Viva South America - South America & Antarctica "Ports" Review by Montecitoharve

Welcome To CruiseCritic.com | Stay on CruiseCritic.com Go to Cruise Critic UK Close X

Member Reviews
Home > Member Reviews > Montecitoharve's Port Reviews of Montevideo, Ushuaia, Stanley, Puerto Montt, Santiago (Valparaiso)

Montecitoharve's Port Reviews of Montevideo, Ushuaia, Stanley, Puerto Montt, Santiago (Valparaiso)
Norwegian Sun cruise in December 2008

Member Name:	Montecitoharve
Cruise Date:	December 2008
Embarkation:	Buenos Aires
Destination:	South America & Antarctica
Member Review:	Montecitoharve's Norwegian Sun Review

	Montevideo Port Rating: The leather stores have a lot of standard jackets, but if you shop around you can find some lovely articles. Prices are definitely "adjustable". I think Montevideo had the best quality leather of all the ports on the trip. When we walked out of the store a tourist policeman accompanied us for the six block walk back to the ship, so I was impressed with security.
More Montevideo Reviews	Montevideo Port Profile	Montevideo Forum



	Ushuaia Port Rating: As the previous review said, simply gorgeous. We took a catamaran at the dock, and enjoyed the trip. It was not as cold as I had feared - in the 50s. Great day
More Ushuaia Reviews	Ushuaia Port Profile	Ushuaia Forum



	Stanley Port Rating: Didn't take any tour, and didn't feel we missed anything.
More Stanley Reviews	Stanley Port Profile	Stanley Forum



	Puerto Montt Port Rating: I don't see a spot for Puerto Madryn or Punta Arenas, so will mention them here. For the former, GO to see the penguins at Punta Tombo. The road is now 90% paved, and the trip is much less onerous than we were led to believe. We were with Francesca tours, and they did a good job. Modern 8 person van very comfortable. The penguins here have to be seen. Punta Arenas has a huge fair in the central square when cruise ships come in. The quality and price of the goods is excellent, better quality than anywhere else we were in Chile. But the setting was very very pleasant. You can skip the penguins at Punta Arenas. Puerto Montt has a huge lake at Puerta Varas and tourist town there. Also famous volcanoes. It's ok. The Falls at Petrohue, after seeing Iguazu, were very forgettable, but we had taken a cab which stopped for a delicious lakeside lunch of lamb. The ride along the lake is pleasant. Take lots of antibug spray if you go to Petrohue. The flies are vicious.
More Puerto Montt Reviews	Puerto Montt Port Profile	Puerto Montt Forum



	Santiago (Valparaiso) Port Rating: Santiago would be a two star rating, but we didn't stay there. The ship ended at Valparaiso, and we took a cab for 15 minutes to Vina del Mar. Stayed at the Sheraton which is right on the ocean, and was simply gorgeous. VdM has a gorgeous arena - Madonna had just been there - and a casino for those inclined. We loved the food - El Gaucho restaurant, Peccado Divino - probably lots of others just as good. Delicious steak and stunningly good Chilean wine. The town of VdM is lots of fun. We live in Santa Barbara, and VdM reminded me of SB with ocean, climate, wine. There is a mercado in town where all the locals shop - and had 95% of all the treasures that we had seen in all the other ports, at similar prices. But you should be comfortable bargaining in Spanish, or in some universal language. Santiago is a big city. Had a good lunch at the top of of a restaurant which turned around 360 degrees. (Namestarted with a G - only one in town). Santiago was hotter and smoggier than VdM - reminded me of Los Angeles - not a favorable recommendation
More Santiago (Valparaiso) Reviews	Santiago (Valparaiso) Port Profile	Santiago (Valparaiso) Forum

Thank You For Signing Up!