Star Princess denied entry to Ushuaia over Falklands dispute

[Scrapchick]

We are on the Star and were due in Ushuaia today after two days at sea since leaving Stanley, Falkland Islands. Last night we were told a container ship was in our berth and its crew were on strike so we could be delayed arriving in Ushuaia. At 7AM this morning the captain announced we were being denied entry to Ushuaia, along with the P&O Adonia, because both ships had come from the Falklands. Argentina refused to let either ship dock because they refuse to accept British sovereignty over the Falklands and we have just visited the islands.

So we are doing some more scenic cruising and heading for Punta Arenas tomorrow, and Ushuaia can kiss goodbye to a few hundred thousand dollars of tourist revenue and quite a bit of goodwill.

Hope it was worth it, Argentina....

[Pia1913]

Originally Posted by Scrapchick

We are on the Star and were due in Ushuaia today after two days at sea since leaving Stanley, Falkland Islands. Last night we were told a container ship was in our berth and its crew were on strike so we could be delayed arriving in Ushuaia. At 7AM this morning the captain announced we were being denied entry to Ushuaia, along with the P&O Adonia, because both ships had come from the Falklands. Argentina refused to let either ship dock because they refuse to accept British sovereignty over the Falklands and we have just visited the islands.

So we are doing some more scenic cruising and heading for Punta Arenas tomorrow, and Ushuaia can kiss goodbye to a few hundred thousand dollars of tourist revenue and quite a bit of goodwill.

Hope it was worth it, Argentina....

Sorry to hear this. I just looked back at my notes from our Star Princess cruise last February. I knew we had been to both, but I see that we were in Ushuaia before Stanley. I wonder if this is something new or if its been going on for some time.

[paul929207]

In 2008, on the Star we went to both with the Falklands being first. That was before the current problems began.

We will be on the Grand a year from now, going the same way. We will just have to wait and see what happens.

[Florida1947]

This is very sad. We were on the Star Princess on the Venice to Valparaiso cruise and on 12/31/2011 we stopped at Stanley and did a penguin excursion. As we left Stanley we were amazed to see large Argentinean minefields fenced off with scary warning signs. They seemed to go on forever. Our driver said everyone knows where the Argentinean minefields are located and the land is not needed but they are the undetectable plastic mines that cannot be safely removed. If I had to live next to an Argentinean minefield I would certainly dislike and never want to be ruled by Argentina. I guess fortunately we were allowed to dock at Ushuaia so we can say we have been to Tierra Del Fuego. But this turn of events is very disappointing.

[vickie_bernie]

We are currently on the Star we were to stop in Ushuaia today but because of political protest and because we stopped in the Falklands two days ago a group has occupied the berth at which we were to dock causing us and the Atonia (sorry of the name, believe it is the P&O Atonia - our old Royal) from stopping.

Instead Captain is taking us thru Glacier Alley at a snails pace so we all can enjoy the beautiful scenery and numerous Glaciers during the day. Sun is shining, it is around 5C but the views are to die for.

[paul929207]

Thanks for the update

[mmemichele]

Hello Melanie
When we were in USHUAIA It took us forever to tender .The authorities wanted more $$$ from Princess for using the docks for tendering THey only allowed 1 at a time With 2000= pax it took FOREVER
It took me half a day to get off It was SOOOO frustrating AS a result missed our excursion to the Andes Did pick one up on shore for Beagle Channel It was POURING BUCKETS that day It was one very very very WET day ..
I bought an agenda in USHUAIA ...It had pictures of the place ...with beautiful mountains in the background ...never saw them...never even knew they were there Everything was in clouds ...I laughed at that picture ..who knew the ANDES were RIGHT there!!!!!
WE had such crappy weather the year we went I never saw the ANDES ...always behind clouds OUr trip was a DUD because of the weather and storm after storm WE basically missed it all.
Such is life

Michele

[SueFrankuk]

We were unable to leave Ushuaia because of strong winds and then had a wonderful day cruising glacier alley, is Joe the guide still on board with wonderful commentary all day, have a wonderful cruise.
There was then an earthquake in Santiago and we finished up going back to Buenos Aires on a half empty Star!
Sue

[Quenby]

Sorry you missed Ushuaia - it's a beautiful area.

