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5 Dec 2012
Andes & South America
Star Princess - 17 nights ex San Francisco, USA
Past Sailing
Get away on the Star Princess for 17 unforgettable nights on the Andes & South America cruise exploring Mexican Riviera. This cruise departs from San Francisco with an itinerary that includes 9 ports in 7 countries before finishing at Santiago. This particular 4.5 star cruise from Princess Cruises has forward departures, but is unfortunately sold out for this departure.
| Day | Date | Port of call | Arrival | Departure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wed 5 Dec 2012 | San Francisco, USA | 4.00pm | |
 San Francisco, on the Californian coast, is one of America’s most attractive cities with its famous Golden Gate Bridge, steep streets that provide panoramic views of the beautiful San Francisco Bay and surrounding mountains, and its eclectic mix of Victorian and modern architecture. Perhaps also famous for the nearby Silicon Valley, this ‘City by the Bay’ has become even more international with large numbers of immigrants from Asia and Latin America. Be sure to explore the amazing Fisherman’s Wharf that offers great food, and numerous boutiques.
Take a hop-on hop-off bus that crosses the Golden Gate Bridge and enjoy the beautiful scenery and expensive homes at the Marin Headlands. Cruise on one of the many ferries, visit the famed Alcatraz island with its abandoned prison in the middle of the bay, and possibly even visit Oakland and Berkeley that lie just across the Bay. One couldn’t possibly leave without taking a ride on one of its antique cable cars that still shuttle passengers up and down the city slopes. Then there are the ethnic neighbourhoods like Chinatown and Japantown each with its own uniqueness, and the traditional shops, while North Beach is known as an Italian neighbourhood, the Mission District as a Hispanic community, and Castro Street for its gay and lesbian population. The unique mixture of diverse cultures, including Native American Indians, is reflected in the great San Francisco cuisine found in the many fabulous restaurants of the city. more/less... |
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| 2 | Thu 6 Dec 2012 | At Sea | ||
| 3 | Fri 7 Dec 2012 | At Sea | ||
| 4 | Sat 8 Dec 2012 | Cabo San Lucas, Mexico | 8.00am | 5.00pm |
 Cabo San Lucas, commonly called Cabo, is an interesting destination that captures the essence of the Baja Peninsula Mexico, with its many resorts, championship golf courses, world-class dining and amazing outdoor activities. With some of the best all-around sports fishing in the world and every water sport imaginable, Cabo is the ultimate destination for travellers looking for outdoor adventure.
Visit the state of the art Cabo Dolphins Centre, the Los Cabos Winery to enjoy the wine tasting and great snack food treats, the natural rock formation and whale watching and snorkelling site - El Arco, the Vitrofusion Glass Blowing Factory that recycles glass to make beautiful products, and you have just started. The Golden Corridor along the oceanfront with its resorts and gated residential communities of the rich and famous is also of interest. The numerous pretty beaches including: Medano, Santa Maria, Chileno and Lovers’ beaches, with their turquoise waters are extremely popular. Visitors are made welcome at the golf courses such as the Cabo Real, with dramatic views of the sea from every hole. Take a glass bottom boat to visit Land’s End the southernmost tip of Baja California, and absorb the amazing geological formations Your last impression will be a bay full of sleek, radar-equipped fishing yachts. more/less... |
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| 5 | Sun 9 Dec 2012 | At Sea | ||
| 6 | Mon 10 Dec 2012 | Acapulco, Mexico | 7.00am | 4.00pm |
 Best known as one of Mexico’s oldest and most well-known beach resorts, Acapulco is located on a deep, semi-circular bay on the Pacific Coast and has been a port since the early colonial period of Mexico’s history. By many, considered to be one of the most exciting cities in the world, Acapulco is famous for its explosive nightlife, postcard beaches, unlimited water sports, first-class hotels, gourmet restaurants and the breathtaking physical beauty of Acapulco Bay!
