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Is Alejandro the Cruise director for this cruise?

I just booked to Vina Del Mar and the cost from Santiago Parajitos was 3 bucks. I do not know what the cost from SCL to Paratisos is but I suspect a similar cost. Takes about 1 hr 40! Mins plus about 30 mins from airport.

36 minutes ago, mcmarya said:

When we were in Santiago, we took one bus between San Antonio and Santiago and another between Santiago and the airport.  I expect the same is necessary in order to reach Valparaiso.

Hi thanks for the info. Is the process smooth? No issues with baggage etc? They are specific on size but never been on a bus where there are issues? And do you tip driver?

Do the buses Pullman etc run from the airport or do you have to take a different bus to connect for Vina Del Mar or Valparaiso? It is not clear on the booking site. It shows going from Santiago but not SCL airport. Also how long to go from plane to exit at 6:30 am.

thanks in advance

1 minute ago, twangster said:

 

Anything is possible until (and after) they make it available to book.  

When do you guess the timing of this might be?

14 minutes ago, twangster said:

 

Keep an eye on April 3 - 16.  This isn’t official yet but a potential cruise that might be offered.

 

13 Night Sydney To Singapore, Ovation Of The Seas Apr 3 - Apr 16

Would it not be easier to have an 11 day to Singapore and not have to change anything for passengers other than a ship change to Yokohama and then on to Seattle? The only issue is how many cabins are available now if they just switch ships for Ovation passengers wanting to continue on?

3 minutes ago, crzndeb said:

Unfortunately, that wouldn’t work for those of us on the Anthem that leave Singapore on Apr 13 to Yokohama. 🤷🏼‍♀️

They could shorten that leg and omit port stops. It has happened before as you probably know. Or being a new ship they could change the arrival in Seattle unless it is a straight swap for itinerary. I havent looked at Anthem when it hits Seattle.

15 minutes ago, cruisin from florida said:

Now that Ovation is in limbo after March 2025, I'm kinda hoping they'll take her to Singapore so we can get from Australia to our Singapore -Tokyo-Seattle cruises on a ship.

What is the timing if this change do you think? 

3 minutes ago, springaussie said:

Ovation now doesn’t have a cruise in April 2025.

The original Ovation Trans Pacific from Sydney is canceled and 2 replacement cruises are being worked by Quantum of the Seas to similar dates. 

Yes I see that now. It came up on a search. Ok all makes sense to me now.

 Thanks 

1 minute ago, springaussie said:

Ovation has a port booking in Darwin 10 April 2025.

Ovation could easily be swapped onto Anthem TP if required In Singapore or Yokohama even if it was a few days later. 

Yes but I see it going from Honolulu to Vancouver but nothing to Honolulu. So are they keeping their options open then?

39 minutes ago, springaussie said:

They could easily put Ovation on Anthem’s Trans Pacific from Singapore April 225. 

What are you suggesting? Anthem will be cancelled and booked passengers will go to ovation? What about the singapore to Tokyo preceding this cruise. Can you please elaborate your thoughts because not everybody is looking this deeply at the itineraries. All I know is that the Anthem may not go via the Red Sea to Singapore. I am

booked B2B on Anthem from Singapore to Seattle.

thanks

1 hour ago, cruiseboy89130 said:

I bet Anthem is staying in the western hemisphere and not going to Asia - they will cancel her TP .....

When so they leave for Asia and in the case of redeployment when do you assume that decision will

be made.

Just now, Ethanol95 said:

She will either way. If it’s cancelling some b sailings on the repo portion or starting sailings of the Singapore season to allow more time to pass through.

I am on Singapore to Tokyo then on to Seattle. Hope its a go. Its a great itinerary.

20 minutes ago, Ethanol95 said:

Anthem is said to only be having a one season stunt in Singapore. I don’t think she will continue for the 25/26 season.

Thanks. I guess if it can get through the Red Sea. 

38 minutes ago, Ethanol95 said:

Singapore deployment looks a lot earlier than usual this year. If there are no delays. I wonder why? I remember this used to come out June, if not July usually.

Which ships? Is Anthem on the list?

