Almost Live Viking Octantis - Chilean Fjords & Patagonia Explorer - October 17-30, 2023

[OneSixtyToOne]

1 hour ago, CurlerRob said:

 

Good pics - it's always hard to show the severity of weather from the ship. Reminds me of a trip years ago when we were unable to get to Cape Horn and had to stay inside the channels. Imagine what it's like outside the Straits, or in the Drake! 🍺🥌

At tonight’s port talk they briefed us on the Beaufort Scale. We were at a 10-11 today. Bridge recorded an 80 mph gust. Ship handled beautifully. No one reported sea sickness. Here is a video of earlier today.

 

 

[OneSixtyToOne]

58 minutes ago, millybess said:

@OneSixtyToOne They really are good photos.  Are you still using your iPhone 14?

Yes I am. Today they had a presentation on tips when shooting photos with your phone.

[CurlerRob]

3 hours ago, OneSixtyToOne said:

At tonight’s port talk they briefed us on the Beaufort Scale. We were at a 10-11 today. Bridge recorded an 80 mph gust. Ship handled beautifully. No one reported sea sickness. Here is a video of earlier today. 

 

 

Good to hear about the ship handling. The video is completely consistent with the force 10-11 (48-63 sustained knots) in sheltered waters. Hopefully the weather will have abated somewhat by the time you need to poke your nose offshore in order to get to Cape Horn. On our 2013 miss, the conditions were very similar - 40' seas offshore.

 

There's a reason that the Southern Ocean has its reputation. Best of luck for full completion of the trip! 🍺🥌

[Twitchly]

4 hours ago, OneSixtyToOne said:

At tonight’s port talk they briefed us on the Beaufort Scale. We were at a 10-11 today. Bridge recorded an 80 mph gust. Ship handled beautifully.

Wow!! That’s almost hurricane strength! Impressive that the ship handled so well.

[Harley57]

Thanks so much for taking the time to post.  We will be on Jupiter in February from Buenos Aires to Santiago.  While I know our ports of call are different and the ocean ships lack the ‘toys’, I am getting really excited for our trip.  

[OneSixtyToOne]

Weather cleared as we entered Punta Arenas. 

 

[Mike07]

@OneSixtyToOne Have kind of stopped watching this thread, as I want to save some sights for discovery when I go, but you have completely sound me on the trip.

 

[lovetocrusie9918]

All set and ready for the trip.  Last questions for OneSixtyToOne, may I trouble you to give some insight on the return flight from Ushuaia to Buenos Aires?  Not sure do you have any post cruise stay in Argentina.  If you don't, can you please let me know does Viking just leave you waiting at EZE until your flight departs or there is some kind of city tour available?  My flight is at 10 pm, want to know what I can do to pass time.  

 

Once again, thank you for all of the insight tips.  I wish you continue good weather and safe journey.

[OneSixtyToOne]

Day 12 - Surf’s Up

 

 

Not much to report on. Today is a sea day as we travel the Strait of Magellan. It’s also the worst weather of the cruise. Outside decks are closed but there are some great views of  waves from The Hide.

 

 

Today’s science lecture was about seabirds. I learned that all seabirds have a nasal tube above their beak. To expel the salt they ingest from the water, there is a special gland in their head which discharges a salty mucus from this tube. 

 

 

 

On Deck A there was a ping pong tournament. Here you can see it from Deck 2. 

 

I realized that I’ve been mistakingly using the VO term port talk for the nightly talk. On expedition ships it’s referred to as a Daily Briefing and Recap. Since there are fewer ports, it’s much more geared toward science and nature, helping explain what you might have encountered during the day. Tonight’s briefing previewed Punta Aeneas as well as a presentation on the Beaufort Scale, used yo measure sea state and wind. We reach the 10-11 range today. The scale maximum is 12 so it was pretty rough. The presenter mentioned it was similar to some crossing in the Drake. The ship handled great. I’ve felt much more motion on a VO ship. The stabilization tech is doing its job. Great design.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tomorrow we visit penguins so tonight’s lectures was all about penguin adaptation to the cold. Their feet have evolve to heat the blood returned to the heart by having veins wrap around their arteries.

 

 

[millybess]

@OneSixtyToOne This is all so very interesting.  Thank you so much!

[HHI Cruiser1]

Thanks for all the info and posts.  Looks great and can't wait until we board soon.

 

I am confused by the temperature values - seem that F and C are being used as equals.  45 C is really hot and 45 F is mildly cold.  Which is correct?

 

From your previous post:

[OneSixtyToOne]

 

7 hours ago, HHI Cruiser1 said:

Thanks for all the info and posts.  Looks great and can't wait until we board soon.

 

I am confused by the temperature values - seem that F and C are being used as equals.  45 C is really hot and 45 F is mildly cold.  Which is correct?

 

From your previous post:

The screen switches between C and F. Could be this photo was shot at the exact moment the refresh was occurring and not all the values were updated yet. Just a glitch. It was F, as the upper right side indicates.

