Exotics — What’s New in 2009 - 2010

[CocaColaCruiser]

I received this preview today in an e-mail from Princess..... Booking opens May 22, 2008.

 

Princess® sails to the world’s exotic locales — with escapes visiting everywhere from Asia, Australia & New Zealand and South America to Antarctica, the South Pacific, Hawaii and Tahiti to India and Africa. For our 2009 and 2010 season, we have eight ships sailing on some of our best worldwide itineraries ever.

 

MORE ASIA SAILINGS. Ocean Princess® sails on three new 14- to 16-day Southeast Asia, China and Japan itineraries, with overnight calls in Hong Kong or Bangkok. And Diamond Princess® returns to the region on her 16-day fall and spring Southeast Asia & China cruise — the best of Asia between Bangkok and Beijing.

 

SPARKLING SHIPS — LARGE AND SMALL. Tahitian Princess® will be renamed Ocean Princess, and along with Pacific Princess® and Royal Princess,® offer numerous small ship sailings to places like Asia, India and South America.

These deluxe vessels carry about 680 mostly adult guests, who will delight in the camaraderie of fellow like-minded travelers and the relaxed, unhurried ambience. Spectacular ships like Star Princess® hosts 2,600 guests to the South Pacific and Golden Princess® also welcomes 2,600 to Hawaii. Sun Princess® and Dawn Princess® combine year-round

Australia-based cruising to Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific and Asia.

 

NEW PORTS OF CALL. Around the world, Princess will be visiting intriguing new ports for the first time — places like Muscat, the cosmopolitan capital of Oman; Yangon in the country of Myanmar; Qingdao, China, with its parks, beaches and unique architecture; and Japan’s dynamic city of Fukuoka.

 

FAVORITES RETURN. Many of our best-loved exotic itineraries are back in 2009/2010 — voyages like our Australia & New Zealand cruises on Diamond Princess; 14-day Hawaiian Islands sailings departing roundtrip from Los Angeles on Golden Princess;® and 10-day Tahiti & Polynesia sailings on Pacific Princess.® Exciting South America adventures include enhanced 14-day Amazon River voyages on Royal Princess,® incredibly scenic Cape Horn voyages and Antarctica journeys on Star Princess, and more.

 

Asia, India & Africa Cruises

ITINERARY* DAYS PORTS

(Ports of Embarkation and Disembarkation are in CAPITAL LETTERS) 2009/2010 DATES SHIP

 

Southeast Asia & China 16 Days

BEIJING (XINGANG), Nagasaki, Shanghai, Okinawa, Taipei (Keelung), Hong Kong, Nha

Trang (Vietnam), Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My), Singapore, BANGKOK (LAEM CHABANG)

Oct 5, 21^; Nov 6, 2009; Mar 13,^ 29; Apr 14,^ 2010 Diamond

 

South China Sea Explorer 16 Days

SHANGHAI, Okinawa, Taipei (Keelung), Hong Kong (overnight), Da Nang/Hue (Chan May), Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My), Singapore, Ko Samui, BANGKOK

Dec 18, 2009; Jan 3,^ 19; Feb 4,^ 2010 Ocean

 

Treasures of Southeast Asia 16 Days

SINGAPORE, Ko Samui, Bangkok (overnight), Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My), Da Nang/Hue (Chan May), Hong Kong (late night departure), Taipei (Keelung), Okinawa, SHANGHAI

Dec 2, 2009, Mar 20,^ 2010 Ocean

 

China & Japan Explorer 14 Days

SHANGHAI, Dalian, Beijing (Xingang), Seoul (Inchon), Vladivostok (Russia),

Fukuoka (Japan), Hiroshima, Osaka (for Kyoto), TOKYO

Feb 20; Mar 6,^ 2010 Ocean

 

China & Japan 42 Days

SYDNEY, Darwin, Brunei (Muara), Kota Kinabalu, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Pusan (South Korea), Nagasaki, Osaka (for Kyoto), Tokyo (Yokohama), Iwo Jima scenic cruising, Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands), Guam (Northern Mariana Islands), Micronesia (Chuuk), Rabaul (Papua New Guinea), Airlie Beach (for the Great Barrier Reef), Brisbane, SYDNEY

Mar 3, 2010 Sun

 

