Veendam South America

[Chasse]

Hi All

I have only been on one cruise from two decades ago, and DH has NONE.

I am seriously considering HAL's Oct 16, 2011 37-day South America cruise (it starts in NY, goes through the Panama canal, goes around Cape Horn and ends in Rio de Janeiro) and would really appreciate your help:

Are we nuts? We always travel independently, so DH is "prudently circumspect" of trying something this different and deadly afraid of getting seasick.
I am greedy and want to "do it all". The ship will be staying 2 days in Lima, but I don't think there is enough time to visit Machu Picchu properly, so I am thinking of doubling back from Rio, visiting Iguzu Falls, MP and the Galapagos on an independent private tour. How long would that take? What would be a good route / order of visit (we will be returning to Vancouver, Canada)? Can someone recommend a tour agency and include some details if possible (must-see sights, estimated costs, flights, hotels, etc.)
Are we nuts w.r.t. my "greediness"??
Thanks so much for sharing your experiences.

[ScottishMaid]

There are plenty of opportunities to do things independently at many ports, such as doing your own walking or taxi tour. There are also plenty of opportunities for getting sea sick on this itinerary, though a low deck midships cabin and behind the ear patches will help.
We did 35 days on the Veendam San Diego to Rio and that was enough for one trip without the extra places you are thinking of visiting.
This is the roll call for the first part of your cruise
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1201843

[catl331]

Welcome to Cruise Critic. :)

I think DH (and you) should try a 3 or 4 day cruise, say from Port Canaveral or Miami to the Bahamas, before jumping off the deep end for 37 days! It could turn out to be a pretty miserable experience for him if he does turn out to be prone to sea sickness. ;)

[billfromtulsa]

Welcome to Cruise Critic. :)

I think DH (and you) should try a 3 or 4 day cruise, say from Port Canaveral or Miami to the Bahamas, before jumping off the deep end for 37 days! It could turn out to be a pretty miserable experience for him if he does turn out to be prone to sea sickness. ;)


We have done the NYC to Santiago portion last October. I can give you details on those ports for private excursions if you like. We did all indeptendent tours, putting together groups from 4 to 70+ in size. Let me know if you would want more info.

Bill

[CtheW0rld]

Welcome to Cruise Critic. :)

I think DH (and you) should try a 3 or 4 day cruise, say from Port Canaveral or Miami to the Bahamas, before jumping off the deep end for 37 days! It could turn out to be a pretty miserable experience for him if he does turn out to be prone to sea sickness. ;)

welcome to CC. trying a short cruise first is very good advice. some people don't like it at all. my very 1st was a 4-day cruise where i took my parents as a x-mas gift. they did NOT like it. i however, fell in love and have been on many since then. 37 days is a long time to be miserable.

sounds like a great itinerary. the two days in lima is long enough to go to machu picchu if you do the ship's excursion, but it is $$$$$. you would be better off doing it as a separate trip and it would cost less.

[Alberta Quilter]

I am prone to motion sickness. Because of that, my first cruise was an Alaskan cruisetour with HAL; three day cruise from Vancouver to Skagway and then an eight day land tour. I went to the pharmacist to discuss my options; she recommended sea bands.

The first morning of cruising was incredibly rocky, particularly when you consider we hadn't cleared Vancouver Island yet! And yet, I didn't get sick. Many people were but I wasn't. I've been a huge fan of sea bands ever since. Best thing about sea bands is that they are non medicated so one is not going to be drowsy like one can be from taking gravol or some of the other meds. I've now been on eight cruises and have never been sick.

Last November, we went from Buenos Aires to Valparaiso on the Veendam. It was roughest (but not as rocky as some of the other cruises I've been on - such as the first one) from the Falklands to the Chilean Fjords.

Someone also suggested booking on one of the lower decks. That has worked best for me as well. Some have even suggested checking how the beds are facing as that can cause some discomfort. I had actually never considered this before but have had no problems either way.

I would go on a short cruise before doing a 30+ day cruise. If you're in Vancouver, go to Alaska for a 7 day cruise. Check with the pharmacist or doctor before you go to discuss your options for preventing seasickness. You could also try ginger (take some candied ginger with you). And, you can get some meds on board from the front desk and some staff.

I hope you go to South America. I thoroughly enjoyed our cruise! It was one of the most relaxing cruises, I've been on.

[Chasse]

We have done the NYC to Santiago portion last October. I can give you details on those ports for private excursions if you like. We did all indeptendent tours, putting together groups from 4 to 70+ in size. Let me know if you would want more info.

Bill
Hi Bill

It would be really helpful to know what private excursions you went on. I am new to posting (in general, not just here) so I don't know whether you want to email me (chasse.ca@gmail.com) or just post it, but many thanks in advance for your help!

