We returned on January 31 from our fantastic trip from Lima to Buenos Aires on the Mariner, plus an extension at the beginning to Machu Pichu, followed by a post trip to Igaussu Falls. Fortunately we stayed healthy for the whole trip, only to be followed by a horrible cold from the plane flight home. I will with in the week write a trip report, which will also become my personal reflection of the trip.

I thank you again for all of your input, suggestions etc. Jean, I looked daily for you - where did you hang out????? I hope you had as good of a time as we did.

Until later.
Deanna

Welcome home Deanna! I can't wait to read your report! I hope you get over your cold asap :(

Deanna,

Glad to hear you had such a fun cruise. Sorry to hear about your cold. Hope you are feeling better soon, and look forward to your trip report.

Betty

Deanna, also look forward to your trip report, welcome home too..r/wes

Deanna:

Welcome back. Can't wait to hear about your cruise and side trips. South America is so beautiful. Glad you had a good time.

Deanna: Welcome home! I am looking forward to hearing all about your trip. Cheers, Anne

Deanna: can;t wait to hear about your trip! I bet the cruise withdrawal is worse than the cold!

Deanna: I tried and tried to find you, too. I even went to reception and asked if I could have the room number of someone I thought might be you (in the pax list) but they said NO. I didn't have the nerve to try calling myself! Well, maybe another cruise. I came home with something, I don't know what, am going to DR. tomorrow. Abdominal pains that won't quit. Wonder if it's a parasite or something? Anyway, yes, it was a wonderful cruise and I loved the rough seas off Chile but don't think I want to experience the kind Marcie went through in Australia!!

Deanna and Jean, can't wait for your "trip" reports. It will be a nice reminder for me of my trip last year.

Jean, I am so sorry we didn't meet. I was at trivia daily and I thought perhaps you were there too. Fortunately, we did not have any stomach problems etc. for the entire trip, with a one day exception for my husband at Agua Calientes (Machu Pichu). I think it was the runny, hardly scrambled eggs at the hotel. He was over it in twenty four hours.

I was surprised at the number who were sick on the cruise - intestinal and bronchial. I hope all is well with you after your Dr. visit.

I loved everything about the trip! Weren't the fjiords beautiful!
We were certainly lucky to have the seas like glass as we went around the Cape. I certainly felt as if the Captain was very 'passenger accomodating' with all of his ship maneuvers etc. And Terry Breen was fantastic in all of her stories and dialogues about the ports and surrounding areas.

Oh, to be back on the ship.............

Deanna

Deanna:

Glad to hear a little about your trip.

I'm a big fan of Terry Breen and would consider it a great break to have her lecturing on a cruise. She's really a marvelous speaker, or storyteller as she describes herself.

Our trip around the Cape last year was smooth too. And, isn't Terry Breen great? Love her talks and enthusiasm about the subject. Want to hear more about your trip!

We're on the Manaus-Ft Lauderdale portion of the cruise in a week. It's our 4th RSSC cruise and first on the Mariner. We are fortunate enough to have a suite with one of the new bathrooms. Jean and Deanna ---- did you learn anything that we need to know before we leave next week? We love Radisson, have been on the Voyager and the Navigator. So, we know the basics, but are curious about any specifics regarding S. America and the Amazon that are of note in advance of packing and sailing.

Thanks,

Jim

Jim: We did that portion of the So. America cruise last year only we did two segments, starting in B.A. We thought we would have done better to have stuck to the one you are doing as we got a little too much Amazon! BUT, it is a wonderful cruise and I can't think of anything you need to know. I'm sure you have gotten your shots, etc. Many people did not take the malaria pills but we, being older, thought it prudent to do so and did. And had no problem with sickness. Terry Breen does a marvelous job of lecturing as you go along the River. She is a wonder and Radisson is so lucky to have her. We just got off the Mariner as you know and we werelucky to have been upgraded to a suite with a shower. They are the best. I hope all the suites will be outfitted with them in the near future. Enjoy your cruise and say hello to Ranny in La Verandah--he is my most favorite of all waiters!! Tell him Mrs. Nolls said hi and sorry I didn't get to say goodbye to him. (He was sick). He always greeted us so nicely at breakfast. He made my day. Jean

Deanna: I never did go to trivia! The people we were travelling with just didn't want to do that! They didn't even go to Chocoholic Tea!! I found out yesterday that I have an intestinal virus. Interesting you say there were many who had that on the ship! I suppose that's where I picked it up. I felt so awful the last day I could hardly eat my dinner at Signatures! Now that's something. We ate there four times, though, so I did get to appreciate it.

