Re: Information about Pre-cruise hotels and transfers in Santiago. We arranged our own air so we needed to find some way of getting to the port of Valparaiso as well as pre-cruise hotels. We just booked with Santiago Adventures http://www.santiagoadventures.com/ and they were very responsive to all my emails and questions. I found them recommended on the ports of call board on CC and they are recommended as well by Frommers and Lonely Planet. A private car transfer from the airport with bilingual driver for 2 people ($52.00 US total price) to the Ritz-Carlton. A 6 hour private tour and car transfer to the port for 2 people with bilingual driver and guide is $165.00 US each person. This tour includes Vina Del Mar and the city of Valparaiso. If you only wanted a bilingual driver and not the guide the cost drops to $110.00 per person. If you don't want a tour on the way to the ship then just transfers are $164.00 total for 2 people. Victor Pino is who we booked with and he also was able to get us the Ritz-Carlton Club level for 3 nights at $200.00 less per night then what the Ritz's online rates are. I thought it was all payable upfront but I just checked my invoice and 50% is due upon booking with the remainder due 60 days prior. I hope this helps some of you as I know earlier there was a discussion about how to get to the port on your own.
Pat