LIVE from the STAR PRINCESS - SANTIAGO TO RIO - FEB. 23, 2011

[raz455]

Pia,

 

I have been following your adventure from the opposite end of the Americas - Seattle. Seems like we have been enjoying the same weather except I would much rather be experiencing it from your vantage point. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with ones who, like me, will probably never get the chance to take such a wonderful cruise! I look forward to your continued updates. :)

[vickie_bernie]

Hi Pia and Mike

 

it is fun reading about your advenuters, thanks for sharing!

 

We too are sailing next year on the Star Rio to San Fran and love living the trip ahead of time thru your posts.

[caribill]

those passengers who were not on Princess tours and wanted to get off immediately, had to go to Coral dining room to get a tender ticket. Elites included.

 

What was the reason given for taking away this elite perk?

[Pia1913]

Good Tuesday morning, cruising around Cape Horn, the most southerly point of South America. Cape Horn marks the northern boundary of Drake Passage which for many years was a major route by which sailing ships carried trade around the world. The Cape lies within Chilean territorial waters, and the Chilean Navy maintains a station on Hoorn Island consisting of a residence, utility building, chapel and a lighthouse. Even though the area gets frequent precipitation and is quite lush, the terrain is entirely treeless. At present Joe May is giving a commentary from the bridge and will also tell us “all you want to know about the Falklands” in the theater at 10:00. He also said that you should take a photo and tell your friends you’re in the caribbean. ???? It’s not that clear and certainly not sunny.

 

 

The skies are overcast, but we are not expecting rain. Cold, yes. It’s now 51 out there. Brrrrrrrrrrrr.

 

 

This afternoon John Maxtone-Graham is back with a “Queen Mary 2” presentation. At 3:00 there’s the movie Knight and Day and MUTS has three showings today/tonight of The Switch. Tonight in Vista is the production show Words & Music and in the theater will be Travis Turpin billed as a Nashville and Branson headliner presenting “an evening of guitar, singing, piano and impressions.” We are sort of getting tired of movies in the cabin, so Travis may get us into the theater tonight. Or the casino may get us. Decisions will be made much later.

 

 

Jim: Gym has remained pretty empty after the 2nd day. And no, Mike would not have liked the 4 x4, because he tried it once and never again. Actually a full size ATV.

 

Bill: Elite perk not removed for tenders. This was for that port. Don't know; didn't ask; didn't really care.

 

David: Pix beautiful, as always. Thanks.

 

 

 

Now it’s breakfast time.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Heading for the Islas Malvinas, Falkland Islands.

 

[Pia1913]

The sun is shining and the temp has dropped to 48. Seas are smooth with some wind, but waves seem to have increased.

　

We had a semi quiet day. Played trivia; lost by one. Went to Queen Mary presentation; sort of dull. Went to see Knight and Day; crazy movie. No comment + or - Not really sure why this was even made. Right now sitting in Skywalker’s having a Japanese Slipper. Actually, two Slippers. Don’t know what’s in them, but they are green and soooooooooo good.

　

Captain came on a few minutes ago with weather forecast and predictions for tomorrow’s Falklands arrival. He anticipates weather about 50 with some wind, no rain and no problem with tendering. Sounds good to me. We have cancelled the Patrick Watts tour; Mike feels that 5 hours (2 ½ each way) in a 4x4 is too much for him. So, we will play it by ear.

 

Talk more tomorrow.

[Cymro1953]

Thanks for the fantastics reports Pia. You make sure you look after the ship, we are on her in June, down the Adriatic then the Greek Isles and on round to Rome.

Sorry to hear the temerature is so cold, brrr

 

Berwyn

[Astro Flyer]

Heading for the Islas Malvinas, Falkland Islands.

 

 

What website do you use for these great maps & ship tracking?

[wineforhealth]

Pia too many of those slippers and you will be ready for bed

 

Thanks for your reports

[dottiedef]

Sorry you cancelled that tour. It was a major highlight of our cruise in SA a few years ago. Much better price than the exact same tour thru Princess and the penguins were amazing. The ride was very bumpy and I had bruises on my hips for days from bumping against the door handle, but all in all it was so much fun and very scenic. Saw lots of places where there are still land mines! Our driver was fantastic and we never got stuck--some others did. He gave us a great tour of the town at the end. Love that day in the Falklands and can't wait to do it again someday!

 

Dottie

[mema4]

Sounds like you are having a good time. Weather seems cool. Should it be that cool? Hope tomorrow you have sun for walking around the port.

alice

[lollypopj]

It does sound cool!

