highlands1234

Fred,

Thanks for the reply. After I posted this I found the other threads with detailed info regarding the Aysen transfers from Budgetqueen and others. Glad to hear you didnt have any issues getting to Coyhaique as that is our plan as well. 

Fred,

Thats what I was thinking from the photosphere and google map photos I was able to pull up. 

Gayle,

Thanks for the suggestion. The lake looks beautiful and seems like a fairly easy hike. Sounds like you can catch a shuttle to the trailhead for cheap somewhere downtown I guess? Based on the review link you gave, I think I am leaning towards this hike, unless it rains, in which case it sounds like it might be pretty muddy and then the drier option might be the glacier Marital.

Nevermind, I just looked at google maps and followed the tracks and realized the whole train ride from Tren del fin Mundo to Estacion Tierra del Fuego NP is only like 3 miles. Doesnt seem worth ~$31 IMO, when you can walk that same distance on the road in 45 minutes(not that we would just pointing out what a short distance it is). 

Just wanted to get peoples opinion on what they thought was a better activity for Ushuaia between those 2 options. We enjoy hiking and it seems like it would be easy to do the glacier hike with a short cab ride from the port, but also seems like you would see diverse natural landscapes with the train (but with less time for hiking). 

I often take public transit or ubers to get to where I want to go on port stops. But Puerto Chacabuco looks like a very small out in the middle of no where kind of port stop. I was just wondering if anyone knew whether taxis, buses or ubers are available at the port? I am leaning towards doing a excursion through the cruise line as I have read post on trip advisor where people got stuck at the port because they thought they could do their own independent excursion. 

Thanks

We are flying into Santiago on a red eye and arriving at 4:00 A.M. I booked the airport transfer the the NCL website, but on my cruise documents (the transfer voucher part) all NCL says is "An NCL representative will meet your flight inside the baggage claim area. Please have your transfer vouchers ready. Transportation is arranged as a shuttle service, based on guest arrival time and numbers".

Obviously, I cant imagine someone will be there at 4:00 A.M and I dont want to show up at the port at 6 A.M, so I imagine the contractor (DMC Chile) will wait until there are other later arrivals that booked transfers through NCL, but shouldn't NCL notify us when  the first morning pickup will be so we are not just sitting in baggage claim for hours looking for the transfer company? 

Ern.dog,

Thanks for the info. Received confirmation from Holland via email today that no yellow fever vaccine is required. I have heard that about Nicaragua. Did you stay on the ship? I was thinking of maybe getting a cab with a couple others and checking out Leon.

Westcoaster,

That beach is a bit of a drive from Cornito is it not? I was thinking Leon would be a decent excursion.

Jase0581,

Thanks for sharing. I don't believe it will be an issue but will try to get an email from Holland before the cruise as an additional CYA measure.

Regarding the port itself, I have read about the town and the glass beach, definitely sounds like a port stop where you want an excursion arranged.

Turtle,

thanks for all the great information about your recent Cruise. That gives me some reassurance that it won't be an issue for me. I was originally looking at a westbound cruise that stopped in Colombia and had the same concerns about Costa Rica. We ended up picking Holland Cruise the stops in Aruba instead of Columbia which I figured was even safer since Aruba is not at all in any yellow fever zone. To be on the safe side I will work on getting an email from Holland prior to the cruise.

Thanks for the info Bill. Went ahead and posted on the Princess and Norwegian forum. I agree with you, I am sure its not an issue, I am just being OCD and wanting verification/reassurance. Those stories about being denied boarding for not having a vaccine is the motivation.

I submitted the post below in the Panama cruise section of the boards, but someone on that thread suggested I post here, as the Island Princess just completed a west bound full transit cruise that included a stop in Nicaragua. Just wanted to verify that there were no issues with the new Nicaragua requirements that were implemented at the end of January (see below)

I know these yellow fever questions are always being asked, but wanted to hear from Panama full transit cruisers that have done cruises this February after the below requirements were implemented. As you can see below, the state department notes that Panama is on the list of areas with active yellow fever transmission that Nicaragua would want proof of vaccine if you have been there in the last 6 days. But since the CDC does not recommend or consider the panama canal itself an active transmission zone I am assuming that it would not be required by Nicaragua. Would love to hear from a full transit west bound cruiser that went this February that can confirm that Nicaragua is not requiring proof of yellow fever vaccination if you are coming from the panama canal.

On January 17, 2017 the Government of Nicaragua announced a new requirement for travelers entering Nicaragua from certain countries to present proof of yellow fever vaccination as a condition for being granted entry to Nicaragua. This requirement is in response to a recent yellow fever outbreak in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais.

