LIVE from the Star Princess Penguins - 17 January - around the Cape from Buenos Aires

[dmlee1990]

Looking forward to your next report. We will be sailing the Star Princess in August. Would love to hear more about the ship. Thanks!

[tahoe782]

Thanks so much for posting this report. We are taking the b2b from Rio to San Francisco in 2010 Mar 16th.

Tahoe782

[oldwittonian]

:)Can't wait for your next report we are doing the same cruise leaving on 14th february Pippa x

 

 

 

We are from the UK and are on your cruise. Are you going to the Cruise Critic meet on Monday 16 February

[JohnLauben]

Temperatures still hovering a touch above the freezing mark. Skies in Antarctica have been good until today ... a bit foggy/hazy. Tough on the photos ... pictures OK but not great. Seas have been very calm since the storm. We're still in Antarctica as of this writing; but, we'll leave this afternoon and head for Cape Horn tomorrow. Formal night tonight, along with the Captain's Circle parties.

[JustinPlusLauren]

Looking forward to reading more of your updates! Hope you're having a great time! This cruise is now at the top of my list for the next one...which likely won't be for a while, but I can dream! :)

[chrysalis]

Temperatures still hovering a touch above the freezing mark. Skies in Antarctica have been good until today ... a bit foggy/hazy. Tough on the photos ... pictures OK but not great. Seas have been very calm since the storm. We're still in Antarctica as of this writing; but, we'll leave this afternoon and head for Cape Horn tomorrow. Formal night tonight, along with the Captain's Circle parties.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

[travelers07]

Thanks for your posts- we'll be on this cruise next year. Have a great time!

[Crown Prince]

Hi Donna! Have a wonderful cruise and I'll be looking forward to reading about all your escapades (sp?). And, knowing you, there will be many. I have wonderful memories of our chef's table on the Ruby. Generoso and Alfredo were so great. Don't know how anything could compete with that one. Ciao! :p:p

 

Thanks, Lynda,

Kathy treated me to the Chef´s Table and it was wonderful same menu as Ruby Inaugural except that we had a wonderful Chilean gerwertstriminer for dessert and we just went to the market and bought some in Punta Arenas, Chili.

We are boarding now more later.

[Lynda90]

Thanks, Lynda,

Kathy treated me to the Chef´s Table and it was wonderful same menu as Ruby Inaugural except that we had a wonderful Chilean gerwertstriminer for dessert and we just went to the market and bought some in Punta Arenas, Chili.

We are boarding now more later.

Donna, sounds like a wonderful cruise. I also wish I was there. Were you able to get wife in the cabin or only in public areas? Did you take baby acer with you?

[naplesam]

Donna, sounds like a wonderful cruise. I also wish I was there. Were you able to get wife in the cabin or only in public areas? Did you take baby acer with you?

 

Now, if this had been written to Don instead of Donna! Would have had a whole different meaning! :D

[Lynda90]

Now, if this had been written to Don instead of Donna! Would have had a whole different meaning! :D

Sure would have had a whole different meaning! My ex's name is Don and I wouldn't even be on the same cruiseline as him much less the same cruise. :p:p:p

[Crown Prince]

There is no wife in my cabin, only wi-fi in atrium (also known as Piazza). I am saving my beer for the Pizza - too cold still):

Deck 5, 6, 7 (midship - The Piazza Area

Deck 7 - Promenade Bar, Wedding Chapel, Crown Grill

Deck 14 (aft) - Horizon Court

Deck 15 (aft) - Teen Center

----------------

No Baby yet for my Sis. We called Michelle from Punta Arenas (our very last port of call).

Yes, we did see the penguinos at Otway Sound there, in the rain. We were on the bus at 8 and 1-1/2 hour drive to Otway (some on gravel road). 25 miles per hour on the dirt road.

They were so cute & performed for us and they do not seem to mind the rain. Most were the babies (furry grey) because both mum & dad were out fishing for the dinner. They were flinging the dirt to burrow and one time I went over the wooden slats and it sounded as though he were stuck under there, screaming to get out.