[TayanaLorna]

13 hours ago, HHI Cruiser1 said:

Thanks for all the info and posts.  Looks great and can't wait until we board soon.

 

I am confused by the temperature values - seem that F and C are being used as equals.  45 C is really hot and 45 F is mildly cold.  Which is correct?

 

From your previous post:

You are right.  It looks like the Hourly Forecast of 45 F is correct but the Now  and 5-Day one can no way be C.

[TayanaLorna]

13 hours ago, OneSixtyToOne said:

Day 12 - Surf’s Up

 

 

Not much to report on. Today is a sea day as we travel the Strait of Magellan. It’s also the worst weather of the cruise. Outside decks are closed but there are some great views of  waves from The Hide.

 

 

Today’s science lecture was about seabirds. I learned that all seabirds have a nasal tube above their beak. To expel the salt they ingest from the water, there is a special gland in their head which discharges a salty mucus from this tube. 

 

 

 

On Deck A there was a ping pong tournament. Here you can see it from Deck 2. 

 

I realized that I’ve been mistakingly using the VO term port talk for the nightly talk. On expedition ships it’s referred to as a Daily Briefing and Recap. Since there are fewer ports, it’s much more geared toward science and nature, helping explain what you might have encountered during the day. Tonight’s briefing previewed Punta Aeneas as well as a presentation on the Beaufort Scale, used yo measure sea state and wind. We reach the 10-11 range today. The scale maximum is 12 so it was pretty rough. The presenter mentioned it was similar to some crossing in the Drake. The ship handled great. I’ve felt much more motion on a VO ship. The stabilization tech is doing its job. Great design.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tomorrow we visit penguins so tonight’s lectures was all about penguin adaptation to the cold. Their feet have evolve to heat the blood returned to the heart by having veins wrap around their arteries.

 

 

After our shipped docked at Punta Arenas we had winds of 100 kph.  Passengers could not walk on dock from terminal to ship, they used an 18 person mini bus.  I was walking in town after an excursion and held on to the ropes along the sidewalks installed for the high winds.  Unfortunately they ended at the corners where a person needed to cross the street.  I wrapped my arms around a traffic light as it changed several times before a local man offered an arm to hold on to.  He helped me get back to the terminal as i could not stand on my own when the gusts came.  Aparently Punta Arenas and the Straits of Magellan are known for fierce winds.  It took 2-3 tugboats to get the Jupiter off the dock.

[OneSixtyToOne]

Day 13 - Happy Feet

 

 

 

The weather cleared this morning as we arrived in Punta Arenas. We docked across from two US flagged ships heading for Antarctica. 

 

 

 

We were advised to bundle up and when we exited the ship a blast of cold air told us why. The wind was brutal, with gusts of 30 MPH. We’re heading for Magdalena Island Penguin Reserve. After clearing the bag check at the port, we boarded the catamaran, which was docked next to the Octantis. It was a 90 minute trip across the Magellan Strait to the island of penguins. 

 

 

The wind on the exposed island was even worse than at the dock but the tour was worth it. Penguins are so cute. Magellanic Penguins are mostly solo birds so when you see a huddle of them on the shore, it means they are about to go out to sea. There are safety in numbers and makes it more difficult for a predator to capture one. The male penguins arrived in September when they prepare their underground nests. The females arrive soon after to lay one or two eggs. No chicks yet. The should hatch mid November.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After about an hour on the island we return to the dock. We decided it was too windy to explore the town so we went back to the ship to warm up.

 

Tonight’s daily briefing was on tomorrow’s visit to Agonstini Fjord where we are scheduled to have a zodiac landing. Forecast is for rain an sleet. 

 

 

 

 

 

The science segment was about the extinct Great Auk, the Arctic flightless bird that was similar to a penguin. It was hunted to extinction for its feathers, meat, and oil. 

 

 

 

 

Tonight’s lecture was about Shackleton and his attempt to cross the Antarctic continent. There was a clothing demonstration showing what the expedition wore. Burberry was their outfitter and advertised the fact in the papers.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 28, 2023 by OneSixtyToOne

[OneSixtyToOne]

Day 14 - Run Me Out In The Cold Rain & Snow

 

 

 

It’s 37F with rain and snow, the perfect day to do a zodiac landing at Agostini Glacier.

 

We did a beach landing on the rocky, snow covered shore. This will be the closest we get to what Antarctica landings must be like. The expedition team had placed trail markers ahead of time to guide us on our mile long trek to view the glacier. Along the way a member of the team talked about the plants and rock formations we encountered. It was an invigorating walk with spectacular views.

 

 

 

 

On the way back the kayakers from the ship paddled by.

 

Later in the day the wind gusts picked up. The zodiacs and SOB were like an amusement park ride.

 

 

 

Tonight’s daily briefing was on Garibaldi Glacier, which google has listed as closed. 

 

 

 

 

 

There was a presentation about Captain Cook and his search for a cure for scurvy.

