Antarctic Cruise Wrap-Up

 I have some things about the cruise that didn't fit in one of the daily posts, but were interesting enough that I thought I would share.

March 4th was the last of the 4 days of excursions. Hubby took advantage of 3 Zodiac excursions, I did 2, and OFD enjoyed all 8.  On Thursday we began the northward two-day journey back to the port in Ushuaia through the Drake Passage. The trip was smooth, if not smoother than the initial passage. 

population of Ushuaia 100,000

southern Argentina or Chile

black ice floating in the water

but when pulled out of the water, crystal clear

sheet of saltwater ice

blue ice is the oldest ice 

old blue ice

Not all, but maybe half of the expedition staff members shared their expertise in the information session. This was Dr. Glenda. One staff member shared about the insects (mites and roundworms) that lived in Antarctica. Another was a school teacher in Ushuaia who shared the ice info on our Zodiac ride. 

The bridge was open on sea days. Passengers could walk in and look around and talk to the crew. I asked how "The luxury cruise ship Scenic Eclipse II became stuck in thick pack ice near Antarctica's McMurdo Sound around January 17, 2026, requiring assistance from the US Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star." 

The ice flows moved in so quickly (currents) the ship was unable to back-up or turn around. That is why the bridge was NOT open on excursion days so the crew was NOT distracted!

Every passenger room had a balcony. No photo, but the bathrooms were the largest of any ship we have been on. The closets had lots of storage. The balcony room was standard size. Suites were larger.

The elevator floor mates were changed out 3 times a day. 

The Dome viewing area on Deck 7

location of 4:00 Tea

only 7 decks on the yacht

passengers on Decks 3 (staff),  5 and 6

theater, dining and bar on Deck 4

coats, boots & gear storage on Deck 3

condiments were in individual jars

so cute!

We departed the Voyager at 8:30 AM on March 7th for our flight to Buenos Aires, overnight to NYC and eventually home at 4:00 PM on Monday, March 9th. 

Geocaching in Antarctica, March 4

I had created a list of nearly 30 geocache possibilities for our Antarctica cruise. Geocaches, most of them earth caches,  specific to possible stops the cruise ship/yacht might make. I was very aware weather and the captain's discretion might affect the list, but I was certain we would make at least one geocache stop. It wasn't until the final day of Zodiac excursions, and the Captain's plan B or maybe C when the geo fates aligned and the 7:00 PM excursion was an earthcache on my list. It also turned out to be one of the best for wildlife, too.

This Weddell seal greeted us upon our Zodiac landing.

He was gone when we left Portal Point.

The three of us wearing the parkas furnished by the cruise line. Each of us brought ours home. Perfect for winters in SD & MN.

Gentoo penguins at Portal Point

and Fur Seals

there were a total of 4 Fur Seals

some folks walked to the viewing point

In the 1950s the British built a hut at this place to continue local survey work in the region. In 1996 the hut was dismantled and transported to the Falkland Islands Museum. Only the foundation remains. 

the original afternoon plan for the day

the talks that day featured seals and sea lions

it was snowing lightly that evening

the geocaching virtual souvenir

Now, the trip to Antarctica is complete!

There will be one or two more blog posts as a wrap-up and some odds and ends that didn't make the daily posts.

Day 5, Antarctica

 

5:24 AM, March 3rd

somewhere in Antarctica

The morning scenery on Day 5, March 3rd.

WHAT? a sail boat? marooned? 

OFD's photo from her morning excursion. She learned that smaller vessels carrying up to 12 people explore the bays and islands. BUT, they also must cross the Drake Passage, and their trip through those waters takes 4 days each way. Sometimes, people hire these vessels for hiking, camping or even skiing in Antarctica. It moved on from the bay and we did not see it again.

guano and lichen

Can you spot the Leopard Seal?

there were several of them resting on ice flows

seen in the afternoon, near the yacht

OFD's photos of the Leopard Seals from her afternoon Zodiac excursion. They were able to get up close and personal. 

Leopard seals live in the freezing waters and pack ice of the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions. They are solitary, pagophilic (ice-loving) creatures often found on ice floes surrounding the Antarctic continent, particularly near penguin colonies. 

It takes its name from its spotted coat of gray, white, and black fur, which resembles that of the leopard. Being a true seal, the leopard seal has no external ear, and while it has relatively long fore-flippers, they are not used for movement on ice or land.

The females are larger than the males.  Females grow 9.85-11.5 feet and males 9.18 feet.  Males weigh as much as 705 pounds and females 815-1,100 pounds. Life span is 12-26 years. Their diet consists of fish, squid, small crustaceans, penguins, small seals, and whale carcasses.