72 Nite Voyager January 13, 2016 South America

Is there anyone out there sailing this voyage? Just contemplating how much "cash" to consider taking. We usually tip a bit above those included to some of the staff.

We are sailing the Lima to Buenos Aires segment with you.

I also have thought about the cash issue.

Would a credit card be better? Or is that too unsafe in South America?

We have sailed one segment of this voyage in the past. You will need cash for tips for tour guides, to buy any food or incidentals off the ship, but not anything else. Tips are included for people on the ship on Regent. As far as the cash for off the ship, we were on the Ft. Lauderdale to Lima segment, and on that segment, US dollars were preferred. I did not exchange any currency for that trip. Just make sure you have lots of NEW one dollar bills. They don't like anything with creases, tears, etc.

You can get $400 from reception, it will be your money against your credit card on file when you board. You can get small bills for tips on tours etc. DO NOT have to tip on board, it is "Included!"

Agree with previous posters but wanted to add that you may want to start a Roll Call for your cruise. Here is a link to Voyager Roll Call -- you will have to start a new thread http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=559

Other people that will be on your cruise will post there -- you can get to know them and may decide to do a Meet and Greet once you get onboard:-)

Thanks to all who replied. Yes, as a Regent past passenger I am aware tips are included but we often tip a little extra to some of the staff. We plan to take a credit card but was just trying to mentally calculate, due to length, in addition to extra tips we extend on board what the incidentals might be in cash. Thanks again.

We did this complete itinerary in 2013. As it's a trip full of variety, there is no easy answer and it really depends on how much time you want to spend away from the ship and what you want to buy, if anything, off shore. US dollars are obviously accepted widely particularly in the Caribbean stops and Ecuador where it's the currency anyway.

Elsewhere, whilst credit cards are accepted in the larger places, it's not always the case at smaller ports or artisan stalls. In addition, you are often charged a different price for credit card and US $ transactions than local currency - often not in your favour.

So in Peru for example, if you were going on the Machu Picchu trip, you'd be fine, but if you stay in Lima (well worth it BTW), you'll need some local currency.

ATMs are located in the larger centres but not necessarily in some smaller ports and strangely almost non existent in Uruguay. We did get our cards skimmed in Ushuaia (in a bank, with armed guards!):mad:, but elsewhere we were fine. Multiple cards saved us here and we were reimbursed, but...

The scene changes somewhat in Argentina and more so in Brazil. These are large independent countries and most of their tourists are internal. Obviously that will change in Rio for the 2016 Olympics, but you are travelling to places way outside the capitals and local currency will be necessary if you want to eat and drink off the ship (also highly recommended) and to avail yourself to the quality goods on sale from smaller retailers.

Tipping of the staff can be done via your on board account to the staff welfare fund, and there could be an on board 'auction' of desirable goods and services that also contributes to that fund. The on board cash in $US from the purser has been discussed; I thought it was $500 a day up unto a certain limit and then after that credit card interest rates were charged (I should have paid more attention when we asked in December).

When tipping tour guides in US $ remember the value of that tip could diminish if the operator is hit by exchange rate discrepancies.

South America requires a certain vigilance - you are reminded of this on board. Keep your jewellery in the safe and your cash well hidden and note when the Carnival dates are as this tends to bring an undesirable element to a location and is not restricted to Rio.

Feel free to ask any more specific questions to me at jampac at webone dot com dot au. And don't forget to remind your TA to watch out for the bonus Quito side trip usually included for the 'circlers' at no charge.

Six replies and more than 24 hours and no one has commented that this itinerary is on Mariner and not Voyager???? :confused:

Even the great one ;) provided a link to Voyager roll calls and not Mariner roll calls.

Marc

I knew it was the Mariner - I looked up the itinerary - but missed what the original poster had said:o

Oh so right. It is the Mariner. Confused it with a cruise we have booked on the Voyager November of 2016 from Barcelona to Sydney. Thanks again. Question arose as this will be the first time we have cruised for this length of time. Catpow, great post. Also I never take any jewelry off ANYWHERE! Just to be on the safe side.

Six replies and more than 24 hours and no one has commented that this itinerary is on Mariner and not Voyager???? :confused:

 

Even the great one ;) provided a link to Voyager roll calls and not Mariner roll calls.

 

Marc

You are too funny:D I honestly questioned the Voyager being in South America in my mind but thought that everything is mixed up in 2016 (Mariner back in Alaska, Navigator in Europe, etc.) so I didn't question it. Anyway, great catch!

Crooz N, We did the Circle SA cruise in 2012 and loved it so much we are doing it again in 2016. Also doing Barcelona to Sydney with you apparently. As a retired airline Captain I flew for 8 years to either Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, or Santiago. I love SA. I used bank ATMs to exchange what money I needed down there. Some cruise lines used the same layover hotel as us and I constantly had to go tell the ladies to take their jewelry off and leave it in hotel safe. When you walk in these SA towns keep your head turning to observe what is going on around you. Take only what money you may need. Leave passport on ship with your jewelry. Watch out for their counterfit money. Taxi drivers will pass funny money. Hold it up to light and you can tell difference. Others previous to me on this thread have given good advice. We have done world cruise on Regent in 2010 and other long cruises. I do not take a lot of cash. I use ATM's or ship for money. BTW, I was mugged once in BA.

sevenseassailor: You have detailed why we do not like South America. We are so happy that we will arrive in SA (Rio) and will go directly to the ship because we do not need to be in a city where crime seems to be their main resource. Sorry -- IMO, if cruise lines stop visiting these ports, perhaps they will get crime under control.

