buenos Aires on Dec 23rd. I would have LOVED to see the falls but not sure if this trip is the time to do it when I'm solo. I would prefer an organized tour since I will be alone (young woman with zero Spanish skills), and am unsure where to even start looking... I also think Christmas may be a bad time to visit.

Any thoughts?

Disclaimer - I don't anticipate this being my only trip to South America as I am hoping to do Antarctica and the Galápagos Islands at some point in the future (on separate trips, of course).

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Loving the pictures!!! I just realized though - are there no umbrellas at the beach pool on the Harmony? :(

Sorry about your cold - never fails on cruises! I'm paranoid about hand washing and sanitizing and yet I only ever get sick on long cruises!

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Yup on further reading it appears to be quite unpredictable as to what boat you get! Some said there were 2 boats, one slightly larger than the other, so the last bus-load had to get on the smaller boat. Some commented on it calling it a "capsule of death", and comments were made about the conditions being like an hour in a washing machine, waves crashing over top and water leaking into the doors/windows. Most of these comments were about the ride back after conditions had deteriorated.

Nobody really mentioned the ferry so I assume that's what the cruise line uses (perhaps since it's slower it didn't arrive until you had left?).

I survived the infamous "hurricane cruise" last month on the Anthem of the Seas relatively unscathed but somehow I don't think I would do well on this one IF it is a rough day. That uncertainty alone with regards to the weather makes me think I should take the safer route and book through the ship.

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Just checked the trip advisor photos. It appears that they sometimes use the ferry and sometimes the small boats? All of these pictures popped up (including 2 that appear to have been taken inside the ferry - everyone lined up in seats with life jackets on).

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Thanks for the clarification! The boat I saw a picture of was at a dock directly beside Solo's boat (which looked like an enclosed zodiac?). It was VERY large as it was a car ferry (no cars on that run, obviously - I don't think the penguins would appreciate that! Lol!). I read that it was about a 2 hour boat ride - so likely slower than that with Solo's speedboat but maybe calmer as well in rough water. I wish I could find that photo/review now...

The lack of seats for every passenger with Solo does have me quite concerned. I can hardly maintain my balance on a subway or bus, let alone a rocky speedboat! [emoji848]

Do you by chance have any pictures from your excursion with solo? Particularly of the boat (outside or inside) or the pier/mode of getting in/out? Probably wasn't worthy of any memory space on your devices given all of the penguin pictures that you probably took! [emoji1]

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There is an Air Canada flight Direct to Santiago that leaves TO at 10 pm and is 10 hours long. I am booked on that flight in about 5 weeks. I'm really hoping for an upgrade to Business ... they have sleeping pods! I think it's AC192 flight number.

I am woman traveling solo and plan to do the bus from airport to hotel with luggage. I'll try to remember to reply to this thread and let you know it goes.

I believe that's similar to the direct AC flight that I was looking at that arrives at 1pm (obviously I would have to fly in the day prior and stay in Valparaiso overnight). I would absolutely LOVE to hear about your experience if you could please come back and post afterwards!!! I believe that's the one direct flight I am looking at. I could book the 1-way flight with Aeroplan points if I pay off the cruise well in advance to get the points in time (assuming they don't sell out of Aeroplan rates before then).

I also noticed several tours in Viator that include either direct transfers from Santiago airport to hotel in Valparaiso (or Vina Del Mar - anyone stay there? Looks like a "nicer" place to stay but unsure how far from the port and how easy it is to get to?), OR transfers with winery tours on the way. Has anyone used those? Unsure how it would work if the flight is delayed or anything as I assume the shared transportation/tours only run at set times.

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Hmm now I'm confused! I thought that I had read that Celebrity uses the huge ferry (which I also saw pictures of) - perhaps that's not the case though?

Does Solo have more than 1 boat? I wonder if they use different boats for the cruise excursions versus the privately booked passengers?

If you had to book again (and not knowing how the weather would be..) - would you book via the cruise line or with Solo? (Or some other reputable mode of transportation?)