Alaska & Far East 15 or 16 Days

ANCHORAGE (WHITTIER), Cross International Dateline, Sapporo (Muroran),

Vladivostok (Russia), Pusan (South Korea), Qingdao (China), Dalian,

BEIJING (XINGANG)

Sep 19, 2009; Apr 30,^ 2010 Diamond

 

Alaska & Far East Adventure 22 or 23 Days

VANCOUVER, Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay National Park scenic cruising, College Fjord scenic cruising, Anchorage (Whittier), Cross International Dateline, Sapporo (Muroran), Vladivostok (Russia), Pusan

(South Korea), Qingdao (China), Dalian, BEIJING (XINGANG)

Sep 12, 2009; Apr 30,^ 2010 Diamond

 

Alaska, Far East & China Adventure 31 or 32 Days

ANCHORAGE (WHITTIER), Cross International Dateline, Sapporo (Muroran),

Vladivostok (Russia), Pusan (South Korea), Qingdao (China), Dalian, Beijing (Xingang), Nagasaki, Shanghai, Okinawa, Taipei (Keelung), Hong Kong, Nha Trang (Vietnam), Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My), Singapore, BANGKOK (LAEM CHABANG)

Sep 19, 2009; Apr 14,^ 2010 Diamond

 

West Africa Adventure 31 Days

LONDON (DOVER), Paris/Normandy (Le Havre), Lisbon, Seville (Cadiz),

Ceuta (Spanish Morocco), Casablanca (for Marrakech), Madeira (Funchal), Canary Islands (Santa Cruz de Tenerife), Cape Verde Islands (Mindelo), Dakar (Senegal), Banjul (The Gambia), Tema (Ghana - for Accra), Lome (Togo), Cotonou (Benin), Walvis Bay (Namibia), Lüderitz (Namibia), CAPE TOWN (OVERNIGHT)

Sep 17, 2009; May 7,^ 2010 Tahitian/ Ocean

 

Africa, India & Southeast Asia 32 Days

CAPE TOWN (OVERNIGHT), East London, Durban, Madagascar (Nosy Be),

Seychelles (Port Victoria), Muscat (Mina Qaboos), Dubai, Mumbai,

Chennai (formerly Madras), Myanmar (Yangon - overnight for Mandalay & Bagan), Kuala Lumpur (Port Kelang), SINGAPORE

Oct 18, 2009; Apr 5,†^ 2010 Tahitian/ Ocean

 

Africa Adventure 48 Days

SHANGHAI, Okinawa, Taipei (Keelung), Hong Kong, Da Nang/Hue (Chan May), Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My), Bangkok (overnight), Ko Samui, Kuala Lumpur (Port Kelang), Myanmar (Yangon - overnight for Mandalay & Bagan), Chennai (formerly Madras), Mumbai, Muscat (Mina Qaboos), Dubai, Seychelles (Port Victoria), Madagascar (Nosy Be), Durban, East London, CAPE TOWN (OVERNIGHT)

Mar 20, 2010 Ocean

 

Asia to Africa Adventure 63 Days

SINGAPORE, Kuala Lumpur (Port Kelang), Myanmar (Yangon - overnight for

Mandalay & Bagan), Chennai (formerly Madras), Mumbai, Muscat (Mina Qaboos), Dubai, Seychelles (Port Victoria), Madagascar (Nosy Be), Durban, East London, Cape Town (2 overnights), Lüderitz (Namibia), Walvis Bay (Namibia), Cotonou (Benin), Lome (Togo), Tema (Ghana - for Accra), Banjul (The Gambia), Dakar (Senegal), Cape Verde Islands (Mindelo), Canary Islands (Santa Cruz de Tenerife), Madeira (Funchal), Casablanca (for Marrakech), Ceuta (Spanish Morocco), Seville (Cadiz), Lisbon, Paris/Normandy (Le Havre), LONDON (DOVER)

Sep 17,^ 2009; Apr 5,† 2010 Tahitian/Ocean

^ Itinerary operates in reverse order.

* Port order and content for all itineraries may vary due to final berth or anchorage availability.

 

Australia-based cruising on Sun Princess has an onboard currency in Australian dollars. Anytime dining is not available, other dining & entertainment choices vary.

† These dates sail on Ocean Princess.

