9227C Grand Americas

[caliber35]

Now that we are getting close, only two weeks to go, I am wondering who else is taking all four segments of the South American Grand Cruise? So far I only know of myself and MiLo going from these Boards. If there is anyone else we have missed, please join in here. Last year's World Cruise was so much fun getting to know all the passengers and crew. What ports or sights are you most looking forward to? For me, it will be the Amazon, Antarctica and rounding the Horn. I have sailed into Rio, BA, Valparaiso, Lima and Equador before, but look forward to seeing them all again. This will also be my first Holiday Sailing with Crystal. Celebrating onboard with thirteen formal nights should be great fun! Now, the serious packing begins. See you all onboard!

[Whale's Tail]

We'll be joining you on 9227C. First South American adventure. Looking forward to EVERYTHING! The Amazon and Antartica are tops. Packing nightmare. Hot and Cold. Yikes. Decided to use luggage company. Any experience with that? We've never been on Crystal for this lenght of time. All our past cruises ended too soon so I think we'll be fine. Got to go--time to get packing.

[caliber35]

Welcome, Whale's Tails. You are in for a treat! My advice regarding clothing is layers. While it will be very warm on the Amazon, I have heard of very strong winds as we approach Antarctica. Be aware that there are onboard laundries, at no charge, on Symphony. When I did the WC last year, I only took about what I would take for a two week cruise. You can launder all of your casual clothes yourself, if you so desire. It will be warm until we get to the very southern end of the hemisphere, so more light clothing is in order than warm. Plan on about ten days of cooler weather. The rest of the time, think Hawaii or South Florida climates. Also, I have heard the Horn is very rough, so I am bringing plenty of Bonine. Otherwise, I am packing my most festive formalwear for the Holidays. It should be fun!

[caliber35]

Whale's Tail - You may want to post on Future Cruiser's list and register for the Meet and Mingle Parties. http://www.cruisecritic.com/rollcall...ruiselineid=12
I look forward to meeting you onboard.
Andrew

[milo12]

Dear Caliber35 and Whale's Tail,

Packing for this vacation is indeed a major challenge because of the temperature range. As usual, we are probably taking more than is needed, but that is just part of the fun. We are looking forward to seeing some old friends and meeting new ones this voyage.

[Keith1010]

Hi Caliber, you certainly have the right approach.

The odds say you will indeed encouter rough seas as you go around the Horn. Once in awhile that is not the case but usually it is. And, the weather can literally turn from being nice to getting quite bad in very short order.

And layering is the right approach. While you will be there in the Summer, between the fact that it can get chilly plus quite windy bringing clothes that easily layer will give you the most flexibility when you are out on deck as you sail off Antarctica and as you visit some of the more southern ports such as Punta Arenas and the Faulkland Islands.

And bringing extra Bonine is also a good idea or for others whatever remedy works the best for them

All of those formal nights sound wonderful and will add to the holiday spirit on the ship.

Keith

[caliber35]

Hello again. I see that you have signed up for the Meet & Mingle for the first segment, but not for the others. There will be a party at the start of each segment, so if you are interested, please sign up. It's getting really close now, only four more days. I'm into final pack/repack mode here. From the Tropics to the Arctic and thirteen formal nights. OMG!

[Whale's Tail]

I'm slightly challenged by all things Computer!! I thought I had registered for Meet & Mingle parties on all four segments. Will go directly to registration and try again. Can't wait to meet all of you--all your help and insight has made the wait way more fun. Thanks!

[milo12]

And so it begins...

See you all soon...

[Keith1010]

Originally Posted by milo12

And so it begins...

See you all soon...

Wishing you both safe travels and a wonderful cruise with memories that will last a lifetime.

All our best.

Keith and Anne Marie

[pakitin]

For those that may be interested I am posting part of my 2005 notes regarding shore excursions on our Around the Horn trip from Valparaiso to Buenos Aires.

I hope it may help you to make some decisions.

Paco

J


Antartica/Valparaiso to BA shore excursions suggestions.

Please note that all of us have different tastes. This suggestions are based in our research, actual visits and comments by fellow passengers.

Puerto Montt

It is a tender port.

The trip to Lake Llanquihue/Mount Osorno Volcano/Emerald lake(Lago Todos Los Santos)/Perohur Falls and the City of Puerto Varas is our recomendation. You can do it on your own or with the cruise ship bus. If you go with the ship excursion order the salmon for lunch and stay away from the rubber chicken.
Nice stores to shop in Puerto Varas.

Punta Arenas

All flights to Antartica depart from this port. Unfortunatly all were cancelled. Some folks joined the group flying to Torres del Paine National Park and had a great experience.

We selected a trip to Fuerte Bulnes and hired a van for four people. It was an entertaining trip along the seashore with estancias and colorfull wild flowers on one side and mussel colonies in a few feet of water. The Fort is situated on a stratigic location with a fantastic view. We were alone must of the time. It has a very small chapel, jail, mess hall etc.

They have a great restaurant in town. Sotito's with the best "centolla" rock crab and lomo steak. They also have an Artesania shop.