[dpump]

Our South America cruise on Princess was my husbands first and the only complaint he had was the formal dinners! Had to compromise on our upcoming cruise and agree to no formal dinners. We had a balcony and my husband loved sitting out at night watching the world go by. Once you pass the equator, the stars, etc are in a different position or something. I sure know the sun is a lot closer. We opted for the Galapagos islands and the only regret was we weren't there longer. Lots more folks went to Machu Pichu. Heard lots of complaints about altitude sickness. We gave up other excursions to justify the cost of going to the Galapagos. We all got off the ship in Manta(Quito) Ecuador to do our extended excursions and then rejoined in Lima.

[geologygeek]

To be honest, a cruise is not the best way to see most of South America. You would be missing out on the feel of visiting this amazing place of the world. I say this, as this is the fourth straight year that we'll be spending a month plus, in South America. You could easily combine all the highlights into an awesome holiday. I assume you're wanting to do a cruise because it would be the 'easiest option', but once you add on all those expensive excursions that give you a really limited time at the sites you wanted to go to a personally-organised tour would probably work out cheaper and give you a much stronger appreciation (both good and bad) for some stunning and complicated countries.

Out of all the places we've been the outstanding places are the Galapagos (our most attitude-adjusting trip - snorkeling with penguins and hammerheads, getting so close to giant tortoises, checking out Darwin's finches etc etc), Iguazu Falls (be sure to visit both the Argentine and Brazilian sides - make sure you stay there either at the Sheraton or the Pousada), Inca Trail (our first glimpse of Macchu Picchu was in swirling cloud, the sun shone on the lost city for a few seconds, then it was lost again into the clouds - spectacular), and the Pantanal in Brazil (beautiful hyacinth macaws and jaguars in the wild). Another highlight I'm sure would be Easter Island - we go there this September.

In some instances you're money goes very far in South America, but in some places, mainly in Brazil things get expensive quickly. Flights are pretty expensive between South American countries, but there are some air passes (e.g., LAN) that discount flights if there are more than three on the same itinerary. The unfortunate thing is that the weather in one place might be perfect, but in others less so, we tend to travel towards the end of the year - November is the start of the rainy season at Macchu Picchu, although the weather in the Galapagos was good, then we got to Rio in December and it rained for six days out of seven. Feb and March are the best time in Patagonia/Chilean Lake District.

I'd go out and buy the Lonely Planet (or similar) and may be pick to countries close by, perhaps Peru (our fav) and Chile - and plan a trip around that. Good luck and buen viaje! Oh and by the way you're not nuts - you're just wanting to get the most out of your trip, and there's nothing at all wrong with that!

Go Canucks go! I'm predicting a comeback .....

[scruffy5]

We are on the Veendam Fort Lauderdale to Rio and booking Machu Picchu with a tour company with transport to San Martin. Seems to have a good price compared to the ship.
Hope this works out. Would like to know if others are doing this.

[Happy Cruiser]

We have done the NYC to Santiago portion last October. I can give you details on those ports for private excursions if you like. We did all indeptendent tours, putting together groups from 4 to 70+ in size. Let me know if you would want more info.

Bill

Hi Bill,

I am on the cruise in question, 34 days from FLL to Rio. I have private tours in Peru and Montevideo booked but would love to hear your recommendations for tour giudes and activities in the other ports.

You can email me at Aispirsq at aol dot com.

Thanks!

Carolyn

[billfromtulsa]

Hi Bill,

I am on the cruise in question, 34 days from FLL to Rio. I have private tours in Peru and Montevideo booked but would love to hear your recommendations for tour giudes and activities in the other ports.

You can email me at Aispirsq at aol dot com.

Thanks!

Carolyn

I can give some good recommendations. In Panama City, do the Embera Indian Village tour with My Friend Mario. We took 21 people on that trip. In Manta, we used Metropolitain Touring and took 40 people. We also used Metropolitan Touring in Guayaquil and took 49 people. In Salavery we used Michael White for a tour for 4. In Lima, we used Edward at Lima Cabs for both days. He was excellent. In Pisco we used Hualtulco Tours and did a combo tour of the Balltestas and the Paracas National Reserve and took 70 of our closest new friends. In Arica we used sertours.com and did a tour through the Aticama desert to Codpa Village. 29 people went on that tour. In Coquimbo we went on a tour that some other friends had arranged. I'll see if I can find the flyers that I did and email them to you.

Bill

[billfromtulsa]

I can give some good recommendations. In Panama City, do the Embera Indian Village tour with My Friend Mario. We took 21 people on that trip. In Manta, we used Metropolitain Touring and took 40 people. We also used Metropolitan Touring in Guayaquil and took 49 people. In Salavery we used Michael White for a tour for 4. In Lima, we used Edward at Lima Cabs for both days. He was excellent. In Pisco we used Hualtulco Tours and did a combo tour of the Balltestas and the Paracas National Reserve and took 70 of our closest new friends. In Arica we used sertours.com and did a tour through the Aticama desert to Codpa Village. 29 people went on that tour. In Coquimbo we went on a tour that some other friends had arranged. I'll see if I can find the flyers that I did and email them to you.

