Here it is, the big one.
This took me FOREVER to organize, sort and write – so you better enjoy the heck out of reading it.
If you want to know how much the entire trip cost, click here.
If you want to see the fancy pants hotel that was included as part of this cruise package and what we got up to in Buenos Aires before coming to the ship, click here.
Friday, December 19th
Today we departed from Buenos Aires super early and hopped on a bus to the airport to fly from Buenos Aires all the way down to Ushuaia.
The flight from BA to Ushuaia was cool because the seats were 3×3, but the middle seat was empty for everyone. So Sherry had window and I had aisle. Very nice.
After a couple of hours, we landed in Ushuaia, which may have one of the most unreal views for landing I’ve ever seen.
After landing, we got on a bus that took us to the Seabourn Venture, our home for the next while.
But before ALL that, Sherry and I just dropped our stuff on the cruise and went gallivanting in Ushuaia. Neither of us had ever been to the Patagonia region!
During our walk we wanted to 1) eat some king crab and 2) do some shopping.
The first priority was completed pretty fast, as we came upon a restaurant named Tia Elvira. King crab, secured and delicious.
Then we walked for an hour or so around the town and bought some souvenirs. Successful gallivant before the cruise.
Entering the cruise, we were shown to our room and OOOOH LA LA.
This room was larger than some hotel rooms I’ve stayed in.
We had two beds, a walk-in closet, a small closet with a drying rack, large TV, balcony, stocked bar and beautiful bathroom that had a tub and shower.
Furthermore, our dry-pack bags, Helly Hansen parkas, toques and reusable bottles were ready as well. These were ours to use during the cruise and also to take home.
We also registered our two devices for the wi-fi, which proved to NOT be enough internet for us. We ended up paying for more internet three days into the cruise so we could stream AND use TikTok. Priorities.
We also were given our daily Herald, which I was really excited about every day because it would give an outline of everything happening.
Then it was time for our security / info briefing and also time to meet some of the staff on board.
We were also given which groups we would be in daily, as your colour group dictated what time you would do the excursions etc. We were yellow. Yay team yellow.
As the cruise departed, Sherry and I went to eat at on the back deck of the Colonnade (one of the restaurants on board) to enjoy the scenery.
First meal was clam chowder, a crab cake, steak and a chocolate pie thing. Great start!
As we got further and further from land, we took a little post-meal walk around the ship to get familiar with it.
There was lots to see….
I think because we woke up so early today and the flying, we turned in pretty early to sleep. Ready for two days of sailing.
Saturday, December 20th
On Friday we were given a heads up about hitting the infamous ‘Drake Passage‘ (that’s Sir Francis Drake, not OVO Drake) overnight. It was all good while we were sleeping. However, waking up to that shit? AWFUL.
The crew and other passengers told us this was only the ‘Drake lake‘ not the ‘Drake shake‘ but as this was mine and Sherry’s first cruise ever, we felt like HELL. The waves got us good.
We made an attempt to walk over to breakfast, but as soon as we were done the food we wobbled back into our room. Couldn’t do it.
Team yellow had our boots try on at some point after breakfast. This was obviously mandatory to attend, as these would be the boots we’d wear every day visiting Antarctica.
Again, immediately went back to laying down post-trying on.
Just to give you an idea of how crummy we felt – we kept our balcony opened BALCONY door to feel better. It wasn’t that cold as we entered Antarctica, but it was still cool, of course. Nope. We needed the air from outside to help our seasickness.
Sherry did bring us some meds to take, but they were not helping us enough I guess. People react to seasickness differently. We found drinking Ginger Ale also helped us soothe the awful feelings.
I know it might be TMI – but I will say, throughout the bad feelings neither of us ever vomited. So yay, SMALL WIN.
Naturally, we couldn’t walk to the restaurants for lunch so thankfully the ship had 24/7 room service. I know after two days these people had to be sick of us. If they are reading this, I am soooo sorry but we could not walk. We really tried. I swear.