 

Do you freeze while watching MUTS??

 

Sure glad we booked the extra week next January to warm up in Rio at a hotel near Ipanema and Copacabana Beach...sounds like we might need it..:D

What kind of footwear did you take to walk among penguins? Washable??LOL

 

Thank you for keeping us up to date on your adventures..enjoying your posts

immensely..

Laura and Dale in Edmonton Alberta

 

PS..Tell AL Gore global warming is a myth, or fairytale this winter..its been snowing and -25 TO 34 here since about November 1..lol..:D

[lollypopj]

What website do you use for these great maps & ship tracking?

 

 

If you right click on this photo.under properties...it says the photo is in KiwiCruisers album on Photobucket..;)

[IECalCruiser]

Kiwi Kruzer is using the website www dot sea scanner dot com (no space between sea and scanner) that CC blocks for some reason. Often times it is only showing scheduled position rather actual position and the route is not always correct. Add the following "/schiffsposition.php?schiff=Star+Princess" to the above url to track the Star Princess.

 

Sailwax gives actual position but is not always updated depending where in the world you are.

http://www.sailwx.info/shiptrack/shipposition.phtml?call=ZCDD6

[lollypopj]

AHHH YES..I can see the Star there,the air temperature etc..thx!:)

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Trust you dont think I wasn't trying to hide it ,

but I was not sure if I could post it as each time I tried it was blocked.

As said it is a pre programmed site so if the ship misses a port due to weather etc it will still show it there.

So treat with discretion.

 

It also covers other cruise lines as well.

So is quite neat.

[julia]

Pia:

 

We are scheduled for Patrick Watts next year, but I'm curious to know what "else" there is at this port. Will look forward to hearing about your day.

 

Thanks for the weather reports... it's good to know what to expect. :)

[Pia1913]

Good Morning from Stanley, Falkland Islands. The Patter tells me it’s Wednesday, so that’s how I always know the day and date. The weather looks ok for tendering; not too much movement. Temp is 54 and we will layer accordingly. We plan to go ashore about 9:30 and perhaps walk to Gypsy Cove to see penguins. I understand it’s about 3 miles; need to look at a map and find out about terrain first.

　

Just a bit of info re: the tiny city of Stanley, which lies on the eastern tip of East Falkland Island and is its capital. Population is under 3000 and the Falkland’s primary economy is from tourism, fishing and sheep farming.

　

On board today is a movie in the afternoon; Going the Distance with Drew Barrymore. MUTS tonight will have 3 showings of Megamind with Brad Pitt and a late movie will be shown in Vista; Life as we Know It with Katherine Heigl. Words and Music show again in Vista and Travis Turpin again in the theater. We did see Travis’ show last night and he plays a mean electric guitar and has a very good voice. He does a good Neil Diamond and a good Elvis, but should really get rid of his rendition of Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr. The show tunes he did without impersonations were great and I think he should just be himself. Stopped into the casino for a short visit and happy to report I no longer am now the donee rather than the donor.

 

Laura: No MUTS for us. We see our movies indoors.

 

Dottie: As much as I didn't want to cancel, Mike comes first. We've already seen penguins many times and lots and lots of sheep in NZ.

 

 

See you later. Announcement has just been made that tenders are starting, so we need to do breakfast and be on our way.

[Woobstr112G]

Good Morning from Stanley, Falkland Islands. The Patter tells me it’s Wednesday, so that’s how I always know the day and date. The weather looks ok for tendering; not too much movement. Temp is 54 and we will layer accordingly. We plan to go ashore about 9:30 and perhaps walk to Gypsy Cove to see penguins. I understand it’s about 3 miles; need to look at a map and find out about terrain first.

　

Just a bit of info re: the tiny city of Stanley, which lies on the eastern tip of East Falkland Island and is its capital. Population is under 3000 and the Falkland’s primary economy is from tourism, fishing and sheep farming.

　

On board today is a movie in the afternoon; Going the Distance with Drew Barrymore. MUTS tonight will have 3 showings of Megamind with Brad Pitt and a late movie will be shown in Vista; Life as we Know It with Katherine Heigl. Words and Music show again in Vista and Travis Turpin again in the theater. We did see Travis’ show last night and he plays a mean electric guitar and has a very good voice. He does a good Neil Diamond and a good Elvis, but should really get rid of his rendition of Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr. The show tunes he did without impersonations were great and I think he should just be himself. Stopped into the casino for a short visit and happy to report I no longer am now the donee rather than the donor.

