airheadfan

Don't get too concerned with being overly close to the terminal.  Cabs will get you there quickly so being close should not be the first thing driving your choice.

We chose the Fierro in Palermo Hollywood.  Not impressive on the outside, wonderful inside, excellent staff and with UCO which is an excellent restaurant.  Ranked as one of the best in South America when we were there a few years ago.

Neighborhood is eclectic, lots of restaurants, and we walked to all the major sights and sites in the city.

On departure day the staff arranged a car, and the driver (the resurrection of Juan ManualFangio) navigated a labor dispute that blocked many streets, allowing us to leave the hotel and be in our cabin in less than one hour, including navigating the port area, checking in, and the long walk to the ship.

I expect you will get lots of recommendations, but have a look at the Fierro - we stay in everything from modest cottages to top 25 world hotels, and found this place comfortable, clean, with great service and an excellent restaurant.  They also included a wine tasting of Argentinian wines that was memorable.  If you eat dinner in the restaurant be careful of the leg of lamb for two - an embarrassingly huge portion, but perfect.

As well as regular bike rentals there is a bike sharing company, maybe called Ubike - you will see green cruiser style bikes everywhere downtown. You need their app to unlock them and then they charge by the time used - just lock it and leave it anywhere. We had a visitor who used this service every day while here in the city.

Difficulty: I am an overweight, out of shape 72 year old and I find riding around the city very easy - the only serious challenge is if you go towards Oak Bay along the waterfront you come to a heart stressing hill at King George Terrace - not easy for even seasoned cyclists, but a very nice walk and a terrific glide down the other side and worth it for the view.

Not difficult to connect with either the Galloping Goose or the Lochside Trails - you must go over the new harbor bridge, go to the right and you will find signs occasionally or just ask another rider for directions. If you are fit, ride out to Sidney on the Lochside Trail, or just as far as Mattick's for lunch.

Victoria is working hard to be a bike friendly city - lots of new dedicated cycling lanes downtown to add to your safety.

Did 30 days over last Christmas and New Years on the Nautica in a PH - had room service on both the balcony and in the room. Both worked well. Not a lot of room but adequate for 2. A good alternative to the dining areas.

Thanks for responding.

My concern was not on which side of the equator but more about the climatic conditions and lighting in what I imagine will be more desert like than my home territory, which is a marine climate. Not sure if dust is a big problem. Not too concerned about lighting unless there was something area specific that is recommended.

Hoping to take as little gear as possible, so will go with no filters unless I find a compelling reason to do so.

Lived in Australia years ago and really never noticed if the water drained the opposite way :)

I will be in South Africa in December-January and because my wife wants animal shots I got an Olympus 40-150 plus tele-converter. On my dslr I only use polarizing filters, but I am not sure what (if any) filter(s) might be useful in that part of the world at that time of year. My preference is no filter, but I admit my knowledge and experience in this area is limited.

Any advice appreciated.

Although not listed in your 4 choices, we went on Oceania from Buenos Aires to Valparaiso last December/January. Great itinerary but I think the Falklands were (at least for us) was the highlight of the cruise. We were advised by the lecturer who had made a number of trips there that getting on was not the problem, it was getting off. Our driver who took us to Volunteer Point (3 species of penguins if that is on your bucket list) said that once he returned and found the ship had left due to high winds, stranding about 1000 passengers. The locals rallied and no one went without a bed, and the police allowed the pubs to stay open all night - he said a relative tragedy turned into one of the best parties ever.

So, if you get ashore, hope you get stranded.

We were there in mid-summer and it was like a late fall day on the west coast of Canada.

You might want to look at Oceania's offerings for that trip - relatively small ships (largest only 1200 passengers) and they live up to their claim about fabulous food.

We also did the train to Tigre and a river boat trip. Finding the train station was not too easy, but once you find the right building, walk up the non-functioning escalator (maybe fixed by now) through the used furniture stalls and then on to what was billed as the more luxurious of the two trains. It isn't luxury but clean and comfortable and goes closer to the coast than the other one. Tigre is sort of interesting, but a little too touristy - big casino, some sort of Chinatown amusement park and a bunch of restaurants. We took the river boat to the Gato Blanco restaurant - good food, huge price but you are in the middle of absolute nowhere so no choice. Was an interesting day, but if I had less time in Buenos Aires, I would have spent more time there with all the attractions. If you really want a trip through a delta, then go for it.

First I must admit never having been to Antarctica, and fantastic for you to be making such a trip - if I was more techno-literate I would add an envy emoticon.

Last December/January we took Oceania from Buenos Aires to Valparaiso, with a stop in the Falklands. I did not take my big weather proofed dslr, but took a Canon super-zoom and an Olympus waterproof. This is my second waterproof camera and would never travel without one - not for underwater, but because it is perfect for inclement weather. And travelling where you are, you just might run into a little wind and rain. It saved me on the Falklands when we were at a beach with penguin colonies and the rain came down in sheets, making the super-zoom useless.