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Our boat was very crowded, in fact there were not enough seats. Most wear life jackets taking up even more space. They served a little small water or drink of sorts and a cookie so don't expect much of any food. I do not believe there is a restroom on the boat however there was one on the island. Our trip over was quite rough but most were seasoned cruisers on this type of trip and did fine but not all. Please keep in mind this trip is highly dependent on weather so make sure you have another option in mind for Penguins in case it doesn't happen.

Wow that doesn't sound pleasant... I'm shocked they run boats on such a rough ride without everyone having seats... almost sounds like its worth the $200 extra to take the cruise excursion on the ferry?

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Thanks so much for the replies!

IF I was going to stay pre-cruise (and this would be dependent on approval from work - somewhat unlikely to get that extra time off), I would have liked to stay in/explore Santiago as opposed to Valparaiso, but I realize it would be a good safety net to arrive in Valparaiso a day pre-cruise due to the road issues with the holidays, potential strikes, etc.

Unfortunately I don't think I'm brave enough to do the taxi to the bus, bus to valparaiso, and taxi to hotel thing on my own with luggage! [emoji33]

I guess my 2 choices are Air Canada's direct flight arriving at 1:45pm the day prior to the cruise and finding a way to get to Valparaiso, OR the same day flight on Delta with the stop in Atlanta.

So back to flying in arriving the same day...

On the upside, IF i missed the first 2 days of the cruise by flying in the same day, it doesn't look like I'd miss too too much?! As stressful as that would be and all...

Oh and re:flights with stops in Miami - they are insanely expensive for whatever reason for that time! :(

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Hi everyone,

I have a deposit on an Around the Horn cruise this December with Celebrity. It's been on my bucket list for some time and I'm tempted to cancel my transatlantic and do this instead.

Having said that - I would be sailing solo, I'm a young woman, and I don't speak Spanish. I was able to get by for a few days in Barcelona, but I realize that English is much less prevalent in Chile.

Given the high cost of the trip as a solo, I am considering flying in the day of the cruise via Choice Air. This would save me money on a hotel/transfer and give me some peace of mind being able to use Celebrity's transfer service from the airport (somewhat more important given that there is a religious holiday on the day before/day of the cruise which shuts down the road for a pilgrimage).

My dilemma - the flight would involve a 2 hour stop with a plane change (same airline) in Atlanta. The longer flight to Santiago is scheduled to arrive at 9:45am and the ship departs at 9pm. I'm not worried about making it on time with that flight - what I'm worried about is making it ON that flight - beginning of December isn't typically very snowy yet both in Toronto at Atlanta, but you never know right? Unfortunately the flights getting into Atlanta earlier are very few and far between (and non-existent via choice air! I would have to book direct with Delta and wouldn't have the security of the choice air booking).

So - any thoughts or suggestions? If I fly in that day I would definitely book via choice air and use celebrity's transfer. I would also purchase separate cancellation/interruption insurance as per usual which would give me an extra safety net.

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Can those who visited Magdalena Island please comment on the boat ride there? I'm seeing quite a few mixed reviews on experiences - I realize this is highly variable based on weather but what was your experience?

What company/mode of transportation did you use (small boat versus ferry)? Was it easy to embark and disembark? Were there any facilities onboard (restroom, beverages, etc?). How long was the ride? And most importantly, how rough was it?

A few groups on my roll call are using Solo Expediciones - it's significantly less than the cruise tour but it appears they use a small boat. Is it rough? Any pics of the boat itself, whether inside or outside? Did they drop you off at the port after or did you have to walk back?

Thanks in advance!

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The non-refundable OBC is technically still refundable! You just have to do it a bit of a roundabout way!

You can cash it out in the casino! Whether they'll give you the cash directly, or a slot voucher which you then insert into a machine and cash it back out to be cashed, OR give you the cash upfront depends on several factors - amount you're requesting, type of account you have, etc. There might be a small fee (typically 3%) to withdraw money off your sea-pass.

If you have a cash account, you used to be able to do it without the fee - unsure if this is still the case.

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The chips and drinks are cracking me up!!!! I hope you have an extra suitcase! [emoji23]

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Yes there's a lounge with some snacks and a bar but I didn't find the staff to be very friendly back in January/February and the food wasn't as good as I've seen on other sailings.

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Thanks for the replies! Too bad here's no TA! Guess I'll have to stay on the Symphony of the Seas for this one!

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