 

Laura: No MUTS for us. We see our movies indoors.

 

Dottie: As much as I didn't want to cancel, Mike comes first. We've already seen penguins many times and lots and lots of sheep in NZ.

 

 

See you later. Announcement has just been made that tenders are starting, so we need to do breakfast and be on our way.

 

Pia;

 

Have a great day in Port Stanley.....:):):)

 

Bob

[Kiwi Kruzer]

[stansthos]

Wow, today I am so envious. Pia, could you please check with anyone you see and see what they thought about Patrick's tour? Especially, if he mentioned that next year there could be problems with the lease issues on the land he uses. Thank you. Any laundry room fights? Any one get kicked off the ship yet? These long cruises can be problematic for some testy types. :D Jennifer

[mmwc]

Pia:

 

We are scheduled for Patrick Watts next year, but I'm curious to know what "else" there is at this port. Will look forward to hearing about your day.

 

Thanks for the weather reports... it's good to know what to expect. :)

 

Hello Julia and Chuck,

 

Michael and Midge from the October Sapphire cruise. Noticed this post and thought we would give you our thoughts.

 

We were in the Falklands in January '09 and were lucky enough to take the Patrick Watts trip. AMAZING -- not to be missed. We will tell you though that the trip takes up almost all the time in Stanley. We got back to the port with enough time to walk to the cathedral and take a few pics and then get the tender. There is very little time to do anything else if you are going with Patrick. We would like to return to Stanley to spend some in the town, visit a pub etc. Hope this is what you were looking for.

 

Midge

[Pia1913]

Back on board after a great 5 hours in the Falklands. We took a 9:00 AM tender and upon arrival on shore in Stanley went directly into the visitor’s info center. We asked their opinion about walking to Gypsy Cove and were talked out of it. It was suggested that we take one of the shuttles and so happy we did. The ride took about 15 minutes; up very steep hills and along winding unpaved roadways covered with crushed rock. We spent an hour up there seeing lots of penguins in several different places and also a bevy of herons. When you reach Gypsy Cove you still need to do some climbing on all that rock/gravel in order to get to several different lookouts. In one area a large group of penguins came up to greet us; maybe within 15 feet. There are many warning signs posted advising you not to stray beyond the given path due to the potentiality of remaining land mines from the War of 1982. Cost for the shuttle; $20/pp U.S. In fact, that’s the main currency they are using; US dollars. BTW, Mike is one happy camper. After doing bouncy bouncy over all that rock for a short period of time, he is so happy not to have done the 4 x 4 trek for several hours.

　

Once back to town we found a café to have some coffee and then proceeded to visit every single shop. I doubt we missed one. Everything is within a few blocks of the pier, including a supermarket that sells a good assortment of wine. We still have enough, but I did need to fill in on coffee. Not Starbucks, but a brand that comes from the EU and says Italian Style - medium/strong. Good price and hopefully good taste.

　

The weather remained lovely; sun was out most of the time and was probably in the low 60‘s, but started to get cloudier and colder as we returned to the ship at 2:15. Grabbed some lunch at the IC accompanied by my favorite Americano.

　

I used 31 minutes of precious time trying to pay some bills. The internet connection said “excellent.” NOT! At least I got most of it done. Just two more and they can wait until the Rio to FLL leg. It’s just about time for dinner, so hopefully this will post without aggravation. I somehow think it’s a Falklands problem and not a Princess problem. My brain is not technologically attuned to understand these things. The 6:00 PM temperature has fallen to 48. Brrrrrrrrrr again.

 

Jennifer: If they are fighting in the laundry room I wouldn't know. Never go near it unless I need some touchup ironing.

 

Midge: Good thing we didn't go, because Mike would have been devastated if he couldn't shop. He bought a cap and a golf shirt. Not many folks can sports attire from the Falklands. ;)

 

Over and out for tonight.

[LARGIN]

　

I used 31 minutes of precious time trying to pay some bills. The internet connection said “excellent.” NOT! At least I got most of it done. Just two more and they can wait until the Rio to FLL leg.

 

Pia. Thanks for the continuing "Live From". Sounds like you guys are having an excellent time.. Question, with as much traveling as you do why don't you Autopay all of your bills. It sure takes the worry out of being away from home for long periods of time.

[Billy and Charlie's Mum]

.. Question, with as much traveling as you do why don't you Autopay all of your bills. It sure takes the worry out of being away from home for long periods of time.

 

I was thinking the same thing :)