punta arenas port

[newgirlhelpme]

Hi! I’m doing my first south america and antartica cruise in december, on the oosterdam from HAL. When we are in punta arenas, i am trying to book a penguin tour. The tour provider has asked me which dock we will be at. There’s prat pier and mardones pier. We are arriving on January 1. Does anyone know how I can find this out?? It’s not on the navigator app, and i’m not sure how else i can find out? 

[jsn55]

Interesting situation.  Makes me think that the tour provider may not be legit.  I don't think a pax could possibly know which dock the Oosterdam will use on January 1.  The dock might be planned and published ahead of time, but could change at the last minute; it's all governed by the Port Authority.  Tour providers are well aware of this fact, and know it's their responsibility to find the exact location of a ship once it's tied up at the dock.  I'd look for another tour provider.  But perhaps others here are wiser than I.  

[newgirlhelpme]

24 minutes ago, jsn55 said:

Interesting situation.  Makes me think that the tour provider may not be legit.  I don't think a pax could possibly know which dock the Oosterdam will use on January 1.  The dock might be planned and published ahead of time, but could change at the last minute; it's all governed by the Port Authority.  Tour providers are well aware of this fact, and know it's their responsibility to find the exact location of a ship once it's tied up at the dock.  I'd look for another tour provider.  But perhaps others here are wiser than I.  

I’m sorry, I may have worded it wrong, but from my understanding there’s 2 ports in punta arenas. So i believe they were asking me which of those 2 we will be coming in  

[Charles4515]

40 minutes ago, newgirlhelpme said:

I’m sorry, I may have worded it wrong, but from my understanding there’s 2 ports in punta arenas. So i believe they were asking me which of those 2 we will be coming in  

A local tour operator should be able to find that information out. I would be leery of using that operator. 

[jsn55]

3 hours ago, newgirlhelpme said:

I’m sorry, I may have worded it wrong, but from my understanding there’s 2 ports in punta arenas. So i believe they were asking me which of those 2 we will be coming in  

I hear you, but a local should be able to get that info easily ... and they should know that it won't be confirmed until your ship's at the dock.  For what it's worth, I just used Viator for the first time (I'm extremely leery of third-party travel providers) in Roma and it was a terrific experience.  I hope you can book just the right excursion in Punta Arenas.

[Charles4515]

2 hours ago, jsn55 said:

I hear you, but a local should be able to get that info easily ... and they should know that it won't be confirmed until your ship's at the dock.  For what it's worth, I just used Viator for the first time (I'm extremely leery of third-party travel providers) in Roma and it was a terrific experience.  I hope you can book just the right excursion in Punta Arenas.

Why would any tour operator not find out from the port?  Would it make sense to drive to the dock and find no ship? Berths can be switched for an operational reason.  I onder if the tour has to be prepaid and they don't care. 

Edited November 3, 2023 by Charles4515