Hotshot80

Thanks for this interesting comparison of the two itineraries. It's not often that someone will have done a trip like this twice (and with different cruise lines) and thus have this perspective. Fascinating.

 

And for anyone wondering what the Neumayer Channel looks like, here's how it looked when we were there last year (and yes we lucked out on the weather that afternoon!):

 

 

(photo by turtles06)

Hi Turtles06 thats a great shot of the Neumayer Channel, with perfect weather condtions too, you were lucky to get weather like that. Makes me want to go back even more now

Can anyone share their reviews and/or photos from the Vestmanna Sea Cliffs tour in the Faroe Islands? I'm trying to decide which tour to take!

 

Thanks!

We were able to get to the Harbour, where the boats leave to go to the Vestmanna Sea Cliffs, by public bus, and then booked the boat ride when we arrived there and caught the bus back to Torshaven. The buses do run to timetables so check them out to see if it is possible for you to do it in the time you have available

That looks like photos I took in the Tasman Sea last April. :D

 

OP we have booked with Celebrity for 2/15/2015 on Infinity. The small ships are just smaller then I could handle in rough seas.

 

I hope you find the cruise you are looking for. :)

Did you consider sailing on the Holland America Zaandam to Antarctica. I have been on the Celebrity Infinity 3 times now down there and the Zaandam once. In my opinion the cruise itinerary on the Zaandam in Antarctica is much much better than that of the Celebrity Infinity, as we spent far more time sailing in the waters down there. The Zaandam spends 3 days, 2 nights, down there including spending time off Cuverile Island to see the large colony of Gentoo Penguins there, and also going down the Neumayer Strait, where whales were breaching on the first day.

The second day we picked up some researchers from the Palmer Research Station who gave lectures aboard but we were unfortunately preventing from sailing down the Le Maire Channel later that day by huge icebergs, and then we nearly reaching Hope Bay the next day, but had to make a retreat from there because of sea ice closing in on us and we then sailed into the Bay at King George Island too.

The Celebrity Infinity does not go to these places, only trying to reach Paradise Bay, which is the real highlight of their trip down there (the Zaandam goes there too but via a different route) before it sails north towards Elephant Island usually. Some passengers on the Infinity did comment negatively about the relatively short stay we had on that ship down there.

The Zaandam had a great Team of Lecturers on board too, Chris Wilson, the great nephew of Dr Edward Wilson who was with Captain Scott on the ill fated Expedition down there in 1912, as well as 2 other very knowledgable Colleagues, David Bresnahan who used to work for the Office of Polar Program's, National Science Foundation, and Guy Gutheridge who had also been employed by the National Science Foundation, who all gave excellent lectures.

When I do go back there again, I will probably sail on the Zaandam, rather than the Infinity.

When we were thinking of doing this tour, I couldn't find much info on CC about it. We are back from our cruise and we did this tour. It was fantastic. I highly recommend them. Here's a short review about the tour.

 

We did Pira Tour (pronounced Pier-a – all short vowel sounds). I would highly recommend them. We boarded a modern bus at 11:00 AM and drove about 1.5 hrs. The road was scenic, a bit bumpy, but not bad at all. If you have trouble with car sickness, you might want to take some medication with you. Also take your own water and food. You will not have an opportunity to eat until you return to Ushuaia. You can safely leave a backpack on the bus. We drove to a small whale museum, where half of the group was dropped off, while the other half went to see the penguins. In an hour, the groups were switched. At the dock we boarded a Zodiac which was covered, and took a 15 min. boat ride across the Beagle Channel. We brought an old pair of athletic shoes to wear, as you walk in penguin dung, mud, and could get wet if it were raining. We plan on throwing these shoes away on the ship. We were required to stay together, and to follow the tour guide on a set path. Penguins dig holes in the earth for their nests. Beware of where you step. You could step into one of these holes. I stepped in one, slid on the muddy surface and fell. I was not injured. Some of the holes are deep and small, real ankle breakers. There were 17,000 penguins on the island. We saw King, Magellan, and Gentoo penguins. Penguins were feeding in the water, trumpeting, waddling, flapping their fins, etc. There were some juveniles who still had their baby feathers. It was so exciting and fun. After the zodiac ride back, we boarded the bus to drive back to Ushuaia. They stopped once at a scenic place, so we could get off the bus and take pictures. The trees are affected by the high winds in this area, similar to the Falkland Islands, and se saw some of these trees at this stop. We arrived back in Ushuaia at 5:30 PM.