Traditional or Historical Acapulco that has remained unchanged through time is certainly one of the main attractions. Take a stroll and visit the San Diego Fort that served as protection against the attacks of dangerous buccaneers when pirates were a common threat, Roqueta Island with its Aca-Zoo - a small zoo with some native species, El Zócalo with its well-known and curiously designed Cathedral, the very daring divers of La Quebrada, and the popular beaches of Caleta and Caletilla. Visit the many delightful beaches, go fishing, do some parasailing, and even board a high speed Jet Boat - and experience an adventure you'll never forget! Spend a couple hours exploring the Central Market the local people use to sell products to tourists and you are sure to treasure the cultural experience. Visitors also appreciate swimming with the dolphins that many view as a life changing experience, and if at all possible visit the Historical Museum with its 12 exhibition halls filled with unique relics, including products from Asia. more/less... |
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| 7 | Tue 11 Dec 2012 | At Sea | ||
| 8 | Wed 12 Dec 2012 | San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua | 12.00pm | 7.00pm |
 San Juan del Sur is a municipality and coastal town on the Pacific Ocean in SW Nicaragua. San Juan del Sur started off as a quaint little fishing village on the Pacific Coast, and its history makes it such an interesting town. It retains its historical and brightly painted original wooden houses, making sure that the place maintains its charm. San Juan del Sur is popular among surfers, and is a vacation spot for tourists with its mix of solitude, culture, activity and fiesta.
Apart from surfing, there are many fascinating activities in which to take part. Receive a deep massage at one of the many spas such as the Bonnie Lassie Spa right next to the beach. Ride a horse along the beaches, engage in the best paintball course in the country at Surf Ranch Paintball, and take part in a game of Frisbee Golf at Marsella Golf while viewing the parrots and monkeys. For the adventurous there is the Cutirre Canopy Tour of about 200 m of cable stretching between 17 platforms from one to ten metres above the forest floor. From here, take in the majestic views of the Mombacho Volcano and Lake Nicaragua. Be sure to visit the Central Market in town to take in the local customs, obtain some great bargains, and taste Nicaraguan cuisine. more/less... |
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| 9 | Thu 13 Dec 2012 | Puntarenas, Costa Rica | 7.00am | 7.00pm |
 Puntarenas is the capital and largest city in the province Puntarenas, Costa Rica, on the Pacific coast and is one of its most important tourist regions. Its coasts are decked by plenty of islands, inlets, beaches and beautiful natural treasures, many of which lie within protected zones, and it is home to some of the country’s highest mountain peaks. Also of great interest is a small ‘old town’ where the buildings are of both historical and architectural interest. There are also many National Monuments, while the old San Lucas Penitentiary on San Lucas Island is very often visited.
There are many activities on offer, with the most important, for many, taking a ride through the amazing Valley of Monkeys, where bird life - including macaws, toucans and parakeets - is abundant and the 100- year-old trees are draped with orchids, ferns and bromeliads. In addition, screams of the howler monkeys in the distance make this an amazing way of exploring the rainforest. Also well worth exploring is the largest crater and some of the most varied flora in the world on a breathtaking tour of Poas Volcano National Park. There is also the opportunity to learn the techniques of coffee-farming, harvesting, milling and roasting. A great place to taste excellent food is Pura Vida, where one can also appreciate the beautiful gardens and native deer. Shoppers, who enjoy bargains, should be sure to visit Sarchi, about one hour outside of San José, where many authentic arts and crafts, including wood figures, carved walking canes, toys, leather goods, wall hangings and much more is to be found. more/less... |
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| 10 | Fri 14 Dec 2012 | At Sea | ||
| 11 | Sat 15 Dec 2012 | Esmeraldas, Ecuador | 7.00am | 7.00pm |
 The coastal city of Esmeraldas is the major seaport of NW Ecuador, and together with its warm tropical weather, its beaches are a major attraction. Also fascinating is the mixture of cultures, with roots spanning the globe, which results in varied scrumptious sea food dishes, such as lobster in coconut milk and soup with coconut and peanuts. The culture of the majority of Afro-Ecuadorians is vibrantly evident in the hypnotic drumbeats and sensual dance steps of the marimba. Blessed with the rich biodiversity of the region, including a number of endemic bird species, visitors appreciate visiting some of the best Ecological Reserves in the area. There are also basic whale watching tours offered from June to September.
