Fortunately our hotel, San Franciso, was able to get us a very reliable English speaking guide, Chris Whatmore (cell 56- 9783 0378) who came on Sunday at short notice to drive us around Santiago & on Monday for a wine tour and to Vina del Mar. He recommended an excellent sea food rest. and was very helpful. I would definitely use him for a tour guide again.

This was the cruise you did not want to be on. If we didn't get to see the penquins when our Pt. Stanley port was cancelled I thought that there would be mutany. The shore excursion desk & cruise staff were inexpenience and the lines waiting for tender tickets went around the lobby three times. Tender tickets should have been given quickly instead of each person going up to the desk. The atrium was blocked with lines of people and other passengers couldn't get thru.

The Star was late arriving from the previous cruise because of bad weather so we were sent emails from Princess saying not to arrive until 5 PM. There were long lines & it took quite a while for embarcation. Dinner was finally at 8:30 PM but the Star did not leave until 3:00 AM which put the passangers at a disadvantage of missing the first port, Puerto Mott. Most shore excursions were cancelled because of the short time in port & most of us did not even get to see the town. Nothing was done to compensate the passengers for these disadvantages. For good public relations with the passengers something should have been done like a free wine & cheese party or anything. Read more