The little waterproof takes pretty good pictures, but not to the quality you are looking for. I suspect that the super-zooms will fail when stretched out to the maximum as the image stabilization will not be sufficient to give you really crisp shots (based on my experience). Because I wanted something smaller than the dslr but with good quality and weather proofing I opted for an Olympus mirrorless with a few lenses.

This would be a good solution for you, except that it exceeds your price ceiling. So, since this is a bucket list trip, have you considered renting a body and a few lenses? I checked a site which I think was LensRental or something like that and you can rent a Canon 5D body and quality lenses, which will be a weather proofed system and I think come in under your price limit. This would give you the quality you are looking for without the huge price tag if you purchased. I am not familiar with other brands but they may also offer something similar to the 5D.

I took mine to Newfoundland a few years ago with just one lens, and took about 700 photos (single shot) in a little over 2 hours when we rented a zodiac and went out among the icebergs. Didn't have to worry about the cold, the salt spray or the wind -

Let us know what you choose - you posed a very interesting question

We were pleased with the Fierro in Palermo Hollywood. Not impressive from the street but very nice room and an amazing restaurant. Walked everywhere, and the only times we took a cab was to the train to Tigre and to the cruise port. Although a very good hotel, it was elevated by the quality of the staff - supurb.

If you visit, look for a very small butcher shop next to the cafe with the bbq pork and roast duck in the window (great spot for lunch). Go inside to see the original sign - according to an expert on the Chinese migrations to the West Coast, this is the longest continuously operating business in North America. Once owned by my niece's father-in-law who came to Canada as a very young man and sold it to people from the same small of China near Canton.

Don't look at our Chinatown as touristy, but rather than a very historic district trying very hard to survive as populations and tastes change.

In December and January we were on a cruise from Buenos Aires to Valparaiso and I used my CIBC bank card in Buenos Aires, Montivideo, Valparaiso, Vina del Mar and Santiago. Only once did a machine reject my card so I went to a different bank and it worked. You will be charged a fee, a flat fee if I remember correctly, so be aware that there is an extra charge.

I also converted some US funds in Buenos Aires and at a bank it was a lengthy procedure, even though we got special treatment because our hotel used the same bank.

If you go to the Falklands, I was forewarned that there are no ATMs there so if you are going take some British Pounds.

You should have no trouble using your bank card.

I have the TG-4, as I wanted a small weather proof camera to replace my old Canon waterproof. So far I have taken it on an extended land trip in Scotland and just returned from a month in South America that included a cruise from Buenos Aires to Valparaiso.

I like the camera for snapshots. If the light is good you get very good quality pictures, but the quality seems to diminish as the light becomes less. It fits easily in a jacket pocket or just keep it tucked in the palm of your hand.

Today was a rare snow event here so I went for a walk and put on the teleconverter as I rarely remember to use it. Most shots were discards, with a few distant landscapes and sea birds that were decent - but it was a dull overcast day so the light was poor. The picture you take will be what you keep - if you crop you find that you lose detail quickly. My main camera is a Canon 5D which sets a very high standard and I am used to cropping and retaining quality. The teleconverter is just not a substitute for a real lens.

However, I don't like lugging lots of gear and when I travel I just want a few memories, so the TG-4 with the teleconverter in strong light is a reasonable combination. It worked well in the sunny areas of Argentina and Chile.

Installing the teleconverter is a bit of a pain when you are walking around. Once you get it screwed on, you have to go into the menu, find the accessories tab, then open it and select the lens you want to use, activate it and then back out of the menu - and remember to put the lens caps in a safe spot. I found that even though I had the teleconverter in my pocket I rarely put it on.

You will need a converter ring, which came bundled with my teleconverter. Occasionally when I try to remove the teleconverter, which has a screw mount, the ring detaches instead of the teleconverter unscrewing and you have to re-install the ring. More time consuming than annoying.

To conclude, I am glad I have it and will use it in certain good light situations, but would not miss it if I left it at home.

Bought one for a recent trip to Scotland - have an old Canon waterproof and wanted an upgrade for the rainy weather. Did not want to take my Canon 5d because of the size. Also have a couple of Canon super-zooms but wanted the waterproof features.

First - never went underwater. Did not even use it in the rain. Apparently the Scots lie about the weather and we had nothing but sun and blue skies in the North and West instead of the predicted rain and wind.

Camera performed well. Quality does not match the larger sensor cameras but for a pocket camera (fits in my jacket or pants pockets) it was great. I love the wireless feature, being able to load pictures to my tablet for better viewing. For a snapshot camera, no complaints. Having RAW available is a great feature.

I found the macro setting useful and good quality. Lots of other settings but I tended to use the P for most pictures. Occasionally used the Aperture setting that lets you choose the depth of field.

