ussminnow

We, too, had a tour to Volunteer Point with Estancia and it was excellent. We had two hours to spend with the penguins which was a nice amount of time. We were even given a tasty boxed lunch! I highly, highly recommend going to Volunteer Point. It's an amazing once in a lifetime opportunity and a very memorable experience. It was a highlight of our South American cruise! We were SO glad we did it!

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Thanks for your replies. I am not as worried about the children. I was a teacher and had to vacation often with them and it never really bothered me. From what I have read, it seems we will see baby penguins at that time. Curious why Falklands? Why is it best to go there? Topography, Penguins, what is it you loved?

The Falkland Islands were a highlight for us as well. It was our most adventurous port; we did the 4x4 drive to Volunteer Point and it was just amazing. Tons of penguins; I think they say there are 1500 breeding pairs of Kings. Many Gentoos as well (they are so comical!) and Magellanic Penguins, too. All out in the open; no ropes or anything dividing you and the penguins once they leave their group (we enjoyed following some King Penguins to the beach to see them swim). We saw a lot of baby Kings, too, and baby Gentoos. The chicks are adorable! It was just so amazing to see the penguins out in the open in their natural habitat. Plus because it's such a haul to reach Volunteer Point, there aren't many people there because there are no roads, so buses and vans can't get through (just 4x4s). But even the drive out there was part of the experience. The landscape of the islands is very exotic looking with mountains, beaches, rocks which they believe to be from the Ice Age, and a very fascinating history from the Falklands War in 1982. There are still active land mines there and you can do a tour of the battlefields (we saw some while heading to Volunteer Point). I loved seeing mountains, water/ocean, sheep and penguins all in one place. Also it's really interesting to find this bastion of English in the middle of the Atlantic, down near the tip of the world! You do feel like you're in the U.K. Truly a unique experience. That said, due to the unpredictability of the weather there, some ships don't make the port. We were fortunate to have good weather and not much wind while we were there. We loved it!

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Our TA with whom we were traveling booked a city tour and trip to a family-owned boutique winery called Artesana in Canelones, Uruguay. It included wine tasting, a BBQ lunch and even wine making! She booked it through an Argentinian company, Say Hueque. We didn't join them as we wanted to see Punta del Este which we booked through the ship. We enjoyed seeing Punta del Este but didn't have nearly enough time there (our ship was late due to winds in the channel and it's about a two hour drive back and forth from the port). Plus our guide was HORRIBLE (German was her native language and at the very beginning of the tour, she told us she usually does the tours in German and admitted that English was her third language and she was studying it the night before....) as was the bus driver (not his driving but he deserted the bus a couple of times) so we should have done the winery. Everyone in our group who did that raved about it, particularly the lunch which they said was amazing. If we had more time (if our ship wasn't late arriving) and a better guide, we probably would have had a better experience, but if you want to maximize your time in Montevideo & Uruguay, the city tour and winery are probably a better bet!

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I would recommend a waterproof jacket definitely. I had a waterproof jacket with a removable lining (which could be worn on its own as well) which really came in handy. I also agree with everyone who suggested packing and dressing in layers is key! I think if you bring the proper layers, you won't need a heavy parka. You will especially appreciate not bringing the down jacket when you are in Santiago and Buenos Aires (hot!!)! [emoji3]

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I agree - take a tour outside of the port area. There's nothing much to see near the port (it's not really the nicest area) and the scenery and sights are further afield. Unfortunately, it rained when we were there so we couldn't see the volcano, but from photos it looked gorgeous! We enjoyed Petrohue Falls and Puerto Varas as well as petting and feeding llamas. The baby llamas were adorable!!

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Hi, Susiesan!

We booked both of our Punta Arenas tours with the cruise line (Princess). The Magdalena Island tour I know was operated by Solo Expediciones but I don't recall the name of the tour company that ran the hike. We were driven from the port to a ski resort in the Andes. We took a ski lift to the top and hiked down to the ski lodge. It was fun despite the fact that it was pouring rain the whole time and it was pretty muddy and slippery! It was quite the adventure. But the sun came out at the end and we were greeted with a rainbow! [emoji3] There was a great view of the cruise ship and the Strait of Magellan from the mountain. After the hike, we went into the lodge and had hot chocolate and a piece of cake. It was a fun day! Also between tours we had time to walk around the town, touch the toe of the Magellan Statue in the Plaza de Armas, and stop for lunch. Had a delicious lunch (salmon with king crab and other seafood) at Los Ganaderos, and tried a Calafate Pisco. Yum!

