A trip to Antarctica on a cruise ship is definitely not like any cruise the vast majority of people would have ever experienced. You won't find any palm trees when you get off the ship or have kids slide pools on the upper deck. From the moment you get on any ship bound for Antarctica, you quickly realize that the staff treats your experience as an exploration - a once in a lifetime experience. Even before you are settled into your cabin you are lining up to pick up your special boots that you will wear when you go on shore in Antarctica. Then you line up to get fitted for your own weatherproof/windproof jacket to keep out the cold and inclement weather. Your not done yet with your orientation, off to a mandatory briefing on how to safely get into and out of a zodiac.
The ship I'm traveling on is the MS Midnatsol. Built in 2003 in Norway, the ship operates in the winter in the southern hemisphere and the northern fjords of Norway in summer. Midnatsol means midnight sun in Norwegian. It has a maximum capacity of 500 guests when operating in Antarctica - my voyage had about 420 guests.
MS Midnatsol moored in Garabaldi Fjord - heading out on our first zodiac excursion.
My cruise started in Punta Arenas, Chile. We spent two nights in the calm waters of the Chilean Fjords before we headed out to open water and the Drake Passage. Our last day in the fjords was spent in Port Williams with plans to land at Cape Horn on our way to Antarctica.
Garabaldi Glacier
Once we entered the calm waters of the Garabaldi Fjord, our zodiac drivers started to warm up to take us on our first zodiac excursion. They kind of looked like they were driving boats in a Madd Max movie.
Remembering my session on how to get into and out of a zodiac, I climbed on board and headed out.
The Garibaldi Fjord is a narrow passage strewn with floating ice in shades of sapphire blue and teal green. Numerous waterfalls cascade down the steep mountainsides of the fjord. At the head of this beautiful fjord is an amazing sight - the retreating Garibaldi Glacier.
Next post from this trip.
