Azamara in the Antarctic - a live perspective

[uktog]

The Chilean Navy and Airforce team (5 Air, 9 Navy) are all delightful. The station commander is an inspirational young lady Francisca (the only lady in the team). 

Francisca and Christo the senior navy officer at the station took a wide range of questions and handled the English language challenges so well. 

They talked about having only 5 litre allowance each day for a shower. Francisca looked quite emotional when at the end the captain said they’d opened up some unoccupied rooms and they could have as long a shower each as they wanted. 
 

They were ecstatic in Windows all eating large plates of green salad and fresh fruit. I wish I could speak Spanish those guests who can have been having great interactions. 

This and the beautiful scenery has made a special day in which we crossed 65 south. 

This was a day which was an example of what Azamara does really really well

 

Good day all round 

 

 

[uktog]

We are floating around Deception Island with mists rolling in and out. Captain is getting us very close and the whales are putting on amazing displays 

 

My photos are just on an IPhone. There are some who look down their nose (or long lenses) at us but it’s so flexible 

 

One whale popped up right by the ship. I’m sure someone captured a picture, I failed because I was looking further out 

 

 

Chinstrap penguins from a distance 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[oddjob16]

Seems that you are in a fine spot at the moment. Up at King George Island the weather is totally different. Freezing Fog and 100 meters visibility.

Enjoy

[Kitekat]

Your whale pictures are really great! I was always JTL! - just too late! (as against JIT - just in time).

It is such an amazing experience. So glad the weather is generally being kind.

[Ithikan]

Uktog, are you seeing Humpbacks or Minke whales?  Or both, perhaps?

[uktog]

2 minutes ago, Ithikan said:

Uktog, are you seeing Humpbacks or Minke whales?  Or both, perhaps?

Both and orca and others. I will photo the chart at reception tomorrow. It’s been an unbelievable experience. I do not feel “cheated” at all by not stepping on land in fact I’m glad I didn’t - this was a much more manageable experience for us and no fear of falling over! 

[ECCruise]

19 minutes ago, uktog said:

Both and orca and others. I will photo the chart at reception tomorrow. It’s been an unbelievable experience. I do not feel “cheated” at all by not stepping on land in fact I’m glad I didn’t - this was a much more manageable experience for us and no fear of falling over! 

Yes, you must know what your cofort level is. It is a totally different experience on an expedition, but comfort should be paramount. 

[Host Jazzbeau]

Thanks so much for this live from!  I had crossed Antarctica off our bucket list because we don't fancy zodiac excursions in such cold weather, or going back on megaships like Princess (whose Captains are apparently afraid of going near ice).  But this Azamara cruise seems perfect.  Will be looking out for future opportunities to follow in your footsteps [if not Shackleton's 😉]

[excitedofharpenden]

6 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

Thanks so much for this live from!  I had crossed Antarctica off our bucket list because we don't fancy zodiac excursions in such cold weather, or going back on megaships like Princess (whose Captains are apparently afraid of going near ice).  But this Azamara cruise seems perfect.  Will be looking out for future opportunities to follow in your footsteps [if not Shackleton's 😉]

It's a great trip. I'm like uktog. I'm not wanting to do expedition type cruises there. I like the comfort of a cruise ship and Azamara are perfect, especially if you have a captain like Johannes who involves you so much. My only comment having done Antarctica on Azamara. On a cold weather sailing it really highlights the shortcomings of the lack of inside venues. The pool deck is effectively out of commission. It gets busy inside. 

 

Phil 

[uktog]

8 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

Thanks so much for this live from!  I had crossed Antarctica off our bucket list because we don't fancy zodiac excursions in such cold weather, or going back on megaships like Princess (whose Captains are apparently afraid of going near ice).  But this Azamara cruise seems perfect.  Will be looking out for future opportunities to follow in your footsteps [if not Shackleton's 😉]

Funny you mention Shackleton- they had a special dinner last night The Ernest Shackleton dinner cost $75 per head. We did not partake, we were in PrimeC. They did try and suggest a few times we went so it hadn’t sold out. They weren’t sharing the menu - all part of the “surprise”  - that may have backfired on them. Maybe others were like us having seen films involving dried rations, stale veg and starvation. Somehow I don’t associate Shackleton and dining experiences!  I’m sure it was a great dinner though we were seated at the back of Prime C and unusually there was no sounds coming from Aqualina 

 

@excitedofharpenden is right about the ship’s internal capacity and whilst we are really enjoying this trip we do think about how it might have been on a ship laid out like say Viking as apart from in your room it required a lot of luck to get a seat with any view during the day. The living room chairs get “reserved” by about 8 and it doesn’t work that they’re offering 4 back to back trivia sessions from 9 am with the naturalists butting in with commentary so it’s a constant stop start sound. I have no idea why the cruise director didn’t schedule trivia in the Den but then throughout I’ve felt that schedule has paid zero attention to timings and the itinerary. That’s been a less good feature. 
 