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We went to El Viejo Almacen in San Telmo. We wanted something that wasn't really touristy. It was excellent, and the dinner beforehand was served in the restaurant across the street. My husband said the steak was the best he ever had! Dinner included unlimited wine as well (great Malbec!). The show included a beverage; I chose the champagne. I highly recommend El Viejo Almacen! It is located in a cool, intimate setting. It was a fabulous night all around!

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We visited the Mexican Riviera in November. No problems and we never felt remotely unsafe. We loved Puerto Vallarta - El Malecon is very scenic. We took a cab from the taxi "stand" at the port to El Malecon and we actually arranged for that same cab driver to pick us up at a designated time and place after dark and he did. We really enjoyed the cruise and the climate! If you are nervous venturing on your own you could always just stick to the ship's tours.

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Princess also offered the ferry; shore excursion options for Magdalena Island included the two hour ferry (I am not sure but I heard the ferry is not totally enclosed so it could get chilly depending on the weather) and the speedboat to Magdalena Island. You might be able to see a photo of the speedboat on Solo Expediciones' website. Our boat was yellow. The boat was full but everyone had a seat. When are you going to be there? I know the later in the season, the penguins start migrating. But we were there mid-February and there were many penguins on the island including older chicks. The guide told us that the chicks were born later than usual this year but were molting more quickly.

We generally prefer private tours and most of our tours on our Cape Horn cruise were private. However, for this particular excursion, personally (and I stress that this is my personal opinion; others may disagree), I'd go with the cruise offering if you can get the speedboat tour. The reason I say that is this part of the world is very unpredictable weather-wise. On the second day of our cruise, I was told by a bartender on our ship that the weather often impacts ports on this itinerary. He told me it's not uncommon to miss one or more ports due to strong winds, rough seas and/or low tides. We lucked out and made all of our ports but we were late getting to one due to strong winds, and in Puerto Madryn the ship changed the departure time to two hours earlier (not sure why but I think it may have been due to the tides). We were on a private tour there and due to the change in time and the long ride to and from Punta Tombo, the tour operator had to cut out a planned stop in Gaiman in order to ensure we got back to the ship in time. But the ship's tour that had the same itinerary as ours (it was their exclusive tour with a small group - not the one with 40 people) actually got to visit Gaiman and Punta Tombo and just got back later since they didn't have to worry about the ship leaving without them. We did two ship excursions in Punta Arenas - Magdalena Island in the morning and a mountain hike in the afternoon. We ended up getting back to the tender an hour past the all aboard "deadline" but no worries since the ship waited for us (and there was another ship tour to Torres Del Paine that got back even later than we did). For tender ports on this cruise, I thought taking the ship excursion got you to land faster and was less of a concern for the return. In other destinations (Caribbean, Europe, etc.) I wouldn't worry as much but based on tide schedules and very changeable and potentially tumultuous weather conditions on this itinerary, it's more of a consideration. But it's really a personal decision. The ship tours will definitely be more expensive, so that's also an issue - and it depends on the specific tour. The private tour companies we used all guaranteed our return to the ship and said they never missed a ship. Hope that helps!

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We were on a speedboat which was actually operated by Solo Expediciones, although we booked it through Princess Cruises. There was a restroom on the boat and the boat was not open air so you don't get wet or cold. The ride took about 40 minutes. After we left Magdalena Island, we motored over to Marta Island to view a Sea Lion and Cormorant colony. You cannot set foot on the island but we got close enough to see the animals, on land and swimming in the water, including baby sea lions (so cute!). We were fortunate that we had good weather; I braced myself for a rough ride but it was very smooth. I would say that other posters' comments were true, though; the trip and experience is very weather dependent. Our guide was fabulous - a Science teacher who was very knowledgeable and dynamic. If you have good weather, I highly recommend the excursion. We liked it better than Punta Tombo but that's because we practically had the island to ourselves!

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We saw Magellanic Penguins at Punta Tombo and Magdalena Island but by far, IMHO, the best place to see penguins is the Falkland Islands at Volunteer Point. We saw King, Gentoo and Magellanic Penguins. Incredible experience!! They were amazing and you got so close to them! It was the highlight of our cruise! That said, we actually took a ship excursion to Magdalena Island by speedboat and that was a fantastic experience because the 32 people on the boat were the only people on the island while we were there. Just as we were leaving, the ferry of 250 people was just arriving. When we went to Punta Tombo (on a private tour) it was crowded with tour buses and people so it really wasn't the same experience until later when the buses started to leave.

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Hello!

Has anyone done Princess' tour of the Beagle Channel in the port of Ushuaia, Argentina? If so, would you mind providing some feedback? Is it worth it? Or did you see similar sights from onboard the ship while sailing into the Beagle Channel? Trying to decide whether to do that tour or spend the day in Tierra Del Fuego National Park.

