soccermom4

Nice. We did around the Horn 2 years ago. Didn’t include Antarctica so we’re going back.

I got it! Love to watch for wildlife so that little extra view should make it totally worth it. Thanks.

We currently have a B3 cabin (7033) booked on Marina (starboard side, front) for Buenos Aires-Santiago via Antarctica. First time on Oceania. I noticed today that 7108 (corner, port side, aft) is available. Given we have a lot of sea days, is it worthwhile to change to this cabin? I've read the threads about enjoying the 2-sided view, but there is wind (which will be chilly in Antarctica)... I also had intentionally booked on starboard side because of the direction we're sailing vis-a-vis land. Input is appreciated!

We ended up taking the free HAL shuttle into Paracas. Very easy and ran frequently. Got off the bus and were approached by several folks selling tickets for a boat ride out to see the islands and the Candelabra. They had little tables set up where you paid ($25). They gave you a ticket for the next boat and escorted you to the line to wait. It was not expensive and very fun. After our boat ride (which lasted about 2 hours, I think), we walked around a bit (not much to see in town) then had lunch at one of the many little ceviche restaurants nearby. All in all, it was a very relaxing day.

Can't address Sapphire Princess - but in March, 2023 we took Oosterdam from BA to Fort Lauderdale (via Santiago). It was marvelous. Next year we're going to take Oceania from BA to Santiago and do the route that adds Antarctica. I think the question comes down to which type of ship you prefer. I believe Oosterdam is smaller than Sapphire Princess - with less "bells and whistles". However, we appreciated the smaller size and the ability to have great viewpoints from the Promenade Deck, the Crows Nest etc. In looking at the 2026 itineraries - it looks like the Princess cruise does Antarctica, but skips the Chilean fjords. We found that part of the cruise to be really interesting because the captain has some leeway to where he cruises. It also adds some interesting ports. Best of both worlds would be the 22 day cruises on Oosterdam that do both Chilean Fjords and Antarctica!

It was called Mine Hotel Boutique. Didn’t look like much from the outside but very nice inside. Good breakfast included (and went out of their way to get us vegan breakfast items). Booked us a taxi to the port etc. I recommend it.

Totally not a dealbreaker - but I'm curious if O has vegan cheese available for pizzas? I see it listed as an option in the Aquamar Kitchen omelets. Some cruise lines have vegan cheese available for pizzas and some don't....

We were waitlisted for one on a cruise in South America next Feb. The other day I went in and pulled up the excursion on the website and it had availability - so I went ahead and booked it. Got myself off the waitlist, I guess. Anyways, pays to check once in a while, especially if you suspect that they are going to add more capacity to the tour.

We stayed at Mine Hotel Boutique in Palermo last year. Small, very friendly, lovely included breakfast and we really enjoyed the area. More "hip" than "swank" but felt safe. We are vegan, so appreciated the fact that the hotel bought vegan breakfast items just for us when we alerted them in advance to our dietary preferences.

We spent 3 days in BA before a cruise last spring. What a great city! I have an Argentinian friend so went with her recommendations. Recoleta - bigger, fancier hotels. Palermo - small boutique hotels with more "character". We stayed in Palermo and took taxis or walked everywhere. Never felt unsafe. Just never put your phone on a restaurant table - or it may be snatched (happened to someone on our cruise). We plan to return next Spring and are looking forward to it.

I will check. Haven’t booked yet but they are one of the big cruise agencies that I’m not allowed to name and I believe their X% back on cruise fare is non-refundable. In the past, never a problem to spend it because not the inclusions that Oceania SM gives..thus my question about swapping and applying it to excursions once on board ship.

Hmmm - in the past, our TA OBC has been non-refundable. I guess we could chance it, and wait to book some shore excursions when we get aboard. Not sure how else I would spend $1000 onboard with all that is included on Oceania. Has anyone ever tried to get excursions converted to OBC after they have been paid for?

First time Oceania (possibly) cruiser - the TA I plan to use pays gratuities and gives SBC. I heard that booking excursions in advance to use SM excursion credit is important - and that a certain number booked can give you a discount. We're looking at 18 nights to SA and Antarctica. If I book excursions in advance and go over the SM limit, can TA SBC be used? I know on HAL, TA SBC doesn't show up until you are actually on board. Therefore, people pay for excursions with a credit card and then have the Shore Excursions desk switch it to SBC when they arrive on board, in order to use it up. Is that how it works on Oceania?

Fish I could do - but no beef, chicken etc. We only flex so far…😁

Wow. Thanks for the blog. Those menus look great - and the plant based options every night are so interesting. I was glad to read that Marina is getting the Aquamar restaurant added. I could eat almost everything there.