I had to hustle to get back to the coach and then we were back on the ship at 12:30, had lunch & then walked back to town about 2 - main centre is very close to the port terminal. The terminal has shopping, INTERNET & PHONES - $4 USD per hour for i-net.

Even through the rain, it was an awesome day. We were gone til about 6 and had to be on board at 7:30 for 8 PM sail-away. We were exhausted.

More to come - next stop - disembark at Valpariso.

We are waiting now for the disembark speach by C.D. Lee Childers. What a cute guy. He looks just like John Travolta or a young version of Jerry Lewis & also sounds like Jerry. Very personable and not pompous like some C.D.s.

:D

[oldwittonian]

What is the name of the captain please.

[treesah]

Hi, Donna,

 

Glad you're having a great time. Please say hello to your sis for me. I enjoyed meeting the CC group on the 5 - 17 January adventure. This was our best cruise ever.

[Lynda90]

There is no wife in my cabin, only wi-fi in atrium (also known as Piazza). :D

Ha, ha, I just realized my typo with wife instead of wifi! It certainly does take on a whole new meaning. Glad to hear you didn't find a wife in your cabin and thanks for the info. :p:p

[JohnLauben]

What is the name of the captain please.

 

We currently have two (2) captains on board. The primary master is Bob Oliver. The secondary (but full) captain is William Kent. (I have cruised with both previously.) We also had an ice pilot/captain on board for Antarctica. Lee Childers is the CD; Julie James is the Deputy CD; "Frenchie" is the Sr. Asst. CD. Can't recall the name of the head chef; but, he certainly has everything in order. The food has been terrific (albeit a bit salty); but, the fresh pineapple started out terrible, and disappeared altogether halfway into the cruise.

[Crown Prince]

Ohla, Dear Friends & Family,

We have been soooo busy, even with all the sea days. It is almost midnight (ship's time) and we are approaching Chilean waters so they must close down the casino at midnight. I only walk through it to get to the Purser with my purse. We had until midnight to resolve any Folio discrepancies - and I did have some. The Aussie gentlemen who fixed me up was very competent, going through receipts and I wrote him a commendation card. I wrote about 10 of them for the hard-working crew. Kathy is fanatical on writing them also. Both she and Dennis are so grateful to be having such a dream holiday.

Today, we had an "Ultimate Balcony Lunch" by visiting the International Cafe in the Piazza (aka Atrium) and taking the free food upstairs to our balcony with our wine that we bought in Argentina. Then, tonight, we did not want to dress up for dinner (most of our clothes were already packed) so we went to the Horizon Court and brought up our food for an "Ultimate Balcony Dinner (Economy)" with more wine.

I found the CarreFour grocery store in B.A. and bought 2 litres (1 white & 1 rose) for 4 pesos each (about $1.35 USD each). They have good wine in S.A. In Punta Arenas (our last port 3 days ago) Kathy & Dennis bought lots of bottles of Chilean wine (they like the dark red) and they bought me a bottle of wonderful Chilean Gerwertztriminer (my favourite) - and it was only $5 USD. This large grocery store, very near the port, even has a special, college-educated wine guy who speaks good English to help you with your purchase.

Kathy & I took the Backstage tour of the Princess Theatre today. Much larger than the old Pacific Princess - remember that, Jennie & Steven? The production shows have been great - you would love them, Baby Jen. Lots of Aussies, a Scot, Brits in the cast. We went to the movies most sea days.

The food, wonderful, as usual, except we do miss the exotic south pacific fruits - pineapple was sometimes not ripe, had to beg for a papaya. The sup in the Bell Box grabbed a whole one for me so I shared it with Kathy. No berries for Dennis' dessert. No guava. The kiwis were good.