Thanks!

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We like scenery and history! [emoji3]

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It is less that 1/2 price to just take the train independent. A lot of ship excursions also only go one way- like the above poster. I have entered the park by road as well, and I find the train access offers more "beauty". The highways, are full of trees and ditches don't add anything to the transit. It is far more important to determine what you want to see and where you want to go. Do your homework. there is more to the area and having the details is significant. I have accessed the park 7 times with one trip staying in town, and visiting the Prison Museum which turned out to be excellent.

 

 

 

A lot to consider. Be certain to have cash for the park fees. Credit cards weren't taken recently.

Hi, Budget Queen!

How much of the park do you see from the train? Looking to do a tour of the park and wondered if the train would be enough, or if we should just do the drive, or do both!

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You could go to the Tierra del Fuego Park or you could just wander around town. You can take a taxi (the stand is by the dock) to the park. Just ask for an English speaking driver.

How much time would you recommend for driving through Tierra Del Fuego National Park if you hire a taxi?

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Loved the train ride in 2014.. if you want to get a feel for the area Blogged about it here...

http://roscoesseafever.blogspot.co.nz/2014/02/tierre-del-fuego-journey-to-end-of-world.html

 

Its a narrow gauge train so a bit like a toy train but it goes through various different landscapes - forest - paddock- swamp - fields - and finishes at the coast which was very scenic. We then boarded the busses to return back to Ushuaia.

 

We jumped on the train as soon as we got off the bus which worked out really well as the later trains were modern versions rather than the quant old styled ones that we were on. Also try and grab the window as it is set up on a bench seat style and if you want to take photos it will eb easier.

 

The history the train and the convicts who built it is really tragic and yet interesting and I believe the ride is listed as one of the ten top train journeys in the world.

 

I hope you do it.

Hi, Roscoe!

Thanks so much for the information! Did you take the train one-way or roundtrip? Was the bus ride back to the port scenic or was all the scenery on the train?

Thanks again! [emoji577]

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Hi! Would there still be baby penguins in Punta Tombo in mid to late February?

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Yes I have been to both. In my opinion, the Valdes Peninsula needs a LOT more time. You can only do a small portion. Depends what YOU want to see? Elephant seals are the majority of sights, along with the emus. There is a small rookery of Magellanic penguins.

 

 

 

Certainly, both areas are highlights and worthwhile.

Thank you for the info! Both sound appealing. Is either the Valdes Peninsula or Punto Tombo more scenic as far as landscape?

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You might be able to book a private tour. The park is well worth the visit.

 

 

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Can you see much of the park from the train?

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Hello! We will be traveling to Ushuaia in February and we are wait listed on Princess' End of the World Train ride into Tierra Del Fuego. There is also a tour that drives into the park and makes three stops although that is wait listed as well. I've read some comments in other threads but thought I'd post this question:

Any recommendations on which tour to take (assuming we get into either)? Has anyone taken their ship's excursion for either the train ride or bus/drive into Tierra Del Fuego National Park? Any feedback would be most appreciated! Thank you!

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Is it at all possible to see both the Argentinian and Brazilian sides of the Falls in one day?

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Absolutely NOT true. What are you basing this "recommendation" on??? I have gone there numerous times 5++, ALWAYS independent. There are numerous reports of independent vendors offering excellent tours. I've not of ANY that caused cruise passengers to miss a ship. Add to my experience of also driving there several times.

 

 

 

Punto Tombo is an excellent location- in season- for viewing Magellanic Penguins in large numbers.

Hi, Budget Queen!

I remember you from the Alaska Forum! You gave some really fabulous advice that helped us on our AK vacation, and I thank you! [emoji3]

We were interested in Punto Tumbo but also were considering a jaunt along the Valdes Peninsula during our port in Puerto Madryn in late February. Have you done both and if so, any advice to help make the choice? We love wildlife, so both excursions appealed to us.

Thank you!

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Hi, Thinfool! We'll be on the Crown Princess. Did you get a decent view of the lighthouse and marine animals from your ship?

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Hello! We are looking at doing both the catamaran cruise of the Beagle Channel and also the railway to Tierra Del Fuego National Park through our ship's shore excursions. We would have to do one in the afternoon and the other from 5:00-7:30pm. Which would you recommend doing in the afternoon and which in the early evening, or would there be no preference? Would there be a difference in weather, wildlife viewings, etc. based on time of day for each excursion destination? Thank you!

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first time it was late Feb, second time it was beginning of March. If memory is right. I have blogged about it extensively, see link in signature.

Thank you!!