The biggest pinch point is lunch. I’d hate to see it if the ship was full. We are 2/3 full.  Yes lunch is available in the Dining Room but offset that with the patio being closed as it’s too cold for crew to work, no one eating ashore and the back veranda also closed most days it’s been chaos at times. The menu choice hasn’t included much extra and they’re always leaving empty serving dishes around so the “top up” doesn’t work smoothly. 
 

These are all little things that with better organisation and some forethought about where we are rather than “cookie cutter it’s day x we do y” would help a lot!  
 

A final niggle last night. Jakob the violinist did a jam session with Jose in the Den. It started after the end of the show - we arrived promptly- no seats, in fact no view standing. When this happened on Journey the cruise director immediately arranged that they bring out extra white night chairs. Last night nothing. Our only option was to carry drinks through to Mosaic and listen to a distant version of what sounded like a great evening. 
 

Let’s end on a positive thought. It’s a beautiful Drake Lake misty morning sunrise! 

[ECCruise]

Thanks for a great Live From. 

 

Looking down the Drake from Cape Horn (we are Oosterdam in yellow) it looks fairly decent on your way to Ushuaia. 

 

See you in BA  a week from today. 

 

[Mackdogmolly]

Some more pic from near Deception Island. The whale and penguin photos are curtesy of another guest with a better camera!

 

We started back through the Drake again last evening and are experiencing a much smoother passage. Ushuaia tomorrow at 7:30.

[uktog]

Land ahoy!!

Its a very strange experience after six days solitude coming Into very busy and noisy, pier side in Ushuaia, with a Viking ship loading along beside us. After the silence of the last six days it feels all so loud😂

But what a beautiful sunrise greeted us. 
 

If you are coming into Ushuaia my advice is get up early to see the sunrise if your timings allow

 

We were investigating a possible future booking and can confirm free nights are based on the current fare not a “penal” fare. The presentation of quotations is so much clearer and the benefits are detailed in words eg free internet as well as the codes 

 

 

[uktog]

I know @Mackdogmolly did a good excursion out of town here in Ushuaia and hopefully you will hear about it soon. This trip was our third time here so we had done the Beagle Channel/lighthouse and the train/park/end of the world post office. So here is our DIY day which worked out just great. We were in port 8-4. 
 

We took a leisurely breakfast and left the ship at 9. At the end of the pier we turned right through the sculpture park for 5 blocks then left up a pretty steep hill to the Prison Museum complex.

The total slow walk time was about 20 minutes. The museum doesn’t open until 10. We had pesos left so paid 18000 each for entry )about $18 each. 

It’s a bleak fascinating place to add to our prisons of the world we’ve gone to and makes Alcatraz seem like the Ritz. 

We then walked back to the pier where we’d seen this tour $10 each.

It might on busy days be an idea to buy tickets before heading to the museum. It was good our seats were allocated on the ticket much to the consternation of the Chinese group who pushed to board first and were then removed to their less good seats 😂😂

 

It’s a nice ride around. 1 hour 15 with two 10 minute stops. 
 

One at a great viewpoint - views to Chile

and back to port. 

And the second at the “Haunted Lake” in the ski area.

A lot of the trip was driving in residential areas but that always fascinates me. 
 

We got back to the ship at 1400 so comfortable timing 

We loved our $60 day (ships walking tour and museum visit would have been $80 each). The weather was amazing unlike our previous two trips zero wind and no rain. 

[Mackdogmolly]

Middle photo is the end of the world post office and the last photo is (literally) the end of the world!

[KFinTx]

I did a similar tour to @Mackdogmolly , same itinerary but a different guide. It was awesome. The train moved much slower than I thought, though, but Ushuaia is so beautiful! It’s impossible for pictures to show how beautiful it is! 

[uktog]

Today we really have rolled. They moved the Officer BBQ to Discoveries and tonight’s show is Liars Club as dancers cannot perform in this weather. 

The BBQ though good wasn’t as extensive as we had in the past (no suckling pig etc). There was a lot of crashing of dishes including a pile of plates right behind me. I’m surprised more breakages didn’t happen. 

The activities for the day are now becoming quite repetitive quizzes at the same time every day, and the talk the same times -  that said we continue to find Les Evans talk on Concord and now he is onto spaceflight absolutely fascinating. The other nature talks seem almost less relevant now - that may be doing the speakers a disservice, the good thing is, I am usually watching those later in the evening ahead of going to sleep on the playback on the TV. 
 

Dover Sole is not being offered as a chef’s special any night this cruise. The Speciality restaurant menus are ok but the special dishes have been disappointing. The special dessert every night is (add in your fruit) mousse and gelato. There is no longer a soufflé of the night so it’s Hazelnut in Aqualina and grain nut in Prime C. The new menus are much needed! 

