We booked our own air and traveled from New York to Buenos Aires on Mexicana. The first flight was on a smaller plane and was a bit tight (lasted about 7 hours). We switched to a larger (more comfortable) plane in Mexico city with a two hour lay over. The flight from Mexico to Buenos Aires was another 7 hours or so. Mexicana was a pleasant surprise. They offered free drinks, a comfort gift, food and movies on both flights. Basically we left New York at 12:30 am and arrived the following night at 9:30. The cost of air fare was about $1,200 each - return (we were on a serious budget). Our friend who traveled separately, but traveled alone and booked 5 days before the trip got a much faster, more direct flight RETURN for about $1000 on AA (her flight home stopped in Florida, but the flight to Buenos Aires was direct out of NY).

We arrived three days before the cruise and stayed at the Don Telmo Hotel in the (up and coming) San Telmo area. We had made arrangements for the hotel to pick us up at the airport. (They were a little late, we waited about 30 minutes). Husband tried to do banking at airport, but card was rejected (despite making travel arrangements with bank before we left - his card did not work for entire trip, making finances a bit tricky).

Decided on The Don Telmo Hotel because: It was cheap, in a real part of the city (Not a touristy spot), and Don Telmo is the patron saint of navigation. We wanted a taste of the real Buenos Aires. The hotel was a small, restored, art nouveau/deco place with a lovely roof garden (but no pool). Our friend arrived earlier in the day and we arrived to find a note informing us that she had made a friend and gone to the Madonna concert. Read more