 

Asia Cruisetours

 

Best of China 21 or 22 Beijing, Xian plus Terra Cotta Warriors/

15-day Alaska & Far East cruise or 16-day Southeast Asia & China cruise

Sep 19, 30; Oct 21; Nov 1, 2009; Mar 13, 24; Apr 14, 25, 2010 Diamond

 

Yangtze Experience 24 or 25 Days

Beijing, Xian plus Yangtze River Cruise/

15-day Alaska & Far East cruise or 16-day

 

Southeast Asia & China cruise

Sep 19, 27; Oct 21, 29, 2009; Mar 13, 21; Apr 14, 22, 2010 Diamond

 

Thailand and Cambodia Adventure 23 or 25 Days

BANGKOK, Siem Reap including Angkor Wat and Chiang Mai/ 16-day

 

Southeast Asia & China cruise,16-day South China Sea Explorer cruise

or 18-day Eastern Australia & Asia cruise

Oct 5, 15; Nov 6, 16; Dec 18, †8, 2009; Jan 19,† 29†; Feb 21; Mar 7, 29; Apr 8, 2010

Diamond,/ Ocean

 

 

Hawaii, Tahiti & South Pacific Cruises

 

Hawaiian Islands 14 LOS ANGELES, Hilo, Kilauea Volcano scenic cruising, Honolulu, Kauai (Nawiliwili), Maui (Lahaina), Ensenada, LOS ANGELES

Sep 27; Oct 11, 25; Nov 8, 22†; Dec 6, 20, 2009; Jan 3, 17, 31; Feb 14, 28;

Mar 14, 28; Apr 11, 25,† 2010 Golden

 

Hawaiian Islands 10 Days

VANCOUVER, Hilo, Kilauea Volcano scenic cruising, Kona, Maui (Lahaina), Kauai (Nawiliwili), HONOLULU Sep 18, 2009 Pacific

 

Hawaii & Tahiti 11 Days

HONOLULU, Kauai (NAWILIWILI), Maui (Lahaina), Hilo, Christmas Island scenic cruising, Cross the Equator, Bora Bora, Moorea, TAHITI (PAPEETE) Sep 28, 2009 Pacific

 

Tahiti & Polynesia 10 Days

TAHITI (PAPEETE - OVERNIGHT), Huahine (Polynesia), Rangiroa (Polynesia),

Raiatea (Polynesia), Bora Bora (overnight), Moorea, TAHITI (PAPEETE)

Oct 9, 19, 29; Nov 8, 18, 28; Dec 8, 2009 Pacific

 

Hawaii, Tahiti & South Pacific 30 Days

SAN FRANCISCO, Hilo, Maui (Lahaina), Cross the Equator, Bora Bora, Tahiti (Papeete), Moorea, Apia (Western Samoa), Pago Pago (American Samoa), Cross International Dateline, Fiji (Suva), Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch (Lyttelton), Dunedin (Port Chalmers), Fiordland National Park scenic cruising, SYDNEY

Sep 23, 2009 Star

 

Hawaii, Tahiti & South Pacific 30

SYDNEY, Fiordland National Park scenic cruising, Dunedin (Port Chalmers),

Christchurch (Lyttelton), Wellington, Auckland, Fiji (Suva), Cross International Dateline,

Apia (Western Samoa), Pago Pago (American Samoa), Moorea, Tahiti (Papeete),

Bora Bora, Cross the Equator, Honolulu, Maui (Lahaina), LOS ANGELES

Oct 24, 2009 Star

 

Hawaii, Tahiti & South Pacific 35 Days

SYDNEY, Nuku’alofa (Tonga), Vava’u (Tonga), Cook Islands (Rarotonga), Tahiti (Papeete), Moorea, Bora, Bora, Christmas Island scenic cruising, Hilo, Kona, Maui (Lahaina), Honolulu, Apia (Western Samoa), Pago Pago (American Samoa), Niuafo’ou (Tonga), Suva (Fiji), Port Denarau (Fiji), SYDNEY

April 3, 2010 Dawn s

† Port order may vary.

s Australia-based cruising on Dawn Princess has an onboard currency in Australian dollars. Anytime dining is not available, other dining & entertainment choices vary.

