Bit of a blog - HAL Oosterdam - South America & Antarctica - Dec/Jan 2023/24

[NorbertsNiece]

While I was at the talk this morning Geoff was up top. He captured a whale's spout. A very few flakes of snow had fallen.

 

The last three from during lunch when we headed SE to A23A

 

1535 heavy snow now!

Poor visibility 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 25, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

We're still approaching A23A. 20 mins or so says the captain. To get the full arctic experience he recommends heading to the bow..... spray, wind, freezing snow, ice etc.

 

We dined in the Pinnacle Grill yesterday evening. Dressy night and happy to oblige. Not so everyone who also dined with us; double denim and trainers on one gent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 25, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[Hogladyrider]

@NorbertsNiece... STUNNING pics!

[Blue Eyes]

Loving your report. Thanks for taking us along.  MERRY CHRISTMAS!

[0bsessed]

Loving your report and pictures.  We are getting so excited for our trip.  When you have a chance, will you please let us know how many dressy nights.  It will help us with our packing.

[NorbertsNiece]

A23A...... did not venture out though many did! Sat on the floor at the front of deck 10 Crow’s Nest / Explorations to get these pics. It blew quite a blizzard by the time we left for a late dinner.

 

Visibility was quite poor.

 

Link to video here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 26, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

20 minutes ago, 0bsessed said:

Loving your report and pictures.  We are getting so excited for our trip.  When you have a chance, will you please let us know how many dressy nights.  It will help us with our packing.

We have 4 😃

[NorbertsNiece]

On deck 10 there's a lego model of Oosterdam; they've set up an Antarctic Experience hub up there too where people can ask questions in written form and be answered in like fashion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[bosswench]

@NorbertsNiece Loving your adventure and looking forward to following along.  We are booked on this cruise next December.  Thank you so much for sharing with us!

[NorbertsNiece]

Day 11 Tuesday

Day 2 Antarctic Experience 

 

Good morning and thanks for following.

 

Am trying to get used to almost permanent daylight and failing. Sunrise today at Esperanza Base 0232 sunset 2303

 

The Antarctic Continent ahead. The commentary is lovely and clear!! Didn't realise it came through the TV !!!

 

We are still way off the Antarctic Circle and won't be going there. This is a tiny fraction of the peninsular. The closest part of the cotinent to South America. Hope Bay / Esperanza Bay managed by Argentina with a base occupied permanently all year round.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 26, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Currently sat in theatre awaiting Captain's update. Amazing GF breakfast with view in the Main Dining Room

 

 

 

 

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Edited December 26, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Again, very many pics from yesterday's Antarctic expert. This on the multinational cooperation required in order to efficiently carry out research, building etc. When one camp was left without access to fresh water for 2 weeks due to a storm interrupting the flow to their desalination plant they were assisted by others. Why import two of huge machinery when you can share one with a neighbour. One country's flight in can carry another's equipment on a quid pro quo basis.

 

Was a fascinating talk. And yes. They built a plunge pool!! 🥶

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 26, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[Astrid61]

20 hours ago, Sea42 said:

@NorbertsNiece Merry Christmas! 🎄I am enjoying your posts so much while I wait for our sailing in 2025!

Can you tell me about how long you were at Volunteer Point before the HAL excursion people arrived? Or did you think they were already there when you got there? Have you talked with anyone who went with HAL?

I have signed up with HAL to use our excursion credit as it doesn't appear to be much difference in private versus HAL, that I can see, for Volunteer Point. From what I've read the total length of time of both are the same, as are the type of vehicles being used. But I am wondering if the time at Volunteer Point is significantly different.

Any information on this that you can share would be appreciated!

Thanks!

If I would book the excursion with HAL, it would be USD 425 and private USD 200... So a big difference...

[NorbertsNiece]

5 minutes ago, Astrid61 said:

If I would book the excursion with HAL, it would be USD 425 and private USD 200... So a big difference...

Same excursion 😃

[NorbertsNiece]

Slides from this morning's Captain's talk.

 

Palmer Station is USA managed. They usually send a speaker on board but are still under covid restrictions so are unable to.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 26, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Geoff just sent me this..... penguins on an iceberg! 

 

 

[tjcox9]

5 minutes ago, NorbertsNiece said:

Same excursion 😃

Sure is. Although we did it some years ago with Patrick Watts, we were running right along side the HAL excursion.

[NorbertsNiece]

6 minutes ago, tjcox9 said:

Sure is. Although we did it some years ago with Patrick Watts, we were running right along side the HAL excursion.

Patrick is now retired. One of his drivers has taken over the business 

[tjcox9]

6 minutes ago, NorbertsNiece said:

Patrick is now retired. One of his drivers has taken over the business 

Too bad but well deserved. His stories about the Falkland war were fascinating!

[Astrid61]

3 minutes ago, tjcox9 said:

Too bad but well deserved. His stories about the Falkland war were fascinating!

When somebody want to contact them: www.adventurefalklands.com 

 

[Sea42]

1 hour ago, Astrid61 said:

If I would book the excursion with HAL, it would be USD 425 and private USD 200... So a big difference...

I thought the private excursion was more than that. But we do have $300pp credit for a HAL excursion, which makes it less expensive than private either way.

I haven't taken a ship excursion since our first cruise. Usually because of the large bus groups and the expense. The flexibility of private is another big bonus. But I just don't see that advantage for Volunteer Point when everyone is going to the same place, in the same type of vehicle. If the time spent at Volunteer Point were different, that might sway me though.

[TiogaCruiser]

On 12/19/2023 at 8:43 AM, whogo said:

Great blog, thanks for posting, NorbertsNiece.

Neat display. Can anyone identify the fruits or vegetables? Green and red apples are all I can ID. Is the white garlic?

I think they were white pumpkins or squash.

[CNSJ]

Perhaps the most comprehensive Blog and Photo report I have seen.  

 

I am about to book the same trip for a future season.  For this Buenos Aires to Santiago direct Antartica cruise, has being in a port or starboard cabin made any difference?  Both are available now, so I need to pick a side of the ship.  As this is more of a North south run than east west (like a Transpacific or Transatlantic), I wasn't sure if side mattered?  

 

Norberts Niece or others, please feel free to give me any tips and rationale.

 

[0106]

6 minutes ago, CNSJ said:

For this Buenos Aires to Santiago direct Antartica cruise, has being in a port or starboard cabin made any difference?

My PCC told me to book starboard so I would have a view of the land while sailing the South American ports.

[Astrid61]

57 minutes ago, Sea42 said:

I thought the private excursion was more than that. But we do have $300pp credit for a HAL excursion, which makes it less expensive than private either way.

I haven't taken a ship excursion since our first cruise. Usually because of the large bus groups and the expense. The flexibility of private is another big bonus. But I just don't see that advantage for Volunteer Point when everyone is going to the same place, in the same type of vehicle. If the time spent at Volunteer Point were different, that might sway me though.

We used the USD 300 for other excursion with HAL. This was my choice but ofcourse I can understand your considerations! The advantage for me was that the price difference was so big..