Overall, I would recommend this camera for a convenient travel camera. It does not scream "steal me", is reasonably compact, and has lots of features. I am a happy user.

We took the bus to Tarquinia to the north. Beautiful little town, nice museum and a great collection of underground tombs (Etruscan if I remember correctly).

Buy a ticket from a Tabac and spend a quiet day strolling around a town with almost no tourists.

Very easy to do as a day trip - it is only about a half hour bus ride

We are another couple who refuse to return to Hal until they prohibit balcony smoking. Once was enough for us and we are looking forward to our sixth Oceania cruise later this year where smokers are nicely accommodated but balcony smoking is not allowed.

I keep checking on this thread hoping that someday Hal will have a similar policy so we can return. But their business model promotes smoking , in spite of all of the negatives and it seems to work for them - but I hope they change.

Not hard to find but getting information on the ferry from Ogden Point to the Inner Harbor is not obvious. This link should take you to the James Bay Explorer, and the photo shows how close the ferry dock is to the cruise ships.

http://www.victoriaharbourferry.com/tours-services/james-bay-explorer

No reservations - from the Ogden Point departure point just get on the boat and the attendant takes your money. Coming back from the Inner Harbor there is a ticket kiosk just above where you board.

The ferry was not well advertised this year, and according to the attendant when I was on, most of the passengers were locals curious about the service rather than cruise ship passengers.

This year and hopefully next year as well there was a 40 passenger ferry from Ogden Point (where your ship will dock) to the Inner Harbor with a stop at Fisherman's Wharf. I tried it out and you get a very nice introduction to Victoria from the water, and the ferry docks right in the harbor, almost in front of the Legislature and close to the Empress.

It is a short walk from your ship to the ferry dock - it is near where the pilot boats dock. This year the cost was only $5 but might be more next year - good value at either price.

As a local I really enjoyed the trip and if I was a visitor I think this would be a great introduction to Victoria. Much better than taking a shuttle bus.

I have purchased both extended medical and cancellation insurance from my bank/credit card company and from an insurance agent. In both instances they would not cover pre-existing conditions.

I will be very interested in the comments from others and hopefully there are alternatives available to Canadians.

I have three sets of excellent binoculars and given the choice between taking a camera or binoculars on a trip I would opt for binoculars, and I am a very enthusiastic photographer.

Go to a good camera/binocular store and try out image stabilized binoculars - they should cancel out both hand movement and ship movement and give you a very clear image. I tried a set of Canon stabilized and compared them with the very good Vortex that I own and the difference was amazing. If I did not need a waterproof set, I would have gone with the image stabilized. Not cheap but the results are impressive.

This park is in my neighbourhood, and there is little there other than the model yacht pond, some scrubby trees and some odd public art. In a field is a small monument to a small pox victim from one if the early sailing ships.

When you come out out of the cruise ship terminal at Ogden Point, turn right on Dallas Road - you will walk along a sea wall for a few blocks. You will come to a point where the sidewalk goes to the left and a trail goes to the right along the cliffs. If you take the sidewalk you will find Holland Point Park when you see the small pond on your right. If you take the cliff trail along the waterfront, you can turn to the left past the large boulder - there will be a gravel path going back to Dallas Road. It is a very pleasant walk, and if you have normal mobility it is roughly 10 minutes from your ship.

Both responses are correct, but require a little clarification. Once you leave the port at Ogden Point you can either turn to the left and follow the signs to the Inner Harbour or you can turn right on to Dallas Road and then take any of the streets on your left to walk through the residential areas. All will eventually get you to the Inner Harbour. Walking distance is about the same. If you walk to the right, you should not go past Government Street if you want to directly to the Inner Harbour area. The Inner Harbour is where you find the Empress Hotel, the Museum and the Parliament Buildings - very central.

You can keep walking to the right along Dallas Road and right at the end of the sea wall you will find a very nice path along the cliffs. Beacon Hill Park will be on your left and if you continue you will end up at the very historic and interesting cemetery at Ross Bay.

And if you really love to walk you can walk up to Government House and explore their lovely gardens. It is the residence of the Queen's Representative, but the grounds are public.

You will find Victoria is a very walkable city. Enjoy your stay.

When leaving Rome (Civitavecchia) last fall the people in the cabin on the deck above us played opera at a very high and to me annoying level. We waited a short time to see if it was temporary, and when it continued (along with very bad karaoke sing along) I called guest services. Security arrived, had a listen and after that no problems.

We did a B2B2B last year and on they just reduced the ticket price by their air allowance. Not a huge amount but it helped.

Responding to a question about the brand of headlamp I use. I have a Black Diamond, model MM5990 A. It has one main beam and three smaller lights, and you can use the main for a concentrated spot light or the three for a more diffused light. Each has three intensities and it also flashes as an emergency locator.

Really useful for fine work - it has so many uses beyond being a great reading light.