Jean, are you feeling better?

The man in La Verandah is "Remmy."

Deanna - looking forward to the report!!

Jean - I join MarnaLou in hoping that you're feeling better!

Masaki

I ho[e they "cleared the air" of any sickness only 25 more days before we board for the Panama Canal! Cant wait.

Sounds like a great trip! Its definitely on our "wish" list!! The suites with the new bathrooms, do they now just have a large shower and no tub at all? Thats not an issue with us, as normally we are shower people and loved the shower on the Navigator.

My favorite waiter is Rany or Ranny, not Remmy. Remmy is now Maitre-d' in Compass Rose.

Don't know whether I contracted the intestinal virus on the ship or plane but am now okay. Thank you for your good wishes.

The ship has hand sanitizer things outside every dining room as well as when you come in from shore.

The showers are wonderful. They have used the space where the tub was for just a walk-in shower with a seat no less! The shower head is huge and the hand shower is there as well. A very big improvement. There is no tub at all anymore. Of course now there is no place to put your used towels!! (We used to drape them over the tub).

I have still have my horrible cold - it hangs on, and on, and on.... However, I will start with the first part and then add on later.
We flew crowded American Airlines to Dallas. After a delay due to weather, we landed in Lima at 2:30 a.m. Prior to our departure, we had booked with an agency that specializes in South America independent travel. The Peru end of the planning was fantastic, with the exception of one hotel. Otherwise, they get a high rating all around for this portion.

Upon our early arrival, we were greeted by our guide and a driver. The streets were void of all traffic and we zipped to the hotel, Las Americanas. The hotel was quite nice, probably a four star with excellent service, clean rooms, free internet, huge buffet breakfast and delicious Pisco Sours - which I enjoyed throughout my trip. It was to bed by 4:00 a.m. with a wake up at 9:00 a.m. After the included bountiful breakfast we hit the streets to look and shop. Peru is famous for their silver and we found some quite nice pieces at extremely reasonable prices. At 1:00 p.m. we met our guide for a city tour. Again, we had our own guide and a driver for the 31/2 interesting tour. One of the highlights of the tour was the Gold Museum, along with the plaza. It was great being on an individual tour and not fighting the bus loads of off and on etc.

There are some excellent restaurants in Lima with the one out at the end of the pier (rosa nautica????) being quite good.

The next morning our driver and guide picked us up for the drive to the airport. They kindly took all of our lugguage, except for our carry ons for the Macha Pichu part, to their office for storage. They would have it for us when they picked up upon our return for the drive to the ship. What nice service.

We left early in the morning for the flight to Cuzco. It went smoothly in checking in, as our guide did everything for us. There was a small airport tax to be paid upon departure. We landed in beautiful Cuzco and WHOMP did we feel the change in air. At 11,500 feet we were breathless quite immediately. Again, a guide named Alex (wonderful) and a driver were right there to meet us. Immediately we were into a van, just the four of us and started to head for the Sacred Valley - 8,500 feet. On our way out of Cuzco, Alex showed us some sights that we would be seeing on our Cuzco city tour upon our return.
As we approached the valley, we made a few stops. The first one was at a farm that raised llamas, alpaca, and vicuna. They also demonstrated how they sheared, carded the wool, used the natural dyes, and wove the fabrics. It was very interesting. Then we drove on to Pisac to see the market. Every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday or Saturdays, the surrounding villagers bring their crafts to this market. It was quite interesting and we roamed for about an hour and a half. Off we went to Olitambo (spelling is incorrect), an old Inca city which was indeed interesting. Not only were ruins there to walk about but their were other interesting places Alex took us to. i.e. the guinea pig house. A late buffet lunch - 2:30 p.m., along with the Pisco Sour, was provided at a very nice restaurant in a beautiful valley setting. After lunch it was off to our outstanding lodgings in the Sacred Valley.

