cccole

Hi, We will be enjoying the Oosterdam in January, Santiago to BA. We ended up with HIA. I assume that specialty restaurant reservations should be on "scenic cruising" days. We are not early diners. Are there any "scenic cruising" days that are best enjoyed from the Pinnacle? Thank you so much for any and all suggestions. Cherie

Can't you go to the Holland America website, choose your cruise and level of cabin and find out what is available. We are scheduled on a cruise in January and I do this to see if there's a cabin I would rather have. Not a frequent HAL cruiser so this is what works for me. Cherie

We would like to do a private tour to Torres del Paine. Recommendations for guides? Thank you, Cherie

Thank you, we'll hope for the opportunity and clear skies. Cherie

DCThunder - I would love having this on our Oosterdam cruise in January. Unfortunately it will be South America and Antarctica. Maybe Hal will have an astronomer for these cruises. I love the night sky. Cherie

TayanaLorna, I think you have recommended Sentir Patagonia previously and they do indeed look wonderful. The $150 pp is not a problem, and as you say could be better bang for the buck when you consider rental car and self driving. My problem is needing to find 2 others interested in doing this. I know that posting on roll call is an option but if I do not get 2 others to join we would have to cancel or pay the entire fee ourselves. I really appreciate your responses and the enthusiasm for your private tours. We are not fans of 10-14 person van tours and prefer small private tours. Thank you, Cherie

We are deciding whether to book a small tour, expensive, or rent a car in Puerto Madryn and drive to Peninsula Valdes for the day. Does anyone have recommendations for doing a self drive? Thank you, Cherie

Thanks to both of you. Seems like we should have no problems!!!! I hope OP also has also been helped. Crew News - $190/shot - $11..... I think I will stick to a Bailey's or Single Malt after dinner. Cherie

Crew News - Thank you for posting this. I know it's been covered before but I appreciate seeing what will be available to us in January. I think we should assume that not all alcohols listed will be on every ship? Cherie

With the HIA is the OBC different from $$$ toward shore excursions? I just booked a shore excursion online for our January South America/Antarctica cruise and the shore excursion credits were applied at checkout, which then made the excursion free. Just my experience, Cherie

Thank you for the replies. Wish I hadn't waited so long to get tickets for January 2024. Good to know that AEP is the airport closest to the city. Thank you again, Cherie

Thank you. I think Aerolineas is probably the best. We missed the good rates in late January so will have to pay extra for the flights. Thank you, Cherie

There seem to be three airlines flying from Buenos Aires to IGR. Flybondi seems like an airline that no one should book. Aerolineas and JetSmart both seem to be reliable. JetSmart seems to fly from both EZE and AEP. Aerolineas seems to fly just from AEP. Any recommendations re which airline and airport is the easiest for flights from Buenos Aires to IGR? We will be overnighting in Buenos Aires on our ship January 28. Thank you for any suggestions. Cherie

I agree, but the Neptune Lounge has never been the same as a suite on Celebrity, RCI. Those are the other two lines we have enjoyed really nice suite lounges. I do not expect it on HAL and will be happy if the HIA applies. Who knew?!!! Frosting on the cake. Plus we have the Neptune Suite because we wanted the aft wrap balcony. Cherie

I never anticipated Neptune Lounge beverages would be accepted on our HIA. That's awesome. Cherie

Thank you so much. I saw Sentir Patagonia Travel recommended in another thread and looked at their website. I will check it again. This sounds like a great tour and just what we are looking for. I had read about Magellanic penguins on Peninsula Valdes but a couple tour operators said there are none, you have to go to Punta Tombo. Thank you again for the details of your tour. Cherie

We would like to go to Peninsula de Valdes when in Puerto Madryn. Has anyone been able to visit small penguin colonies here, maybe Caleta Valdes? We do not want to go to Punto Tombo to see the large colony. Google leads me to believe that there are 2 small colonies on the Peninsula de Valdes but private tours seem to be unaware. Looking forward to seeing elephant seals and other wildlife also. This cruise will be in January. Thank you, Cherie

We would like to spend a couple days at a vineyard near Puerto San Antonio, Chile. No need for high end spa, etc. Would like to enjoy a couple nights in the country before the cruise. Thank you for any suggestions, Cherie

We chose the HAL Oosterdam in January 2024 because of the itinerary and the reviews. I have also seen photos from this cruise and similar cruises. We're really looking forward to the adventure. Cherie

We are doing a tour with Tours by Locals in Montevideo. When you look at a tour you can also see reviews of the guide. I use tour guides who meet the needs for our day and are flexible. Tours by Locals is a really good option. Cherie

I think that Lincoln Centre Stage is not on any HAL ship. Many have been sorry to see it go. Apparently it is a result of new entertainment contracts. Cherie

Hiltner, sorry you had such a disastrous 42 days of entertainment on HAL in Japan. Some itineraries do not need entertainment until 1 a.m. when the the best viewing begins at 7 a.m. And, others who want to stay up later usually meet a group with similar interests and there is never a night without fun. That's just our experience. We seem to always meet passengers who want to get together and enjoy an "after hours" beverage. And, I think that there is always one location on the ship open for this. JMO. Cherie

Yes, thank you for the reminder. Laffnvegas did describe it as an Espresso Coffee machine. There's always room service!! Cherie

Thank you Oakridger and Laffnvegas, Nice to know we should have nice veranda furnishings and there will be a coffee machine in the suite. I will bring a small container for milk to keep in the frig for the coffee. It will be a wonderful cruise and I appreciate the comments. Cherie

Thank you for the responses. Good info on both rooms. We are not concerned about being close to the Neptune Lounge. I am especially happy to hear that the equipment on 4180 side balcony is not a problem. I was surprised to see it in the photos. The photos of 5190 are much nicer and show nicer outdoor furniture but I'm sure the furnishings would be the same. I just don't know if I could be in a corner suite with a totally covered balcony for 22 days. And, we, of course, do not plan to spend all of our time in our room and balcony, but I have read that it is nice to be able to use the ship's public areas and have the convenience of your own balcony. I'm not sure I would feel comfortable going to the Crows Nest in my p.j.s and slippers with my first cup of coffee in the a.m., it's really not a glamorous sight. Again, I really thank all of you for the very informative posts. Cherie