South America - Around the Horn Questions

[Spot]

Would we miss out on a lot if we chose an outside vs a balcony cabin? Can't the same scenery, etc be seen in different venues all over the ship?

We are considering this cruise with HAL in 2009 or 2010 and would like the input of those that have been on a cruise around the horn.

[RuthC]

I've been around the Horn twice---both times I was in an inside cabin. I don't feel like I missed a thing.

This is an area where you will want to be outside as much as possible to be able to take it all in. The scope of the scenery is so much greater on an outside deck, than it would be from a balcony. There's plenty of opportunity to go inside to warm up (if it's too cold outside), or if you need to sit a while.

The commentary will be heard on the outside decks, too. There's a chance it will also be broadcast in the Crow's Nest, but it becomes very hard to hear in there.

[luxurysailer]

I agree with RuthC. The scenic cruising in South America is not something you want to try from your balcony, but rather from outside decks where you can cross between port and starboard sides at will. Also, if you're interested in wildlife viewing, you'll have a thousand sets of eyes on the decks looking for it; and word of a sighting will pass through the crowd quite rapidly. On your balcony, you're on your own.

This is a great cruise! Hope you enjoy it.

[Druke I]

We went 'round the Horn Mar 06, on Regal Princess, Buenos Aires to Valparaiso.

Although we had fairly calm seas, we did have high winds, which made both balconies and outside decks chilly.

We did most of our viewing from the Dome.

Great trip, all in all.

[user8]

We had an outside cabin when we sailed around the Horn but I spent most of my time outside. Like others have said, there is so much to see and by being out on deck, you can quickly move from one side to the other.

[tjcox9]

You want to be outside on deck or with a prime seat in the Crow's Nest if you don't want to tackle the potential cold/wind that you may encounter.

[Ron n Jon]

I've been around the Horn twice---.

We also have sailed the Horn twice, on one cruise. Unlike everything we had been taught in school and had read about this treacherous Horn and as prepared we were for this dangerous journey, we had mirror like water all the way around. It was so calm the captain decided to take the ship back around again. That is not to say it is boring for it certainly not that but to really appreciate the happening, be on deck and feel the sense of history. On this cruise our balcony was of little advantage at this point of the journey.

[arzz]

I would save the balcony dollars and get an outside. As others have said, you will want to be on deck or in the Crow's Nest for the views rather than a balcony. As long as you have some way to glance out from your cabin so that you know when to venture out you are OK. Have a great time, it is a wonderful trip!

[Mary Ellen]

We also have sailed the Horn twice, on one cruise. Unlike everything we had been taught in school and had read about this treacherous Horn and as prepared we were for this dangerous journey, we had mirror like water all the way around. It was so calm the captain decided to take the ship back around again. That is not to say it is boring for it certainly not that but to really appreciate the happening, be on deck and feel the sense of history. On this cruise our balcony was of little advantage at this point of the journey.What Ruth was saying was that she has taken 2 separate cruises that have gone around the Horn. We were with her the second time. I don't have any idea how many times we sailed around the Horn on that cruise. It was so calm we went back and forth many times (more than 2 :D ).

I also agree with her that one doesn't need a private veranda to see the best scenery. We were on Lower Promenade - just steps away from 'the largest veranda on the ship'. ;) We also had great access to both port and starboard views.

[Spot]

Thank you all very much for your replies, I think we'll go ahead and look for a Cat C outside and save the money we don't spend on a balcony instead on shore excursions.

[MightyQuinn]

I think we'll go ahead and look for a Cat C outside and save the money we don't spend on a balcony instead on shore excursions.
Thanks for starting this thread Spot. We're doing a SA/Around the Horn itinerary on the Amsterdam in March/April 09. We booked a Cat C on LP Deck & this discussion has reinforced that we made the right decision. We've got a superb location with easy access to the outside for both port & starboard views. And as you say, the $$$ difference will go a long way towards shore excursions.:cool::cool:

[Pam in CA]

I've done this itinerary before and will be on the Amsterdam's Rio to Santiago with cruising in Antarctica in January. I agree with the others that an outside cabin is just fine and that you'll get the greatest benefit by being either outside on the deck or in a viewing area such as the Crow's Nest. Much of this itinerary is pretty darned cold so you won't be spending much leisure time hanging out on a balcony.

FYI, if you go to the Falklands, make sure you book a ship's itinerary as soon as you can. Resources are very limited in Stanley and on my previous cruise, many people were very, very disappointed when they discovered that the cruiseline had commandeered all of the available resources and going ashore and finding someone to take you some place wasn't going to do a thing for you since there would be no one and no vehicles to take you anywhere.

[MightyQuinn]

FYI, if you go to the Falklands, make sure you book a ship's itinerary as soon as you can. Resources are very limited in Stanley and on my previous cruise, many people were very, very disappointed when they discovered that the cruiseline had commandeered all of the available resources and going ashore and finding someone to take you some place wasn't going to do a thing for you since there would be no one and no vehicles to take you anywhere.
Pam - thanks for the heads-up. Yes I understand that cruise ships engage most of the local operators in the Falklands to do Shorex tours, but there are still a few opportunities for independent excursions. Earlier today I finalized arrangements for an independent tour to Volunteer Point to see the resident King Penguins. This is virtually the same excursion as offered by HAL but at considerably less $$$.

You may be interested in this helpful website I found on the South American forum: http://www.visitorfalklands.com/content/view/185/170/

[Pam in CA]

Pam - thanks for the heads-up. Yes I understand that cruise ships engage most of the local operators in the Falklands to do Shorex tours, but there are still a few opportunities for independent excursions. Earlier today I finalized arrangements for an independent tour to Volunteer Point to see the resident King Penguins. This is virtually the same excursion as offered by HAL but at considerably less $$$.

You may be interested in this helpful website I found on the South American forum: http://www.visitorfalklands.com/content/view/185/170/ Excellent. I'm glad you did this; I just feel badly for the people who board the ship thinking they can decide which excursion they want after they board the ship only to find that they're sold out and nothing else available anywhere. This is one of the few ports where you absolutely, positively need to make your plans ahead of time.