NorbertsNiece

@waiting2retire @haptrav thanks! Slept off and on all day. Isn't the first time on a cruise that I've involuntarily missed a port of call 😳 Geoff had a good time and I'll share his pics in due course. Lamb chops ordered for dinner tonight .....

Kudos to the Captain and his bridge team for getting us here with still plenty of time for a good day ashore (all aboard isn't until 2030). 20knots appears to have been the average speed in what looks like 'interesting' channels to reach the mainland! . . .

Happy new year!! Geoff grabbed some pics before heading off. You can see tenders in the location screenshot. Ticket numbers are still being called. . . . .

Day 17 Punta Arenas Chile Good afternoon and thanks for following. I am poorly. Raging headache not responding to painkillers; did not participate in the change of year festivities! Geoff has gone ashore. I'm still in the cabin. Pics from last night sailing out along the Beagle Channel, we appear to be straddling the line between Chile and Argentina! . ..

I'd like to thank each and every one of you for your support and encouragement with my posts. You do make it so worth my time. Wishing you all a very happy new year and a wonderful 2024 VID-20231231-WA0007.mp4

We had a super day in Ushuaia and I promise to catch you all up tomorrow. Really really tired atm. We left port almost 5 hours behind schedule due to high winds. Tomorrow we are in Punta Arenas, Chile Founded in 1848 by Col. José de los Santos Mardones, it flourished as a port of call and coaling station until the opening of the Panama Canal (1914) and the replacement of coal (still mined nearby) by fuel oil as a maritime fuel. Now the service centre of a large sheep-raising area, it processes and exports hides, wool, and frozen mutton.Its port facilities also handle local lumber and petroleum products. The nearby Tierra del Fuego oil fields, the attractions of the free port, and the maintenance of naval, air, and army garrisons have all contributed to the city’s modern growth. Surface communication and an international airport connect it with the north and Tierra del Fuego We are taking a HAL excursion : A Voyage into the Past: Magellan's Discovery. Top 3 Reasons To Book The history of Patagonia and Magellan's travels A replica of Magellan's ship, the Victoria The charm of the southernmost city in the world Only 18 members survived Magellan's 1519 expedition, which circumnavigated the globe and put Tierra del Fuego on the map. The territory you'll cover today played a significant role in Magellan's epic voyage, and your outing will introduce you to the saga and the first inhabitants of Fireland (Tierra del Fuego). Your guide will first show you some points of interest in Punta Arenas, the southernmost city in the world, but the major highlights are found in the rugged, scenic beauty outside of the city. You will head to Nao Victoria Museum, which contains a life-size replica of Ferdinand Magellan's ship -- the vessel in which he circumnavigated the globe. The ship replica recreates all the original structural features and, unlike many museums, offers a very tactile experience, as visitors are encouraged to hear the sounds of yesteryear and touch the replica everyday objects, including navigation instruments and artillery. The next stop is at the Maggiorino Borgatello Museum, founded by Salesian missionaries. This facility provides a comprehensive overview of the regional flora and fauna, the habitat of the local indigenous people, and regional history. From here, you will drive to the Cerro la Cruz viewpoint and take in the same view of the Strait of Magellan that Ferdinand Magellan himself had when he was here. You'll also see the port and the legendary Tierra del Fuego Island -- known as Fireland. On your way back to town, stop at Plaza de Armas (the main square) before returning to the pier. Please note: You must climb a long flight of stairs to reach some of the displays at the Maggiorino Borgatello Museum and most of the exhibit interpretive panels are written in Spanish only.

Day 16 Ushuaia New year's eve Good morning and thanks for following. Fab view from the balcony this morning. One of the points the Captain raised in his Q&A (which I WILL get around to) is that HE decides whether to dock port or starboard, dependent on the current conditions. As we're here early my tour group is meeting early. Gotta run 🏃‍♂️ . . . . . . . . .

630pm. Was wonderful!