Rugged types should head to Reserva Biológica Bilsa, with its crashing waterfalls and great range of spectacular wildlife. Here visitors see howler monkeys and endangered birds such as the long wattled umbrella bird. Another place to be visited is the profound and profuse Cayapas-Mataje ecological reserve, located in northern Esmeraldas. Here the El Majagual Forest, the world's tallest mangroves are seen. In the city, the Centro Cultural Esmeraldas houses a museum, a library and a bookstore. Home to fine ceramics and gold work from the ancient Tolita culture, it also features recent local history. If you love the ocean you must go to Sua, an important fishing village with flocks of seabirds flying after fishing catches. Those who enjoy shopping are sure to browse through the Centro Artesnal, a new handicrafts centre. However, don’t forget Atacames, a tourist resort in the middle of the city, with great shopping for beautiful handicrafts such as jewellery, and coral products in the crafts market. Also popular are its goodly number of seaside restaurants. more/less... |
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| 12 | Sun 16 Dec 2012 | At Sea | ||
| 13 | Mon 17 Dec 2012 | Lima (Callao), Peru | 12.00pm | overnight |
 Lima, although a sprawling desert city, is the capital and largest city of Peru. The Historic centre of Lima is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its large number of historical buildings dating from the Spanish colonial era. In particular, the Plaza Mayor with the 16th century Cathedral and the Presidential Palace should be visited. The numerous churches are also popular among visitors as they date from the 16th and 17th centuries. The most noteworthy of these are the Cathedral of Lima and the Monastery of San Francisco that contain paintings from various schools of art and finely sculpted wood furnishings as well as being connected by their subterrestrial catacombs.
Lima has many choices of stately museums to visit. The Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology is a most interesting museum with a superb collection of pottery and textiles from all the main cultures of ancient Peru, while the Museum of the Republic contains exhibits from the colonial and independence periods. Impressive mock-ups of pre-Columbian archaeological sites are found at the National Museum whereas the Museum of the Inquisition, where generations of supposed heretics were tortured in the underground dungeons, have on display the original stocks and torture chambers. There are fascinating book stores and cavernous shopping malls and if there on the week-end then visit the Kennedy Park where artists sell paintings. Also well worth visiting are the exceptional eateries, from humble to’high-brow’, all offering part of a gastronomic revolution more than 400 years in the making. The coastal area is characterised to be desertic but is home to a variety of beaches some with calm waters, and others of big waves that are the delirium of the surfing lovers. This is Lima, shrouded in history, gloriously messy, and full of aesthetic delights. more/less... |
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| 14 | Tue 18 Dec 2012 | Lima (Callao), Peru | 2.00pm | |
| Lima, although a sprawling desert city, is the capital and largest city of Peru. The Historic centre of Lima is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its large number of historical buildings dating from the Spanish colonial era. In particular, the Plaza Mayor with the 16th century Cathedral and the Presidential Palace should be visited. The numerous churches are also popular among visitors as they date from the 16th and 17th centuries. The most noteworthy of these are the Cathedral of Lima and the Monastery of San Francisco that contain paintings from various schools of art and finely sculpted wood furnishings as well as being connected by their subterrestrial catacombs.
Lima has many choices of stately museums to visit. The Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology is a most interesting museum with a superb collection of pottery and textiles from all the main cultures of ancient Peru, while the Museum of the Republic contains exhibits from the colonial and independence periods. Impressive mock-ups of pre-Columbian archaeological sites are found at the National Museum whereas the Museum of the Inquisition, where generations of supposed heretics were tortured in the underground dungeons, have on display the original stocks and torture chambers. There are fascinating book stores and cavernous shopping malls and if there on the week-end then visit the Kennedy Park where artists sell paintings. Also well worth visiting are the exceptional eateries, from humble to’high-brow’, all offering part of a gastronomic revolution more than 400 years in the making. The coastal area is characterised to be desertic but is home to a variety of beaches some with calm waters, and others of big waves that are the delirium of the surfing lovers. This is Lima, shrouded in history, gloriously messy, and full of aesthetic delights. more/less... |
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| 15 | Wed 19 Dec 2012 | At Sea | ||
| 16 | Thu 20 Dec 2012 | At Sea | ||
| 17 | Fri 21 Dec 2012 | Coquimbo, Chile | 7.00am | 6.00pm |
 Coquimbo is a port city and capital of the Elqui Province, located on the Pan-American Highway, in the Coquimbo Region of Chile. Tourism has recently started to develop, particularly as an access point for popular beach towns to the south, such as the fisherman’s cove of Guanaqueros, and Tongoy, with its famous 5km beach of white sand. Then there is La Serena, the capital of the region, with multiple attractions from architecture to beaches and shopping. Coquiimbo itself is a source of legends of hidden treasures, due to the fact that in the past centuries it was assaulted by pirates.