 

South America & Amazon River Cruises

 

Cape Horn Route to Rio 14 DAYS

SANTIAGO (VALPARAISO), Chilean Fjords scenic cruising, Punta Arenas, Beagle Channel scenic cruising, Ushuaia (Tierra del Fuego), Cape Horn scenic cruising, Falkland Islands (Stanley), Montevideo, Buenos Aires, RIO DE JANEIRO

Dec 8, 22,^ 2009; Mar 2, 16,^ 2010 Star

 

Cape Horn & Strait of Magellan 12 DAYS

SANTIAGO (VALPARAISO), Puerto Montt, Chilean Fjords scenic cruising, Punta Arenas, Beagle Channel scenic cruising, Ushuaia (Tierra del Fuego), Cape Horn scenic cruising, Falkland Islands (Stanley), Montevideo, BUENOS AIRES

Jan 5; Feb 18,^ 2010 Star

 

Antarctica & South America Adventure 16 DAYS

BUENOS AIRES, Falkland Islands (Stanley), Antarctic Peninsula scenic cruising (4 days including: Elephant Island, Antarctic Sound, Deception Island, Gerlache Strait, Neumayer Channel, South Shetland Island and Admiralty Bay), Cape Horn scenic cruising, Ushuaia (Tierra del Fuego), Beagle Channel scenic cruising,

Punta Arenas, Montevideo, BUENOS AIRES

Jan 17†; Feb 2, 2010 Star

 

Amazon River 14 DAYS

MANAUS (OVERNIGHT), Parintins (Amazon), Boca da Valéria (Amazon),

Santarém (Amazon), Cross the Equator, Devil’s Island (Île Royale), Trinidad, St. Lucia, St. Barthélemy, FT. LAUDERDALE

Dec 19, 2009; Jan 2,^ 16,† 30^; Feb 13, 27^; Mar 13,† 27^; Apr 10, 2010

Royal

 

Andes & South America 16 DAYS

LOS ANGELES, Cabo San Lucas, Acapulco, Nicaragua (San Juan del Sur), Costa Rica (Puntarenas), Cross the Equator, Quito (Manta), Lima (Callao - for Machu Picchu overland tour), Pisco (San Martin), La Serena (Coquimbo), SANTIAGO (VALPARAISO)

Nov 22, 2009 Star

 

Andes & South America 17 DAYS

SANTIAGO (VALPARAISO), La Serena (Coquimbo), Pisco (San Martin - for Macchu Picchu overland tour), Lima (Callao), Quito (Manta), Cross the Equator, Costa Rica (Puntarenas), Nicaragua (Puerto Corinto), Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas, SAN FRANCISCO

Mar 30, 2010 Star

 

South Pacific & Andes Explorer 26 DAYS

TAHITI (PAPEETE), Moorea, Bora Bora, Pitcairn Island scenic cruising,

Easter Island, Pisco (San Martin - for Machu Picchu overland tour), Lima (Callao), Quito (Manta), Cross the Equator, Panama Canal Transit, Cristobal, San Blas, Costa Rica (Limón), FT. LAUDERDALE

Dec 18, 2009 Pacific

 

 

South America Cruisetours

 

Iguazu Falls Adventure 18 or 22 DAYS

Rio de Janeiro, Iguazu Falls and Buenos Aires/

12-day Cape Horn & Strait of Magellan cruise or

16-day Antarctica & South America Adventure cruise

Jan 5, 12, 28; Feb 13, 2010 Star

 

Iguazu Falls Experience 19 Days Rio de Janeiro and Iguazu Falls/

14-day Cape Horn Route to Rio cruise

Dec 8, 18, 2009; Mar 2, 12, 2010 Star

 

Machu Picchu Explorer 18 or 20 DAYS Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu/ 12-day Cape Horn & Strait of Magellan cruise or 14-day Cape Horn Route to Rio cruise

Dec 3, 22, 31, 2009; Feb 18, 25; Mar 16, 25, 2010 Star

 

Australia & New Zealand Cruises

 

Australia & New Zealand 12 DAYS

SYDNEY, Melbourne, Tasmania (Hobart), Fiordland National Park scenic cruising, Dunedin (Port Chalmers), Christchurch (Lyttelton), Tauranga, AUCKLAND

Dec 10, 2009, Jan 4, 16,^ 28; Feb 9,^ 2010 Diamond

 

Australia & New Zealand Holiday 13 DAYS

AUCKLAND, Wellington, Christchurch (Lyttelton), Dunedin (Port Chalmers),

Fiordland National Park scenic cruising, Tasmania (Hobart), Phillip Island (Australia), Melbourne, SYDNEY

