LIVE! HAL Oosterdam 1/7-1/29 South America & Antarctica—Let’s Cruise!

[TravelBluebird]

Had a great day in Punta Tombo.  The last of my 3 penguin adventures. 
 

At some  point I’ll compare all 3 to make it easier for people to pick which one(s) are right for them.

 

This was another long drive—2.5 hours each way in a flat and same type desert landscape.  Only last 1/2  hour was on a gravel road so just that part was bumpy.

 

The highlights of today were the nice long (warm) walk through a penguin-dotted landscape  that included beach and desert. PLUS wild guanacos roam the area!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 24 by TravelBluebird

[Ellencruise]

On 1/23/2024 at 2:34 PM, MabePearl said:

Thank you, good to have the information in advance.  

I used Estancia in March to Volunteer Point. Very good communication and tour guide.  So worth the LONG trip in an ATV on very vast and bumpy terrain. It was an adventure I will always remember. And 1/2 the cost of similar HAL tour.

[Hogladyrider]

@TravelBluebird....this cruise is an excellent way to share with others that there is so much more to cruising than just the Caribbean!  You and hubby are creating lifetime memories....a photo book is definitely required for sharing with others when you are home.

[TravelBluebird]

Internet has not been my friend tonight; just finally cleared up.

 

No main stage lie entertainment; just the latest Indiana Jones movie. That may have effected it,

 

DH did not go on the tour to Punta Tombo. Instead, he kicked around in Puerto Madryn. He said there really wasn’t much to do//look at, but he enjoyed walking around.  There are beaches (the beach is a different color than the beaches we are used to back home..the sand is grey. He also ran into a political protest (which was setting off fireworks for some reason) and had the very Argentinian experience of getting $25.00 US out of an ATM and receiving a giant wad of Argentine Pesos.

 

Still haven’t sorted out my Nikon photos from today; I’m super tired; had to wake up at 7am this morning.  We had a nice dinner; each a bay shrimp cobb salad for appetizers and then the pork loin for DH and again for me the Prime Rib (its like Christmas once a week on this ship; that is our classic Christmas dinner and I love it!).

We then had a “date” to go get ice cream cones up on the Lido for desert. The chocolate ice cream is yummy.

 

Tomorrow is our last sea day. I am going to try and really savor it! 

[TravelBluebird]

2 hours ago, Hogladyrider said:

@TravelBluebird....this cruise is an excellent way to share with others that there is so much more to cruising than just the Caribbean!  You and hubby are creating lifetime memories....a photo book is definitely required for sharing with others when you are home.

 

So true! I think a photo book is definitely a great idea.

 

I hope my YouTube audience appreciates the more travel-intensive cruise information from this trip. When I get home I can post all of my vlogs from the ship (other than the 2 Penguin shorts, I’ve given up in uploading while on board…just too slow).  I’ll try to mix it in with some Caribbean-type cruise information, just so they don’t all flee.  

 

My next cruise in exactly a month is the new Carnival Jubilee out of Galveston, so that should keep everyone happy 😀

[flamingos]

1 hour ago, TravelBluebird said:

$25.00 US out of an ATM and receiving a giant wad of Argentine Pesos.

 

What's the exchange rate today?

[TravelBluebird]

822 Argentine Pesos per US dollar.  That is the official exchange rate, the “blue” rate is 1,200 per US dollar.  Hubby did not get a receipt from the ATM and he is not sure, but since it was from a bank ATM we are assuming the “Red” official rate.

 

 

[TravelBluebird]

Slept like a baby! No alarm to worry about.

 

DH woke me up with a single espresso from the Crow’s Nest about 8am.  

 

We are currently outdoors at the sea view pool having coffee and some fruit.

 

Tonight is dressy night; our final one.  Just enjoying having a warm sea day! 

 

Current view:

 

 

 

Edited January 25 by TravelBluebird

[TravelBluebird]

@flamingos 822 Argentine Pesos per US dollar.  That is the official exchange rate, the “blue” rate is 1,200 per US dollar.  Hubby did not get a receipt from the ATM and he is not sure, but since it was from a bank ATM we are assuming the “Red” official rate.

[TravelBluebird]

We watched the pork talk on Buenos Aires in the Rolling Stone lounge because the main stage is packed.  Ed the cruise director heavily emphasized the current political  unrest in the city, as well as a high-level of crime, and told us how he was mugged in a very supposedly safe area by three men.  So walking alone in the city was heavily discouraged and Uber is probably the best way to get around..

 

Also, he talked about the extreme damage to the terminal at the port from the hurricane that hit Buenos Aires that happened at the Scott start of @NorbertsNiece cruise.

 

Evidently 75% of the terminal was heavily damaged when the roof caved in. Most of the services including coffee shop waiting area and information desk no longer exist so things are a bit up in the air about how things work in that terminal I know I’ve had a couple of questions from people who will be embarking at that terminal and I wish I had more information for  them.

