CooksCruiser14

We just returned from a cruise "Around the Horn" from Santiago to Buenos Aires. We used Edgar with Tour Guides Ushuaia in both Porto Montt, Chile where we hiked and visited beautiful waterfalls, lakes and a volcano, and in Ushuaia where we had an amazing day at the Tierra del Fuego National Park. It was very easy to arrange the tours with him, his communication was excellent, and the guides were great. We especially enjoyed our guide Gaston's thorough knowledge and enthusiasm in Ushuaia. The prices for these tours were very reasonable and the guides were prompt to meet us at the pier in both ports.

I highly recommend these tours.

We travelled to the Galapagos with Tauck several years ago, we were on the Isabella 2 chartered from Metropolitan Tours. Look in to that tour outfit as they have shorter trip options, you don't have to go through Tauck.

January and February are summer vacation months for the locals. Viewing the penguins is better in January, the chicks are already very big. It will be hot in BA and still cold in the south. Either direction is fine but the best scenery for the fjords and glaciers will be on the land side of the ship so choose your cabin accordingly.

Cabin: 6146

Floor: 6

Class: S2

Ship: Infinity

Location: Starboard Aft

Bed: Facing Ocean

Noise: Yes, see comments.

Comments: This cabin had a lot of vibration from the engine which led to a lot of rattling. We had to wedge a towel in the connecting door to the suite next to us to quiet some of the vibration noise. There was also noise coming from the ceiling.

The doorbell from the adjoining suite was very loud, it sounds like it is ringing in this cabin.

The butlers area is in the hall across from this cabin.

This cabin has only one swing open door to the balcony, not a full width of windows. This makes the cabin darker than others. The balcony is a good size with table, 2 chairs and 2 chairs with ottomans. There is an awning to shelter from the sun but no balcony directly above you.

The bathroom is huge, double sink, shower and separate tub. There are 2 medicine cabinets for storage as well as under the sink.

Our friends were able to pick us up right at the Port Terminal. An alternate good place would be at the Sheraton.

Thanks for all the great insight. We just got offered a Suite Guarantee upgrade for $900 for a 14 day cruise to South America in the beginning of January. It includes all 4 perks and extra 500 OBC. We were originally in Aqua Class with 2 perks. Our second time on Celebrity, very excited. Hmm.... where will we spend that extra OBC?

Thank you for your thorough report, we are watching it with much interest. We board the Infinity one month from today.

Thank you for your responses. I am arranging a private van for up to 12 people from Valparaiso to San Antonio. If anyone is interested they can find the information on our Roll Call page. Sail Date on Celebrity Infinity is January 7, 2018.

On Celebrity Infinity Jan 7,2018. We just got notified today of the change in port, 60 days ahead of departure, now San Antonio. We already have transfers from airport to Valpo with wine excursion and hotel booked. I doubt we will be able to find a hotel in Santiago at this late date. I am interested in hearing anyone's experience who have done this or anyone on future cruises who have had to change their plans at these ports. Any advice? Will post on my roll call also.

Thanks,

Caroline

I would be curious to know this also, arriving on Celebrity Infinity January 20, 2018.

We received our cruise documents today for our May 10th cruise!!

Viking has added some additional optional excursions, has anyone done the Ardeche Gorge (called the Charming Ardeche) excursion from Tournon or the Beaujolais and Truffles from Lyon? Too many choices.

Still thinking of just doing Tain L'Hermitage on our own.

-Caroline

I like your idea also. Will you be using a private guide to visit Tain l'Hermitage and Tournon or will you be touring those towns on your own? If hiring a private guide, can you share his/her contact information?

We will tour this stop on our own, it looks very manageable and it is unclear how long we will have in this port, I am thinking only half a day since we have an included tour in Viviers in the evening.

We are on the Viking Delling Lyon to Avignon May 10-17. We plan on skipping the steam train and visiting Tain l'Hermitage and Tournon on our own. We will have our own chocolate and wine tasting tour. It looks like this is a big Burgundy region with many wine cellars and restaurants at this stop.

I am from the West Palm Beach area. Tri-Rail is notoriously unreliable. The drive is about about an hour provided there is no traffic, allow extra time on I95.

We are on the Tauck Peru and Galapagos tour on the Isabella II, cabin 9 departing on Sept 9. Will report back when we return. We have high expectations of the service that will be provided by Tauck but know that the cabins will be somewhat spartan.

Thanks so much for posting the link. We will be visiting Bruges post our Norway cruise this summer. Your photos are wonderful.

We are booked on the Sojourn for the Fjords and North Cape departing June 29. I see many photo opportunities in our future!!

Terry, I have been admiring your photos and realize that I definitely need an upgrade to my camera. Nikon has a 15-200 zoom lens that might be an all around fit so that I don't have to carry a heavy camera bag. What is your opinion on this type of lens. Considering either the D3100 or D5100. I currently have a non SLR Nikon with a large zoom and all the bells and whistles but the photos are no better than my little pocket 12x pocket zoom.

Also, what was your favorite place on this itinerary?

Thanks and keep posting your wonderful photos and great advice.

Hi, I am a booking my first Seabourn Cruise today, Sojourn to Norway and the North Cape departing June 29. We have to put our final deposit on March 31. I am looking for a referral coupon if there is anyone who would like to share. The info on this board has been great. Thanks so much.

Caroline