20 Day South America and Antarctica Cruise / Tour

The Antarctic is the most beautiful place on earth! If you took the best cruise to Alaska and times it by 10, you may come close to your Antarctic experience. This may be your last chance to visit the Antarctic on a Luxury Cruise Ship. According the Holland America Representatives, the kind of fuel the large ships use will not be allowed to the Antarctic, starting in 2012. This will only leave the small vessels that charge $10,000 to $14,000 for an Antarctic Adventure! Compare that to $2,900 (approx) you spend for a large ship to virtually see the exact same things the small vessels do. The only real difference is the ability to go step on land several times.

You do not need to stand on the Antarctic Continent to experience the Antarctic. Last year Fun For Less took a small group on an Antarctic cruise. While sailing through the waters of Antarctica we were passed by a luxury cruise ship doing the same thing we were, but found they were $7000 to $8,000 less than what we paid for our cruise. Granted, we were able to go ashore and enjoyed standing on the ice, snow and rocks of the Antarctic Continent, but it was not $7,000 better. We figured the cost of the time we spent up close and personal to the penguins was over $1,000 per 30 minutes. The best views were not from standing on the Antarctic Continent, but rather from our small ship before we went ashore. The passengers on the luxury cruise ship were having the same experience, but enjoying it in luxury and for thousands of dollars less. Right then and there we decided our next tour to Antarctic would be on a luxury cruise ship. Let us ask you a question: If you were in a motor home and traveled into Utah, drove through the streets of Salt Lake and Park City and then left the state without getting out of your motor home, would you say Utah was a state you had visited? YES! So, if you sail through the Antarctic, can you count the Antarctic as a place you have been? YES! You do not have to stand on the land to say you have been there!

A few things you should understand:

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

Day 1: January 8: International flight: Fly from the US to Buenos Aires

Day 2: January 9: Buenos Aires – Princess Cruise Ship
Board your beautiful Princess Cruise ship

Day 3: January 10: Fun Day at Sea
You will have enjoy exploring and playing on your Princess Cruise ship. Our group will have a special get-together with Michael as our guest educator. On our recent cruise to the Antarctic, Dr. Wilcox was so informative over 90% passengers attended every meeting!

Day 4: January 11: Fun Day at Sea:
Today will be a day to enjoy the relaxation and fun of a Princess Cruise. In the morning we will have another get-together with Michael. Also in the afternoon we will have our own private show with our special Fun For Less entertainer Kerry Summers. He is as good as any entertainer the cruise ship has.

Day 5: January 12: Falkland Islands (Stanley)
This morning we will arrive into the Falkland islands. England and Argentina went to war over these islands. We will not include any optional shore excursions. You have to go ashore by tender. With only a few thousand people, transportation even for tours is by the local peoples 4 wheel drive passenger vehicles. We recommend you spend your time exploring the quaint little town of Stanley.

Day 6: January 13: Fun Day at Sea
Today we will enjoy another relaxing day at sea along with a meeting with our special guest educator Dr. Wilcox.

Day 7, 8, 9, 10: January 14, 15, 16, 17: Antarctic cruising
On January 14th around 10 am we arrive into the Antarctic. We will spend 3 ½ days sailing though islands and next to the Antarctic Continent. This time of year it is light until around midnight and you will be able to witness the most beautiful place on earth. The gigantic icebergs, the rugged majestic mountains and exotic wild life will give you an experience you will never forget. You will also enjoy the relaxation of being on Princess Cruise ship. We will depart around 11am on January17th.

Day 11: January 18: Cape Horn Scenic Cruising
Cape Horn marks the southernmost point of South America. The cape's steep and rocky cliffs rise up and extend into Drake Passage, where the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans meet. Ancient mariners dreaded rounding the Cape because of its reputation for bad weather. We will only spend one hour cruising around Cape Horn and then head into calm channels that will take us to Ushuaia Argentina.

Day 12: January 19: Ushuaia (Tierra Del Fuego National Park) Argentina
Today we dock at Ushuaia, the most southern city in the world. For those on one of our option packages: Our full day tour today will include a tour of Tierra Del Fuego National Park. You will visit the end of the world’s longest stretch of road, The Pan- American highway. It stretches 11,987 miles from Alaska to Tierra Del Fuego. We will also do a city tour of Usuahia and give you plenty of time to shop before returning to the ship. We will then sail into Cockburn and Beagle Channels. Charted by Charles Darwin on his exploratory cruise in 1832, these are two of the most vital channels in the Tierra del Fuego archipelago. Darwin said Tierra Del Fuego and the Ushuaia area was his favorite place in South America.

Day 13: January 20: Punta Arenas & the Strait of Magellan.
This remote town, pioneered by Yugoslav settlers and sheep ranchers, sits on rolling hills overlooking the Strait of Magellan. The Strait of Magellan is where the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans converge. The Straight of Magellan lies along the southern edge of South America and was named by Ferdinand Magellan around 1520. The Strait, protected by both the mainland and the islands of the Tierra Del Fuego archipelago, was considered safer than Cape Horn or Drake Passage. Views of Chile from the Strait include stunning vistas and landscapes, tiny coves and picturesque inlets. For those on one of our option packages: Today’s tour will bring you up close and personal to Magellan Penguins. You will see sheep ranches and local wildlife as we travel to Otway Sound Penguin colony. You cannot touch them, but they can touch you. We had passengers this year that had penguins grab their shoe or pant leg - you really will be up close. We will return to Punta Arenas with a tour of museums and the city. You again will have plenty of time to enjoy shopping in the local stores before returning to the ship.