On 2/6/2024 at 12:48 PM, LilyT said:

We got our Visa within 24 hours!  😀🙏 

 

After reading the experience, advices and tips from several users on a few travel forums, my husband and I applied for the Brazil e-Visa yesterday, February 5, and we both received our Visa today, a little less than 24 hours after submitting our application! None of our documents and photos were rejected. No doom loop, we are so happy!!!

 

For the photos, we used the following online service:  visafoto.com
In the dropdown boxes we chose:
[Select Country] : Brazil
[Select Document] : Brazil visa online 413X531 px via VFSGI

We uploaded a photo made with our cellphone against a with-ish background, the system centered our face according to specs with a pure white background.  It costs us $7.00 CAD per photo, you can make as many tests as you want before downloading/paying.

 

Thanks to everyone who shared their experience! 

 

Helps when you have read Brazilian visas for dummies book lol.

2 minutes ago, Jamietravelstheworld said:

When does your cruise arrive/depart? I am currently in Santiago and as of yesterday the highway between Santiago and Valparaiso was still closed and tour operators were being asked to stay away from Valparaiso through at least this week. This doesn't answer your question but might help, depending on when your date is.

Not until April 7. Thanks for the update. Anything else to add? 

Does anybody have an idea whether the Port of Valparaiso is or will be affected by the horrible fire situation. Is it possible that Celebrity will move to San Antonio.

Just now, LilyT said:

Thanks for the update! Where can I find the generic NCL financial certification letter you submitted in place of a bank statement?

That generic letter was sent by NCL. Why not ask them?

2 minutes ago, LilyT said:

Thank you for the update. Can you tell me what was the dimension of your photo that was ultimately accepted?

It is the equivalent of 2x2. If I were starting this process all over again and from being involved in a lot of these boards, the ones with the most first time success have used a photo agency that has the software of different country requirements on their computer. Then receive a digital copy to download. Some have been lucky without getting it done this way but most have had success with this method. Nobody knows what the other side looks like and who is reviewing. Your question is very speculative.

Agreed. All I would add to this is it really should not have to be 60 pages of instruction to apply for a visa. Here is one example of computerization not being very efficient. If it was a paper application, you would get a photo taken like a passport and then fill out a form and take some copies of documents. Drop off and it would be done. Some may have not encountered issues on the app

but many have and once it starts it is very difficult to move forward.

13 minutes ago, Asuzi said:

Received my Visa yesterday.  Started the process in 12/15.   Had to update 3 different photos.  Went to approved status on 1/25.  Visa received via email on 1/30.  So about 45 days.   Miami Consulate USA

 

Now getting really excited for the cruise!

Thanks for the update. We need some positive news!

2 minutes ago, pghflyer said:

I paid and started on Sunday January 21. None of my documents were questioned at all (I used the NCL generic financial letter provided earlier in this thread, didn't submit any of my financial info). I submitted my latest (my fourth) photo on Thursday January 25 and just checked tonight and mine is showing approved (from USA). It seems for me (FWIW) that having someone take the picture so no indication of selfie, taking off my glasses, and whiting out the whole background (my previous background was a very very light gray) did the trick. I always had good resolution and clear photo. 

 

I used this site to achieve the white background:

https://www.photoroom.com/tools/white-background

 

Good luck all!

Thank you. Keep us updated. 

12 minutes ago, tiki_g1000 said:

I forgot to mention that I had applied for mine in mid-December, prior to the extension from January 10 to April 10.  Actually, it wasn't easy peasy.  Initially, the format in which I submitted my passport was rejected, so I resubmitted my passport in proper format. That was in mid-December. Several weeks later my photo was rejected.  I then decided to have my photo taken at Walgreens.  When I attempted to replace the photo under the "photo" section, I could not "save and continue."  Then someone on this forum with the same issues, suggested uploading the new photo under "other documents" and then, tah-dah, it was saved and uploaded.  That was way beyond the 10-day deadline to upload rejected documents. I uploaded my new photo 4 days ago.

Ok so normal for this group lol. 

Just now, tiki_g1000 said:

I actually applied before my husband.  We wanted to make sure the process was going to work before paying out the second $80 fee for his application.  I actually don't need it because we are entering prior to April 10.  However, since we already had spent that much time in the application process, I wanted to follow through in case we return within the next 10 years. 

Ah ok thanks for that. You are one of the lucky ones no pain easy peasy. One fellow was 40 days to approval and now waiting for the visa.