The lovely Miss Lynn and I will be doing the subject cruise in Feb/Mar and would like some input from prior cruisers as to must do excursions. We're already booked for the 2 day pre-cruise package to Iguazu Falls and the 4 day post cruise to Macchu Picchu. Has anyone had any problems with luggage on either of these packages? I understand that on the pre-cruise we leave our luggage at the Park Tower when we go to Iguazu Falls and it's transferred to the ship for us. However, on the post cruise we go right from the ship to the airport for the flight to Cuzco and they don't say anything about the main luggage storage. When we come back to Lima we're put up at the Swiss Hotel. Does the ship transfer the luggage for us to the Swiss Hotel? Ports of call are two stops in the Faulklands( West Point and Port Stanley), Ushuaia, Punta Arenas, Puerto Montt, Valparaiso, Coquimbo, Pisco, and then Callao. We're planning to do the Tango and Lessons tour in Buenos Aires, but haven't decided on any others for the cruise. Thanks in advance for any imput.

Piggybacking on Doug's thread (after you first answer his question about luggage).

What have been your favorite excursions on a South America itinerary? (we're signed up for Machu Piccchu but that's all so far)

Doug, by all means do a Tango Show in Buenos Aires and go to the Recoleta Cemetery and find Eva Peron's grave. Don't miss the Penguin colonys in the Falkland Islands and drop in the Globe Tavern in Port Stanley for a Bodington's or two (or more) :D . In Ushuaia, take the "Train to the End of the World" -- it's both fun and educational. If you have time in Valpariso, go to the Concha y Toro Winery (which is really closer to Santiago)--it's a beautiful place and they have some fabulous wines.

Yes, Buenos Aires is all about Evita and Tango.. those are 2 musts..you should..
Take a tour so you can see everything.. the Recoleta area ( upscale trendy). Also,
the area for great shopping on Florida street for all kinds of leather goodies..
great jackets. GREAT prices.
See the area called La Boca.. it is very colorful and you will see excellent dancers tango-ing on
the streets..just fabulous..
If you want a free city tour the reps from
H. Stern ( the largest gemstone stores in the world)
are all over the port.. or you can set up a tour in advance. They use Mercedes mini vans and you can get a group together, about 6 people if you want.. they will show you all around.. they only want at the end to take you to their store,which is really interesting..like a gem stone museum.. you can see how all the stuff is made... and have the "opportunity" to buy something if you want too. There is no hard sell..
and the touring is free.. so worth even buying a little something.
I had mentioned this to Marcie..if you guys want me to post the reps email so you can contact him let me know.. he will set you up in advance w/ free tour..
Regarding all the tourist areas...
Just be careful there.. lots and lots of crime.

Peggy and Claudia,
Thank you so much for all this good advice. We're in the process now of figuring out just what we're doing! So far we have:
Amazon River Cruise (see huts and river people)

Samba Show in Rio

Tango Show in Buenos Aires

Iguazu Falls from Callao, Peru (we didn't like RSSC's 11-12 hour all day tour so we booked our own flight up and we're staying overnight at the Sheraton before returning the next day....much cheaper than the RSSC excursion)

Machu Picchu 2 night excursion

I want soooooooo much to see the Penguins and Sea Lions so I'm exploring different possibilities there.

Claudia, not sure if I'll take you up on on the Rep from H. Stern (I'll talk to Joanna about it). I don't want to buy any gems though. Thanks for your help!

Marcie; There are other opportunities to see penquins and sea lions on the cruise besides Antarctica. There is a tour in the Faulklands that does it and there are tours from both Ushuaia and Punta Arenas that do. My experience with flightseeing and as a pilot is that you won't see too much from the air. It's just kind of a "I've been there" thing. The only exception to that is if it's a helo tour and you're in the left seat, next to the pilot. On the helo tour from Antigua to Montserrat I saw a lot from the cockpit, but Lynn didn't see much from the back. Not good for picture taking(movies) either.

Oh yes Doug, I realize that....just trying to decide WHICH tour to choose!

From Puerto Montt, I suggest getting the guide Patricia that Todd, Ngaire and Ken and I met at the ship. Go out and see Petrohu Falls, Emerald Lake, the famous Mountain, and end up at our restaurant at Angelmo with the webcam (very close to the tender pier) so we can enjoy another virtual lunch with you!!! They would treat you royally, and the food is delicious!

If you want to go to Santiago from Valparaiso, this woman could arrange for the same. Great prices, much better than Europe!

Marcie and Doug
I am envious of each of yours journey to South America. We did Lima to Buenos Aries last year on the Mariner and loved every minute of it.
Marcie, I am so glad you are including Machu Picchu as it is a wonderful experience along with Igassu Falls. We were fortunate in doing a private tour of six nights to M.P. Cuzco, Sacred Valley plus three additional nights in B.A. and two nights for the Falls.

As for the Penquin tours, if I were to do it all over again, I would
probably book two excursions just to cover yourselves.
Fortunately, we booked the Falkland Island penquin tour which was excellent. However friends of our did not book it, choosing another and knowing the stop at Camarones included the ships complimentary excursion to the penquin colony. Due to inclement weather the Camarones stop was canceled. Our friends were indeed upset. On that same trip, prior to our arrival in the Falklands, other ships had to cancel their scheduled visits. We lucked out with a break in the weather and were able to do the fun journey to the colony.

Signing up for two penquin excursions could help prevent disappointment.

What a great trip you will have. I cannot wait to hear your reports.
Deanna

Oops....mistake.

No mistake Merrily....I know you are Marcie's SIS!!!!!!!

My sis the lurker! :app: