Help for South America Cruise 2/24/06

[scubadiver77]

BW and I ar booked on the Princess Regal leaving Valpariso on the 24th of February, 2006. We have lots of time to plan our shore excursions but would like to confirm our pre-cruise hotel rooms. We want to stay in Vina Del Mar and we understand this is a vacation spot and we might need to reserve early. We will arrive in Santiago on Monday the 21st of February around 9:30 AM and intend to tour Santiago, drive through the winery country, stopping for lunch and wine tastings and end up in Vina Del Mar. I know this is a little too much after flying all night, but I do not want to waste any time. I want to see everything. I would welcome any advice on tours, hotels and services that might provide such. Thanks and I will inquire about shore excursions in the future.

[BOHEMIO]

:eek:

Hi scubadiver77

excuse my ingles is very basic

I know Santiago very well and Viña del Mar.

I travel four times for year by business

Viña is a city very pretty,completely tourist, the avenue San Martin is the most important,in this place there is good restaurant and closely Casino Municipal, you would have to look for hotel near this place

visit this website http://www.hoteleschilenos.cl/hoteles/datos_Vregion/hoteles_vina.htm

you it wants to know some vinery in the tranfer from Santiago Viña del Mar it is not problem , in Santiago there are good companies to tranfer with stopped in a vineyard

Santiago is a city with interesant places what you must knows,

visit this website http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g294291-i1357-Chile.html

[BCHappyGal]

You are in for a wonderful cruise with diverse and interesting ports of call.

 

check out my review South America jan 3 - 31 on this board. Attached you will see a list of the private tour operators that I used. they were all excellent.

 

Ann

[ACJV]

We took this cruise in January 2005. It was terrific. We stayed two nights in Santiago and really enjoyed it. The nicest hotel we have ever stayed in anywhere. The Ritz Carlton Santiago. Give it some thought.

Vicki

[Hau'oli]

Joan,

Sure did enjoy your trip report and have saved all the information. You really have a remarkable talent with words.

 

How much time do you think we should allocate in Santiago and Valparaiso? We will be ending our cruise there in January 2006 before flying back to Rio and on to Iguazu Falls. Do you recommend staying in Valparaiso vs. Santiago?

[Aussie Gal]

Hau'oll,

 

Just wondering which cruise you will be on in January. We are on the Regal Princess leaving Rio on 8th January and were wondering if you are on the same ship.

 

Jennie

[Hau'oli]

Hau'oll,

 

Just wondering which cruise you will be on in January. We are on the Regal Princess leaving Rio on 8th January and were wondering if you are on the same ship.

 

Jennie

 

Aloha Jennie...we will be on Holland America's Rotterdam boarding December 22...it is a 20 day cruise so we get into Santiago on January 11, 2006. ;)) Lots of sea time!!! Have you planned your tours yet? We are beginning our planning and appreciate all the information these boards provide. We need to figure out how much time to spend in Santiago/Valparaiso area before going to Iguazu Falls on our way back home. Any one have suggestions?

[Aussie Gal]

Hau'oll,

 

Our cruise is 21 days so we are having time in Rio and the Iguazu falls before boarding the ship.

 

We are only having one night in Santiago before flying up to Cusco. We then have 2 nights there, one night in Machu Picchu, another night back at Cusco and then fly to Quito and go to the Galapagos Islands. We were originally planning on returning to Santiago after the islands but we are using F.F. points for all our international flights and it just didn't work out so unfortunately we will miss out on seeing a lot of Santiago.

 

When we disembark our transfer is including a tour of Santiago besides doing Vina del Mar and a winery. It will be a busy day but after so many days at sea, I am sure we will be able to cope.

 

We are starting to fine tune our plans re the ports but there are a couple of ports that we are still deciding on what to do.

 

This Board has been wonderful and I have gained a lot of information from it over the past 11 months.

 

Jennie

[cruise pup]

Hi there. I'm also booked on Regal Princess 2/24/06. The prices were incredible compared to the other lines and also compared with the other sailings on RP. I am travelling with a friend of mine and we unforunately can't any extra time before the cruise. We are planning on staying overnight in Buenos Aires after. I hear that the Intercontinental is the best deal.

[scubadiver77]

Glad to hear someone else is on our trip. I guess more will get involved on the board as it gets nearer to the cruise date. I looked at the website for the Buenos Aires Intercontinental and it seemed reasonable. I was wondering about the location. I was thinking of going to one of the tour company to see what they have to offer. Let's keep in touch. Any new information will be welcomed. My e-mail address is edcutrer@earthlink.net.

[Smooth Sailing]

Hi Scubadiver

We did this cruise this past Jan - I have a multi part review posted - We stayed at the Best Western Marina del Mar in Vina and were very pleased with this hotel - only $80.00 a night and no taxes - I also mention the best steak I've ever had in my review - can't remeber the name of the resturant now - it is in my review - part 1.

[scubadiver77]

Thanks a lot for your postings. At this point I am just trying to make sure I have a place to stay pre and post cruise. We have reservations at the Gala Hotel in Vina del Mar. I have contacted two tour companies in Buenos Aires for their recommandations for tours and hotels. As cruise time grows nearer I will get more involved in the shore excursions. I would appreciate some information at this time. BW has a difficult time walking more than half a mile. She really does not want to miss the penguins. Could someone recommend the best place to observe penguins without a long walk? Thanks Ed

[lynn21]

I am booked on the Infinity out of Buenos Aires on 22 January and although we have on past cruises rarely taken the ships excursions I am worried about taking independent tours in South America. What happens if the initerary is changed due to bad weather? Also I remember that on tendered landings those who are not on ships tours are taken off last. Has anybody had any bad experiences?

[NewCruiseFan]

Hi Scuba,

 

I flew into Santiago and had plans similar to your own - tour Santiago, wine tasting, tour then hotel to die. I had been so excited during the flight I didn't sleep much so was fairly loopy when I arrived - Take "No Jet Lag" and get some sleep on the plane. I got my "no jet lag" at AAA and have also seen it at Travel Smith. I'm a true believer and take it on all my flights now.

 

I wasn't all that impressed with Santiago but it might have been because I was so tired. The wine country was beautiful. Vina is beautiful - fantastic natural park near train station in addition to beautiful beaches.

 

I stayed in Valpo but would likely stay in Vina if doing it again. In Valpo loved the Ascensores, the Naval Museum and walking the hills - wasn't there long enough to be bored.

 

Have a fantastic time, it's a beautiful place to go and the cruise is wonderful.

[scubadiver77]

I have flown to Europe and Asia before and have used no jet lag pills. But I am curious about jet lag when you fly North to South. I will be flying out of Houston to Miami to Santiago. Miami is in the same time zone as Santiago. Since I sleep very little on the plane trip, I know I will be DOA when I arrive in Santiago in the morning. But will it be jet lag and last more than a day? Will no jet lag pills be needed? If anyone knows the answer please respond.