On the other hand, we are sailing in November aboard Silversea Whisper from Barbados down the coast of Brazil and up the Amazon to Manaus and excited therefore. Next March we'll be aboard Seabourn Odyssey as she sails from LA through the Panama Canal and calling at Cartagena, Colombia, an old colonial city redolent of history and beauty. Next up on our cruise agenda in late 2016 or 2017 is sailing from from California down the west coast of South America to Valparaiso in Chile with stops in Ecuador and Peru. This is a dream trip for us!

It's reasonable that folk would have different d'ruthers about cruising itineraries and we'll differ sometimes in the parts of the world we care to experience. I'm grateful the cruise industry gives us access to most of the globe most of the time.

On the other hand, we are sailing in November aboard Silversea Whisper from Barbados down the coast of Brazil and up the Amazon to Manaus and excited therefore. Next March we'll be aboard Seabourn Odyssey as she sails from LA through the Panama Canal and calling at Cartagena, Colombia, an old colonial city redolent of history and beauty. Next up on our cruise agenda in late 2016 or 2017 is sailing from from California down the west coast of South America to Valparaiso in Chile with stops in Ecuador and Peru. This is a dream trip for us!

 

It's reasonable that folk would have different d'ruthers about cruising itineraries and we'll differ sometimes in the parts of the world we care to experience. I'm grateful the cruise industry gives us access to most of the globe most of the time.

OKat...we are cruising SA on O Oct. 2016 from Lima to BA and taking the deluxe Machu Picchu trip prior. Very excited about this one as I have only been to BA yrs. ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. Your trips sound exciting, as well. Bon Voyage!

Travelcat2--Crime is every where in the world not just SA. Had passenger pick pocketed in St Petersburg last summer. My wife's purse was taken from restaurant in NYC. I was not trying to scare folks away from SA. Just saying to be smart and careful. To miss visiting these beautiful cities and great people for the most part would be a shame.

Travelcat2--Crime is every where in the world not just SA. Had passenger pick pocketed in St Petersburg last summer. My wife's purse was taken from restaurant in NYC. I was not trying to scare folks away from SA. Just saying to be smart and careful. To miss visiting these beautiful cities and great people for the most part would be a shame.

Perhaps I came across too strong but Rio, Rome and Barcelona are amongst the top 10 places in the world for pickpocketing. My intent was to make readers realize that they need to use extra precaution. We are doing our third trip to SA next week and do find some of the cities beautiful with lovely people.

Sometimes, when cruise ships stop visiting a port, the city cleans up and tries to get the ships back. As you may recall, this happened to a couple of ports in Mexico that were dropped by some major cruise lines for a year or so. There is one port in SA that was so dangerous several years ago that we were told not to leave our hotel at night. This port opened to cruise lines about four years ago. We had police escorts accompany our bus into town and were told where we could and could not walk. There were police at every intersection. The malecón there was beautiful and we are pleased to have revisited this city that is working so hard to encourage visitors.

Sevenseas, as the trip gets closer we should touch base in order to get together for a glass of wine. So looking forward to this long trip. Many years had aging Dad and not comfortable leaving for extended travel and risk having to cut short and return home. Question about open WiFi on board and accessing personal accounts. Always understood that risky. Any insight?

We never found it an issue and on such an extended trip it was necessary to pay multiple bills and access bank accounts. The wi-fi from January 2013 to December 2014 was greatly improved on the Mariner. The computer person was always really helpful and no doubt 'free' wi-fi is included if you're a 'circler'. Instructions on how to set up your account a available from guest services. Some ports have 'hot spots' - just look for the crew madly using them. These are useful for the Skype and downloads like Windows updates etc. the ship's bandwidth does not allow.

Don't forget to visit a travel doctor and get all your shots up to date. Yellow fever has always been contentious for this cruise (we had them, no big deal) as has malaria (we didn't, the doctor deemed it unnecessary for our itinerary; others may not) and altitude sickness if you're going to Quito and/or Machu Picchu (we were prescribed them, but didn't take them but saw others get quite sick).

You'll have the time of your life - enjoy! It is a trip that makes you realise that the small nuances that make up the world are often overlooked. I'm not trying to be obtuse, it's just hard to explain.

Totally agree with Catpow about internet on Mariner. Back in 2010 on our World Cruise internet was much slower and not that good but Regent has upgraded it and MUCH better now. I have not worried about doing personal business on board but never do it off the ship. I also do not do personal business while in port even on board. I write a blog on my RSSC cruises so spend several hours every day with writing and uploading photos on it. Best to upload photos early or late in day however. We did not get yellow fever shots. Don't recall any mosquito problems even when in Amazon. Take good repellent however.

Crooz_n, be glad to answer any questions or make suggestions. Email is

caricky767@gmail.com There are several folks we know from previous RSSC cruises going on this cruise. It is a great cruise!