Yep, continued to just lay down and hope for the best and ordered room service again for dinner. We even missed the welcome reception for the cruise this evening. Literally couldn’t function.
Sunday, December 21st
Today we made an attempt at the buffet breakfast again. We still weren’t feeling too hot, and we tried to avoid sitting near any of the windows because it just made us feel worse.
Try not to miss the buffet breakfast, these were some of our favourite meals while on the ship. They have everything and also a delicious hot chocolate.
Wobbling back to the room we also checked out the laundry room, which is free to use. That was a good thing to have on board.
Post-breakfast we did some learning about the IAATO.
We also walked over to the gift shop and this is when I was reminded that I am a very regular person on a luxurious ship. What do you mean $10,000 purses? Not for me. I am a basic girl.
Please also see photos of the onboard cafe that always had small sandwiches, pastries, hot beverages and unlimited gelato. Yes, UNLIMITED. If you are wondering how I managed to gain 10lbs during this trip -remember some of these moments where the world ‘unlimited‘ is used.
There was definitely another nap and then we went to lunch. Nice soup and seafood pasta today, followed by more learning via the TV in our room.
It was awesome that even though we couldn’t physically make it to some of the educational lectures, we could still watch the recordings of them in our room. Felt nice to not feel like we were missing out on important and fascinating information, only because our tummies were a mess.
This day at the Constellation Lounge, there was a Viennese tea. Fancy pants.
We had some nice pastries, finger sandwiches and lovely teas.
While the teas were being had, we saw whales and penguins! If I could describe what it was like seeing the ice and the wildlife for the first time?
Astounding. Astonishing. Awe-Inspiring.
Truly, those are only words starting with the first letter of the alphabet, there could be thousands more. An amazing moment for us both.
This evening the ship wasn’t rocking as much and we went to dinner at The Restaurant.
The souffle was my favourite part of tonight’s dinner.
Monday, December 22nd
Today we were no longer rocking.
Today we were finally leaving the ship.
Today was going to be an awesomeee day.
We dressed up in our warm layers and our nice and new Helly Hansen parkas.
Here is where I will give you some of my small packing tips!
I, personally, had zero use for gloves/mittens. I didn’t use them until literally the last day of the expeditions, because there was no need. It’s colder in Toronto, these people aren’t serious.
Next, bring good sunscreen. The sun will get you good, especially reflecting off the snow.
But most importantly – do not come on this trip without polarized sunglasses. If you pack absolutely nothing else, buy some of those to bring with you. It is so freaking bright with the sun and snow, you will go blind. I am not exaggerating. Do not forget those at home.
Our first zodiac excursion was 90 minutes and it felt great going around and seeing various icebergs.
There’s a photo below of a piece of ice that we picked up from the water (the guide said it was OK) – and some guy on our ship put it in his mouth. If you hear about COVID 9823 emerging, or some pre-historic ailment, it was this guy sucking on ice that did it. Remember that.
After the zodiac, we ordered some room service for breakfast to refuel for the afternoon.
We finally touched land! Yay. Look at me, country #75 and it’s Antarctica. Big day.
The only thing that made this day not 100% awesome was the smell of those penguin colonies. They don’t prepare you for that in the polished Antarctica brochures. The feces from these things? You can smell before your zodiac even docks. I’m sorry to ruin your Happy Feet dreams, but yeah, you need to know that is coming.
Otherwise, pretty cool experience.
Post-penguin excitement, of course, time for dinner. Because all we did was sleep, zodiac, food, repeat. Love that for us.
I had the souffle again, such a predictable girl.
Tuesday, December 23rd
We had another early wake up for team yellow today, and the landing was rough for me, because I am fat.
This snow was absolutely NOT holding my big self up.