[Mackdogmolly]

15’ swells today - worse than the Drake on the way to Antarctica! The planned officers barbecue at lunch went forward, but in Discoveries, instead of on deck, and certainly difficult to walk around!

We continue to enjoy *most* of the talks and the food. Looking forward to the day in Puerto Madryn tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

 

[KFinTx]

On 2/21/2024 at 4:43 PM, uktog said:

 

1 hour ago, uktog said:

Today we really have rolled. There was a lot of crashing of dishes including a pile of plates right behind me.

 

I was in the spa when we hit that really big wave. All the little bottles fell off the facialist’s desk & the table I was on moved. 😬 I asked them for a wheelchair back to my cabin. Can’t wait for Puerto Madryn tomorrow! 

[Grandma Cruising]

13 hours ago, uktog said:

Dover Sole is not being offered as a chef’s special any night this cruise. The Speciality restaurant menus are ok but the special dishes have been disappointing. The special dessert every night is (add in your fruit) mousse and gelato. There is no longer a soufflé of the night so it’s Hazelnut in Aqualina and grain nut in Prime C. The new menus are much needed! 

We had Grand Marnier soufflé on Pursuit last tight as the chefs special dessert, so things still seem to vary from ship to ship!

Edited March 3 by Grandma Cruising

[Mackdogmolly]

Forgot to mention an activity last night that I can’t imagine will be repeated. It was a cocktail and food pairing. Five full cocktails (starting at 4:30 pm) paired with small bites in the space of an hour. I didn’t partake, but I saw the effects of some of those who did. Yikes!

[uktog]

1 hour ago, Mackdogmolly said:

Forgot to mention an activity last night that I can’t imagine will be repeated. It was a cocktail and food pairing. Five full cocktails (starting at 4:30 pm) paired with small bites in the space of an hour. I didn’t partake, but I saw the effects of some of those who did. Yikes!

Indeed - a rather “foolish” idea

 

Today was a brilliant day for those of us on Cruise Critic who had identified a great excursion no one needed to organise- one of these ones where you sign up and they do the admin!  We headed 70km out of Puerto Madryn to El Pedral Reserve (you book direct via the reserve site). 
 

Now, at this point, we have to apologise to those who were in other mini buses from the ship on the identical excursion   They had purchased it through the ship at a cost of c$250 each. We paid $120 each. We had the added advantage of being there first, and so we’re able to have a longer time on the reserve.

First though we stopped at the cliffs and the lighthouse 

 

 

Then a 2km stroll to find these beauties 

 

 

 

 

A lovely experience with the opportunity to be close up with nature with a well informed guide  no other groups were there, so the penguins were not being crowded out. 

 

The Lunch of barbecued lamb was delicious and the salad and fruit salad.
We saw the lamb being prepared as we arrived before our walk

All very refreshing  and the wine was unlimited which helped a few people snooze on the way back home.

 

It was a great day, and it just shows how much is added by land discoveries for no added values  other than to use up on board credit

Edited March 3 by uktog

[Mackdogmolly]

49 minutes ago, uktog said:

Indeed - a rather “foolish” idea

 

Today was a brilliant day for those of us on Cruise Critic who had identified a great excursion no one needed to organise- one of these ones where you sign up and they do the admin!  We headed 70km out of Puerto Madryn to El Pedral Reserve (you book direct via the reserve site). 
 

Now, at this point, we have to apologise to those who were in other mini buses from the ship on the identical excursion   They had purchased it through the ship at a cost of c$250 each. We paid $120 each. We had the added advantage of being there first, and so we’re able to have a longer time on the reserve.

First though we stopped at the cliffs and the lighthouse 

 

 

Then a 2km stroll to find these beauties 

 

 

 

 

A lovely experience with the opportunity to be close up with nature with a well informed guide  no other groups were there, so the penguins were not being crowded out. 

 

The Lunch of barbecued lamb was delicious and the salad and fruit salad.
We saw the lamb being prepared as we arrived before our walk

All very refreshing  and the wine was unlimited which helped a few people snooze on the way back home.

 

It was a great day, and it just shows how much is added by land discoveries for no added values  other than to use up on board credit

I was on the private excursion too and found it quite enjoyable, but hadn’t been warned about the (according to my pedometer) mile and a half walk to the penguin colony, so was quite tired by the time we got back to the van. Thanks for lovely photos, @uktog!

[tmacktravels]

Just now, tmacktravels said:

 

So glad you enjoyed it after I recommended it. Always worry when recommending 😂

[nordski]

On 3/2/2024 at 1:43 PM, Mackdogmolly said:

15’ swells today - worse than the Drake on the way to Antarctica! The planned officers barbecue at lunch went forward, but in Discoveries, instead of on deck, and certainly difficult to walk around!

We continue to enjoy *most* of the talks and the food. Looking forward to the day in Puerto Madryn tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

Have you finished the book: “The Wager”?

 

Is it a bad time to ask that question?