Sorry, my time has run out and later I will post more about the land trip. Hope this is not too mundane and long for you -but I loved this trip!!!!

Deanna - hope YOU are feeling better soon too!

Thanks and keep it coming. Lovin' every bit of it. Cheers, Anne

Deanna, great stuff, keep it coming...r/wes

Our hotel, Sol y Luna in the Sacred Valley was outstanding! What a lovely quiet setting - lush plants, huge hummingbirds. It is fairly new - two years old. They have 17 individual round bungalows set throughout this beautiful setting. A patio is with each bungalow. The rooms are nicely decorated and the bathrooms nicely tiled. My only suggestion would be to have better water pressure - but then when visiting another country one must make do with what one has. They had excellent dining facilities. No I did not try the Alpaca steak but someone said it was excellent! My husband was filling wiped out and went to bed early - 6:00 p.m. and slept until 6:00 the next morning. I enjoyed the tranquil garden setting until about 8:00 p.m. We both slept, but I must mention we both had strange dreams. Is that oxygen deprivation? In the morning the hotel provided an excellent buffet breakfast before our departure. I must admit I could have easily stayed a week in this area and at this hotel. The hotel also provided horseback riding, a spa and some other great activiies, besides simply 'chilling out' and enjoying life.

We were picked up in the morning and driven up the road about 15 minutes to the train station for our "Vista Dome" ride to Machu Pichu. Getting to the station was indeed interesting with all the traffic - foot traffic, treckers, and vans. We thought we would miss our train but not to fret. When we finally made it down to the tracks, there was someone holding our name up. They took us to the correct spot for our train car and numbered seats. He also explained what to expect when we got to Machu Pichu. Everything was so well organized!

The train ride was extremely interesting with such a beautiful countryside to enjoy along with interesting observations of the
farmers working the land. It took about an hour for us to reach Agual Calientes, the village at the base of Machu Pichu.

Hope your cold is better. My husband had 4 colds back to back this fall/winter, he said he thought it was all one cold "the one that won't go away" he's finally over it. Your trip so far sounds wonderful and I am anxiously awaiting further posts. As I said, the So America cruise is on our "wish" list, so its fun reading about your trip.

Deanna:

Your arrangements must have been seamless, everything sounds perfect. While I don't think I'll be back to SA for a while, could you tell us who handled those details?

I'm anxiously waiting your Machu Pichu impressions.

Hope you're feeling better.

Steamy, hot and humid when we arrived in Agua Calientes. Thongs of villagers meet you trying to sell their merchandise. We walked along the tracts until we found three men with signs for our hotel. They took our luggage as we continued on to the bus to take us up the narrow switch back road to Machu Pichu. Be sure you are wearing a hat, sunscreen, and have centavos to use the facilities upon arrival - as they are the only ones before entering the admission gate. Something for rain would be advised too. You are given a pre assigned time to meet the guide before entering. These groups tend to be quite large - 30 to forty people varying in age from 15 to the 70's plus. For those who want to go at a slower pace, I would suggest buying a guide book and going in on your own once in with the group. The steps are very uneven and there are no railings thus making it difficult at times for somel. The site truly was magical and difficult to describe and believe that we were actually here in this beautiful sanctuary where the weather changed from hot, clear, and humid to cloudy, rain and humid in a matter of minutes. We stayed the whole afternoon. Our tour included a very good buffet lunch accompanied Peruvian music by at the Sanctuary
Lodge. We bussed down the hill (don't look out the window over the sides - or you may not go up again.)