Effective January 27, 2017, travelers coming from countries designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as places with the potential for active transmission of yellow fever will be required to present an International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever, showing a vaccine given at least 10 days prior, at the Nicaraguan port of entry. Those countries currently include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela, and all countries located on the African continent with the exception of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Sao Tome and Principe, and Somalia.

The United States is not listed as a country with the potential for active transmission of yellow fever. The new requirement does not impact travelers already in Nicaragua.

Travelers with prior travel to countries with the potential for active transmission of yellow fever will not be required to show proof of a yellow fever vaccine as long as the prior travel to the affected country occurred more than six days prior and the traveler does not show symptoms of yellow fever. Symptoms of yellow fever include sudden onset of fever, chills, severe headache, back pain, general body aches, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, and weakness.

Travelers impacted by the new requirement must show an International Certificate of Vaccination as proof of immunization at the port of entry. A World Health Organization (WHO) card (commonly called a “yellow card”) showing proof of immunization is often used by travelers.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends or urges precaution against yellow fever vaccinations for pregnant women, children under 9 months of age, breastfeeding mothers, and people with certain other medical conditions. Please refer to the CDC’s website for specific guidance. For those who cannot receive a yellow fever vaccination, the Nicaraguan government requires a letter of medical certification explaining why an exemption is medically justified.

In accordance with CDC guidance, the Government of Nicaragua deems a yellow fever vaccine effective for life.

Additional information about yellow fever is available from the CDC and the WHO.

For further information about security in Nicaragua:

• See the State Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Nicaragua Country Specific Information.
  
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler-Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
  
• Contact the U.S. Embassy in Nicaragua, located at Km 5 ½ C. Sur Managua, Nicaragua, at 011-505-2252-7100, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The American Citizen Services unit is also available by email during regular business hours at ACS.Managua@state.gov.
  
• Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
  

The post below if from the Panama section of the boards, but someone replied on that post suggesting i post it here as well since Norwegian Jewel just did the full transit that included Nicaragua after the new requirements discussed below were implemented. I imagine there were no issues in Nicaragua as they likely consider the cruises going through Panama without stopping in transit and not subject to their new requirements, but wanted to make sure.

I know these yellow fever questions are always being asked, but wanted to hear from Panama full transit cruisers that have done cruises this February after the below requirements were implemented. As you can see below, the state department notes that Panama is on the list of areas with active yellow fever transmission that Nicaragua would want proof of vaccine if you have been there in the last 6 days. But since the CDC does not recommend or consider the panama canal itself an active transmission zone I am assuming that it would not be required by Nicaragua. Would love to hear from a full transit west bound cruiser that went this February that can confirm that Nicaragua is not requiring proof of yellow fever vaccination if you are coming from the panama canal.

On January 17, 2017 the Government of Nicaragua announced a new requirement for travelers entering Nicaragua from certain countries to present proof of yellow fever vaccination as a condition for being granted entry to Nicaragua. This requirement is in response to a recent yellow fever outbreak in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais.

Effective January 27, 2017, travelers coming from countries designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as places with the potential for active transmission of yellow fever will be required to present an International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever, showing a vaccine given at least 10 days prior, at the Nicaraguan port of entry. Those countries currently include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela, and all countries located on the African continent with the exception of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Sao Tome and Principe, and Somalia.

The United States is not listed as a country with the potential for active transmission of yellow fever. The new requirement does not impact travelers already in Nicaragua.

Travelers with prior travel to countries with the potential for active transmission of yellow fever will not be required to show proof of a yellow fever vaccine as long as the prior travel to the affected country occurred more than six days prior and the traveler does not show symptoms of yellow fever. Symptoms of yellow fever include sudden onset of fever, chills, severe headache, back pain, general body aches, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, and weakness.

Travelers impacted by the new requirement must show an International Certificate of Vaccination as proof of immunization at the port of entry. A World Health Organization (WHO) card (commonly called a “yellow card”) showing proof of immunization is often used by travelers.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends or urges precaution against yellow fever vaccinations for pregnant women, children under 9 months of age, breastfeeding mothers, and people with certain other medical conditions. Please refer to the CDC’s website for specific guidance. For those who cannot receive a yellow fever vaccination, the Nicaraguan government requires a letter of medical certification explaining why an exemption is medically justified.

In accordance with CDC guidance, the Government of Nicaragua deems a yellow fever vaccine effective for life.

Additional information about yellow fever is available from the CDC and the WHO.

For further information about security in Nicaragua:

• See the State Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Nicaragua Country Specific Information.
  
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler-Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
  
• Contact the U.S. Embassy in Nicaragua, located at Km 5 ½ C. Sur Managua, Nicaragua, at 011-505-2252-7100, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The American Citizen Services unit is also available by email during regular business hours at ACS.Managua@state.gov.
  
• Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
  

I know these yellow fever questions are always being asked, but wanted to hear from Panama full transit cruisers that have done cruises this February after the below requirements were implemented. As you can see below, the state department notes that Panama is on the list of areas with active yellow fever transmission that Nicaragua would want proof of vaccine if you have been there in the last 6 days. But since the CDC does not recommend or consider the panama canal itself an active transmission zone I am assuming that it would not be required by Nicaragua. Would love to hear from a full transit west bound cruiser that went this February that can confirm that Nicaragua is not requiring proof of yellow fever vaccination if you are coming from the panama canal.

On January 17, 2017 the Government of Nicaragua announced a new requirement for travelers entering Nicaragua from certain countries to present proof of yellow fever vaccination as a condition for being granted entry to Nicaragua. This requirement is in response to a recent yellow fever outbreak in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais.

Effective January 27, 2017, travelers coming from countries designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as places with the potential for active transmission of yellow fever will be required to present an International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever, showing a vaccine given at least 10 days prior, at the Nicaraguan port of entry. Those countries currently include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela, and all countries located on the African continent with the exception of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Sao Tome and Principe, and Somalia.

The United States is not listed as a country with the potential for active transmission of yellow fever. The new requirement does not impact travelers already in Nicaragua.

Travelers with prior travel to countries with the potential for active transmission of yellow fever will not be required to show proof of a yellow fever vaccine as long as the prior travel to the affected country occurred more than six days prior and the traveler does not show symptoms of yellow fever. Symptoms of yellow fever include sudden onset of fever, chills, severe headache, back pain, general body aches, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, and weakness.

Travelers impacted by the new requirement must show an International Certificate of Vaccination as proof of immunization at the port of entry. A World Health Organization (WHO) card (commonly called a “yellow card”) showing proof of immunization is often used by travelers.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends or urges precaution against yellow fever vaccinations for pregnant women, children under 9 months of age, breastfeeding mothers, and people with certain other medical conditions. Please refer to the CDC’s website for specific guidance. For those who cannot receive a yellow fever vaccination, the Nicaraguan government requires a letter of medical certification explaining why an exemption is medically justified.

In accordance with CDC guidance, the Government of Nicaragua deems a yellow fever vaccine effective for life.

Additional information about yellow fever is available from the CDC and the WHO.

For further information about security in Nicaragua:

• See the State Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Nicaragua Country Specific Information.
  
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler-Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
  
• Contact the U.S. Embassy in Nicaragua, located at Km 5 ½ C. Sur Managua, Nicaragua, at 011-505-2252-7100, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The American Citizen Services unit is also available by email during regular business hours at ACS.Managua@state.gov.
  
• Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
  

Don't know about today but it used to be pretty expensive, luckily my employer paid for anything like that.

 

I wonder if it's required for trips up the river Amazon ?

Funny you mention the Amazon Pspercy. A couple months ago I booked a amazon cruise through Cunard and I double checked all the requirements for all port stops. Basically the route included Barbados and Brazil. Barbados requires the vaccine if coming from a yellow fever zone, but since that stop was first it wasn't an issue. So I purchased the ticket and did the online checkin through Cunards vacation planner, which also stated no vaccination was required. Then 1 week before the cruise I get a notice that we need a yellow fever vaccination to board. A few phone calls later I was credited my purchase. But that experience is the main reason I posted this thread. I don't want to take my chances. Even when you double check all the rules and requirements you can still be denied boarding depending on the subjective rules of the cruise company. It worked out though since the outbreak happened right when the ship would've been there.

Great to hear! Thank you everyone for the confirmation.

I would love to hear from any cruisers that did a westbound cruise on Norwegian that stopped in Cartagena Colombia before going on to Costa Rica, that did not have a yellow fever vaccine. We dont have a yellow fever vaccine and don't want to get one and the CDC doesn't recommend one for Cartagena. So my question is does Costa Rica consider you coming a yellow fever zone if you just visited Cartagena? Also will NCL require proof of vaccination before boarding for this cruise?

Thanks!

2aran,

I saw that notice and chuckled to myself. It figures it would happen right when I was going down with no YF shot, just my luck! I ended up getting out of the cruise (glad I did with the recent outbreak, guess I was lucky there actually). With the current outbreak I would want a YF shot before going to the amazon.

Think I will just travel as lewilewi is, avoiding south american (except chile, and some others parts of the coast) and definitely avoiding central Africa.

Thank you everyone for the confirmation. I will go ahead and book.

I emailed Celebrity already, but wanted to hear from Celebrity cruisers too. I am being extra safe as far as boarding requirements from the cruise lines after a recent Cunard experience where they sent a last second notice requiring a yellow fever shot for a Brazil amazon cruise where it was not required by Brazil (we were disembarking in Rio). It was their own specific requirement but was not even stated on their voyage planner after booking.