Yes! They're open 😃 🏊‍♀️🏊‍♂️👙🩱

We had to travel north to pick up the pilots before heading to Cape Horn

Tomorrow we are in Ushuaia which is the capital and port of Tierra del Fuego provincia, Argentina, on the Beagle Channel. It lies on the main island of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago at the southern tip of South America. The site was first settled by Wasti H. Stirling, an English missionary, in 1870. In 1884 an Argentine naval base was established, and in 1893, after the archipelago was partitioned between Argentina and Chile, Ushuaia was declared a city. Lumbering, sheep raising, fishing, trapping, and tourism are the city’s principal economic activities. Ushuaia has the distinction of being the southernmost city in the world We are taking a small group independent excursion organised by a Cruise Critic roll call member pre cruise with : Calaio Viajes y Turismo 5 hours : Skip the hurried tours with drive-by photo opportunities, and experience the best of Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego National Park on a group shore excursion. Convenient transportation takes you from the port to downtown Ushuaia, stopping at scenic locations for pictures. The tour continues to Tierra del Fuego National Park, where you will be surrounded by lagoons and rivers. Stop for a snack, then relax on the return journey to the port. We also get to visit the southernmost land based post office in the world!

From the balcony link here The cape lies within Chilean territorial waters, and the Chilean Navy maintains a station on Horn Island, consisting of a residence, utility building, chapel, and lighthouse.

Wow @tjcox9 that's amazing. Thank you so much. When I can access my cloud I've pics there from 2017. Around about here I got fed up of poor images and went down to deck 9, into the gym and subsequently outside!! 😳 💨💨💨 . . . .

Many many pics. Sadly interrupted by reflection deck 10 windows .

Currently blowing like crazy out. Outside decks closed on approach

Heading to Cape Horn

Before dinner last night we were afforded time with Cynthia, the Guest Services Manager. There are 1675 passengers on board from 44 nationalities. 45 are children aged 0-17, high for the time of year. The Daily is also printed in Dutch, German and Spanish There are 2 Doctors and 4 nurses on board 37 nationalities of crew on board predominantly from Indonesia and the Philippines. Contracts are typically 6 months and many have been with HAL for many contracts. Shore days are enabled on a rota basis Cabin bedding is changed every 3 days. Towels on request All recycling is sold on and the income added to the crew fund. Which ports this occurs at depends on local laws. Kettles not allowed in cabins for safety reasons. When I queried that suites etc have Nespresso machines I was advised that cost is a factor in not distributing them widely. There are 2 computers and a printer for guests to use in the reception area I raised the point of out of date signage; rooms no longer exist, or names have been changed. This isn't expected to be rectified until the next dry dock in 2025 I've been asked about whether all cabins have tubs like ours. The answer is no; check the key on the deck plan. Talks are not streamed into cabins due to copyright law in Seattle. 2 galleys. Many staff eat in the Lido grill. We've seen officers in the Pinnacle Grill and Canaletto as well Tours of the Bridge, galleys, engine room areas are not being offered. Covid cited. Have suggested that a meeting is held for guests with dietary requirements early in the cruise to inform them of what is available, where and how it can be obtained. There's no record of the works of art around the ship. Some is quite spectacular! I have more questions. Cynthia is getting back to me over something quite mundane. Hopefully I can ask her them then

Food pics We ate again in Pinnacle Grill. So good! It's Orange night so we obliged. They have orange items for sale in the shop. We came equipped Lido Bouillabaisse Bierfest . .

Current situation : the pilots have boarded

I've a lot of catching up to do. The day before yesterday we sailed away from mainland Antarctica. After dinner we went up to the Antarctica Hub to grab some images of charts and pics they had on display. This was a fortuitous opportunity as the display was gone yesterday..... and there were icebergs still outside! The sun set ish.. .

Currently waiting for the 'Ask the Captain' session. Yesterday we were very privileged to have spent the best part of an hour with Cynthia, the Guest Services Manager. She fielded many questions and I'll share all the interesting info received. Cynthia, if you're reading this, muchas gracias por tu tiempo, fue muy apreciado.

Day 15 at sea Drake Passage and Cape Horn Good morning and thanks for following!! You're still here!! . Our ship isn't labelled..... have drawn a pale blue line to us, the blue arrow pointing north

1. In the cupboard under the safe is a hanger on which is attached a small bag : 2. Magnets are terrific for hanging maps, itineraries, the daily, letters etc. We have hooks too for scarves etc 3. Geoff says the ice scraper he uses on the car for the balcony windows 4. This is my camera phone.... Samsung Galaxy S22 Fabulous scenery helps. None of my pics have been filtered 🙂

This is Graeme Ayres. Explorer extraordinaire, he lead the team of lecturers. He'll be disembarking early to go trekking in Patagonia before boarding Oosterdam with a new team of speakers in San Antonio. Do not miss his commentary. Really wish HAL would enable the talks to be recorded for playback in the cabin. They've only just put the 2nd Captain's Antarctic update up🤦‍♀️