NCL SUN's South America Adventure - Holiday 2009 Valparaiso to Buenos Aires cruise

[theduffys]

We were with you in the lobby of the Marriott on Jan.3. We were trying to check out and spent a long time in the wrong line before we discovered it was the check in line. No sign or explanation anywhere in a very small lobby. Hotel is wonderful however.

[Katesowner]

I enjoyed your tour descriptions!

 

If the ship was scheduled to dock at a certain time, how much after docking time did disembarkation start? Did you notice if the time posted for the ship's departure at a tender port was the actual time of departure or if it was when tenders stopped running?

 

We like to buy local crafts (handknit sweater in a market in Estonia, for example). What things caught your eye?

 

Thanks!

[bluesea777]

We were with you in the lobby of the Marriott on Jan.3. We were trying to check out and spent a long time in the wrong line before we discovered it was the check in line. No sign or explanation anywhere in a very small lobby. Hotel is wonderful however.

 

Giggle :D

 

Yes, the lobby was small but the hotel in general was wonderful - it celebrated 100 years in 2009.

 

Have you been to Marriott in Santiago? It has a WOW factor and we enjoyed the stay there - about one of the best we've stayed in .. so far. I have Marriott Elite card and try to stay in Marriott hotels wherever we go.

[bluesea777]

Thanks for your fantastic description of every aspect of this cruise. I found it to be quite informative, and like Linda's, makes me even more excited to be sailing on February 28. I am looking forward to the great photo ops as DH is a very good photographer. By the way we have some wonderful photos of Bermuda as we have sailed there via the NCL Majesty every September for the past 4 years. What a great island you live on!

 

Nikki

 

:D Are you coming back soon?

[bluesea777]

I enjoyed your tour descriptions!

 

If the ship was scheduled to dock at a certain time, how much after docking time did disembarkation start? Did you notice if the time posted for the ship's departure at a tender port was the actual time of departure or if it was when tenders stopped running?

 

We like to buy local crafts (handknit sweater in a market in Estonia, for example). What things caught your eye?

 

Thanks!

 

We went on NCL tour in every port, and we had to be at the Stardust Lounge at the time stated on the tour tickets. The time was around the time the ship docked or anchored and we were often on one of the first tenders.

 

There are 2 gangways and we were often escorted to the one that is allocated for NCL tours.

 

They post "Be back aboard by" times at the gangway but we were always back on ship early so don't really know. However we did see later tenders returning to ship after it's supposed departure time.

 

As for shopping - each port has good shopping - in different ways. Punta Arenas has better shopping than the other 2 Chilean ports so it's the place to shop if you don't have time to shop in Santiago or Valpa. As for Argentina, Ushuaia has great shopping.

 

You'll enjoy yourself in each port - you'll have time to shop in each port. We did, except for Puerto Chacabucco and Puerto Madryn (no time).

 

You asked about things that caught my eye - well people have different tastes - there is bound to be a few things that will catch your eye.

Edited January 22, 2010 by bluesea777

[DMH15]

I enjoyed the shopping on this cruise. I did not get to shop in Santiago and Valparaiso, due to having to fly in the day of the cruise, which I hated and DO NOT recommend.

 

Puerto Montt- walked around and did some looking but no buying.

 

Puerto Chacabucco - no shopping here, just "nature" stuff.

 

Punta Arenas - my mom enjoyed the shopping. I did the Antarctic Landing which took the entire block of time. Wouldn't have traded it with even the best shopping.

 

Falklands - we found a neat little wool shop and other quaint shops. Enjoyed the British cafe for tea and biscuits.

 

Ushuaia - walked about and shopped. Got some nice leather goods and scarves.

 

Puerto Madryn - found a nice shopping center with interesting books.

 

Montevideo - loved it. Bought some very nice handbags and gifts. But my favorite Mecca was an art gallery where I went crazy. I bought a painting which I had shipped home by FedEx. I also bought a silver ring, and a fewer smaller art objects. I have started wanting to buy at least one or two things on a cruise that I can display in my home. I want some things that will last and will remind me of my cruise to lands far away.

 

Buenos Aires also had wonderful leather goods.

 

I bought gifts for family members and plenty for myself. The reason is when will I make it back to faraway South America.? When I go on a Caribbean or U.S. Cruise I just send loved ones postcards, or just take t-shirts back to the kiddos.

 

But the shopping on this cruise was wonderful. I'm glad I went last year before the economy got worse and my 401k tanked, I might have held back. Egads.

[bluesea777]

Montevideo: hot day so we shed the woolies and went into shorts/capris and short sleeves and sandals. Some people didn’t and they sweated! We had room service breakfast on the balcony and saw the sailing into the harbor. We took NCL’s City Sights & Lunch at Winery tour. Bus took us thru old town and important sights before driving along the Rio de la Plata where there are numerous beaches. Then it was to the Bouza Winery where we had a tour and lunch (BBQ – more lamb, but they had chicken, beef and sausages thrown in). We had 5 different wines to taste and bought 2 bottles of wine and a bottle of grappa to take home. Very good tour. We were dropped off at gates and we went off to do a little shopping before returning to ship.

 

 

Tonight we opened the bottle of Uruguayan Grappa and drank a shot glass of it. Different from the Italian grappa but very very nice. We ended having a second glass!

[DMH15]

Bluesea-

 

That sounds like a lovely way to re-visit your cruise. All I made it home with, with regards to wine, was a few nifty corks.

[Katesowner]

BlueSea777 & DMH15 - Thanks for info.

 

Donna, one of our threesome is doing Antarctica next month. What an amazing opportunity!

 

Did you find handbags, etc. in the market area near the ship in Montevideo? We are doing a private winery tour but will have some looking-around time before sailing.

[DMH15]

BlueSea777 & DMH15 - Thanks for info.

 

Donna, one of our threesome is doing Antarctica next month. What an amazing opportunity!

 

Did you find handbags, etc. in the market area near the ship in Montevideo? We are doing a private winery tour but will have some looking-around time before sailing.

 

 

Katesowner

 

Yes, there are several places in walking distance to the ship where you can find great handbags. I bought one that I adore, brown white and black cowhide with suede trim. I saw some similar in Fort Worth, Tx double the price.

 

You might be able to walk to the gallery too. I'll try and find the business card.

 

I hope your friend's excursion to Antarctica is a go. I was told it's 50/50 or less chance. Both cruises before and after didn't get to go. It was a great day.

[DMH15]

Katesowner-

 

Also, in the Montevideo market area they have these open grills with the best meat and yummy cheese. Goes great with their red wine. The place is crowded, lots of barstools around the grills. We loved it!

 

Also, did the NCL tour in Buenos Aires from ship to estancia to airport. It was great. Is your cruise ending in BA or starting? Ours ended there.

[lcrall]

Thanks for the detailed information. I am also from BERMUDA as well and I am planning on taking the Norwegian Sun in August to visit Northern Europe.

 

I will definitely make it a point to ask for the egg craters when I first arrive on board.

 

How were the rooms on the SUN from the website it was last refurbished in 2004?

 

Leticia

[BlueLadyBlue]

Bluesea, I know this is a very old post but we are doing this cruise in Jan 2017 and really enjoyed your review. thank again.:D