South America Question

[runnerswife]

We are booked on the Mariner in Nov. Lima to Buenos Aires.  In BA we have an overnight ... my question is that the flights back home

all are late night flights.  So, what do people do after disembarking for the day waiting for their flight at night?  Or can you get off

the ship the night before?  Months away, but just curious if anyone has faced this problem?  thanks,  Mary

[Jimmcdaniel]

We did the same trip in 2019. We chose to disembark the day we landed in BA. We hired an independent guide with a vehicle big enough for our luggage.  They took us to some sights we hadn't seen in the city and we had a nice steak lunch. At the end of the day they drove us to the airport to catch our late evening flight. You just need to let Regent know in advance if you want to leave on the first day. 

[cwn]

We have found if we are overnighting in the disembarkation city with late night flights like BA, it is much more pleasant to leave the ship in time for the night flight on the first night.

All you miss is a rushed breakfast, mass morning disembarkation and waiting around all day. They have tours sometimes to kill part of the time or you could get a hotel day room.
We have dinner on the ship and take a taxi to the airport in time for the flight.  Very relaxed and nice way to end a pleasant cruise. Pre Covid times there was not a problem.
 

 

Edited April 24, 2022 by cwn

[GOARMY]

runnerswife:  

 

Yes.  And, we have done so.  Twice.  Most-recent was late December, 2015.   Mariner, TA from Cape Town to Rio.  KEY is early planning; and continued coordination with on-board Staff and Concierge.  

 

About a year before that segment, asked our TA to ask Regent if it might be possible to disembark on our last night at Rio, rather than wait until the next day.  Almost-all flights we wanted would not leave Rio until late afternoon that next day. If we had not sought a deviation, the result would have us landing back at SEATAC (via Atlanta) late afternoon on the day before Christmas Eve.  

 

Having been to Rio twice previously--for extended stays--no reason to remain any longer than necessary.  Arrangements made.  It was a win-win.  Pleasant Compass Rose dinner.  Vacated our Suite early; thus allowing Staff to  prepare it earlier than otherwise for the next guests.  

 

Turned out--an unanticipated medical emergency (actually two, as we later-found out) which occurred while en route from Cape Town) resulted in need to cancel a planned stop at St. Helena Island, as the Captain drove Mariner "with all possible speed" directly to Rio.  Thus, arrival at Rio one day ahead of schedule.  So--there at dockside sat Mariner.  

 

Our TA had coordinated the above plan with Regent Air.  We confirmed same with the Concierge once onboard.  Forward to our last evening at Rio.  After a nice dinner, departed our Suite at about 2030H to a taxi waiting at dockside.  This had been arranged beforehand.  A Staff Officer accompanied us (with a Steward helping with the luggage)  off the ship to the cab.  The Officer confirmed arrangements with the driver.  Thus, no issues with fare--or destination.  

 

Swift ride to Airport, and a Lounge.  Upon arrival, met another couple from the ship who had planned the same departure itinerary.     

 

Delta Business Class (Red Eye) to Atlanta; then Delta First to SEATAC.  Back home at Redmond about 18 hours earlier than otherwise; and escaping some of the Christmas Eve crowds. 

 

So--if you decide to do this "deviation", follow-through in the immediate future. And, as I recall, Regent did NOT assess any air deviation charges.  Pays, again, to have a great TA.   

 

GOARMY!    

 

 

[labonnevie]

5 hours ago, runnerswife said:

We are booked on the Mariner in Nov. Lima to Buenos Aires.  In BA we have an overnight ... my question is that the flights back home

all are late night flights.  So, what do people do after disembarking for the day waiting for their flight at night?  Or can you get off

the ship the night before?  Months away, but just curious if anyone has faced this problem?  thanks,  Mary

With no knowledge of your past travel experiences, I would suggest that if you have not spent time in BA or Iguazu Falls, adding time after disembarking for both is well worth it. We had a private guide meet us at the ship, do a little of BA and take us to the flight to Iguazu. Two days there are about right. Then we did three more days in BA with and without guide. Loved it all. The falls are unbelievable, make Niagara seem like a leaking faucet. If you’ve done all this, I apologize.

BTW our BA to LA flight left in AM through Panama. 

[carolina cruisin]

 

Below is an option presented to us:

 

You can sign-up for a tour/transfer for the last day which will include city tour, shopping, dinner, and a transfer to the airport.

Final Day

830am DISEMBARK

9AM join tour

full day excursion

Arrive at airport 3 hours before departure

Departure around 10PM

Arrive Maimi 6-7AM next day

Board 2^nd leg to Charlotte

 

[cruiseluv]

7 hours ago, cwn said:

We have found if we are overnighting in the disembarkation city with late night flights like BA, it is much more pleasant to leave the ship in time for the night flight on the first night.

All you miss is a rushed breakfast, mass morning disembarkation and waiting around all day. They have tours sometimes to kill part of the time or you could get a hotel day room.
We have dinner on the ship and take a taxi to the airport in time for the flight.  Very relaxed and nice way to end a pleasant cruise. Pre Covid times there was not a problem.
 

 

Or you could stay  for a couple of nights  in Buenos Aires. I’ve never understood going so far to leave so quickly

[cruiseluv]

2 hours ago, labonnevie said:

With no knowledge of your past travel experiences, I would suggest that if you have not spent time in BA or Iguazu Falls, adding time after disembarking for both is well worth it. We had a private guide meet us at the ship, do a little of BA and take us to the flight to Iguazu. Two days there are about right. Then we did three more days in BA with and without guide. Loved it all. The falls are unbelievable, make Niagara seem like a leaking faucet. If you’ve done all this, I apologize.

BTW our BA to LA flight left in AM through Panama. 

Fabulous suggestion! Iguazú falls are magnificent, and Buenos Aires is very nice to spend at least a couple of days

[cwn]

1 hour ago, cruiseluv said:

Or you could stay  for a couple of nights  in Buenos Aires. I’ve never understood going so far to leave so quickly

The first time we went to BA was on an 3 week land trip spending a week in the Mendoza Wine country, three days at Iguazu Falls with the rest of the time in BA. Buenos Aries is indeed a delightful place so are the Falls and the Wine Country, all worth a few extra days if one has the time after a two to three week cruise. However some people still work or for other reasons don’t have the time for post cruise stay.

I was answering the question asked by the OP about handling late night return flights. 

Since we retired, we usually add weeks of pre and post time to our cruises. Before retirement, extra time was not always possible.  Cutting the cruise short  by 12 hours was a nice way to arrive home a bit more rested after the long overnight flight back to the US and going back to work.

Edited April 25, 2022 by cwn

[cwn]

Double post deleted

Edited April 25, 2022 by cwn

[runnerswife]

6 hours ago, cruiseluv said:

Or you could stay  for a couple of nights  in Buenos Aires. I’ve never understood going so far to leave so quickly

We have been to BA before and have toured it extensively.

[runnerswife]

7 hours ago, carolina cruisin said:

 

Below is an option presented to us:

 

You can sign-up for a tour/transfer for the last day which will include city tour, shopping, dinner, and a transfer to the airport.

Final Day

830am DISEMBARK

9AM join tour

full day excursion

Arrive at airport 3 hours before departure

Departure around 10PM

Arrive Maimi 6-7AM next day

Board 2^nd leg to Charlotte

 

Who offered the option?  Thanks for the suggestion.

[Timeflies]

19 hours ago, runnerswife said:

We are booked on the Mariner in Nov. Lima to Buenos Aires.  In BA we have an overnight ... my question is that the flights back home

all are late night flights.  So, what do people do after disembarking for the day waiting for their flight at night?  Or can you get off

the ship the night before?  Months away, but just curious if anyone has faced this problem?  thanks,  Mary

In 2018 we had same challenge with an overnight flight from BA back to UK.  Regent gave us a free excursion signsteeing around BA, which included lunch.  It was all very well organised and we weren;t left hanging around for hours on end.

[carolina cruisin]

Re the tour, dinner, etc. - my TA advised that these "activities" are available from Regent.  Just need to sign up onboard.  We plan on going that route

[runnerswife]

Thanks to all for the suggestions.  Mary