Cruising South America Wasn’t What I Expected (Or Planned)

Comments · 291

• SH

  @shellyvick6300 · 3 years ago

  We did a very similar cruise--Buenos Aires to Valparisio in March 2020 on the Celebrity Eclipse.  By the time we got to Valparisio, they had  closed the port and we ended up circling for 3 days, while they fueled and brought supplies for our (unplanned) trip to San Diego.  14 extra days at sea--we never ran out of anything--and one of our favorite cruises ever!  Since most of us had packed for cooler weather, we weren't very prepared for the heat when we crossed the equator.  We finally made it home on April Fools Day...

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• DC

  @dcnole · 3 years ago

  That trip looks amazing.  But, as you say, a good reminder that not every great cruise is great for every potential cruiser!

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• PE

  @peteventoux1815 · 3 years ago

  Probably the most important and useful video so far from the best cruise content producer.

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• DZ

  @dzikijohnny · 3 years ago

  In 1990 I went around Cape Horn when in the Navy in an Air Craft Carrier...on that day we had glass calm days...one of the best days I had in the Navy...

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• KA

  @karinbinnie1862 · 3 years ago

  We did a 20 night cruise on the Veendam in January 2010 from Rio de Janeiro to Valparaiso and it was the best cruise (out of 15 cruises) of my life. My sister booked us independent shore excursions in Rio, Buenos Aires, the Falklands, and Valparaiso based on recommendations on the Cruise Critics message board which cost less than half the fee for the cruise line official shore excursions with the same itinerary. Rio and Valpo even included transportation to the airport. We had booked ocean view cabins but were upgraded to balconies; due to the economy the price was reduced 25%. The 4 lecturers were great. I will never forget cruising down Iceberg Alley and back again. Twenty nights with a balcony for $3k! Win! Win! Win!

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• IN

  @incredibleshrinkingfungus1731 · 3 years ago

  Best Gary video ever.  Thanks so much for the advanced notice on the unique issues in this itinerary.

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• KA

  @katd6580 · 3 years ago

  I can't believe people wait to the last minute to book an excursion....If there is something I want to make sure to see, I book as soon as I can so I know I won't miss a thing.. less stress...

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• PE

  @peterwright837 · 3 years ago

  I did this cruise with my extended family over Christmas and New Years about 10 years ago on Princess, and I still consider it my all time favorite cruise because of its uniqueness in wildlife, landscapes and cultures. My only disappointment was that our rounding of Cape Horn was apparently the smoothest the capitan had ever experienced.

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• MA

  @maintrainstation · 3 years ago

  I did this Holland America trip (in reverse order) i think on the very next cruise after Gary’s, March 10-24. Gary is giving invaluable advice. Still , I hope those interested won’t use some of these cautions to discourage them from this trip of a lifetime. It far exceeded all my expectations, and was much more impressive than my cruises to Alaska, the Panama Canal, and Iceland & Greenland.  🙂

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• KU

  @kuroon7553 · 3 years ago

  As a South American, listening to you talking about the weather was funny because to me it was like "yeah, sounds about normal 35 one day, 13 the other... Quite normal" 😂😂😂

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• CH

  @chrisbridge4231 · 2 years ago

  Did this cruise in 2009 with HAL.  Possibly the best cruise itinerary we have ever experienced.  Cape Horn was dead calm and we made it into every port.  The penguin colony at Punta Arenas was outstanding

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• SW

  @swisstroll3 · 3 years ago

  Don’t knock the taxis in South America. If you can find another couple to split the cost with you, you can go to the most popular tourist spots for half the cost of an independent tour or one third the cost of a cruise line tour. Plus you don’t have to wait in line at the restroom, or use a restaurant that can handle at least a bus load of people, or wait for that last person to get back on the bus. In Latin America, find another couple where at least one of them speaks Spanish, or use Duolingo for six months before your journey and you will have a much better tour than the crowds on the buses.

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