Our SA cruise Dec 17/06

[SHIPLUVR]

We arrived in Buenos Aires 4 days prior to embarkation. We were met at the airport by Defrantur. Ricardo is an exceptional tour operator. We took the city tour through Ricardo. We stayed at the Claridge Hotel, which I highly recommend. Our room was nice, staff friendly and helpful, and the location is great. Just around the corner from Florida Street and we walked down to the harbor for a wonderful dinner at Las Lilas. There is a great wine shop just a few doors down from the hotel where we purchased some malbec wines. We went to the dinner/show at Senor Tango and thoroughly enjoyed it. We left our luggage at the hotel and flew to Iguazu Falls. We took a remissa from the airport to Hotel St George. We highly recommend this hotel. Our room needed updating but the staff were friendly and helpful, there is a beautiful pool and the local bus to the falls is only 1/2 block from the hotel. We had a nice dinner at "tios", with a live local band and the atmosphere made it a special night. We took the local bus to the falls. We did alot of walking and took the jungle explorer ride. We got drenched but had so much fun. Montevideo: we took the free shuttle to the leather factory only for the ride to city center. we walked around the city on our own and loved it. there is a kiosk near the graf spee monument where you can phone home for reasonable cost. Puerto Madryn: we took a ship excursion to punta tombo penguin colony. this was a highlight. penguins as far as the eye can see. i had read on the posts that it is best to take a private tour to arrive ahead of the buses but i don't think it's necessary. there are several wide marked pathways and while there were many people, you aren't "elbow to elbow". this tour was long (our guide was great) so we only had about 1/2 hr to see the town. Usuhaia: our favorite port. So beautiful. We spent the morning shopping (good quality leather goods) and had excellent hot chocolate and media lunas (like croissants) at laguna Negra - chocolate shop/cafe. In the afternoon, we hired a taxi from just outside the pier and he drove us to Tierra del Fuego national park. We spent a lot of time there, walking and in awe of the scenery. There is a tiny postoffice at ensenada bay where the post man stamps all mail with "fin del mundo". we went to the end of pan american highway and also to lago roca with spectacular scenery and well built walkways. Punta Arenas: we had a private tour here to seno otway. another fascinating penguin colony. our guide was delightful and talking to her about her way of life added to the experience. we had about an hour to walk around the city (there never seemed to be enough time in any port - only makes us want to return). Puerto Montt: we hired a taxi and drove to puerto varas, petrohue falls and up orosono volcano. again, beautiful scenery. there is a large craft market near the port with alpaca scarves being hot sellers at $5 each. Valparaiso: we took the ship excursion Santiago Highlights, which was a good way to use the day and it ended at the airport. Friends took the Coastal Cities excursion and said it was the best excursion of all the cruise. Other: we ate one night in the SS United States. We had the menu exceptionnel and it truly was - a memorable meal for us. The discoveries enrichment series was a highlight. Lectures on glaciers, penguins, cape horn, history and culture of the ports, etc were educational and fascinating - we never missed one. I sent emails from the i-cafe - $2 each to send and receive. A tip: send one email to one family member and ask them to forward them to the rest of the gang back home. Friends and family liked to follow our voyage on the bridge cam. We had CC class and an aft cabin. This cabin was a highlight and we are spoiled forever. The balcony was fantastic and we put it to good use, in all weather. The scenery, the adventures, the sea days, the history, the penguins, cape horn and the people we met all made this a cruise of a lifetime.