It wasn’t frozen so every couple steps, I would sink knee-deep and have to get myself back up to continue walking. I can say, I was super aggy this morning. I had so many layers of clothing on but with the sun and the trek and the sinking? I was so overstimulated and hot. It was a lovely landing but I was annoyed, period. Happens I guess. Both Sherry and I used walking sticks today because it really was tough going up and down the snow banks.
Nice close-up interactions with penguins today, that was nifty. We have to stay five meters from all wildlife, but it felt like they were posing for the cameras today!
Back on the ship, yep, lunchtime again. Relaxed and had a little rum and coke, now that my stomach wasn’t turning.
On the ship’s loudspeaker we got the announcement we had been waiting for – today was polar plunge day. Sherry and I said that if we had the opportunity to do it, hell yeah we were doing it.
We put on our bikinis and made our way down.
First, some tequila shots. Needed.
Then we stepped outside, had a rope tied around us and 1-2-3 jumped into the Antarctic water.
I’ve never experienced anything that cold in my life, it felt like 100 knives were stabbing me or burning into my skin. I’m a really good swimmer, but it felt like I couldn’t get back to the damn boat. Crazy experience, happy I did it, but I definitely don’t have to do anything like that ever again.
Then we had some more tequila shots and made our way to the heated pool and hot tub.
It was the most perfect afternoon of cocktails, hot tub/pool and sun tanning. Yes, you read that correctly – in the middle of freaking Antarctica we were laying down in our bikinis and suntanning on the deck. Big improvement for the day that started so poorly for me.
I believe the theme for tonight’s dinner was Filipino cuisine and we enjoyed it. The captain announced there were some whales outside to see so we made sure to go take photos of them. Very exciting.
Wednesday, December 24th
Today team yellow finally had a later zodiac time, so we went and enjoyed the buffet breakfast first.
I can’t be sure what the earlier zodiac excursions saw, but when it was time for us we had a whole National Geographic situation.
At one point there were humpback whales coming out of the water, as some birds flew by and penguins were jumping out too. It was magical. We also saw our first seal, and that blubbery thing was sleeping. Every single seal we saw during this cruise was in the sun sleeping. I was very jealous of their lifestyle.
Today’s lunch had a porchetta with saffron risotto. I specifically remember this meal because the saffron risotto was out of this world delicious. I wish at this point I had realized people got seconds of food, I was trying to not be greedy. I should have been more greedy.
In the afternoon we had a trip onto land again. Yes, another sleeping seal and more penguins.
The water at this landing was pretty clear, and what was beautiful to see because all of the water while we sailed was super dark. This was nice to see.
Also, we saw penguin highways! I thought these were so cool. The penguins move up and down them to get from the water up to their partners and chicks. Seeing them waddling up and down was soooo cute.
For Christmas eve, of course, the Seabourn people had some extra fancy dinner.
Caviar bump anyone? Yes. Yes please.
Thursday, December 25th
After dinner I actually couldn’t sleep so at around midnight, I went to one of the bars on board for a little drinky drink. What a way to bring in Christmas, right?
But I wanted to show you these photos because it will give you an idea of the sunlight situation in Antarctica. You see the photos below? That’s about 1am at night.
This region during summer time has 22 hours of daylight. Drove us fucking insane. Thankfully the rooms have two sets of blackout blinds, but it was crazy to see nonetheless.
There was a nice whale sighting too!
On the actual Christmas morning, the ship was all decked out in fun decorations and cookies.
The trip to land today was a no-go for me. I did go to the land, but the trek up the snow mountain? Hell no. Not for me. I don’t have the fitness capacity to do it, so Sherry went up ahead.
I hung out near the penguin colony, trying to avoid inhaling too much because the smell was even crazier here. There is even a photo below of the red excrement we all walked through on land.
This is exactly why the ship has a rigorous disinfection process when you come back aboard.
There was a good deal on a spa visit that I took advantage of. I can never say no to a scalp-massage!! The view in the spa was lovely.