 

 

 

The natural science presentation was about glacier ice dynamics. It described how glaciers moved and what causes the different shaped fissures.

 

 

 

We topped off the evening with our 4th trivia win of the cruise. Cheers.

Edited October 28, 2023 by OneSixtyToOne

[millybess]

Somewhat different than San Diego!!  🙂  You all look like you are thoroughly enjoying yourselves.  

[Azulann]

I am  just loving your trip report. What an awesome experience. 

[Twitchly]

Gorgeous! But wow, that weather. 

[island lady]

Going through there in about six weeks.  😮

[OneSixtyToOne]

On 10/26/2023 at 8:03 PM, lovetocrusie9918 said:

All set and ready for the trip.  Last questions for OneSixtyToOne, may I trouble you to give some insight on the return flight from Ushuaia to Buenos Aires?  Not sure do you have any post cruise stay in Argentina.  If you don't, can you please let me know does Viking just leave you waiting at EZE until your flight departs or there is some kind of city tour available?  My flight is at 10 pm, want to know what I can do to pass time.  

 

Once again, thank you for all of the insight tips.  I wish you continue good weather and safe journey.

We have the post extension but I just asked guest services about your situation and the answer was “It depends.” If there are enough people, they do a bus excursion to see the highlights of Buenos Aries before going to the airport. As of yet, nothing has been confirmed for the Polaris.

[OneSixtyToOne]

Day 15 - Pool with a View

 

 

 

The rain and snow stopped this morning and it’s a cold but calm day to explore the Garibaldi Fjord and Glacier. All the toys were deployed this morning.

 

 

 

We had another weather balloon launch at 9:00 AM.

 

Today we took a ride on the Special Ops Boat around the fjord and by the glacier.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lunch featured a special chocolate dessert buffet.

 

After lunch we sat around the pool and enjoyed the spectacular view.

 

Tonight was the Captain’s farewell reception in the Aula.

 

Returned to our stateroom to encounter the saddest part of the voyage, disembarking instructions. They did leave a special treat to ease our pain. So sad to leave this marvelous ship, but tomorrow morning we round Cape Horn at 7:00 AM.

[deec]

Thank you so very much for this great report.  We did the South America cruise on the Jupiter but it was nothing like this...we will definitely put this on the list!  Anxious to be on the Octantis in January for an Antarctica cruise.

[OneSixtyToOne]

Day 16 - This is the End, My Friend 

 

 

 

Today we’re all the way at the end of the Earth, at the bottom of South America, rounding Cape Horn. We woke up early to head to the bow to watch the 7:00 AM passage. Coffee and hot chocolate was available in The Shelter. We were able to pass extremely close to the cape, much closer that other cruise ships are allowed, because we had a Chilean pilot who has been with us all the way from Santiago. 

 

 

 

 

 

During lunch we entered the Beagle Channel where we passed a ship wreck. 

 

After lunch the announcement was made to place you expedition boot in the hallway for collection. So sad. 

 

 

Final briefing was at 4:00 PM. Learned about Ushuaia, the Beagle Channel, the native population. They gave the name to Tierra del Fuego because the European explorers would see their fires. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The science team gave us recap of the studies conducted during the cruise.

 

 

 

 

 

They wrapped up with a photo montage taken by the passengers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We dock in Ushuaia at around 8:00 PM. Don’t think we will go ashore. It’s Sunday night and most places are closed. We have an 8:40 AM disembarkation for Buenos Aires. Stay tuned. 

 

Edited October 29, 2023 by OneSixtyToOne

[TayanaLorna]

10 minutes ago, OneSixtyToOne said:

Day 16 - This is the End, My Friend 

 

 

 

Today we’re all the way at the end of the Earth, at the bottom of South America, rounding Cape Horn. We woke up early to head to the bow to watch the 7:00 AM passage. Coffee and hot chocolate was available in The Shelter. We were able to pass extremely close to the cape, much closer that other cruise ships are allowed, because we had a Chilean pilot who has been with us all the way from Santiago. 

 

 

 

 

 

During lunch we entered the Beagle Channel where we passed a ship wreck. 

 

After lunch the announcement was made to place you expedition boot in the hallway for collection. So sad. 

 

 

Final briefing was at 4:00 PM. Learned about Ushuaia, the Beagle Channel, the native population. They gave the name to Tierra del Fuego because the European explorers would see their fires. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The science team gave us recap of the studies conducted during the cruise.

 

 

 

 

 

They wrapped up with a photo montage taken by the passengers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We dock in Ushuaia at around 8:00 PM. Don’t think we will go ashore. It’s Sunday night and most places are closed. We have an 8:40 AM disembarkation for Buenos Aires. Stay tuned. 

 

Wow, you went outside to the Horn.  The Jupiter sailings went from Ushuaia through the Beagle Channel, completely around the Horn then off to the Falklands.  Like Deec said, we would consider doing this cruise in the future.  We wished we had more time in Patagonia.  Great job.  Have a safe trip home.