ruth0701

I did use a credit card and thought that the credit would go back to that card. Guest relations on the ship were adamant that no credits would go back on the cards and we'd have to wait for a cheque to be sent. It's been two weeks since I spoke to rep at NCL and was told the "cheque was in the mail". Tomorrow I will call again if I still don't get my refund. Just airing my frustrations with their procedures and letting cruisers know what that procedure is

On January 30 we disembarked the NCL Sun in Buenos Aires after our 2 week cruise from Santiago, Chile. Much to our delight we had a credit owed to us on our final invoice due to a cancelled excursion. I had read on CC that this particular excursion was cancelled by the operator weeks before our sail date as the penguins had already migrated from Otway Sound , Punta Arenas so the credit wasn't a surprise. What was a surprise was being told that I would have to wait for a cheque to be sent to me in the amount of the credit. Well, over 2 months later and I'm still waiting. If you're waiting on your refund, expect a long wait.

On a positive note, the itinerary was wonderful. We had great weather the whole time so we were fortunate to make all of our ports.

I'd like to hear from any recent cruisers who entered Argentina via the cruise ship. For example, our cruise begins in Chile, but then goes to Argentina. So our airline won't be asking for our receipt for the AR reciprocity fee, since we're flying to Chile.

 

Does the cruise ship ask for the receipt upon check-in in Chile? Or are there Argentinian officials waiting at the first AR port, to check every passenger?

 

We'd just like to know the process, and how they are checking for compliance. We have a private land tour planned, and can't really afford to be held back so officials can check 4,000 passengers as they get off the ship.

We will be boarding the NCL Sun in Santiago Chile in a couple of weeks and we've been notified by them that we must present our receipt of payment at time of check in

Check with Solo Expediciones; I just booked a tour of Magdalena and Marta Islands with them out of Punta Arenas.

Thanks Phylliseis. I will check them out

Hello WT.

Yes, we are in Punta Arenas on the 22nd. After months of waiting and planning, I know we will certainly enjoy our cruise. Seeing the penguins in their natural environment would be a bonus.

Travel safe and have a wonderful trip.

Hello WT. We are scheduled to go to Otway Reserve in late January so after reading your post, I contacted NCL to ask if they were aware of this situation and they were not and unfortunately the other penguin excursions offered for this port are booked up. We booked this excursion as a backup in case we weren't able to make our stop at the Falklands Islands. Guess we'll have to keep our fingers crossed for good weather.

Thanks for the info. I will certainly check it out.

We have booked a private pickup with English speaking driver for $25 to a Recoletta hotel. We are also using him to go to EZE for $55. Seems like they all want to be paid in US dollars.

Can I ask who you are using, is there a website ? I haven't found anything that reasonable and I would much prefer to book a private driver rather that use taxis. There are 5 of us travelling together. Thanks in advance .. Ruth