Hi, we have done this trip twice now, in February 2013 and February 2014 and also very much enjoyed the trip. On both of those occasions we were able to use a Cafe within site of the landing stage for the boat, and were able to buy hot drinks and hot food there. The possibility of now being able to see King Penguins at this site is exciting, as the only other place I have seen them was at Volunteer Point on the Falkland Islands, although I assume that some of the Expedition Ships that sail to South Georgia will be able to see them there. I am looking forward to again doing this trip in December 2014 when the Golden Princess sails into Ushuaia on Christmas Day

Is the Giant Buddha on Lantau Island really worth a visit? Trying to plan my time in Hong Kong. Going pre-cruise and an over night on cruise.

Hi, it really depends on your own tastes. I took Kuldalai's advice and went there today and personally my wife and enjoyed our day out. it was a challenge to use the public transport system rather than to go on an organised tour there, but everything worked out well. It gave us an opportunity to get out of the City as I personally prefer not to be in cities generally, but we did feel safe at all times here, as opposed to some of the cities in the World we have been to recently, including Buenos Aires, Santiago and Barcelona to name just three recent ones, regards, Harold

HONG KONG SELF SIGHT-SEEING.

 

Hong Kong has two parts the Kowloon side (on the Chinese mainland) and Hong Kong Island . The Star Ferry links Kowloon and Central and Wan Chai on HK Island as reliably today as it has done for over 150 years . A splendid MTR rail system also cover bother sides and provides under harbour links . In addition a network of double decker buses also provide key tourist services.

 

Cruise boats primarily berth at Ocean Terminal on the Kowloon side alongside the Star Ferry Pier, and occasionally at Freight berths in Kennedytown on HK Island .

 

Kowloon side - between Ocean Terminal and Nathan Road is the heart of great shopping for everything imaginable including cloths, watches, electronics and jewellery . Avoid the brand name department stores and search out the great deals with the smaller traders . Nearest MTR is Tsim Tsa Tsui.

 

The Temple Street Night Market operates nightly in Temple St , Jordan on Kowloon side . Nearest MTR is Jordan then a short walk . Temple St runs parallel to Nathan Rd several blocks back towards the harbour .

 

Hong Kong Island : here one finds Victoria Peak, Ocean Park, Stanley, and Aberdeen . Cross the harbour by Star Ferry and soak in the atmosphere of the world’s most exciting city . Step ashore at Central Star Ferry Piers . You will see a bus interchange on shoreside. Take bus # 15 for Victoria Peak, # 15C for the Lower Peak Tram Station (then Peak Tram) to the Peak , # 629 for Ocean Park Aquarium (at 0935,0955,1015 only Daily); 6, 6X or 260 for the Fishing Village of Stanley and the famous daytime (from 10am) Stanley Market .

 

Victoria Peak is best visited at sunset for stunning views across the harbour as HK lights up . Nightly harbour light show at 8pm. For stunning views come down from the Peak at night by bus # 15 . The peak bus terminal is under the Galleria Shopping Centre . If you are bound for Kowloon bail out of bus at Admiralty and take the MTR to Tsim Tsa Tsui or Jordan . If heading back to Ocean Terminal return to Kowloon from Central on the Island by the Star Ferry .

 

For those wishing to visit the Giant Buddha on Lantau Island here’s how to do that as inexpensive day round trip :

Leaving around 0830 by MTR to TUNG CHUNG, walk out the station cross a large open square and head for the Chairlift ( operates from 1000 to 1800) . at Chairlift buy the combined daily Chairlift & Lantau Island Bus Pass . Take the breathtaking chairlift which does 2 x 90 degree turns to NGONG PING . Alight walk through the village shops and climb over 300 stairs to the magnificent Buddha . Return to the lower Shopping area and from the adjacent Bus Terminal take bus # 21 (at 1035, 1120, 1220, 1320 from NGONG PING to the fishing Village of TAI O . Walk slightly inland to discover the real village and a wonderful range of seafood restaurants where you can take in lunch. Walk back to the Shoreside bus terminal and take bus # 1 from TAI O to MUI WO . (40 minute frequency including 1300 & 1340). Then fast ferry from MUI WO (Hourly departures) will have you back at Central on HK Island next to the Star Ferry Central Pier . If you leave Kowloon on the MRT at 0830 , you will be on the chairlift at start up time (1000), and have time to explore Ngong Ping and the Buddha to make the # 21 bus from Ngong Ping at 11.20 to Tai O . After lunch in Tai O you easily make # 1 the 1340 bus to be in MUI WO to connect with the 1500 fast ferry to Hong Kong island - central Ferry Piers.

