NorbertsNiece

1 hour ago, 0106 said:

@Alberta QuilterI’m sorry I can’t help you with when hotel packages became available, I never use them.  Transfer from the airport to hotel and to the ship were easy and inexpensive in Buenos Aires.  Our flight in Santiago was not until 11:55 pm so we booked an excellent all day private tour and transfer.  Details are in my live thread.  Do you have a TA or PCC?  They should be able to help you with the hotel packages.  I believe @NorbertsNiece and @TravelBluebird may have booked using hotel packages.  Both did a live thread.  Here’s mine

I use Flightease to book international flights but regardless of where you book, I suggest you start looking for flights asap.

My flight package was booked through my UK TA.

Linda 

Hi, just back from a land trip to SD from the UK. We were a group of 7 with luggage. Can highly recommend Danny on +1 (858) 449-1300. Excellent communication. Picked us up from SAN, drove us to the hotel in Encinitas and then was available on request to take us to various sites. Comfortable ride.

Be aware that Uber maximum is 6 so this was perfect for us.

Tell him Linda with all the boys sent you!

30 minutes ago, cccole said:

We actually did not find that the U.S.$ was the best everywhere.  Especially in Chile they preferred Chilean pesos so that they did not have to pay to change U.S.$.  We asked our guide the first night in Santiago. Also, if you are going to local craft or other markets they prefer local currency.  If you give U.S.$ they will probably give you local currency as change.  With the problems in Argentina you will get a good exchange rate on the Blue market for U.S.$.  We experienced places that did not take U.S.$.   In the Falklands there was a $50U.S. fee added to a tour when using U.S.$ and not Sterling or a credit card.   We did take a lot of crisp U.S. bills in all denominations and used them when we could.  We also used our Wise Mastercard which is specifically for traveling.  You can add to it during your trip and there is no transaction fee.  This is just our experience in January.  If you have private tours arranged just ask your guide what is the best for you when visiting that location.  Cherie

Visiting the Falklands is like visiting the UK. You wouldn't expect to be able pay in USD anywhere in the UK, without prior arrangement. They only have one bank there.

15 hours ago, 0106 said:

In Ushuaia, there was only one pier available for all boats needing to disembark passengers so HAL tenders shared with fishing boats and other excursion boats.  There were very long lines and incorrect information was given by HAL personnel about which line to stand in.  We made it back in about an hour and a half but I’ve heard stories from people were waited for a tender for more than 2 hours.

Ouch. Not good. I wonder how they determine which ships get to berth and which anchor.

Regarding lines..... disembarking in San Antonio was not fun. They called the luggage tag colours in really good time which gave a false impression as to how the process was running. When we exited the lift there was a massive line snaking down the corridor, back again, along the lobby, down the next corridor and back again. I'm sure the room stewards trying to prepare the cabins for the new occupants appreciated that. It's a bus to terminal affair.

***Get early luggage tags***

24 minutes ago, tjcox9 said:

Actually unrelated to post, but wanted to ask you a ? since you were on a previous cruise, same itinerary. Did you also have to tender in Ushuaia? Seems like this time they did and it was a bit of a snafu. Thanks

Hi.

No. We were berthed. Was a nightmare though walking back to the ship. Was incredibly windy and quite exposed. Berth was far from gates. We left several hours late because of the wind.

I can see from my earlier post that the pier berths were full with other vessels/cruise ships on this cruise.

I missed the snafu. What occured?

Tendering in Puerto Montt. Seven Seas Voyager also in town.

1 hour ago, slewis7 said:

Today is Castro.  Tomorrow is Puerto Montt.  Castro was added to the itinerary pre-cruise when some scheduled dates were shifted and a port was dropped.

Thanks for explaining. Tenders are out and working.

EnPatagonia tours as mentioned earlier in Chacabuco were very good.

Am a tad confused as Marine Traffic shows you heading to Castro and not Puerto Montt.... 🤷‍♀️

1 hour ago, 0106 said:

Honestly, most people on the bus were happy with the tour.  However, I just couldn’t stand the slow pace and the number of people.  It is difficult to appreciate the beauty of nature surrounded by so many.  Of course there were no birds because of the noise.  These tours work for some people, just not for me.

Me neither. I'm rubbish at big group/bus tours. In future will likely pass and go independently. 

You're heading to the glacier. Am sure your pics will be stunning. 

Tenders busy in Punta Arenas

You're now in Chile

Tenders are up and running. You're being spared the long pier walk. Was incredibly windy when we were there, the walk back was really bad! Three other cruise ships in port with you. The town is going to be buzzing!!

Here you are in the early hours of this morning, straddling the border in the Strait of Magellan

You're being followed by Norwegian Sun and Seven Seas Voyager

Have a fabulous day!

Pics of Oosterdam taken by Palmer Station when we were there last month. They were unable to board to give a talk as they were still under Covid restrictions!

1 hour ago, Cathygh said:

I've been following this live from and your own live as we are hoping to do the same cruise later ths year or in 2025. You have a real treat when you catch up with Susan Calman, we weren't going to do the Antartica sail by itinerary but I am beginning change my mind!

I've not looked at how much an itinerary on Scenic Eclipse would cost. The shock wouldn't be good for my heart!!

Any other Brits following here..... Ch 5 has Cruising with Susan Calman in Antarctica. Have watched the first few minutes of ep 1.... want to watch one straight after the other..... she starts in Buenos Aires then flies to Ushuaia to board an expedition ship.... haven't watched long enough to see which one.....

Link to my video of the penguin nesting areas in the Lemaire channel here

10 hours ago, TravelBluebird said:

 

This is exactly how I felt about the cruise!  Someone asked me yesterday if I’d take the same cruise again, and I said ABSOLUTELY!

Me too. Again and again.

@0106 I am soooo glad you echo my experience. I find it so difficult to put into words that day. To describe the view, the wildlife, Antarctica. So beautiful and unrivalled. 

Let me know if you want me to throw up here my video of the penguin colony on the Lemaire channel x

Oh gosh..... you're in for the most fabulous day today.  Charlotte Bay is spectacular!! The Lemaire Channel..... portside is the place to be!

I believe that's you approaching Esperanza Base. Please confirm.

Here you are, 1420 your time.

Deception Island, hidden by the pink spot, is the caldera of an active volcano!

That's Oosterdam on the NW of the first image, 0835 their time.

11 hours ago, 0106 said:

......

 

It really needs to be live streamed into the rooms for the people who can’t or shouldn’t leave their rooms

 

 

I raised this exact situation with Cynthia, GSM. She said this is to do with copyright reasons. I believe on your previous cruise they may have been recorded for later viewing @TravelBluebird could confirm. Certainly wasn't on ours.

I'm so glad you made it to my favourite port. You're on your way south now for the most amazing few days. I will do my best to track your journey as the further south you go the poorer the signal. I am extremely jealous

Tenders being kept busy