Once back to Agua Calientes, we walked to our hotel for our check in. This is the hotel I would not stay at again: Huatachay Towers. True it was a busy one and the location was a good one but it would not be on my 'return list'. In the morning we had a dreary buffet breakfast. For those spending the night, this allows one to go up to Machu Pichu in the morning before the 11:30 crowds arrive. It is quiet and the low clouds give an etherial feel to the area.

Our train did not depart until 3:00 so we meandered the small village and went to the local market. I also had Chocolo con queso from a street vendor -which was delicious. It is hot steamed corn, with cheese on it. The kernels are as big as your thumb (well maybe pinky) and so tender.

The train ride back was again filled with beautiful scenery. Plus they had a fashion show so one could by stunning ponchos and sweaters if so desired. A small snack was given before we arrived in Cuzco four hours later.

Upon arrival, our faithful guide met us and took us to our Cuzco hotel the Liberatador for our two night check in. The hotel was great - an old palace of the Spanish conquistadores.

Jean, my appologies to you. The several times we have been on Mariner Remmy has been Maitre'd of La Verandah and according to Captain Guillou, the best of them all. La Verandah was "his" domain and I am really surprised he has been moved to Compass Rose.

Whew! the final part before getting on the Mariner:

The hotel in Cuzco was great - an old palace of the Spanish conquistadores. Location was good - right downtown, a few blocks from the Plaza. The buffet breakfast was outstanding and they did make the best Pisco Sours in their cozy bar.

My husband did get sick in the middle of the night. I felt it could have been the watery scrambled eggs that sat our forever in our Agua Calientes hotel, as he ate everything I ate, with the exception of the eggs, which I did not partake in. I immediately put him on immodium and an anti- biotic. The next day he stayed in the hotel room to recover - and he was feeling much better by the end of the day. I went on a very interesting city tour/country tour of Cuzco. The guide was excellent and filled our brains with interesting historical facts. He also took us to some Inca ruins just outside of the city proper, which to be honest with you, I would not have been able to climb if it were the beginning of my trip. By this time, I was acclimated and could easily make the climb with no problems.

I highly suggest one save Cuzco and touring for the end of the land portion and not the beginning. I met two couples on my City Cuzco tour who had just arrived from Lima, after their morning departure from a cruise. They went on the tour - and it was too difficult for them. They could not make it.

Finally, the last morning in Cuzco, our guide met us and took us to the airpost for a personalized check in. Off we went to Lima to be met by our Lima guide and driver, who had all of our luggage with them. Then it was straight to the Radisson Mariner to begin our 19 day journey of bliss around the Cape.

In summarizing our Peru land portion I am so glad we did it this way! Oh, and to have missed the Sacred Valley would have been so sad. I am also glad we did Peru before the cruise and not as a post adventure or I could have returned home an exhausted puppy - and felt like I had never been on a relaxing cruise. What a pity that would have been!

Hope this review helps.

Margo,
I hope this information will be of benefit to you.

The company name for the land portion was "Eco Adventures" out of California. I worked with a lady name Barbara. Actually she coordinated with my local travel agent. She would send the itint. and then we would 'tweak' it together with some minor changes. I can't say enough for their planning and detail. The total cost, which we felt was quite reasonable, included air from our home town and back, rather than only leaving/returning from LAX-two hours away was well worth it plus two nights hotel Lima, one night hotel in Sacred Valley, one night hotel
Agua Calientes, two nights hotel Cuzco plus breakfast and three lunches, vistadome train reservations, including guides and drivers, along with all internal flights to Cuzco and back. Then add our post cruise jaunt of two nights at Sheraton Igausu Falls with breakfast, two tours, guide and driver, hotel in Buenos Aires, flights to the Falls, and all transfers to airports. It was
exceptionally well planned.

Thank you for your good wishes. I have to get over this cold soon as I am leaving with my sister for a 'girls week trip" to Florence, Italy We will be doing it on our own - with side excursions to Sienna, Lucca, and San G....... It will be fun - just the two of us exploring...... The only downside in the loooooong plane ride!