Hi Kuldalai, thanks for the information about the Big Budda. We followed your advice and had a great day out today, thanks again for posting the idea, regards, Harold

The best thing is to closely monitor the weather starting 48 hours before your flight. Airlines generally allow you to change flights if a major storm is supposed to hit the day of your travel with no fees/charges. Try to be prepared to fly out the day before your flight if necessary as a Plan B. As a Plan C look into how much it would cost to fly to the first port-of-call in case you are unable to make boarding in time so you can hopefully be prepared to try and salvage some of your vacation, or determine to take a total loss if you can't reach the ship on sailing day (or decide to just do a land vacation in Florida once you are able to make it there).

 

Travel insurance policies are highly variable, but most do provide some coverage for missing a cruise because of flight delays/cancellations. Generally the delay has to be significant (i.e. not just a couple of hours) and how much they cover varies a lot from policy to policy (i.e. some may pay $250 towards expenses to "catch the ship" while others may fully reimburse all expenses). The most important reason for travel insurance is for medical coverage; many people do not have insurance that covers out of the country emergency medical care and most do not have insurance that covers air evacuation off the ship (and this can easily cost $25,000 to $50,000 or more and can happen to the young and healthy, i.e. appendicitis or a bad fall).

 

Good luck and hopefully the weather plays nice!

Hi, we were on the Infinity a couple of weeks ago and a passenger had to be airlifted off , so I hope he had travel insurance

Dear Sailors

 

after leaving the boat in Santos on February 09, 2014 we have time until 7:45pm that day, when our plane departes from Sao Paolo.

 

Any recommondations what to do on that day? We would love to see some nice sights but afraid that - due to heavy traffic in SP - we might get stuck and miss the plane in the evening.

 

Has anyone booked a private tour that ends at the airport and can recommend a agency or tour guide?

 

Thanks in advance.

Hi we just got off the MSC Preziosa at Santos a couple of days ago. It was chaos getting off that ship. We were due to leave the ship at 8.30am and we're told to wait in a lounge when they would let us know when it was time to leave. At 10.30am we had still not been informed that we could leave the ship. As we had a plane to catch at São Paulo we then just basically jumped the queue and got off. We had to wait again to get onto a shuttle bus to take us to where the bags were available. It was chaotic there too. At least 5 people missed the coach transfer to the Airport and missed the flights too because of the chaos. We got on the plane with only minutes to spare. The flights were at about 1.00pm so you will have much more time available but do not underestimate the amount of time you may need to get off your ship. Hope you do not have the same problems we had.

I would choose the penguins. In fact I have on my stop there in Feb. I know in my case I may never have the opertunity to have this experience again.

 

Have a great trip.

 

Don

Hi try Pira Tours in Ushuaia. They arrange a trip that takes about 6 hours I seem to recall, that takes a maximum of 20 people at a time to Martillo Island where you can see and walk with 2 types of Penguins - Magellanic and a small group of Gentoo. I think it is the only Company that arranges this tour. it costs $100 plus and entrance fee of about $10 to the Harberton Ranch, where there is also a cafe and a small Museum with lots of whale bones.

Thanks for the info we also need Reals and Chilean Pesos. I usually get currency at M&S so will go back to make an order. Might have more luck with a larger branch in Edinburgh. We have four weeks until we travel so have time to scout around.

Hi Scottie, I believe that you can order currency from M & S and it will be delivered FOC for an order of £500+ worth of currency, or for a fiver if it for less than £500. It could save you a trip to Edinburgh, just a thought, regards, Harold

Hotshot80

 

Are you able to tell me which Bureau de Change in the UK you were able to get some Pesos at as I have tried RBS with no luck and M&S tell me that they sometimes have problems aquiring them.

Thanks

Scottie

Hi Scottie, is was actually at Marks and Spencers in Newcastle upon Tyne. I also got some Brazilian Reals over the counter at the same time but had to wait a few days to get some Chilean Pesos. They do seem to have a huge range of currencies available, even if you have to wait a few days to get some of the more obscure ones, good luck, regards, Harold

The Fram is not a small ship, but doesn't use tenders. It ties up at the floating dock in Stanley, and passengers walk off the ship.

 

I suspect the reason some ships use tenders is economic. If people paid a little more for a trip they would not be so subject to the vagaries of the weather, or have to worry about "uncomfortable" tender journeys.

It depends what you mean by a "little bit more". As I am not a retired banker taking a trip on the Fram down there is out of the question for me

We are docking in Buenos Aires and will need to take a taxi to our hotel, which is very nearby. Does anyone know if there are ATMs at the port or if taxes will take credit cards?