Day 14: January 21: Fun Day at Sea
Today will be a day to enjoy the relaxation and fun of a Princess Cruise. You will also enjoy a morning meeting with our guest lecturer Michael Wilcox and an afternoon show with our special guest entertainer.

Day 15: January 22: Fun Day at Sea
Today will be a day to enjoy the relaxation and fun of a Princess Cruise. We will also enjoy another session with Michael Wilcox in the morning.

Day 16: January 23: Puerto Montt, Chile
We will spend the day in the Puerto Montt. For those on one of our option packages: Our tour will take you into the country side to the beautiful azure-colored waters of the Petrohue Waterfall and river. We also include a visit to the old German village of Frutillar. The village is filled with timbered homes, gabbled roofs and German bakeries. We will return to Puerto Montt in time to do a city tour before arriving at our ship.

Day 17: January 24: Fun Day at Sea
Today will be your last day to enjoy the ship at sea. Michael will be doing his last group meeting and we will have our final performance from our special Fun For Less Tour entertainer.

Day 18: January 25: La Serena Chile
We will spend the day in La Serena. For those on one of our option packages: You will enjoy a full day tour of La Serena, the Archeological Museum and the exploration of the Elqui Valley.

Day 19: January 26: Valparaiso / Santiago, Chile
This morning our ship docks in Valparaiso Chile. This is the end of the Basic Cruise package. They are on their own to find their way to the airport and their flight home. For those doing one of our option packages: We will visit the historic port of Valparaiso and then continue along the coastline to Vina Del Mar, a seaside resort with palm tree-lined avenues and lovely villas, truly the “Pearl of the Pacific”. This evening we will arrive at our Intercontinental Hotel located in the best part of Santiago.

Day 20: January 27: Basic Group arrives home – Extension Group Santiago Tour
We will spend the morning relaxing, checking out of our hotel around noon. We will then spend the next 7 hours touring, arriving at the airport for you flight home around 7pm. We will visit a quaint village with numerous local artisans and local crafts. You will also have a city tour including all of the important sites in Santiago. Our Extension Groups will arrive home the morning of January 28.

Optional Package #1: Hotels, Transfers, Tours & Shore Excursions:
Departs 6 January returns 28 January

Package includes:

Optional package #1 price: $875

(the same package from the ship would cost you over $1,600)

Itinerary not included in cruise only package:

January 6: Fly to Buenos Aires
Fly from you home to Buenos Aires

January 7: Buenos Aires:
Mid day we will arrive into Buenos Aires which is considered the “Paris of the South.” We will do a small tour of Buenos Aires on our way to our fantastic hotel located next to the walking street and a park, the perfect location. You will be staying the next two nights in the Marriott hotel.

January 8: Buenos Aires
Your special tour will include the Bocu district, the birth place of the Tango and the Plaza De Mayo where Evita Peron once addressed adoring masses. Our tour will also include Recoleta & Palarmo neighborhoods, the Pink House, The Cathedral, grave yard, palaces and more. We will return early enough to enjoy Buenos Airs famous walking street.

January 9: Buenos Aires – Princess Cruise Ship
Free morning to relax. Mid day transfer from the Marriott to your beautiful Princess Cruise ship. Tonight we will join those doing the cruise only option.

January 26, 27, 28: Valparaiso, Vina del Mar, Santiago.
Information is included at the end

Optional Package #2: Iguazu Falls
Departs 4 January – returns home 28 January

Package includes:

Optional package #2 price: $1,675

If the ship offered such a package it would be over $3,000

Itinerary not included in cruise only package:

January 4: Fly to Buenos Aires
Fly from you home to Buenos Aires

January 5: Buenos Aires – Iguazu Falls
You will arrive mid day into Buenos Aires. The flight to Iguazu is from a domestic airport. On our way to the other airport we will drop off our heavey check in luggage at the Marriott hotel to have them hold until we return from Iguazu. We will then head to the domestic airport and fly to Iguauz Falls. We will start of tour of Iguazu area and then check into your deluxe hotel.

January 6: Iguazu Falls
We just returned from the Antarctic with a Fun For Less Tour Group. We visited Igauzu Falls before going to the Antarctic. Many of our passengers said Iguzau Falls was so impressive, even if they left and went home without going to the Antarctic, the trip had been worth it! That is how impressive Iguazu Falls is. We will spend the whole day exploring and boating Iguzau Falls.

January 7: Buenos Aires:
We will fly late morning to Buenos Aires, which is considered the “Paris of the South.” We will do a small tour of Buenos Aires on our way to our fantastic hotel located next to the walking street and a park, the perfect location. You will be staying the next two nights in the Marriott hotel.

January 8: Buenos Aires
Your special tour will include the Bocu district, the birth place of the Tango and the Plaza De Mayo where Evita Peron once addressed adoring masses. Our tour will also include Recoleta & Palarmo neighborhoods, the Pink House, The Cathedral, grave yard, palaces and more. We will return early enough to enjoy Buenos Airs famous walking street.

January 9: Buenos Aires – Princess Cruise Ship
Free morning to relax. Mid day transfer from the Marriott to your beautiful Princess Cruise ship. Tonight we will join those doing the cruise only option.

January 26, 27, 28: Valparaiso, Vina del Mar, Santiago and flight back to US
Information is included at the end of the Day by Day Itinerary