The peculiar and fascinating architecture of Coquimbo is due to English and North American carpenters who did elaborate work with wood that has given the buildings a particular firmness and beauty. These wooden buildings are of great interest to visitors. The Arms Square with its fountain and scenery for artistic displays, the Animas Cultural Dome that exhibits the architectural vestiges of three graves, together with the English Neighbourhood where constructions from the 19th century and beginning of 20th century are concentrated and that is home to an English neighbourhood pub, are all very worth while visiting. The Pratt Square in this English neighbourhood is a beautiful esplanade with steps over the port and attractive sculptures hanging from high posts. Go down to visit the Oceanside Avenue of Coquimbo, and to Santiago to see the port activity and small boats on the bay. Then visit the Culture and Tourism House, a pyramidal building that offers tourist information, a public library and permanent exhibits. The San Pedro creek is in front of the park and it offers marine products and a craft fair. Don’t forget to visit the Cross of the III Millennium located at Vigía Hill as it is the highest and most spectacular construction built in the country. more/less... |
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| 18 | Sat 22 Dec 2012 | Santiago, Chile | 5.00am | |
 Due to its geographic location, Santiago in Chile is one of the few capital cities in the world that has easy access both to ski slopes - just 50 km away, and beaches 100 km away. It is in fact possible to visit the modern ski resorts as well as the famous beach resort of Viña del Mar or picturesque Valparaiso, Chile's main port, in just one day. Chile's steady economic growth has transformed Santiago into one of Latin America's most modern metropolitan areas, with dozens of shopping centers and impressive high-rise architecture.
Despite its long history, there are only a few historical buildings from the Spanish colonial period in the city, because Santiago - as the rest of the country - was regularly hit by earthquakes. The buildings from this period include the Casa Colorado (1769), the Church San Francisco (1586) and Posada del Corregidor (1750). Other buildings of note are the Palacio de la Moneda - the Classicist Presidential Palace, and the Contemporary Art Museum, to name but a few. The modern Constanera Centre with its 300-metre high "Gran Torre Costanera" (South America's tallest building) is also well worth visiting. In contrast there are numerous villages located in the countryside around Santiago that invite the visitor to relax and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of country life. Tourists may also visit the vineyards and try the delicious Chilean wines. more/less... |
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Star Princess cruises the west coast of North America year round. From May to September she offers 7-night cruises of the Inside Passage of Alaska’s fjord coastline. Between seasons she moves south to cruise the Hawaiian Islands and the Mexican Riviera out of Los Angeles. Princess Line has an excellent range of on-shore programs for each port of call, possibly the best of any major Line, and these can be planned ahead of the cruise, or organised during the cruise.
Accommodation
There are six types of cabin and 35 price categories: insides, outsides (some obstructed), balcony cabins, outside mini-suites (with and without balconies) and balcony suites. Cabins are roomy and nicely appointed, with satellite TV access to major channels. Standard cabins are practical and attractive, many have additional upper berths for children, and some have inter-connecting doors. The larger the stateroom, the more additional facilities. All guests receive turndown service, chocolates on pillow at night, bathrobes and amenity kits, and complimentary room service on most items 24 hours a day. There are no single cabins, 28 wheelchair-accessible cabins, and some cabins accommodate families of three and four.
Food and Dining
Traditional dining in Amalfi Dining Room offers you a pre-selection of one of two seating times throughout the cruise. Anytime Dining (sitting when and with whom you choose) is offered in Portofino and Capri Dining Rooms. Both serve five course meals changed daily, with chefs inducted into the prestigious Chaîne des Rôtisseurs gastronomic society. Sabatini’s serves Italian cuisine and Crown Grill serves steak and seafood (for an extra cover charge). Dress code is smart casual, and on cruises longer than three days dress for a formal night for every week of sailing. Breakfast and lunch are provided in an open seating arrangement. (Of course a continental breakfast can be delivered to your stateroom, and there is a stateroom menu.) Passengers booked in cabins with balconies can order several special, romantic meals to be served restaurant-style on the verandah - Ultimate Balcony Dining. Order special dietary requests before sailing.
Entertainment
As for entertainment, there is more than can be squeezed into a week. The Princess Theatre is two decks high, featuring glamorous production shows every second or third evening. The Vista Show Lounge with its three stages presents cabaret, and doubles for lectures, bingo and horse-racing during the day. Explorer’s Lounge hosts cabaret acts and dance bands. Movies first-run feature films pool-side at Under the Stars on Sun Deck. There are 12 bars and lounges with live music and dancing. A new feature is the new three-deck-high street-cafe-style Piazza, for sipping coffee and watching the occasional passing performer. Stroll around and shop duty-free, or check your email at the Internet Café.