Ushuaia

We loved the trip to Tierra del Fuego National Park and our picture at the end of the world sign. Take a taxi and you will be on your way back by the time the shore excursion bus is going in. Nice downtown area with police patrol and plenty stores. You can walk to the ship.
Do not take the train ride. It goes nowere.

Others took the Beagle Channel Catamaran and were very happy.

Antartica

We were blessed with great weather and visited Palmer Station, Lemaire Channel, Deception Island, Admiralty bay/King George Island and got foggy at Elephant Island. Saw whales, sea lions and penguins.
Sea was a plate going in and turned in our return to Cape Horn with 40 ft swales.

Port Stanley- We were not able to visit due to high winds and waves. Anthony mentioned the Holland American ship getting stranded.

Puerto Madryn

We had a free trip with our Ensemble travel agent to Peninsula Valdes. It was a very long trip were we saw llamacos, Rias, Wild rabbits, Falcons and of course sheep. At Caleta Valdes we saw a sea lion habitat and a penguin habitat.
Our sugestion is to hire a van to go directly to Caleta Valdes and see the sea lions and penguins.

Some friends took a cab to Punta Loma, a lot closer, and saw the sea lions.

The people that went to Punta Tombo penguin rookery complained that it was a very long trip.

We did not underestand why the ship, after 8 days at sea, and with two very long shore excursions was schedule to depart at 5 PM. We arrived at 4:50 after racing back and with a lot of elder people dying to do their necessities.

Montevideo

We recomend highly a visit to Casa Pueblo just outside of Punta del Este. It is a magnificent work of Art by Carlos Perez Flores, Painter, Sculptor and adventurer. It is a Gaudi/Disney like building on a spectacular location. It has a workshop, a gallery displaying the artist works and a hotel with individual pools at 9 levels. It is unique.
You can also visit Punta were the argentines vacation all summer long by crossing in the ferry from Buenos Aires.
There are cars and vans to hire in the port.

Buenos Aires

Do not take the post cruise excursion killing time until you can go to the hotel. Take a cab and leave your luggage with the concierge and hire a driver for your city tour. Among all the sites visit Recoleta cemetery were Eva Duarte de Peron is burried. If time is available take Teatro Colon tour.
We used Ricardo Franco defrantur@fibertel.com.ar for our city tour.
We also used him to take our complete dinning room table of eight to Señor Tango. We had transportation to and back, a great table with dinner and wine included and the two hour tango show for $118 per couple. Very nice show. A little Las Vegas instead of purist tango.

Recomended restaurants in BA
In Puerto Maderos-Cabaña Las Lilas
In San Telmo Antiques area-La Brigada
In city center-italian Piegari or veal/sweets Piegari Dulce&vitello
Also meats- La Estancia

[caliber35]

Today is the day! I'll be boarding around 1PM with my partner Craig. He will have lunch and tour the ship before we sail at 9PM. See you onboard!

[Keith1010]

Caliber, best wishes for a wonderful cruise. We are looking forward to hearing all about it.

Keith

[Keith1010]

Paco, as usual you have provided lots of wonderful information on these ports. Some of these ports are also on our itinerary for our upcoming Crystal Serenity cruse and while we have visited most of them before I found your notes to be very helpful and I have also printed out a copy of them.

Keith

[Archipelago]

I did the Antarctica South America trip in 2004 on the Amsterdam. You can encounter 4 seasons in one day as we did in Ushuaia Argentina. The seas were not too rough around Cape Horn but the elevators could be heard clanking against the shaft but it did not seem to bad to me but I've been on the QE2 in ROUGH Transatlantic winter weather . Everyone is correct that layering is best as you can add or subtract clothing as the case may be . That will be a wonderful voyage especially on Crystal !! ENJOY !!!!

[caliber35]

We boarded at Noon and sailed at 10PM last evening. Symphony looks great and sparkles, not looking her nearly 15 years of age. The new Lido looks fine as does the pool furnishings. Today is a sea day, so plenty of time to explore before we rendevous with Serenity tomorrow. We will both be docked after 3PM, allowing for visits to both ships. More later!
Andrew

[nancygp]

Andrew, thanks so much for checking in. So glad you're off to a great start. Enjoy your wonderful voyages.

Nancy

[Roland4]

Originally Posted by caliber35

We boarded at Noon and sailed at 10PM last evening. Symphony looks great and sparkles, not looking her nearly 15 years of age. The new Lido looks fine as does the pool furnishings. Today is a sea day, so plenty of time to explore before we rendevous with Serenity tomorrow. We will both be docked after 3PM, allowing for visits to both ships. More later!
Andrew

Andrew, we made sure we left Symphony clean and tidy for you and the bars well stocked!! Wish we were still onboard. Have a great trip!

Larry

[Keith1010]

Andrew, I am glad that you are all settled on the Symphony.

And, I am also glad to hear that both ships will be docked tomorrow to allow for visits.

Please say hello to MiLo for Anne Marie and me.

Keith

[8dimsum]

Hello Caliber 35- we were on the Auckland-Sydney segment '08. Wishing you a wonderful, safe journey!
Sotitos baby abalone and crab were wonderful! We had lunch there and had a take out of crab for our own Crab salad onboard---yum.