Why overnight in Punta Arenas?

[digby]

Hi. We are on the Dec.2004 South America- Antartica cruise. Oceania is the only cruise line that stays l and l/2 days in Punta Arenas. Most only stay several hours. Does anyone know the reason for so much time in this port?

[rdowney]

Oceania hasn't published shore excursion info for Punta Arenas yet. However, [url="http://www.portcompass.com"]www.portcompass.com[/url] lists several long excursions there. Oceania's SA brochure shows Torres del Paine, which would be a long excursion out of Punta Arenas but is the best known spot in Patagonia.

[rdowney]

I also noticed that Silversea spends two full days there so Oceania isn't alone in making it a major stop.

[Mura]

When we were there on NCL two years ago we were in port from 7am to 7pm. There were several long-ish excursions, including Torres del Paine which involved a flight as I recall.

[DENNISGOLD]

We Were Just There With Princess And It Was A Long Drive Anyplace We Had A Private Tour.. It Is Beautiful Scenery But Not I Would Rather Be Someplace Else Over Night As Not Much To Do..

[phlewt]

[quote name='rdowney']Oceania hasn't published shore excursion info for Punta Arenas yet.[/QUOTE]The Oceania shore excursions have been shown for quite some time now on their web site. In Punta Arenas the following choices are available:

1. Penguis of Otway Sound
2. Highlights of Punta Arenas
3. Estancia Fitz Roy and Otway Sound
4. Scenic Torres del Paine

Number 4 involves flights and an overnight stay -- and it costs $700 per person.