Australia08

Thanks! Which tour option did you choose?

Was your private wine tour out of Santiago? If so where did you go and with what tour company?

Because we were flying into Santiago we still are. Will tour there for a few days, then head over to Buenos Aires a few days early. Shouldn’t be too hard to tour on our own for a few days. Just sad we’ll have to Easter Island another time.

I wonder if the Patagonia trips are still a go? Or the Atacama desert? I can understand them canceling Easter Island since it just recently reopened but why the Paraná Delta?

We are booked on Octantis Jan 17-29. We had the Easter Island Pre-excursion booked and several weeks ago we received the email that said it was cancelled. I noticed on MVJ that it still indicates sold out but it has been deleted from our schedule. We are disappointed too. I wonder if they cancelled all their pre-excursions?

Thank heavens. Any idea when disembarkation does take place?

We are disembarking the Octantis (Antarctic Explorer Jan 17-29) and noticed that our disembarkation begins at 12:00 am on the 29th. Will they be sending folks off at midnight for the charter back to Buenos Aires? Our guest statement says not to make air arrangements before 5:00 am. Does anyone know if there will be multiple charters? We are spending extra time in Buenos Aires after the cruise so won’t be flying out to the US that day, but I’m certainly hoping we don’t have to disembark at midnight in Ushuaia!

What cabin category did you have? Did that affect your ability to get the excursions you wanted?

We had the free economy air and air+ for the Antarctic cruise too. I opted to back out and arrange my own tickets. I had so much trouble trying to upgrade my air+ tickets for last summer on Delta (our preferred airlines), I decided not to risk the chance. We prefer Delta1 or business for such long flights. I was told by a supervisor last summer that the Delta contract is not as flexible as it used to be so that’s why they’re using other airlines more. Don’t know that that is true but with all the airlines craziness right now, I’d prefer to work with Delta directly. Our flights have changed once since booking, but I could get in and choose other times quite easily. I check my tickets every morning (we have 3 upcoming trips). That way, I can initiate changes to my liking before Delta even officially contacts us by email about changes to flight schedules. .

I second Bryggeloftet & Stuene. But save room for their Cloudberry Pavlova - the best dessert I had in Norway. Our other favorite is Bjerck on the harbor near the TI, 2nd floor in US terms, 3rd floor in European terms. Their fish soup at lunch was spectacular, but their brunch trays look good, too. Just visited both places in February 2022.

If you are speaking of the Parintins included excursion (the only excursion that day) - Everyone who wanted to go could. The show was spectacular and no buses were needed since the venue was a short distance from the tender dock. We walked around the small town when the show was over. There was a colonial church and the arena where the larger Boi Bumba shows were staged during the yearly festival. We felt safe since it really was a small town. I agree with Jim that in the larger cities you did need to be very away of those around you.

To anyone who is planning for one of the Antarctic expedition trips December 2022 through February 2023: What is your understanding about approximate times that the charter from Ushuaia will arrive in Buenos Aires (at the end of the trip)? I am unsure how early I could schedule a flight back to the US or if I decide to stay a few extra days in Buenos Aires, how much time I might have in Buenos Aires to do something that evening. My guest statement from Viking does not provide guidance on this.