Antarctica & Patagonia Trip - Feb23 - Best Month of Your Life.com

Cruise Itinerary:
https://www.celebritycruises.com/itinerary-details/14-night-antarctica-from-buenos-aires-argentina?packageID=IN14F105&sDT=2023-02-25&cCD=CO

The Ship:
https://www.celebritycruises.com/au/cruise-ships/celebrity-infinity?fbclid=IwAR1SyO6q6QN-nMnCuMgp-FRfC0APZSBMddcqvvAavZfQuu7okXCWoXdoceo

More info:
https://book.festivaltravel.com.au/swift/cruise/package/1256835–14-Night-Antarctica-Cruise?siid=148352&lang=1

IMPORTANT NOTE:
This is not a full expedition cruise but the cost is super attractive so am happy to compromise.
Full expedition cruises can be over $25K per person.
To pay over 20K per person for a Zodiac ride always seemed a bit excessive to me 😊

The cruise below is about $4K per person. Flights approx $2000pp

PS: With Covid restrictions one has to join in Buenos Aires but am hoping that as all things Covid19 improve, we may be able to save 3 days of sailing and join in Ushuaia, Southern Argentina.

Good video on seasickness

Visa and Vaccination Information: https://visalink.com.au/
Chile Visa Application:
https://serviciosconsulares-cl.translate.goog/tramites/e-visa-para-australia?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp
–> https://tramites.minrel.gov.cl/

Covid Info:

Celebrity have not had any Covid cases to date.

Despite what website says, the policy at the moment is:

guests should have received at least 2 vaccinations for Covid.
Some cruises require at least a RAT.
There is no monitoring/required testing on board unless directed by the doctor.
In crowded areas such as the theatre, guests are required to wear a mask.

On board medical facilities

have staff, equipment and medication to deal with Covid cases, eg oxygen, and yes they have antiviral meds (not sure that was true).
Passengers may be required to quarantine if have Covid.

Does Celebrity ‘Infinity’ have medical grade air conditioning (HVAC system)?

All ships were required to be updated for Covid, all ships constantly refurbished.
Air is not recirculated on ships – new air constantly flows in from outside.
Infinity was last in dry dock in Feb 2021 (during Covid) – doesn’t say what or if upgrades made.

Suggested Itineraries & Rough Budgets:

(Could save a lot of $$$ if you would prefer using ‘Hostel World’ . I suspect not 🙂 )

Option 1 – Antarctic Cruise & Flights:
Sydney – Santiago – Buenos Aires – Antarctic Cruise – Buenos Aires – Santiago – Sydney
(Option to spend few days in Santiago & Buenos Aires too)

Option 2 – Patagonia Extension:
(Am still hoping we may be able to join cruise in Ushuaia. This is apparently still subject to Covid19 rules. At the moment you can only get on & off in Buenos Aires)

Itinerary:
Sydney – Santiago – Puerto Montt/Puerto Varas – Lakes Crossing – Bariloche (Boat or bus) – El Calafate – Torres del Paine – El Chaltén – El Perito Moreno Glacier – Buenos Aires – Antarctic Cruise – Buenos Aires – Santiago – Sydney

Suggested Itinerary & Rough Budgets:

Dates the same but about $200 extra per person plus lakes crossing by boat (A$400 approx) or bus (A$30)

Option 3: Iguaçu & Rio Extension

Sydney – Santiago – Patagonia – Buenos Aires – AntarcticCruise – Buenos Aires – Iguaçu Falls – Rio de Janeiro (see above) – then back to Sydney or onward

Option 4: Peru & Bolivia extension:

Option 5: Onward to Europe:
Onwards to Europe and around the world – https://www.roundabouttravel.com.au/deals/

Santiago – Chile

Possible Accommodation – Click here

Possible Tour – Click here

Valparaiso – Chile

Vina del Mar

Possible Day Trip to Valparaiso – Click here

Puerto Montt/ Puerto Varas

Puerto Montt/ Puerto Varas (Chile) – Bariloche (Argentina)

Bariloche – Argentina

Famous for chocolates 🙂

Possible Lakes Transfer – Click here

Possible Bus Transfer – Click here

Possible Accommodation – Click here

Possible Day Trips – Click here

Puerto Natales / Torres del Paine

Possible Accommodation – Click here

Possible Tour – Click here

Possible Transfer – Click here

El Calafate -> El Chaltén

El Calafate / Perito Moreno Glacier

Possible Accommodation – Click here

Possible 1st tour – Click here
It is the ‘Sight-seeing option’ not the ‘trekking option’

Possible 2nd Tour – Click here

Buenos Aires

Argentine Breakfast. They like their meat 🙂

Possible Accommodation – Click here

Possible Walking Tours – Click here

Antarctic Cruise

As above

Besides the $200 credit per cabin, my view is that the ship shore excursions are usually a bit overpriced.

A better option is often to book directly with a local operator or use someone like Viator:
https://www.viator.com/en-AU/Ushuaia/d933-ttd

https://www.viator.com/en-AU/Falkland-Islands/d25958-ttd

https://www.viator.com/en-AU/Puerto-Madryn/d4414-ttd

https://www.viator.com/en-AU/Montevideo/d4515-ttd

Other options for consideration:
(I suspect this is what we are going to do)

For shore excursions in Ushuaia & Puerto Madryn, my suggestion would be to rent self drive cars (we can arrange these much closer the cruise) – Click here

Falklands – click here

Montevideo – https://freewalkingtour.com.uy/

Please see Cruise line prices below: