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However, the new style with the blue jacket and the fluorescent yellow hood? I can only imagine myself wearing it for something like sailing, where the extreme visibility doesn't seem so out of place!

It is very yellow but I have worn it on a few occasions since we returned.

The odd thing is that Hurtigruten spent thousands on Fram in repainting the superstructure with its polar destinations theme. Then, almost immediately, redesigned the old jackets by removing the list of destinations from the back of them. And then coming up with the yellow version.

Thank you for the warning. Starting in Bodø northbound was fine but 2am is not that great. Trondheim is a good alternative.

Bodo was far from one of our favourite ports. There was little to see there and we were drenched to the skin in a sudden rainstorm as we returned to the ship!

We have done Bergen to Tromso (with an additional night in Tromso to allow for dog sledding) in February, and Tromso - Kirkeness - Bergen in October.

In terms of northbound or southbound, we preferred northbound for its time in larger 'settlements' like Alesund and Trondheim. Southbound didn't offer so many opportunities to have a look around the bigger communities. We also preferred the voyage up to Tromso rather than that going further north: we felt that we appreciated the changes in the landscape as it became more rugged and whiter as we left Bergen behind and neared Tromso.

On both trips we saw the Northern Lights multiple times both from the ship and ashore.

I agree. I guess I meant "warm" in the context that they keep the cold wind blowing through you. Not warm and cozy as the down parka I wore underneath on extra cold days, plus thermal underwear.

 

I recently wore mine every day during a visit to Kangaroo Island, SA, which is cold to a Queenslander, and it did its job of keeping me warm and dry.

We'll be in Australia this time next year and will most likely be visiting Kangaroo Island. We have used our Fram jackets on quite a few trips away from our polar trips but never imagined that they might be needed there!

The gangway and goods doors are on the port side and so noise is a little more intrusive on that side when they are operating. Choose a cabin on the starboard side?

Agreed on video. Too often overlooked but it really does take you back, especially with the sounds but, thankfully, not some of the smells!

Steadying with a long zoom can be helped by waiting until you have reached the extreme of a 'wobble' and then going for the image. The slow reversal in movement gives you a little more of a chance. Works especially well if you're using a physically long (and heavy) zoom like the Sigma 150-600.

I think you will find that 'pioneer point' is actually 'Volunteer Point'...

Fram's jacket are, in our opinion, not warm. Windproof and waterproof, but not warm.

I usually have a couple of DSLRs with long lenses, but you're not going to get that sort of equipment for less than $1,000. You could, though, get a bridge camera like the Panasonic FZ2000 with its 24-480 lens for just under the $1,000; or its predecessor, the FZ1000, with its 24-400 lens for something less. They would give you the range you need and also reasonable video.

Whatever you decide to do, practise before you travel. You really don't need to be working out which button to press or knob to rotate as the shot of the trip disappears beneath the waves...

Oh, and make sure you have twice the number of memory cards that you might imagine you need, along with a spare battery!

Any comment on the chance for calm seas or clear skies?

We have sailed to the Falklands three times. Twice it was calm, once it was a Force 12. No-one this far out can say what the weather will be like at the time of the eclipse. December is the Austral Summer so you should have a chance of clear skies but beyond that...

You might want to have a look at the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust website: http://www.ukaht.org/shop/books-and-maps/

Anything you spend there will go to a very good and appropriate cause.

We have been at both ends of the season and saw plenty of ice, snow and wildlife. Whatever time you go you will not be disappointed. Just don't fix on seeing anything in particular. These are not called expedition trips for nothing: plans have to be, and are, re-evaluated constantly.

We haven't done Fram in the Amazon but we have considered it. And rejected it as the number of sea days, though no doubt necessary, were too many. And it was expensive.

If we do go to the Amazon we will book one of the smaller local boats and make our own way to and from Manaus.

Make sure you include the Falklands, South Gerogia and the peninsula in your trip. After that ask yourself how, without the crew telling you, you would know you had crossed the circle.

One of our trips was one to cross the circle, and there were some fairly subtle differences from our other trips that we enjoyed, but nothing that shouted to us that we had gone that far south.

As I suggested earlier, you will get a better response if you start a new thread with a suitable title. This thread is about 'Falklands Shore Excursions' and so you are unlikely to reach many who have the width of experiences you wish to draw on.

Hello. My wife and I are taking a Seabourn Cruise of 42 days in length next year to Antarctica. We are seasoned cruise people (QM2' date=' etc) but are a trifle shocked by the prices of the Onshore Excursions being offered. Does anyone have any thoughts about this? Thanks.[/quote']

 

Landings in Antarctica are usually included in the cost of the trip...

 

However, can you be more specific about the excursions? If they're not solely in the Falklands it might be best to start your own thread rather than tag onto this one.

We have sailed in October and March and we saw the Northern Lights on multiple evenings on both trips. As far as the landscape was concerned, we had more than enough daylight hours to enjoy it.

Chances are it will be a compromise of several factors.

Antarctica is always a compromise!

We sailed on Hurtigruten's Fram on each of our trips simply because she offered the best compromise (for us) in itineraries, cost and comfort.

Use your credit card where you can. Use an ATM to withdraw any cash you might need: you don't have to search for ATMs, they are plentiful.

In our experience on Fram, snow shoe hiking and camping are priced per 'event', while kayaking is priced for the series. On our most recent trip on Fram the camping was overbooked so places were allocated by lottery.

Celebrity's two days can soon turn into a big disappointment if the weather decides to intervene. Two days, for me, is too risky.

If it's Antarctica you want to see, as opposed to it being part of a South American trip, then you should take a serious look at an expedition trip on a smaller ship that will allow you to land. A world of difference, and one which is more than worth the extra cost (which may not be as much as you imagine).

Each to their own, but we have sailed on Fram on five trips (Antarctic and Arctic) and have enjoyed each one. For us, she offers an excellent compromise in terms of itineraries, size, comfort and cost.

Two of our trips included the Falklands and South Georgia and we made it to each planned landing without any delays. But that is not to say that on another trip the weather may not be so helpful.

And, just for clarity's sake, Stanley is not a tender port: Fram docks at FIPASS.

Not a milonga, but we enjoyed a pre-show lesson at Complejo Tango.

You can see Gentoos and a few Kings at Bluff Cove Lagoon (and we had dolphins offshore when we were there). The complimentary cakes in the cafe are beyond amazing and the small museum offers interesting insights.

Much closer to Stanley than Volunteer Point and so gives you more time in Stanley.

We bought our ticket on the bus.