Overnighting in Buenos Aires

This is a first for us. We board the Zaandam on March 3 but the ship doesn't actually sail until March 4. I tried to make a reservation for the Pinnacle Grill for the first night but no specialty restaurants are open. Can I also assume that the casino and the shops will be closed on March 3 since we will be in port?

Thanks,

Helen

Most likely. They have been in the past.

I am surprised you could not book Pinnacle.

I don't know any port, anywhere, where they are allowed to have the casino open while in port. Same for the shops.

I can understand the ship being in partial shut-down during an overnight in BA. This is a fabulous city for an overnight since there is plenty of nightlife and lots of decent restaurants. Not sure why many folks would want to eat in the PG (or even on the ship) when they could go ashore and take a taxi to a decent local restaurant (far better then the PG). Also consider that on overnights, the ship tries to give as many crew as possible lots of time off. These folks work hard and an occasional night out is a real treat (and a plus for morale).

But perhaps we are just the exception to some kind of HAL rule. We have had quite a few European overnights on HAL and we always go off the ship to take advantage of local restaurants and perhaps night life. But we have noticed that many fellow cruisers have no desire to leave the ship. For example, we cannot imagine overnighting in Lisbon without going to some kind of Fado dinner show. But others would prefer to stay on the ship where there is little night life when in those overnight ports of call.

Hank

I don't know any port, anywhere, where they are allowed to have the casino open while in port. Same for the shops.

Hamilton, Bermuda ;p

I can understand the ship being in partial shut-down during an overnight in BA. This is a fabulous city for an overnight since there is plenty of nightlife and lots of decent restaurants. Not sure why many folks would want to eat in the PG (or even on the ship) when they could go ashore and take a taxi to a decent local restaurant (far better then the PG). Also consider that on overnights, the ship tries to give as many crew as possible lots of time off. These folks work hard and an occasional night out is a real treat (and a plus for morale).

 

 

 

But perhaps we are just the exception to some kind of HAL rule. We have had quite a few European overnights on HAL and we always go off the ship to take advantage of local restaurants and perhaps night life. But we have noticed that many fellow cruisers have no desire to leave the ship. For example, we cannot imagine overnighting in Lisbon without going to some kind of Fado dinner show. But others would prefer to stay on the ship where there is little night life when in those overnight ports of call.

 

 

 

Hank

We will be spending the week prior to boarding in BA including a couple of days in Iguazu Falls. We have a full day of touring planned for Friday including dinner and a tango show. I’m sure by the time we board on Saturday we will be happy for a bit of time to actually relax. We really like doing a specialty restaurant on the first nite but on this cruise it’s not an option.

Helen

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Casino and shops will be closed.

I know in Bermuda the Casinos can stay open but that is a true exception.

Keith

I can understand the ship being in partial shut-down during an overnight in BA. This is a fabulous city for an overnight since there is plenty of nightlife and lots of decent restaurants. Not sure why many folks would want to eat in the PG (or even on the ship) when they could go ashore and take a taxi to a decent local restaurant (far better then the PG). Also consider that on overnights, the ship tries to give as many crew as possible lots of time off. These folks work hard and an occasional night out is a real treat (and a plus for morale).

 

But perhaps we are just the exception to some kind of HAL rule. We have had quite a few European overnights on HAL and we always go off the ship to take advantage of local restaurants and perhaps night life. But we have noticed that many fellow cruisers have no desire to leave the ship. For example, we cannot imagine overnighting in Lisbon without going to some kind of Fado dinner show. But others would prefer to stay on the ship where there is little night life when in those overnight ports of call.

 

Hank

Bolding is mine, Hank. You are not alone ;) I was thrilled when we had an overnight in Lisbon and could go to a real Fado show. And we lucked into a fabulous one.

We got back to the ship just before 2 am. ;)

OP - what a great city to have an overnight in. Buenos Aires is fantastic. Enjoy :)

When we overnighted in BA on the Zaandam last year, there was a tango show on board that first evening. I can't remember if there were two showtimes, or just one, but do check in the daily program and arrange your dinner time around the show. You might check as soon as you board to see if the Pinnacle really is closed for the evening, but definitely arrange the timing so you can get to the show.:)

When we overnighted in BA on the Zaandam last year, there was a tango show on board that first evening. I can't remember if there were two showtimes, or just one, but do check in the daily program and arrange your dinner time around the show. You might check as soon as you board to see if the Pinnacle really is closed for the evening, but definitely arrange the timing so you can get to the show.:)

Local performances are usually one show a night

The Pinnacle Grill was open the night we spent in BA on our Jan 6 cruise. I don't know why you can't book it; but you should be able to when you board.

Thanks everyone for the info. I’ll check again on the PG reservations but now I may wait since I want to see the tango show. Getting excited since we fly out on Monday.

Helen

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Have a great cruise!:)

Bolding is mine, Hank. You are not alone ;) I was thrilled when we had an overnight in Lisbon and could go to a real Fado show. And we lucked into a fabulous one.

 

We got back to the ship just before 2 am. ;)

 

OP - what a great city to have an overnight in. Buenos Aires is fantastic. Enjoy :)

We have overnighted three times in Lisbon...all on HAL cruises. From our personal observation, at least 80% (probably more) came back to the ship for dinner and then went to bed. The ship was essentially dark (little entertainment) and most HAL cruisers seemed to be happy to do what many HAL cruisers do...which is go to bed early. We had met quite a few cruisers on those cruises and most were somewhat shocked that DW and I would go off the ship around 7:30 to head for our usual Fado restaurant (Senor Vinho) for a late dinner and Fado that continues to at least mid-night. HAL also had an excursion to another very touristy Fado place...but on our last cruise they only had a single bus!

The idea of overnights is to give cruisers the option of enjoying a dinner (or evening) off the ship. But it does seem that the overwhelming majority of HAL cruisers just see it as another early night. To be really blunt, we don't understand the attitude of most....although we do understand that a small percentage of folks do have physical limitations that keep them on the ship. A few years ago we were on a Celebrity cruise that spent 3 nights in Rio for Carnival. Just about the entire ship took advantage of a ship excursion that took cruisers off the ship (at about 8pm) to head over to the Samba Drome for the main Carnival presentation/competition (which lasted until dawn). One wonders what percentage of HAL passengers would do this...if they offered a similar cruise.

Hank

If the ship offers a tango show consider going.

It is a very nice experience between the music, singing and dance.

Keith

Thanks for the heads up on the Tango show. I’ll look for it.

My plan A is leaving today. My flight goes through Houston, and just got notice they are expecting disruptions due to weather.;p

....

To be really blunt, we don't understand the attitude of most....although we do understand that a small percentage of folks do have physical limitations that keep them on the ship.

:confused:

He who hoots with the owls at night doesn’t soar with the eagles in the morning.