Hi, I have been able to obtain Argentinean currency from a Bureau de Change in the UK. Perhaps you might be able to get some in the US before you leave and avoid getting any counterfeit notes after you arrive there

Sounds like there will be no problems. I hope for all this is the case this upcoming season.

The weather will always be a problem as most large ships have to use tenders to get passengers ashore. In February this year, the weather was fine when we got off the ship, but it was dreadful later on in the day and the tender ride back to the ship was "uncomfortable", with relatively high waves causing problems. I am sure that if the weather had been the other way around on the day, the Captain would probably not have allowed the tender operation to proceed, quite understandably, in my opinion

Looking for a recommendation for a tour company to provide a day trip into the mountains. Would love to hike a bit or horseback ride. There are three ski resorts near Santiago but I am unable to determine if they are open with any activities during the summer months.

Hi, I made this inquiry about a day trip from Santiago up to the Andes very recently as we are arriving in Santiago at midnight on the 6th January and will be joining the Zaandam on the 8th January from Valparaiso. Alwin has always been very quick to respond and I have seen a number of complimentary comments about him from other Cruise Critic members, although I think that South Excursions may be able to beat his price, depending on numbers of passengers, for a transfer to the Port

“A day trip up to Portillo in the Andes and then a transfer to Valparaiso on the day we sail” can be done depending on the time you have to get on board. The trip from Santiago to Portillo takes 02:30 hours since we stop on some places to enjoy the highlights of the road.

Then, the trip from Portillo to Valparaiso that you can start right after having an early lunch at the restaurant in there (which is part of the ski resort and opens all year around) takes another 02:30 hours but this time it would be nonstop, straight to VTP (Cruise Ship Passengers Terminal) .

If this tour starts and finishes in Santiago and considering a minimum of 2 people, the rates are:

2 to 4 people USD$ 130 per person

4 to 6 people USD$ 120 per person

6 to … USD$ 100 per person

If this tour starts in Santiago and finishes in Valparaíso and considering a minimum of 2 people, the rates are:

2 to 4 people USD$ 200 per person

4 to 6 USD$ 180 per person

6 to … USD$ 150 per person

We would really like to get your opinion about these suggestions.

Best regards,

Alwin Schuler

Founder member

Chilean Journey

What is the current political situation for a British ship stopping at Falkland Islands? I believe it is to be a two day stay.

Hi, I was recently informed that HAL had contacted the Port Authorities in Port Stanley to change the date of a "weather permitting stop" that the Zaandam is due to make in January 2014 so that looks very promising that HAL is serious about calling there

Just wanted to mention that HAL is charging $170 for the same excursion. For $99 pp I would do it, but not for $170.

Hi we used Confidence Tours in February 2013 and they charged US$70pp. They picked us up from our Hotel in the City and picked up other passengers from different hotels before we all set off to the ranch. Perhaps you could email them to check out their current prices and see if they can pick you up from the Port. We went to the Santa Susana Ranch with them (I seem to recall that they use a different ranch some days of the week) and had a great time, the food was good and plentiful, the wine never ran out, the entertainment was good and they provided a great show of their skills at riding horses.

Our cruise in late December/early January includes the following ports: Puerto Montt, Chile;Punta Arenas, Chile; Ushuaia, Argentina; and Puerto Madryn, Argentina.

 

Which of these ports would be the best choice for a tour that includes penguins?

(We generally prefer tours that run 4-6 hours rather than the longer tours.)

 

Also, recommendations for tour companies in these ports would be much appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Lynn

Hi Lynn, try Pira Tours in Ushuaia if you have enough time there to go to Martillo Island to WALK among Magellanic penguins and you will hopefully also see a small group of Gentoo Penguins there. This is the only Company that has permission to land on the Island and the typical ships excursion will only beach their catamaran on the beach but passengers cannot get off to walk among them. There are only 20 people allowed on the Island at any one time.

You can also see a very large colony of Magellanic Penguins at Punta Tombo (Flamenco Tours) if you call in at Puerto Madryn but its a long way from the Port and it might be less risky to do it with a ships excursion.

It is a pity that you are not going to the Falklands as this, as in my opinion,this is the very best place to see them is at Volunteer Point if you were to have gone to Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands. There are 3 types of Penguins there, King, Gentoo and Magellanic. Patrick Watts arranges trips to go there at a fraction of the price of a typical shore excursion.

