We had been looking at a Buenos Aires to Santiago Chile cruise for about five years and decided on this cruise due to Princess' perceived reputation of being more upscale than other lines. We were disappointed at almost every turn.

To begin with, we embarked a day late in Buenos Aires due to the death of a passenger in route from Rio. However, when we (a party of six) arrived at the designated hour at the port, our luggage was taken, then we were bused to the Sheraton (another miserable experience) for seven hours without information, wifi, or other amenities. Eventually we were bused to a three-star hotel for the night. The following morning, we finally boarded, only to be informed the now 10-day cruise would have only three hours in Montevideo (instead of a full day) and the cruise would skip the Falkland Islands. The three hours in Montevideo were late in the day and capped with a heavy rainstorm.

The two remaining ports of call were Ushuaia, Argentina and Punta Arenas, Chile. Both were fun, but not a reason to book a cruise. Disembarkation in Valparaiso, Chile was fairly routine. Read more