Choose Princess as embarking in Rio. Spent 4 great days there before cruise. Embarkation was the start of the nightmare. Arrived at our assigned time of 4 PM to find a huge room full of people who had been there all day. Did not appear to be Princess staff on hand to help except for one really rude guy with a mike who kept shouting at people.

Late leaving. Sadly one of the passengers became ill the next day and had to be evacuated. Had to turn around and go to a port in Brazil. Not sure why there isn't a helicopter pad on this boat. Now we have lost a day. Then we can't get into Buenos Aries because the water is too shallow after some north wind issue. Arrived during the night. People frantically trying to rebook shore excursions. We just did our own thing. Next port is Montevideo where we need to refuel and replenish supplies. Can't get in because we're a day late and there's no room. Had booked a bike tour on our own. Brought a boat out to refuel us. Got in around 8 PM to load supplies. Could get off for a few hours, but everything is closed and they're having a huge thunderstorm. Now we find out there is no stop in the Falkland Islands as again we're late and NCL is there and has booked everything up. We had booked our own tour (same as the ship) but half the price. Not seeing the penguins was the final straw for a lot of the passengers. Everyone was cranky and the staff were very subdued. At this point compensation offers started. And we were informed that Punta Arenas might also be removed. Last place to see any penguins!

We did the Cape Horn scenic cruising, as well as a little side trip to see some lovely glaciers. Got into Ushuaia and Punta Arenas as well. Just hired a local to drive us around. Read more