Huentetu

I did not mean that there would be no normality at the airport. I meant that the normal schedule of flights and a normally operating terminal will take months.

mlgb

Princess posted this on their website. It still doesn't say what would happen if someone can't get to the ship by March 4.

3/2/2010
Star Princess in Valparaiso, Chile - Update


Star Princess arrived in Valparaiso, Chile -- the terminus of a 12-day South America/Cape Horn cruise -- as scheduled this morning, Tuesday, March 2.

Because air flights are continuing to operate in and out of Santiago on a limited basis over the next several days, we recognize that passengers are having difficulties reaching Star Princess as planned. Therefore we will hold the ship in Valparaiso until noon on Thursday, March 4, giving arriving passengers additional time to meet the ship.

At that time, Star Princess will depart on a revised itinerary for the next cruise, calling at the ports of Ushuaia, Montevideo, Buenos Aires, and ending in Rio de Janeiro on March 16. Passengers who are able to embark Star Princess in Valparaiso at the time of sailing on March 4 will sail on the revised itinerary, and will be advised after departure on their cruise details.

Passengers who are currently onboard Star Princess and are unable to fly home because of limited air flights, have two options. They can disembark the ship as planned on March 2, or they can remain onboard for the next cruise, and can disembark from any of the ports on the sailing up to and including Buenos Aires.

WILDWOOD03

I've called Princess repeatedly and they insist they will do nothing. They said to be there or lose all my money. They just care about their bottom line, not doing the right thing for their passengers.

mlgb

It sounds like Princess is taking the position that, hey, the cruise is on, too bad for you if you can't get here. Not very good PR. I guess you best option at this point is to ask a travel agent to attempt to find any flight to Santiago, using your refund from Delta, and if there isn't one, to protest with your credit card company.

For passengers still at home, we encourage you to continue to work with the airlines to rebook your flight to arrive in Santiago on or before 8:00am on Thursday, March 4. For those passengers with Princess Air, we're working with the availability given by the airlines to attempt to book flights when they become available.

mlgb

Also, if you had trip insurance, what does that provider say about refunding the cruise costs?

mlizh1

Jfh649 and etc. I spoke to the trip insurance company for Smartours and at first she tried to say that natural disasters were not covered under this policy I protested since I had the policy in front of me reading the terms. The rep. researched further and said finally that natural disasters were covered. Also the only monies that will be returned are the monies paid directly to Smartours. I specifically asked about the Brazil visas and was told they are not included. I am waiting to hear from Smartours before I proceed further. As previously stated Smartours asked to be given until the end of the week to determine what their procedures will be in this case. I believe that is Friday.

Jeff_Costa_Rica

That sounds fair. I wouldn't expect travel insurance to reimburse you for the cost of the Brazilian visa since that is something now in your possession and you could theoretically still use with a trip there in the next few years.

I hope the rest works out to your satisfaction.

Caphornier

I have arrived to Patagonia via El Calafate (Argentina)last Saturday Feb 27 . I was at Torres del Paine, went to Puerto Natales (Chile) and I´m in Punta Arenas to make the penguins excursion. There are people waiting from LAN flights, but I made my booking from Rio Gallegos (Argentina).
As I watch here, Patagonia does not suffer any hit but the social movement to help the people who suffered the earthquake at North.

mlgb

I also heard from an acquaintance who was in Coyhaique, Chile. They didn't feel anything. To leave they drove to Comodoro Rivadovia and then flew to Buenos Aires.

WILDWOOD03

visas to brazil have to be used within 90 days of issueing

toid

The Santiago airport is fully operational, although only part of the terminal can be used. All flights should be operating on schedule.

jfh649

mlizh1, et al: RE Canceled So Am. SmarTour Tour- On March 3rd, I e-mailed the tour company requesting a full refund as they had instructed me to do in a phone conversation. Today someone named Linda Nice (called Feb 28 to inform of the canceled trip) asked that I re-send it to her assistant, Marion. Linda said that they would reimpurse me except for a portion related to American Airlines for which I would have to file a claim with the trip insurance company. She said to call them right away and request a claim form. I believe that it may also be available on-line. Haven't checked yet.

mlizh1

jfh649, et al: We also canceled the So.American trip with Smartours as per Linda's telephone conversation. At that time she said the co. was trying to negotiate wth vendors in S.A. to lower or eliminate cancellation fees,she did mention American Airline but not in detail. I am expecting full refund so I will have to check further. I would like to book another trip with Smartours, but that probably is not a good idea until the refund is settled.

jfh649

mlizh1, et al: RE Canceled So Am. SmarTour Tour-
I agree that I will wait until I receive a full refund from this SmarTour trip before trying another booking with them as this will be a test of the quality and reliability of the company. When resolved, I would book with them again also.