Speaking of Kiwis, I saw Peter Morris in the Princess Theatre on our first shorex. I made friends with him in 2007 on the Sun. He was the shorex manager & immediately fixed me up. He was tour guide on our overland excursion from Christchurch across NZ to the Fjords. An avalanche prevented the 35 pax from continuing and we had to turn back after picking up a fresh coach driver. We had a wonderful British-type lunch at a little lodge. I reminded Peter that we probably should also pick up some petrol as well. He was a great tour guide & kept us laughing. Also,efunded the entire tour cost ($750 USD). He remembered me, as well. Always has a lot of ladies around him.

We had about 13 hours in port (7 AM to 8 PM) in Punta Arenas. We took the Penguin Tour to Otway Sound, a 1-1/2-hour drive and then a 2-mile (round trip) walk - in the rain - to see the Magellanic penguinos. Most were the grey babies because Mum & Dad were out fishing for dinner. They strutted & performed for us, coming very close to the wooden walkway. They bray like donkeys - so cute. I bought the DVD that the photogs take to see all the action.

Seals wait by the water's edge to eat them on the way into and out of the beach so some do not make it back. We saw them digging their burrows, throwing the sand around. There was a light drizzle which turned heavier before I made it back to the coach. I was soaking wet - not from the rain (I was wearing my hooded parka). I was sweating & had on a cotton T-shirt & silk long-sleeved sweat shirt, which I took off in the coach to dry it out. I had been walking very fast to make it back on time.

We returned to the ship for lunch & then went back to see the town & grocery store for wine. I bought lapiz penguins & Rosacrucia penguins. The rain was light and kept it cool for walking. I went to the gym twice - I liked the rowing machine.

I am still working on the Elite goodies from formal night (3rd & last formal was last night) even though I shared half with Kathy. I did not realize that the Entertainment Staff have cabins forward of mine. I wondered why I kept seeing them walking down the hall. The Cruise Director, Lee Childers (American), looks & sounds just like Jerry Lewis (when he was very young). Some say he looks like John Travolta. He was walking with his Deputy C.D., Julie (Aussie) and Assistant C.D., Frenchie (Brit, I think). I was looking for my cabin steward (I have trained him in Jewelry - necklace - putting on). They had this large plate of pastries which they offered to me (after they put on my necklace). It really pays to sit in the front row and make a noise (as they say on Carnival).

There was no snow in any of the ports - just very cold wind.

In Stanley Port (Falkland Islands), I took the Sparrow Cove Penguin excursion. I was lucky enough to get the front seat in the 7-pax Landrover with Lucy Loewe. All the cars here are Landrovers because they have to drive in the mud - not many roads - just cut across the hills. Sort of a Disney ride. She was our driver and the owner of 10,000 acres on this lovely, very British island. She also owns lots of cows & sheep, as well as sheep dogs. It was a half hour drive to see the 4 penguin colonies. There is a large green rope on the ground which we are not supposed to cross, to keep a distance; however, the penguins do not know this so they would cross the line to inspect us and we got real close to them. After the tour, Kathy & I went into town (has lots of those cute, brightly- coloured houses) and I found lots of stuffed penguins in a shop, as well as penguin slippers. I have been wearing them all over the ship and everyone loves them.

The port & destination lecturers have been great, educating us in the Princess Theatre and then looped on TV (in case you went to sleep or missed it completely).

I just checked the hall and now my luggage has disappeared that I put out 2 hours ago. I have been typing for over an hour because this BabyAcer keyboard is very small and my acrylics need a fill & trim, so I make a lot of typos.

SUE: Please forward this to your sisters. I think the Baby is waiting for Grama to come home. Kathy will probably call Michelle from the Santiago airport because they will be there for a while before their long flight back to SYD.

 

One more week. On to Machu Picchu. I started taking my anti-altitude illness pills today. Really makes me sleepy -took a 2-hour nap. Tomorrow, we meet at 8:30 to disembark. There are 55 pax on the post tour. We have a 3-1/2-hour tour from Valpariso port to Santiago hotel. Hope there are hot spots in our hotels.

[Sea Day Cruiser]

What a great review. I will be on the Star's next Antarctica trip so I especially enjoyed reading about your trip. Thank you.