Anyone in Ushuaia Now? Are Last Minute Antarctia Cruise Deals Available?
Replies: 5 - Last Post: Feb 5, 2013 10:14 AM Last Post By: cathhew
jump to
Anyone in Ushuaia Now? Are Last Minute Antarctia Cruise Deals Available?
Hi all,I've already posted this to "Antarctica" but thought it might be wise to try here as well.
My girlfriend and I are arriving in Ushuaia on January 24. We're hoping to pick up a deal on a last minute cruise to Antarctica while there.
We're quite happy to wait around for a while (weeks if necessary) to get a good price, but are curious to see what's happening on the ground. Is there any sign of last minute spots on cruises on offer in Ushuaia right now?
We've found some pseudo-last minute deals online, but they aren't really THAT great. So we're debating whether we should book one of these before leaving, thus gaining some certainty, OR head down there and try to find a (lower priced) trip once we arrive.
Any advice anyone can offer would be most welcome.
Thanks!
1
There were deals available around the $4,100 for varying lengths of trip the whole of the time I was there, so I cannot imagine there would be fewer than the four or five per week I saw from mid-December to early January. I'll be surprised if you get one much lower, but would like to know!! They make one sign a pledge not to reveal what one paid.....2
I met an Argentinian in Toledo Spain in November. He worked in Ushuaia before that.He said that there is always 'last minutes' deal to Antarctica--even in high season--if you have the flexibility to travel within 1-8 days. So his advice to me was not to book in advance if I do go.
Have not seen Nahuel on this board for a while. He is your best adviser because he lives down there.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/youngadventure/sets/72157620754843776/
3
If you can really wait around for "weeks," you'll turn something up for sure. My boat had two backpackers on board who'd showed up in Ushuaia that morning, purchased tickets on the spot, and shipped out that afternoon. On the other hand, they paid exactly what I did. No one signed any nondisclosure agreements.You can book ahead easily enough, and should get the same fares you'd get on the ground--in my experience, all the last minute brokers charge the same amount. I used Alicia Petiet, who you can google; call or email, use a credit card, book whatever's on offer for whenever you arrive. She speaks good English plus Spanish.
Hope that's helpful.
Mark
4
I waited 4 days for the trip I wanted with a 40% discount. I paid with cash, traveller checks and credit card, it was a very expensive trip for me.I think South America is the right branch for Antarctica, most of the trips leave from Ushuaia, not from Australia or NZ. I am not sure, but I think Antarctica was in this branch some time ago.
5
I Know of an option where you catch a ship down, swap to a sailing yacht and then sail back via Cape Horn and the islands to Ushuaia. This is an awesome trip as you get so much time and flexibility actually in Antarctica...and of course you are in a very small independent group. you can contact icebird@gmn-usa.com