 

 

[flamingos]

7 minutes ago, TravelBluebird said:

@flamingos 822 Argentine Pesos per US dollar.  That is the official exchange rate, the “blue” rate is 1,200 per US dollar.  Hubby did not get a receipt from the ATM and he is not sure, but since it was from a bank ATM we are assuming the “Red” official rate.

 

Wow. The official rate mid-December was 347 peso to the dollar, and the blue rate was between 800 and 1000, depending on where you went. 

[TravelBluebird]

I am currently up in the crows nest as I had some questions for the excursion desk about our tour and transfer to the airport. Soon be heading downstairs to get our passports back which is ship has held since Santiago.

 

Edited January 25 by TravelBluebird

[TravelBluebird]

Just now, flamingos said:

 

Wow. The official rate mid-December was 347 peso to the dollar, and the blue rate was between 800 and 1000, depending on where you went. 

Yes, the inflation is very very bad and the political unrest has increased. They had nationwide protests yesterday, which we saw 

in Puerto Madryn.  Evidently in Buenos Aires, many flights were canceled, because all of the government workers were on strike. There are no current protest planned for the day we leave, but I am still nervous.

[flamingos]

4 minutes ago, TravelBluebird said:

Yes, the inflation is very very bad and the political unrest has increased. They had nationwide protests yesterday, which we saw 

in Puerto Madryn.  Evidently in Buenos Aires, many flights were canceled, because all of the government workers were on strike. There are no current protest planned for the day we leave, but I am still nervous.

 

We arrived right after the new president was inaugurated, and people were a bit nervous.  From the time between Puerto Madryn and Ushuaia, the rate changed dramatically.  😞

 

[billco]

1 hour ago, TravelBluebird said:

I am currently up in the crows nest as I had some questions for the excursion desk about our tour and transfer to the airport. Soon be heading downstairs to get our passports back which is ship has held since Santiago.

Did you have a chance to inquire about the Panomax 360 webcam?

https://hal.panomax.com/oosterdam

I would imagine the internet person might know something. Thanks

Edited January 25 by billco

[TravelBluebird]

26 minutes ago, billco said:

Did you have a chance to inquire about the Panomax 360 webcam?

https://hal.panomax.com/oosterdam

I would imagine the internet person might know something. Thanks

 

Thanks for the reminder—I don’t know where//who the internet person is on this ship, but I will figure it out for you! 

[TravelBluebird]

Well….we did it.

 

We are having such a good time that we’ve booked a future Holland America cruise on board.

 

This is something we never do. And me, pay a full cruise fare? Never 😂. But we did.

 

We wanted to visit Rotterdam and get up to Iceland.  We would have loved the Greenland included Legendary cruise in 2025, but DH just doesn’t want to be away for nearly a month again, and I shouldn’t really do that either.

 

SO we are doing a “collections” cruise which is really two 7 day cruises that gives us a loop starting and ending in Rotterdam.  It’s the Fjords of Norway & Iceland, back to back with the Viking Trails & Celtic Origins.  It’s on the Rotterdam, and I will enjoy checking out one of HAL’s newer ships.

 

With the $200 completely refundable deposit until 90 days before the start of the cruise, plus the other incentives to book now, HAL made it very easy to book—err, too easy to book— (and Neil, the Future Cruise Consultant, is excellent to work with!).  

 

YAY!  Can’t believe that DH had such a great time that he was also OK to do this—he’s a tough customer, and he is super excited too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[0106]

42 minutes ago, TravelBluebird said:

We wanted to visit Rotterdam and get up to Iceland.

Have you been to Amsterdam?  If not, I highly recommend you spend time there prior to your cruise.  I think that the Pinnacle class ship the Rotterdam will be a more familiar experience for you.  Love the additional restaurants: Tamarind, NY Deli & Pizza and the Dutch Cafe.  And a few more entertainment venues too including BB Kings.  But the smaller ships in the Oosterdam class are special to me too; I think it is easier to get to know the other passengers.  

[billco]

1 hour ago, TravelBluebird said:

 

Thanks for the reminder—I don’t know where//who the internet person is on this ship, but I will figure it out for you! 

Thanks so much. Perhaps somebody at Passenger Services desk would know. 

[Haljo1935]

8 hours ago, TravelBluebird said:

...We are currently outdoors at the sea view pool having coffee and some fruit...

Current view:

 

 

3 hours ago, TravelBluebird said:

We watched the pork talk on Buenos Aires in the Rolling Stone lounge because the main stage is packed.  Ed the cruise director heavily emphasized the current political  unrest in the city, as well as a high-level of crime, and told us how he was mugged in a very supposedly safe area by three men.  So walking alone in the city was heavily discouraged and Uber is probably the best way to get around...

 

1 hour ago, TravelBluebird said:

Well….we did it.

 

We are having such a good time that we’ve booked a future Holland America cruise on board.

 

This is something we never do. And me, pay a full cruise fare? Never 😂. But we did.

 

We wanted to visit Rotterdam and get up to Iceland...

