What better way to show you just how fun a South America cruise can be then to hear it straight from Carnival Splendor's social host Jaime? You get to cruise vicariously as she details her trip from one beautiful port to another. Here is her tenth post.

Dear John,

Today we visited the port that is rumored to be missed most often by cruise ships because of rough seas and bad weather conditions. At the very southernmost tip of South America today, we experienced just the opposite.  The port of Ushuaia welcomed the Carnival Splendor to its beautiful shore with clear skies, a glistening sunshine and locals awaiting the arrival of tourists with open arms and eager pockets. The tour operators on the pier were ready to escort our guests and crew off to the most utterly beautiful sightseeing opportunities available in this phenomenal port of call.

Disembarking the ship led us to nothing short absolute beauty. The water near the pier was so still that you could see the reflection of the clouds within it. The temperature was not nearly as cold as I had anticipated. I was prepared for the worst; I had brought three sweatshirts and warm jeans and of course no gloves and wet hair! The extra layers of clothing were not needed today as the South American sun (which happens to be the same as the North American sun) was extremely calming and comfortable on this Ushuaian summer day. 

As we were looking for which adventure to uncover, we had heard rumor that there were more families of penguins in this port, there was a train that takes visitors to the end of the world, but in the end we decided on visiting the gorgeous Trafalgar National Park and climbing a huge glacier which led to an absolutely stunning view of the entire city. The first taxi guide we met, Georgina spoke perfect English and was going to give an amazing tour of the city and explain the historically significant places that we were passing throughout our journey. Just before we got into the taxi, she pulled the old switcheroo and gave us an older male taxi driver, Pedro, who spoke no English. Luckily for us we had the talented and intelligent production singer (Ling-Ling) who secretly doubles as a translator. She was able to decipher most of what the driver was saying.  She informed us that we were passing Glacier Maria and it was a very safe place for people to hike. For all I know he could have said “there are dangerous mountain lions here so be aware you will probably get eaten.”

Once we arrived at the park we saw beautiful mountains, and scenery. Some Carnival Splendor guests that were visiting the same location informed me that the sites we were observing were very similar to what it is like to cruise to Alaska. If the sites are that stunning, then let me just put my contract request in now to have to opportunity to see this wonderful scenery again.

After our visit to the national park, the eight of us on our discover Ushuaia team saw the enormous glacier that we were able to take a chair lift ride to the “top” of. Once I scared my dear friend by shaking the chair lift against the advice of the precautionary signs and we reached the end of this ride, there was an opportunity to climb even further up into the clouds all the way to the actual top of this massive glacier. Even though our taxi driver was scheduled to meet us in only 40 short minutes we decided we would find an alternative way back to the ship and make the hour and a half trek through the sharp steep rocks and breathe the clearest air I have ever consumed. I will not mislead you; it was a very difficult climb. But once we made our way to the top and could see the entire city of Ushuaia with the Carnival Splendor docked at the pier it makes a person appreciate life even more. My Sea Miles friend Ginell who comes all the way from the Philippines had never seen snow before. We videotaped him touching it for the first time. His face lit up as he smiled and laugh as a man in his mid 20s he was able to enjoy his very first encounter with snow. Luckily for him, it was just a small patch and it was a warm day. Even though he is forced to be away from his girlfriend who is currently on the Carnival Spirit, these life-altering experiences make this itinerary so incredibly worthwhile.

The pictures can not even begin to describe how absolutely beautiful the view was from the top of the glacier. We had an amazing day and a hard climb, but each of these adventures makes me love life a bit more… even though right now my calves may not agree.

Back on board later in the evening, I had the wonderful opportunity of joining Cheryl and Debbie for the special menu seafood night in the Pinnacle Supper Club. It was a terrific ending to the day. After dinner, our guests had a nice evening of dining and dancing with a “Fire and Ice” get together on the Lido deck. There, Mr. Bill and I finally had the opportunity chat and take some photos. A very special hello to Elizabeth, whom he misses very much! As the sun went down and the wind blew strong, we were all informed that we were not able to depart from the city of Ushuaia until the wind died down. Thus, rather than our originally scheduled plan to visit Puerto Arenas tomorrow, instead we will be spending the day navigating through mountains and glaciers and enjoying scenic cruising around these Chilean waters.

I want to sit at a fire right now with hot cocoa and smores.. Alas, that is one this you just can’t do on a cruise ship!

All the best to you,
Jaime =)