A Mighty Wind - Puntarenas to Valparaiso

[highplanesdrifters]

16 minutes ago, pf778c said:

Interesting that the welcoming wind band all appear to be using tablets instead of sheet music.  No clips, clothespins, or music blowing into the water!

Very interesting indeed.  I hadn't noticed!

[highplanesdrifters]

Isla Pan de Azucar, Chile

Lots of Humbolt Penguins today. What a treat. And, finally a Zodiac ride. First on this segment which has been sorely lacking in anything that resembles an expedition excursion. 

 

Chilean lead boat.

 

 

 

Pelicans

 

We hit the jackpot with Martin as our driver and guide. He has encyclopedic knowledge, a witty repartee, and lazer eyes for finding wildlife.

 

Chronicle Blurb

 

Isla Pan de Azucar is the largest of several rock formations of highly metamorphosed sandstone and mudstone in front of a small ranger station at Caleta Pan de Azucar within the Pan de Azucar National Park. The national park of 43754 hectares straddles two of Chile’s regions, but just 1.1 square kilometers are formed by Isla Pan de Azucar, the neighboring Las Chatas islets and Las Mariposas (Butterfly) rocks. To protect the South American sea lions and elusive marine otters seen on the island and islets, the park does not permit landings. Ships are not allowed to anchor either and even Zodiacs cruising along the shores need to be accompanied by local boats. During a Zodiac cruise several bird species including Humboldt Penguins, Inca Terns, Kelp Gulls, Peruvian Boobies, as well as Peruvian Pelicans, Peruvian Diving-Petrels, Red-legged Cormorants, and Turkey Vultures might be seen closer.

 

 

 

[highplanesdrifters]

Coquimbo, Chile 

Another less than ideal bus tour of town. Our only option other than staying on the ship.

 

Pretty much sums up the tours on this leg.

 

A local market. 

 

 

If only.

 

 

Tempting.

 

 

Japanese garden . Nice leg stretch.

 

A black Swan event.  

 

We are hoping that's what this cruise was. I have never been so ready to get off a ship.

Edited November 18, 2022 by highplanesdrifters

[irvington]

Thanks for this review. I'm thinking of a similar (but condensed) version of this in 2024 and this is so helpful. 

[highplanesdrifters]

4 hours ago, irvington said:

Thanks for this review. I'm thinking of a similar (but condensed) version of this in 2024 and this is so helpful. 

Just don't do it on the Wind!😁

[irvington]

That's what's scheduled! Do you think the smell issues still persist?

[daddyo]

We’re on the Wind now and have not experienced any sewage issues. That would be hellish!

[jpalbny]

After having taken five cruises each on them, I can say that we adore Wind and Cloud but reluctantly agree that they are getting a bit long in the tooth. We had a fantastic voyage on Silver Wind just a few months ago (with daddyo et at), with no hiccups, but can't turn a completely blind eye to the serious issues that these almost 30YO ships are having with their mechanical systems. Guess age catches up to all of us.

 

It will be sad when they sail their last voyage, but we do have an Endeavor cruise booked for July 2025!

[highplanesdrifters]

14 hours ago, jpalbny said:

After having taken five cruises each on them, I can say that we adore Wind and Cloud but reluctantly agree that they are getting a bit long in the tooth. We had a fantastic voyage on Silver Wind just a few months ago (with daddyo et at), with no hiccups, but can't turn a completely blind eye to the serious issues that these almost 30YO ships are having with their mechanical systems. Guess age catches up to all of us.

 

It will be sad when they sail their last voyage, but we do have an Endeavor cruise booked for July 2025!

Jp as always does a wonderful job of analysis.  I really like the sister ships. Great size, great itineraries, but perhaps past their expiration date.

[dawntrdr]

I was interested in the news posted here that the Cloud has been sold.  I heard repeatedly on the Wind this past May that the Wind had been sold.  They are both still showing as available for booking through summer 2025.  Of course, being sold doesn't mean that they are out of service, since SS can just lease them right back for any period they might agree to with the actual owner.  Under those circumstances, however, SS is not going to invest a lot in maintenance and is not going to update any internal decor (which the Wind could use, never having been "Musified").  

 

We did have an issue with a leak in the plumbing on the Cloud last year that was resolved, but on the Wind there was indeed a passing whiff of sewage in the bathroom now and then.