Bill

I might add we did these tours at about 1/2 the price of the HAL tours, and in several cases we visited exactly the same places, but got much better service and more time to boot! A case in point was at Pisco. We did the combo tour mentioned above, for $50 per person. HAL wanted $79 for each of the tours as I recall, and you could not do both in the same day.

Bill

Bill

[scruffy5]

We are in the process of booking a tour from Lima to Machu Picchu with transportation to Gen San Martin and another from Puerto Montt into the lake district. Would like to know if anyone else if doing Machu Picchu this way.

[Happy Cruiser]

I can give some good recommendations. In Panama City, do the Embera Indian Village tour with My Friend Mario. We took 21 people on that trip. In Manta, we used Metropolitain Touring and took 40 people. We also used Metropolitan Touring in Guayaquil and took 49 people. In Salavery we used Michael White for a tour for 4. In Lima, we used Edward at Lima Cabs for both days. He was excellent. In Pisco we used Hualtulco Tours and did a combo tour of the Balltestas and the Paracas National Reserve and took 70 of our closest new friends. In Arica we used sertours.com and did a tour through the Aticama desert to Codpa Village. 29 people went on that tour. In Coquimbo we went on a tour that some other friends had arranged. I'll see if I can find the flyers that I did and email them to you.

Bill

Thanks, Bill. I got your emails. Your input is most welcome. I will look into your tours and see if we can do them too.

Carolyn

[mchristie1980]

My wife and I are doing the nov 22 sailing which is only 16 days which leaves out of Rio and ends up in Valparaiso. Holland America offers a shore excursion to iguazzu falls when the ship is in buenos Aires, I think its around 1300 give or take but you only see the falls for 2 hours and you miss a whole day in Buenos Aires, so we are flying directly into Iguazzu falls spending a day and a half, then taking a $100 flight into Rio gives you more time and is cheaper in the long run, regarding seasickness we both have a little trouble the first night (I think it has more to do with pre-trip nervousness) and are fine the rest of the time. Either way it should be a blast, have fun and enjoy!! It's our first time too :)

[Oklahoma]

Bill. We are on the Veendam Oct 19, 2011 thirty-four day cruise around S.A. and live here in Tulsa. We sure would like to chat with you about tours, if you're willing. We don't know which way to go. independent or the ship's way. Email is dcjtul@aol.com. Ed and Dee, Tulsa Ok

[billfromtulsa]

Bill. We are on the Veendam Oct 19, 2011 thirty-four day cruise around S.A. and live here in Tulsa. We sure would like to chat with you about tours, if you're willing. We don't know which way to go. independent or the ship's way. Email is dcjtul@aol.com. Ed and Dee, Tulsa Ok

Just sent you an email. I would be happy to talk to you.

[Molley]

We have done the NYC to Santiago portion last October. I can give you details on those ports for private excursions if you like. We did all indeptendent tours, putting together groups from 4 to 70+ in size. Let me know if you would want more info.

Bill
Hi Bill,

I am from Rochester NY. Sailing on the Veendam 3/19 - 4/22 from Buenos Aires to NYC. I would love if you could email any tour tips to me at latky9@yahoo.com.

I just booked the cruise yesterday. Never been to S. America. Speak no Spanish. Traveling alone and ready to live life.

Susan

[HamburgAvonLady]

To the OP: This is a wonderful trip --- we did a 30 day repo cruise on RCCL's Mariner of the Seas in Jan.'09. From Florida to Rio to Valpariso and around Cape Horn. We did mostly private tours -- much better
experience than the ship tours -- more for the $$$. I can recommend
a great tour guide for Rio who could also help with the extra touring
you want to do at the conclusion of the cruise.

However, being Canadian citizens --- you best check about a visa for
Brazil -- that may be the greatest challenge. You have certain time
limits in which to apply so I would make that my first priority. Go
to the Roll Call for this cruise -- yoi will find others who you may share
sightsieeng tours with.

We had only cruised for 7, 10 and 14 days prior to doing this journey.
We were a little hesitant about the 30 days but our Roll Call was a
great group of very sociable folks --- we had a great time.

[dar68]

Bill; We have just booked the March 31 Veendam Valpariso to Ft. Lauderdale. No tours booked yet. Would appreciate all info you can give us. email is carbonear13@yahoo.ca. Thanks.

[billfromtulsa]

Bill; We have just booked the March 31 Veendam Valpariso to Ft. Lauderdale. No tours booked yet. Would appreciate all info you can give us. email is carbonear13@yahoo.ca. Thanks.

Is this around the horn and up the east coast? If so, I have not done that portion. Mine was from NYC down through the Panama Canal and the west coast of South America.

Bill

[luvcruisn']

Hi Bill:
I too would appreciate any info on tours and flyers that you have. I am on the same cruise as dar68, and it is from Valparaiso on the west coast of South America, stopping in ports in Ecuador, Peru, the Panama Canal, and ending in either Fort Lauderdale or New York. I think it is the same as yours was, but in reverse. My e-mail is marjar10 at yahoo.ca. Thanks.