FYI – spa treatments are not included in the price of the cruise, book those at your own discretion
The afternoon zodiac excursion had the most festive surprise. As we were sailing around, we saw another Seabourn Venture zodiac with a flag and the staff.
They were giving out champagne in the middle of the water!! Merry Christmas all. I don’t even drink champagne, but I was soooo happy. This was one of those ‘oh this is a luxury experience‘ moments on this cruise. Wow. So impressed.
Sherry and I indulged for Christmas dinner, now that we knew we could literally just order one of everything at any of the restaurants or for room service.
And when we got back to our room, the staff had done our evening turn down service and left these cute Seabourn kangaroos. Aw.
Friday, December 26th
Today was the final day of excursions before we would sail back to land.
It was the FIRST day of shitty weather though, guess we had just been super lucky.
I spent my morning seeking out postcards. Every room had two included, but I needed to send ten or so to my friends and relatives from the ship. Imagine how cool when these arrive? (it is February 13th, no one has received a single one, but I have hope) They were $5.00 USD per postcard to mail, so I really do hope they make it.
Piece of advice, buy some in Ushuaia so you don’t have to scavenge for them like I did. I thought they’d sell them on board, they do not.
The lunch today was Greek food and I WENT FOR THIRDS TODAY.
DON’T JUDGE ME. THE GREEK FOOD SELECTION WAS YUMMY.
Our final landing was a crazy experience, the winds were at 128km per hour. Wow. Being fat has its benefits on days like today, I was sturdy in this situation.
It was all volcanic ash/rock on this landing and the snow was swirling heavy. Seeing the penguins covered in snow made me sad, but I had to remember they are used to this.
This landing was also super creepy for myself and Sherry. You could feel creepy vibes here with the abandoned houses and the cemetery.
Back on ship we had a Caviar on Ice Sail Away party. Don’t mind if I do.
For dinner we joined some lovely people we met while on board. If our friend JILL from Birmingham sees this post, you were our favourite.
Saturday, December 27th
Back to sailing today, didn’t feel like hell in the morning.
Took advantage of a nice Balinese lunch and snacks at the cafe.
Or so we thought.
Immediately had to go back to laying down and feeling like hell in the afternoon. Awful feelings in our stomachs were back. Room service was about to be sick of us again.
Before the cruise, they were offering 25% off all spa bookings and I took advantage of that. Nice 75-minute full-body massage. I will say, during this massage I felt less nauseous. Definitely recommended on your sail back if the motion of the ocean has you sickly.
Sunday, December 28th
Mid-afternoon today the ship was back in Ushuaia!
No more rocking. We tagged our luggage so they knew where to deliver it the next morning when it was time to leave the ship.
Indulged in shepherd’s pie for lunch and the unlimited gelato for one last time.
Sherry and I took the chance to go ashore into Ushuaia one more time.
Stopped for some pizza first and then yes, more alfajores. Never enough alfajores.
More shopping was done, clearly, there was never enough souvenirs as well.
I hope this post showcased how amazing and luxurious this trip was.
There was probably more in-depth explanations I could have included, but why? I would just keep mumbling on about how amazing the food was, how professional and impressive the staff were and how the ship was exquisite. I realize I don’t have any other cruises as a comparison here, but I’m not sure what beats this. Truly.
The Seabourn Venture was the most luxurious experience of my life and I never ever have to step foot on another cruise again. Going on a cruise was never enticing to me, and I went one of the fanciest ones on the planet to probably the most remote place on the planet. I did it. Sherry and I did it. We survived and we lived to tell the luxury tale.
If you are ever thinking of a trip to Antarctica, this is 10000% the cruise ship to do it on. It’ll cost you, but once you do the cruise, the cost feels worth every cent.
This trip also made me realize why so many people wait until they are older/retired to do it. I’m not sure what will beat this. There is no place on the planet I can see outdoing Antarctica. I do HOPE somewhere does, but I just can’t see how.
Once in a lifetime experience and I feel so blessed to have done it.
- Mirna