Dec 22, 2009 Diamond

 

Eastern Australia & Asia 18 DAYS

BANGKOK (LAEM CHABANG), Sihanoukville (Cambodia), Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My), Singapore, Cross the Equator, Darwin, Port Douglas (for Cairns), Airlie Beach (for the Great Barrier Reef), Brisbane, SYDNEY

Nov 22, 2009 Diamond

 

Western Australia & Asia 20 DAYS

SYDNEY, Melbourne, Tasmania (Hobart), Adelaide, Perth (Fremantle), Exmouth, Cross the Equator, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My), Sihanoukville (Cambodia), BANGKOK (LAEM CHABANG)

Feb 21, 2010 Diamond

 

Round Australia 28 DAYS

SYDNEY, Newcastle, Brisbane, Airlie Beach (for the Great Barrier Reef),

Port Douglas (for Cairns), Darwin, Broome, Exmouth, Perth (Fremantle), Bunbury, Albany, Adelaide, Melbourne, Burnie (Tasmania), Hobart (Tasmania - overnight), SYDNEY

Oct 17, 2009, Mar 6, 2010 Sun, Dawn

 

Round Australia 28 DAYS

MELBOURNE, Adelaide, Albany, Bunbury, Perth (Fremantle), Exmouth, Broome, Darwin, Port Douglas (for Cairns), Airlie Beach (for the Great Barrier Reef), Brisbane, Newcastle, Sydney, Hobart (Tasmania - overnight), Burnie (Tasmania), MELBOURNE

Nov 18, 2009 Dawn

 

New Zealand 13 DAYS

SYDNEY, Fiordland National Park scenic cruising, Dunedin (Port Chalmers), Christchurch (Lyttelton), Wellington, Napier, Tauranga, Auckland, Bay of Islands, SYDNEY

Nov 3, 14, 27; Dec 29, 2009; Jan 23; Feb 5, 18, 2010 Sun, Dawn

 

New Zealand 13 DAYS

MELBOURNE, Fiordland National Park scenic cruising, Dunedin(Port Chalmers), Christchurch (Lyttelton), Wellington, Napier, Tauranga, Auckland, MELBOURNE

Dec 16, 29, 2009; Jan 11, 24; Feb 6, 19, 2010 Dawn

 

Tasmania 7 DAYS

SYDNEY, Melbourne, Burnie, Hobart (overnight), Port Arthur, SYDNEY

Dec 10, 2009 Sun

 

New Caledonia & Vanuatu 12 DAYS

SYDNEY, Isles of Pines (New Caledonia), Lifou (Loyalty Islands), Vila (Vanuatu), Wala (Vanuatu), Champagne Bay (Vanuatu), Nouméa (New Caledonia), SYDNEY Dec 17, 2009; Jan 11, 2010 Sun

 

 

Australia Cruisetours

 

Tropical Highlights of Australia 18 or 19 DAYS

Sydney, Cairns plus Great Barrier Reef/

12-day Australia & New Zealand cruise or

13-day Australia & New Zealand Holiday cruise

Dec 5, 22, 30, 2009; Jan 16, 23; Feb 9, 2010 Diamond

 

Australian Outback Adventure 19 or 20

Sydney, Ayers Rock, Alice Springs, Cairns plus Great Barrier Reef/

12-day Australia & New Zealand cruise or

13-day Australia & New Zealand Holiday cruise

Dec 4, 22, 29, 2009; Jan 16, 22; Feb 9, 2010 Diamond

 

Australian Explorer 19 or 20 DAYS

Sydney, Ayers Rock, Port Douglas plus Great Barrier Reef/

12-day Australia & New Zealand cruise or

13-day Australia & New Zealand Holiday cruise

Dec 4, 22, 29, 2009; Jan 22, 2010 Diamond

 

Ultimate Australia 20 or 21 Days

Sydney, Ayers Rock, Kakadu, Darwin, Port Douglas plus Great Barrier Reef/

12-day Australia & New Zealand cruise or

13-day Australia & New Zealand Holiday cruise

Dec 3, 22, 28, 2009; Jan 16, 21; Feb 9, 2010 Diamond

[Toto2Kansas]

Thanks for the list.

Evidentally they are opening the bookings early for these as I booked the Pacific Princess for October 2009 just this evening.

