Day 1-Flight to Santiago, Chile
The day had arrived, January 20, 2022! We pulled into JFK airport with all of our documents in hand. Traveling internationally after the pandemic was not easy and we were afraid we had missed a document. With our Chilean Mobility Passes, Argentinean Mobility Passes, affidavits, updated vaccination cards, negative PCR tests...not to mention our EKG tests, swim passes, and medical forms for the ship, we were stressed! Alas, we finally got through the line after almost an hour of trying to access a form we didn't even know about. How much paperwork could one person need, all because of the pandemic?
When traveling overseas, we always ask at check-in about any potential upgrades. We've come to learn that this is the cheaper way to upgrade. If you desperately need a better seat, it's best not to gamble your chances and book online instead, however, you might be paying more than day of. We checked in, kindly asked the agent at Delta about any open upgrades, and our jaws dropped to the floor. Pinch me, I must be dreaming! There were two available seats next to each other in Business Class. The cost? $300 each! We eagerly said yes, excited to fly business for the first time in our lives. It was our wedding trip, after all, live a little!
We quickly walked over to the Delta Sky Club lounge, ecstatic to experience airport luxury. There were a set of escalators that created a privacy between those who fly coach and those who spend top dollar. Of course, no one had to know our little secret. We were greeted by the hostess and were handed a warm towel and mimosa. I've never had alcohol before flying, simply because flying at high altitudes under the influence causes enhanced dehydration. However, this was a new experience and I felt a bit special being in the lounge, so I enjoyed myself. Floor to ceiling windows wrapped around the lounge, showcasing arriving and departing flights. We sat in comfortable and cushioned chairs, gazing out at the sunset. Waitresses came by with snacks, but we opted for a few hors d'oeuvres at the buffet. All beverages were included in the lounge, including a fountain drink dispenser. Another waitress came by and offered apple cider beer, I once again gladly accepted. Before leaving the Sky Club, I decided to use their restroom and see if it was just as nice as the rest of the lounge. Dark wood, warm lighting, and marble-tiled flooring decorated the women's restroom nicely. However, I was quick to notice the floor to ceiling stalls with complete privacy, no cracks in between the door frame and wall, something every US restroom should have! The stalls were extremely spacious, allowing extra room for luggage. After washing up, it was time to say goodbye to a temporary glimpse into the life of Sky Club members.
Business Class
We stood in line to board our red-eye 10 1/2-hour flight to Santiago, Chile. This was the very first time I was excited for air travel. As someone who is tall, gets claustrophobic, and gets motion sickness easily, flying is one of my least favorite things to do. Finding our seats was something I'll never forget, with my mouth agape and eyes as wide as they could be, I questioned if our tickets were correct. I may have asked, "are you sure this is us?" more than a handful of times. I usually fly coach with a window seat, so I surprised myself that I was okay with being in the middle of the aisle for once.
As I sat down in my cozy seat, I noticed something strange. Guests boarding the flight were looking at us while they made their way towards the back. "This is something I do," I thought to myself. Reflecting on past flights, looking at other passengers in First and Business Class was a natural habit. "Who are these people and what do they do for a living to be this important?" Now, people were looking at ME. It was definitely a weird, out-of-body experience. Again, no one had to know our little money-saving secret. After all, just that morning, we too, were supposed to fly coach.
Our "pods" were incredibly comfortable and spacious. We each had enough room to fit our carry-on luggage in the overhead storage without fighting for space with other travelers. There was plenty of storage between the two of us to hold our backpack and purse without using the overhead compartment. While everyone continued boarding, we had enough time to get familiar with our seats and enjoy the perks of Business Class. We received a toiletry bag with socks, toothpaste, toothbrush, sleep mask, lotion, and tissues. It was a nice little bag to help us freshen up before landing in Santiago. Our seats were one of the most exciting parts about flying Business, not only did our seats fully recline into a bed, but they also had a built-in back massager! The back massager wasn't strong, it was more of a light touch, but it was nice to have turned on throughout the flight. We received a cushiony pillow, blanket, and a light-weight mattress pad so that we could rest peacefully and not feel jet-lagged upon arrival. There was a great selection of movies and albums to listen to during the flight as well.
The food was surprisingly good, and we received a menu of dinner and breakfast choices as well as an all-inclusive drink menu. I was quite satisfied by the amount of delicious cheeses served during the flight. We were also given snacks in between meals, so we never felt hungry.
Flying in Business Class was amazing and something I will always remember. I've never had deep sleep on an airplane before and dining onboard was a bit fancy with the white linen tablecloths and silverware. Booking Business or First Class should definitely be on everyone's bucket list! During landing in Santiago, Chile, we were greeted by the incredible Andes mountains, making it one of the most unique destinations to fly to. It was bittersweet to pack our things and leave the aircraft; as much as I hate to fly, I actually wanted to stay on a bit longer. But alas, it was time to greet Ponant's guides at the gate to be taken to our hotel to be quarantined for the night.
Day 2: The Ritz-Carlton, Santiago, Chile
After finding our guides to take us to our hotel, we were briefed on our overnight stay and quarantine process. We had no idea which hotel Ponant had chosen for us. When booking with Ponant, you will receive an overnight stay at a 4+ star hotel. When we arrived at The Ritz-Carlton, we were shocked. First we flew with Business Class and now we're staying at The Ritz?! Pinch me. We checked in with another guide from Ponant, receiving forms, PCR tests, and information on what to expect. We were then taken to our room and were not allowed to leave for the rest of the day. It was strange being in a new country, let alone being on a new continent, and not being able to explore.
We gasped at the beautiful room with sweeping views of the city. Our room had two large windows displaying different sides of the Santiago. The king-size bed was incredibly comfortable and the bathroom amenities were immaculate. The Ritz-Carlton does not skimp out on luxury. We were warmly welcomed with goodie bags of snacks and beverages as well as a decadent chocolate cake with delicious fruit puree and fine cheese. Quarantine wasn't so bad after all, except for my extreme anxiety waiting for our PCR tests to come back. We were so careful not to be infected; we doubled masked at work and home three weeks prior and did the same at the airport. We feared our tests could potentially come back positive and the last thing we wanted was to be sent back home, cancelling our dreams of exploring and having our wedding in Antarctica. A simple little test held so much power.
While every guest sat in their rooms waiting for their fate, we sat in ours and watched Chilean tv and stuffed our faces with all of the delicious treats gifted to us. After many hours of waiting, a paper slid under our door; our tests came back negative! A huge wave of relief washed over us and I cried joyful tears. The Ritz-Carlton and Ponant served us a complimentary dinner via room service. Though our tests were negative, we were to remain quarantined. We received a fresh filet of salmon in a creamy sauce with a delicious side of veggies and a large plate of...yes, even more cheese! After a full day relaxing in our 5-star room, we wished Santiago a good night. Come morning, a charter flight to Punta Arenas will be waiting for us.
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