I think that you can also see Magellanic Penguins from Punta Arenas at Magdelena Island and Marta Islands or the Otway Peninsular. Canales Solo Expediciones can take you to Magdelana Island

Wherever you go enjoy seeing them, regards, Harold

Depending on where in Norway you are going, you may cross the Arctic Circle. But leaving Akureyri and heading East to Norway doesn't require that crossing.

 

Of course after looking at dozens of maps just now on the Internet, it's just as easy to find a map that says you do cross the line as it it to find one that says you wouldn't -- all I can go on is that when we were doing our recent trip, we were told the only way to truly cross the circle in Iceland was to go up to Grimsey.

Being cynical, I wonder whether that was a deliberate ploy by the Cruise Line to encourage passengers to pay $429 each to get a certificate. The rumour on the ship was that only 4 passengers had taken that particular trip

While it would be nice to 'tick the box' of crossing the Arctic Circle, I think it will be near enough, and cold enough, for me!

Hi, we ourselves have actually been up to Ny-Alesund in Spitsbergen which is at 79N, so were not at all bothered by it, but I did feel that the rest of the passengers were "short changed" by not getting a certificate as we had sailed, according to the ships TV, at 66.37N at some stage, when the Arctic Circle is at 66.33.39N. There were lots of passengers from all around the world on this cruise who might have considered it quite an achievement for themselves to have been in the Arctic Circle. We must have been extremely lucky with the weather as it was actually relatively warm when we were there over 3 days, and as we sailed north from Reykjavik to Akureyri, we were sailing with the wind and in the same direction as it was blowing, so we had a lovely few hours looking for the Northern Lights, which we did see on a number of occasions over a few nights on the cruise

Based on our study of the geography, it is unlikely you'd hit the Arctic circle leaving or entering Akureyri unless you took a relatively significant detour to the north

We had visited Akureyri for the day having sailed from Reykjavik around the western side of Iceland and then sailed east to Norway, having to sail past the north east tip of Iceland, which is at a higher latitude than Akureyri.

I talked to someone on the ship today and they had visited Akureyri last year on a Princess Ship and all of the passengers on that ship had received a certificate confirming that they had actually sailed into the Arctic Circle

Hi Karlth, Thanks for all the information you have given. We are at Reykjavik September 2nd and 3rd 2014, on cruise ship Adventure of the Seas. Do you think it is worth booking a Northern Lights Tour at this time of the year????? Thanks Judy

Hi, we are currently on that same cruise this year. We did book the Northern Lights trip but officially it was "unsuccessful" and we can go on another one free of charge in the next 12 months or so if we go back there. I did get some green colours in the sky however on a long 30 second exposure on my camera, although it was difficult to perceive the colour with the naked eye.

We did however see the Lights on the ship as well as we sailed north from Reykjavik to Akureyri and on other later nights too, but it is better to stand on the Heli-Pad as the light pollution on Deck 12 was dreadful. The colours were not as vivid as we have seen in Alaska, but it was wonderful to see this natural phenomena anyway

Hi, does anyone know if cruise ships sail above the Arctic Circle when leaving Akureyri in North Iceland on the way to Trondheim in Norway.

According to the Adventure of the Seas TV screen a couple of days ago we were sailing at a latitude of 66.37N, when I seem to recall that the Arctic Circle is at 66.33N.

The Captain suggested that we had not been in the Arctic Circle during his noon message the following day but suggested that everyone tells their friends that they had been there, as their friends would not know whether they had or not.

Here is your picture. You were just missing the little front squared-off parentheses bracket item before the first IMG. You need to be careful to copy the full item, including each little part/element. Does this help?

 

Nice picture!! Congrats.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Terry, many thanks for your help in encouraging me to do this uploading to Cruise Critic threads. Hopefully it will be like riding a bike, once I get to know how to do it, I will never forget - BUT - I tried to upload another image, putting a squared off parentheses in front of it and it still did not work - for me!!!!!!!I must be thick!!!!! I have shown the link I am trying to copy below, with another "["in front of the as you suggested,

[and it still did not work. - [

What do you mean by "You need to be careful to copy the full item, including each little part/element". Apologies again for being so dumb, I seem to have a mental block on this subject, thanks again in anticipation of your patience and assistance, Harold.

 

PSI am currently in Kuala Lumpur on the way to Australia so I may not be able to check your answer for a while, but thanks anyway, Harold

IMG]http://i50.tinypic.com/25tj8ya.jpg[/img]

A Wandering Albatross in Antarctica

Tried to load this via Tinypic and it failed.

- tried to load it via the Flickr account and put before and after but it still did not work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I surrender and give up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is a link to the image on my Flickr account if anyone is interested " ". Note the blue markings on his chest.