Live notes from the first South America cruise on the Star

[GUEST080219]

Good morning and welcome to Punta Arenas, Chile

 

 

And the freestyle daily for today

[burm]

Michael, do you have an aft balcony? If so, which floor? I see that a number of your pictures show the wake.

[Merriem]

Would love to see some pictures of the ship.

[casofilia]

Has there been any mention of the Reciprocity Fee requirement for entering Argentina in the Freestyle Daily?

 

Was the paperwork required to be shown either in the USA or before leaving Valparaiso?

 

Mike

[GUEST080219]

Michael, do you have an aft balcony? If so, which floor? I see that a number of your pictures show the wake.

 

 

Sadly not, just an inside cabin. The pictures are taken from the promenade deck 6 aft.

[GUEST080219]

Would love to see some pictures of the ship.

 

 

It has a while since last dry dock so most of the pictures around should still be accurate. Is there something specific you are looking for?

[GUEST080219]

Has there been any mention of the Reciprocity Fee requirement for entering Argentina in the Freestyle Daily?

 

 

 

Was the paperwork required to be shown either in the USA or before leaving Valparaiso?

 

 

 

Mike

 

 

I am from Europe so I don't have to care about that stuff. The only thing I can tell you is that there were counters labeled reciprocity at the check-in in San Diego and in the freestyle daily there was a note about seeing Michele the embarkation(?) officer for that.

[Birder1]

Hi, Mike,

 

Thx for all the helpful postings.

 

Concerning photo downloads, is it possible on the ship computers (I.e., do the ship's computers have smart-card or USB ports)? I suppose I can use my tablet in a pinch...

 

Also, do the safes have punch buttons or do they have card swipes?

 

I'll be interested, also, in hearing about Falklands tendering process.

 

Thx so much!

[GUEST080219]

Today in Punta Arenas I had the shore excursion named Magdalena Island Penguin Reserve. The pier of the ferry is not the pier the tender boats arrive, so there is a very short bus ride before going on the ferry. You will get a bag with snacks consisting of juice, water, sandwich, cereal bar, cookie.

Ferry

[GUEST080219]

Magdalena Island

[casofilia]

I am from Europe so I don't have to care about that stuff. The only thing I can tell you is that there were counters labeled reciprocity at the check-in in San Diego and in the freestyle daily there was a note about seeing Michele the embarkation(?) officer for that.

 

Thanks for the information. No only Yanks, Canucks and Aussies do!!

 

Mike

[sjbdtz]

It has a while since last dry dock so most of the pictures around should still be accurate. Is there something specific you are looking for?

 

Hi Michael,

 

It's been 5 years since I was on the Sun, and I don't remember what Spa facilities (if any) it has. I keep confusing it with the Spirit. :(

 

 

Other than the salon, therapy rooms, and the gym....is there any type of spa thermal suite / interior pool?

 

 

Thanks,

Stephen

 

 

.

[GUEST080219]

Penguins

[GUEST080219]

Punta Arenas

[GUEST080219]

Continued

Last tender getting on board so we are ready to depart

Tomorrow morning we will be cruising in the Beagle Channel and see some glaciers before we arrive at Ushuaia around noon. For a change we will be docked and not tendering.

[GUEST080219]

Hi, Mike,

 

Thx for all the helpful postings.

 

Concerning photo downloads, is it possible on the ship computers (I.e., do the ship's computers have smart-card or USB ports)? I suppose I can use my tablet in a pinch...

 

Also, do the safes have punch buttons or do they have card swipes?

 

I'll be interested, also, in hearing about Falklands tendering process.

 

Thx so much!

 

 

I just checked it. The actual computer is hidden somewhere behind the desk. You only have physical access to the monitor and keyboard and I couldn't find any USB access on there.

[Birder1]

Thank you for checking, Michael!

 

I didn't realize Punta Arenas was a tender port!!! In 2003 on HAL, it was not a tender port (the ship was the Ryndam, a smaller ship). Interesting to know.

 

 

I just checked it. The actual computer is hidden somewhere behind the desk. You only have physical access to the monitor and keyboard and I couldn't find any USB access on there.

[Hilarion]

After 17 day repositioning on the Sun down to Valparaiso we yesterday started the first regular 14 day cruise around Cape Horn.

Although I am to lazy for a real live review I wanted to share some news for those doing this cruise in the next weeks.

First great news is that we have a destination lecturer on board. He did his first lecture about he first two ports this morning in the theatre and will be available for Q&A every evening near the atrium. He will do some live commentary later in this cruise as well and hold some special events. IMHO really awesome news.

Freestyle daily day 1

View of the port in Valparaiso

 

 

This is very helpful. Thanks for posting. More more! Could you add any information on ports and any recommendations of things to do as well?

[karoo]

Great information. Did you think Magdalena Island was a good tour? I haven't organised anything yet for Punta Arenas.

[TrumpyNor]

If you edit the first post quickly in "Advanced Mode", you might be able to fix the ship's name in the thread title. ;)

 

 

How embarrassing :-((

To late to change though

 

 

You can ask the administrators for help with changing the ship's name by sending an e-mail to help@cruisecritic.com. :)

[GUEST080219]

Some pictures left from yesterday evening

 

Today is already day 8

[GUEST080219]

Beagle channel

 

Best spot to view is in front of the observation lounge

 

[GUEST080219]

More of the same

[GUEST080219]

We are not finished yet

[GUEST080219]

Glaciers, mountains, snow and water