I detest having to book this far in advance, but if you want a certain cabin or location, there doesn't seem to be much other choice but to book as soon as they release the new dates.

Heck, I am just glad we found another chance to return to Tahiti...........they had me worried for awhile, but I had faith in Princess to have something down in the islands, at least part of the year.

 

So, don't wait until the announced date of May 22 if you are interested, check with your TA or Princess now as these bookings, or at least most of them have opened up.

 

Again, appreciate you posting the list. ;)

[soraya]

Hi, I have to move my 2009 Far East cruise to 2010. I am on the DP at the moment, but really fancy the Ocean Princess as its itinerary look sbetter for us.

 

DP is open now but OP isn't available until autumn and no idea what the prices are going to be.

 

Any advice on moving now or waiting - have to pay a $200 fee to Princess UK each time I moe or lose an $800 deposit if I cancel if the OP is really expensive.

[paul929207]

I love the new choices. I am having trouble deciding between several of them. I guess my TA will be busy the next few weeks as we book several cruises for the next 2+ years.

[Jack1]

I was quite surprised at the prices for the Ocean Princess in Asia March 20, 2010. For 2 of us, air from YEG, transfers, hotel, fuel surcharge, BA balcony cabin is a few thousand less than we expected after checking prices of other lines and ships. Pleasant surprise.

I realize we aren't comparing apples to apples but we have always had good cruises with Princess. I could only find the prices on line at a major on line site that ends with "to go". Check there for prices.

Has it become almost impossible for UK travellers to book through a US/Canadian agent? I had heard things were getting tighter for these individuals who wanted to do that.

Which sailing are u interested in. we are booked on the March 20, this is the first leg of a longer sailing. We can only do the 16 nighter.

Faye

[fun2travel]

Thanks for the list.

Evidentally they are opening the bookings early for these as I booked the Pacific Princess for October 2009 just this evening.

I detest having to book this far in advance, but if you want a certain cabin or location, there doesn't seem to be much other choice but to book as soon as they release the new dates.

Heck, I am just glad we found another chance to return to Tahiti...........they had me worried for awhile, but I had faith in Princess to have something down in the islands, at least part of the year.

 

So, don't wait until the announced date of May 22 if you are interested, check with your TA or Princess now as these bookings, or at least most of them have opened up.

 

Again, appreciate you posting the list. ;)

 

I am looking at the Pacific princess for Tahiti October 2009, can you recommend cabins?

 

Thks, Leslie

[jpg1747]

Anyone know when the European bookings for November/December 2010 will be available? Thanks.

[cj1717]

Help.. we are about to book the spring 2009 Princess cruise to Andes &South America.. 18 days on the Star Princess. Any advice .. This will be our first 18 day cruise. Suggestions .. is the tour to Machu Picchu worth while.. I have tons of questions. Opinions on booking air fare thru PC? Leaving from Chile? Thoughts on booking thru PC or using an agent..we have done both but for only 7 and 10 days.. any info is appreciated! tks in advance, jc

[Pam in CA]

Help.. we are about to book the spring 2009 Princess cruise to Andes &South America.. 18 days on the Star Princess. Any advice .. This will be our first 18 day cruise. Suggestions .. is the tour to Machu Picchu worth while.. I have tons of questions. Opinions on booking air fare thru PC? Leaving from Chile? Thoughts on booking thru PC or using an agent..we have done both but for only 7 and 10 days.. any info is appreciated! tks in advance, jc

If one of your ports is Port Stanley, the Falklands, be sure to reserve your shore excursion very, very early. A ship the size of the Star Princess totally overwhelms the very limited resources of many of the ports on this itinerary, particularly in the Falklands. If you have a chance, definitely go to Iguasu Falls. I understand it's very much worth it.

 

My friend and I were checking out the Princess cruises going to Antarctica last year and decided against the Star, particularly because it's such a big ship and the port resources are limited. Instead, we booked HAL's Amsterdam. Our TA is checking out independent tours to Igausu Falls.

 

As for air, do your research. With air prices going up, cruiseline air is competitive, particularly with "open jaw" flights. We used Princess air for our Golden cruise from Buenos Aires to Santiago and the flight selection(s) for the price were better than what we could find on our own. We usually put the cruiseline air on our booking and when it comes time for final payment, have either booked our own air or go with the cruiseline.