Weather is forecasting warm for Santiago/Valparaiso. See you on Saturday.

[azbirdmom]

Vickie, so sorry to hear that you missed Ushuaia. We were on the cruise just before your's and it was surprising to see so many signs up about how the Falklands are the "Maldives". Having very political signs up at the docks and in town isn't that smart of a thing to do when the town depends so much upon tourists. Those did upset many of the British passengers on our cruise, some of whom chose not to buy anything in town. The protesters are hurting the livelihoods of others in town, it is just so sad. I'm glad you are enjoying the glaciers though as it was one of the highlights of our trip. I wonder if they will spend more time in Punta Arenas or are they will add another port (Puerto Montt??). Have fun!

Julie

[azbirdmom]

Originally Posted by SueFrankuk

We were unable to leave Ushuaia because of strong winds and then had a wonderful day cruising glacier alley, is Joe the guide still on board with wonderful commentary all day, have a wonderful cruise.
Sue

Joe May was still on board as of the last cruise and we had him on the TV while going through glacier alley. We loved his advice on the ports.

Julie

[Urban trekker]

Thanks Vickie for the update - I am doing the Grand's South American cruise next year and have been following you on your blog - so hopefully by next year the political protests will have subsided because we too do the Falklands first.

Cheers

Dennis

[WarEagle76]

Vickie, we too are sorry you missed Ushaia and that the unrest continues but glad you are getting a great tour of the glaciers, which to us, was one of the best surprises of our cruise earlier this year.

[azbirdmom]

Just posted a response to Vickie but your comments about losing tourism dollars is spot on. We were on the cruise before your's so we visited the Falklands after Ushuaia. There were several signs up in Ushuaia including at the port about the Falklands always being part of the Maldives and that alone cost them some tourist dollars from folks who were irked by the political messages while they were supposed to be on vacation. Enjoy the glaciers and the rest of the trip!

Julie

[paul929207]

Originally Posted by azbirdmom

Vickie, so sorry to hear that you missed Ushuaia. We were on the cruise just before your's and it was surprising to see so many signs up about how the Falklands are the "Maldives". Having very political signs up at the docks and in town isn't that smart of a thing to do when the town depends so much upon tourists. Those did upset many of the British passengers on our cruise, some of whom chose not to buy anything in town. The protesters are hurting the livelihoods of others in town, it is just so sad. I'm glad you are enjoying the glaciers though as it was one of the highlights of our trip. I wonder if they will spend more time in Punta Arenas or are they will add another port (Puerto Montt??). Have fun!

Julie

Argentina calls them the Malvinas. The Maldives are in the Indian Ocean near India.

[azbirdmom]

Originally Posted by paul929207

Argentina calls them the Malvinas. The Maldives are in the Indian Ocean near India.

Good grief, not sure what I was thinking! Thanks for the correction...

[azbirdmom]

Correction to my comment about - Argentinians think of the Falklands as the Malvinas, not Maldives!

[ONT-CA]

Under these circumstances it would seem logical to complete the itinerary of Argentina ports before proceeding to Port Stanley thereby avoiding the conflicts

[Pia1913]

Originally Posted by azbirdmom

Joe May was still on board as of the last cruise and we had him on the TV while going through glacier alley. We loved his advice on the ports.

Julie

We've had occasion to cruise with Joe May several times, in IMO he's the best in this area. I hope he's on our Grand cruise next year (the biggie). Joe told us twice he was retiring and I'm afraid one day he might do it.

[DougH]

Originally Posted by ONT-CA

Under these circumstances it would seem logical to complete the itinerary of Argentina ports before proceeding to Port Stanley thereby avoiding the conflicts

If you look at a map this is not possible. It we be like if you were driving from New York to LA and say you have to visit Denver before your stop in Chiicago.
For cruises heading west to east this is OK but not those going east to west.

Had Joe May on my two SA cruises and he is really knowledgeable about the area.