So given that, I just want to make sure Celebrity doesn't have any specific boarding requirements before booking (besides our passports). Since its westbound we are stopping in Cartagena first before Colon or Costa Rica, but based on the CDC info below, Cartagena is part of the "generally not recommended" area so does that mean Panama and Costa Rica do not see you as coming from a yellow fever zone?

 

Yellow Fever

 

Requirements: None

Recommendations: Recommended for all travelers ≥9 months of age except as mentioned below. Generally not recommended for travelers to the cities of Barranquilla, Cali, Cartagena, and Medellín (see Map 3-24). Not recommended for travelers whose itineraries are limited to all areas >2,300 m (7,546 ft) in elevation, the department of San Andrès y Providencia, and the capital city of Bogotá.

 

Malaria

 

Areas with malaria: All areas at altitudes ≤1,700 m (5,577 ft). None in Bogotá, Cartagena, and Medellin. (See Map 3-25).

Estimated relative risk of malaria for US travelers: Low.

Drug resistance4: Chloroquine.

Malaria species: P. falciparum 50%, P. vivax 50%.

Recommended chemoprophylaxis: Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine.

Hard to tell from the CDC map I linked above, but I guess Cartagena is part of the "Generally not recommended" category from the CDC, so as far as Panama and Costa Rica are concerned they dont see you coming from a yellow fever zone?

 

Yellow Fever

 

Requirements: None

Recommendations: Recommended for all travelers ≥9 months of age except as mentioned below. Generally not recommended for travelers to the cities of Barranquilla, Cali, Cartagena, and Medellín (see Map 3-24). Not recommended for travelers whose itineraries are limited to all areas >2,300 m (7,546 ft) in elevation, the department of San Andrès y Providencia, and the capital city of Bogotá.

 

Malaria

 

Areas with malaria: All areas at altitudes ≤1,700 m (5,577 ft). None in Bogotá, Cartagena, and Medellin. (See Map 3-25).

Estimated relative risk of malaria for US travelers: Low.

Drug resistance4: Chloroquine.

Malaria species: P. falciparum 50%, P. vivax 50%.

Recommended chemoprophylaxis: Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine.

CruiserBruce,

Did you sail on the same cruise line or different cruse lines? I only ask because I just recently got out of a Cunard cruise that was going up the Amazon (the deep jungle as you say). Now CDC recommended the yellow fever vaccine for the amazon but it was not required by any international organization nor was it required by Brazil. I was then disembarking at Rio and flying back to the States. Cunards own cruise planner after booking did not mention any vaccination requirements either. But then received an email a week before embarking that Cunard was requiring it. So thats why I am a little paranoid booking with Celebrity, then arriving at the port to find out they wont let me on.

Ironically they have more justification for denying me on a panama canal cruise then the brazil cruise since I would be coming from a yellow fever zone (colombia) on this cruise before going to costa rica, whereas the amazon cruise was just barbados then brazil (barbados first though) so they had no cause to deny boarding then.

Sorry for the long post just there is alot of inconsistency it seems regarding this sometimes.

Also just noticed that panama(stopping in colon after cartagena) has the same yellow fever vaccine requirement if coming from a yellow fever zone (colombia)

So looking at booking a westbound panama canal cruise. So we stop in Cartagena Colombia before arriving in Costa Rica. Since costa rica requires a yellow fever vaccine if coming from a yellow fever zone (which Colombia and Cartagena are in if you look at the CDC map below) we would be required to get a yellow fever vaccine.

https://www.cdc.gov/yellowfever/maps/south_america.html

But then I found this website from the Costa Rican embassy that really confuses things.

http://www.costarica-embassy.org/index.php?q=node/97

So not sure if its required or not, and also not sure if the cruise line will let me on without proof of yellow fever vaccine or not. From recent past experiences I am hesitant to book without knowing, since the cruise line doesnt always make it clear if you need the vaccine to board before you book. FYI, this would be a Celebrity cruise.

Would love to hear from anyone that has recently done a celebrity full transit westbound panama canal cruise and what celebrity required to board.

Thanks!

Well seems like the cruise line rules are as clear as mud sometimes. I had booked an amazon river cruise through Cunard and their own planner that you use to make sure you are ready to go said no vaccinations are required, just the visa. Then I get a notice 7 days before boarding that the yellow fever vaccine is required. Apparently the cruise lines see CDC "recommended" yellow fever vaccine shots as "required". It is not required unless you continue to a country that requires it if you are coming from a yellow fever zone.

Lesson learned

Hihilo,

I understand its the amazon, but its not required, for all of Brazil, whether you are in Rio or Manaus, thats the point. Thanks for the info on Travelgard.

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/cruise_ship.extended_student/brazil?s_cid=ncezid-dgmq-travel-single-001