Welcome to our Roll Call forum for Star Princess's "Andes & South America" departing 5 Dec 2012. Here you can meet fellow cruisers, swap ideas, plan tours, share with others and make friends before you even leave!
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Cruise summary
Cruise: Andes & South America
Duration: 17 nights
Ship: Star Princess
Star rating: 
Departs: San Francisco
Returns: Santiago
Ports of call: 9
Forward departures:
What's onboard? ▼
- Stateroom
- Piazza-style Atrium
- Shops duty free (4)
- DINING
- Main dining rooms (3)
- Traditional & Anytime Dining
- 24-h room service & menu
- Special dietary requests
- Formal dining nights
- Ultimate Balcony Dining
- The Chef’s Table
- Italian dining
- Steakhouse & seafood
- Buffet, Pizzeria
- Internet café
- Patisserie, Wine bar
- Ice cream sundae bar
- Drink & coffee packages
- Afternoon tea
- ENTERTAINMENT
- Show lounges (3)
- Lounges, bars, nightclub, disco (12)
- Movies Under the Stars
- Onboard games, parties, tours
- Casino
- ScholarShip@Sea courses
- Library
- Art auctions
- Celebration packages
- Conference Centre
- ACTIVITIES
- Pools (5)
- Lap pool with current
- Whirlpools (9)
- The Sanctuary adult oasis
- Fitness Centre, jogging track
- The Lotus Spa, beauty salon
- Sports deck & table games
- Golf simulator
- Putting green
- UNDER 18
- Princess Pelicans (3-7 y)
- Shockwaves (8-12 y)
- Remix (13-17 y)
- Video games
- OTHER
- Weddings (selected itineraries)
- Medical centre
- ATM on board
- Internet, phone, Wi-Fi (pay)
- Laundromat
- 110V AC
- Mobile phone reception
- Wheelchair access
- Daily newsletter
What's included? ▼
- Accommodation as booked
- Australia: Gratuities for Sun and Dawn Princess departures, and Sea Princess departing and returning to Australia.
- All main meals on-board
- Coffee, tea & milk 24 hrs
- Oplen/anytime dining (not in Australia)
- Traditional/set time & multi-venue dining
- Cocktail or champagne reception
- In-cabin dining at no charge
- Complimentary mini-bar setup (Suites)
- Use of ship facilities - indoor & outdoor
- Entertainment - live music and/or shows, movies
- Activities - organised & individual
- Specialty lectures, workshops, classes & programs
- Bridge director on select cruises
- Kids clubs & teen programs (3-17 yrs most ships)
- Cruise Director & all English speaking staff
- Onboard newsletter
- Port maps and/or guide books
- Destination seminars and/or lectures
- Ship-shore-ship transfers
What's excluded? ▼
- Airfares, accommodation & transfers not specified
- Shore & land excursions and meals not specified
- Alternate specialty dining venues
- Room service menu items (unless specified)
- Casino gaming, bar expenses
- Passport & visa fees
- Insurances of all kinds
- Increases in third party charges or taxes
- Outside Australia: Service charge USD 11.50 (suites USD 12) pp/night all ages. Adjust or remove on board.
- Customary land tour gratuities are welcome
- Outside Australia Service charge: bar and wine 15%
- Items & services of a personal nature
- Medical services, vaccination costs
- Laundry and/or valet charges
- Laundry services (Complimentary for Suites & Elite Capltain's Circle
- Wi-Fi, Internet, satellite/mobile phone & fax charges
- Childcare night services (3-12 yrs, 10pm-1am)
Recent testimonials
"The trip was great. We appreciate all your arrangements which were excellent. Our cabin allocation was terrific, with an adjoining cabin for our kids, and we enjoyed the cake that you kindly requested for our daughter on her birthday."
Jenny S from Sydney
"We had a great time on the Pacific Dawn cruise. We met some terrific people at our dinner table and became good friends.Thank you once more for the excellent service you provided to us. It ensured our cruise went very smoothly."
Darryl & Margaret from Brisbane
"The cruise was wonderful and I have recommended it, and you, to all my friends! I really appreciate the time you took to assist and advise me, and I will have no hesitation in using your services to book my next cruise holiday."
Cheryl W from Perth