SO we are doing a “collections” cruise which is really two 7 day cruises that gives us a loop starting and ending in Rotterdam.  It’s the Fjords of Norway & Iceland, back to back with the Viking Trails & Celtic Origins.  It’s on the Rotterdam, and I will enjoy checking out one of HAL’s newer ships.

 

With the $200 completely refundable deposit until 90 days before the start of the cruise, plus the other incentives to book now, HAL made it very easy to book—err, too easy to book— (and Neil, the Future Cruise Consultant, is excellent to work with!)...

The weather looks absolutely beautiful - great day to be enjoying fruit poolside. That's what ship life should be 😊

That's scary about the unrest and safety concerns in Buenos Aires - please be careful and stay safe. I know you're a very experienced traveler and I'm not your mom, or even your sister, but hearing that causes me a little anxiety.

YAY for booking onboard!! That always feels special and I love seeing the envelope from the FCC. That's great that DH (even though he's been sick) enjoyed himself enough to want to do it again. Iceland is on our Wishlist, as is Antarctica. Congrats!! Now I have another LIVE to look forward to.

[TravelBluebird]

2 hours ago, 0106 said:

2 hours ago, TravelBluebird said:

Iceland.

Have you been to Amsterdam?  If not, I highly recommend you spend time there prior to your cruise.  I think that the Pinnacle class ship the Rotterdam will be a more familiar experience for you.  Love the additional restaurants: Tamarind, NY Deli & Pizza and the Dutch Cafe.  And a few more entertainment venues too including BB Kings.  But the smaller ships in the Oosterdam class are special to me too; I think it is easier to get to know the other

 

Yes, I think that we are going to do that—its lots easier to fly to Amsterdam from the USA, so we’ll head to Amsterdam for some touring first, and then move on to Rotterdam and the cruise!

 

And we are excited about trying the larger Holland America ship, although we have most certainly enjoyed the Oosterdam, and she has been the perfect ship for this adventure.

[TravelBluebird]

1 hour ago, Haljo1935 said:

That's scary about the unrest and safety concerns in Buenos Aires - please be careful and stay safe. I know you're a very experienced traveler and I'm not your mom, or even your sister, but hearing that causes me a little anxiety.

YAY for booking onboard!! That always feels special and I love seeing the envelope from the FCC. That's great that DH (even though he's been sick) enjoyed himself enough to want to do it again. Iceland is on our Wishlist, as is Antarctica. Congrats!! Now I have another LIVE to look forward to.

 

My biggesr concern is my phone—due to the slow internet uploads, my photos and video are NOT backed up to my iCloud; if my phone was stolen, my photos would be gone. I’m actually thinking of just taking out my Mini Osmo 3 video camera for my Buenos Aires tour the first day.  

 

I have a small van tour of Buenos Aires through Holland America on our first day, and then an all-day tour on the way to the airport in the evening, so its not like I won’t see things. Of course DH wants to go out and about on his own…sigh. I hope he is super careful and OK. Honestly, with the two tours and the last day being the day I need to pack and get ready to go home, I’m OK with not doing more touring than that.

 

And you bet I’ll do another LIVE!   

[Torquer]

@TravelBluebirdOne final question from me.  How many days did you have warm weather where you could wear short sleeves and maybe even shorts versus cold weather where you needed sweatshirts/sweaters and even winter coats.  Our cruise in 3 weeks will be our first with such differences between hot and cold, and we are wondering how two totally different kinds of wardrobe are going to fit in our suitcases.  Thanks for all the great info you have provided.

 

Very scary about the safety in Buenos Aires.  In a book we have read, it said Buenos Aires is one of the safest large cities in the world, and safer than many US and European cities.  It is amazing how things changed so quickly.

[TravelBluebird]

4 minutes ago, Torquer said:

@TravelBluebirdOne final question from me.  How many days did you have warm weather where you could wear short sleeves and maybe even shorts versus cold weather where you needed sweatshirts/sweaters and even winter coats.  Our cruise in 3 weeks will be our first with such differences between hot and cold, and we are wondering how two totally different kinds of wardrobe are going to fit in our suitcases.  Thanks for all the great info you have provided.

 

Very scary about the safety in Buenos Aires.  In a book we have read, it said Buenos Aires is one of the safest large cities in the world, and safer than many US and European cities.  It is amazing how things changed so quickly.

 

Warm weather clothing was Santiago for pre-cruise, so 3 days total. It got pretty chilly right away as we went down the coast of Chile; warm weather didn’t come back until Puerto Madryn, so warm weather 6 days in total at the end of the trip (including the departure day in Buenos Aires).  There was a shoulder day on either side that could go either way depending on your personal preferences (ie..husband in short sleeves but I was in long sleeves). So, overall, we had 2 weeks of cold weather and 1 week of warm weather, plus the extra days in Santiago.  Hope that helps; even with 2 bags of laundry, I’m running out of clean warm weather clothing again, because I didn’t bring enough.

 

It’s truly a 2 season packing situation—we packed way more than normal.  

[CrosNest]

Could I please ask if you had much of a problem with mosquitoes, and if so where, predominantly. Many thanks