We flew to Santiago and spend to days there prior to the cruise. We stayed in a hotel in the Providence district. Good restaurants, close Metro stations. Took a tour of the city. People were very friendly. Prices are cheap. The food is excellent an the wines very good. I arranged the hotel, tour of the city and transportation to the ship with a tour to a winery. Before the trip a researched the brands and prices of the wines served on board the ship. I found that the price were at least six times more than buying it at the local grocery store. Holland American has a policy that you can bring wine on board and will charge $15.00 or the decorking. Problem solved, bought a case of wine at the winery for $5.00 a bottle, an opener and carried the case on board. The first thing that I did was to ask the cabin attendant for wine glasses every day. He did. Did not have to ask again.
There was no glass of champagne or a crew member to take you to your cabin. The meal portions are smaller and fewer menu selections. Still, the food was excellent and the service all over was great. Great crew members. We love HA service.
The passage thru the Darwin Channel was spectacular and the view of the glaciers specially the Asia glacier was awesome.