Thoughts, impressions, and observations for the World Cruise.

[suzyluvs2cruise]

8 hours ago, island lady said:

 

We have a tour to visit the Penguins on Magdalena Island out of Punta Arenas Chili.  Looking forward to it.  🙂 

 

1 hour ago, meg1021 said:

On the plus side, you will love the excursion to see the penguins on Magdelena Island.  Be prepared for very windy conditions, and a somewhat rocky ferry trip over to the island, even in "good" conditions, but it is well worth it.  You can walk up to the lighthouse via a roped off path, and you will have very close access to the penguins, although touching them is forbidden, and they have "right of way', if they decide to cross the path in front of you.  The tour is just a great opportunity to see penguins in their natural habitat.  There will be many photo opportunities!  Have fun and keep enjoying your cruise!

Pics below are from our 2016 Rhapsody SA cruise. We loved our excursion to Magdalena Island to see the penguins....and I'm sure you will too. 

[island lady]

1 hour ago, lovesthebeach2 said:

I love that Royal does things like this for the crew ❤️ 

We did a B2B on Radiance and ate at Giovannis for lunch on each leg. The server we had for the first lunch wasn’t serving us for the second lunch, but he was so sweet he brought me a rose in a wine glass. When the crew feels they’re appreciated by Royal or guests, it shows in these ways.

 

Beautiful!!  And yes, we love our crew members.  I have already had some come forward tonight to thank me....but my reply....was instead.... "Thank you!" for all they do for us.  🥰

[island lady]

1 hour ago, meg1021 said:

So sorry to hear that you couldn't visit Port Stanley due to weather conditions,  We did the South America itinerary last January on Oceania's Insignia, and were told that the Falklands are frequently cancelled because of weather.  Fortunately, we were able to tender in on our designated port day, but tender service had to be suspended at one point, because of conditions.

 

On the plus side, you will love the excursion to see the penguins on Magdelena Island.  Be prepared for very windy conditions, and a somewhat rocky ferry trip over to the island, even in "good" conditions, but it is well worth it.  You can walk up to the lighthouse via a roped off path, and you will have very close access to the penguins, although touching them is forbidden, and they have "right of way', if they decide to cross the path in front of you.  The tour is just a great opportunity to see penguins in their natural habitat.  There will be many photo opportunities!  Have fun and keep enjoying your cruise!

 

Thanks...that is the one tour...with the ferry in mind, that I know could be a bit rocky on that smaller boat.  Me...I will be OK, but I have brought liquid Dramamine for Bucky that works faster than the pills.  

Thanks for the info!  🙂 

[island lady]

8 minutes ago, suzyluvs2cruise said:

 

Pics below are from our 2016 Rhapsody SA cruise. We loved our excursion to Magdalena Island to see the penguins....and I'm sure you will too. 

 

Oh wow...yes, I did a lot of research on this protected park.  Soooo looking forward to it...and happy to hear you enjoyed it!  🤗

[Jimbo]

1 hour ago, CSHS1979 said:

 

Looked up MS Expedition. 6000 tons, 134 passengers. Less folks than our tenders. Of course they can dock downtown 

That's not why I posted that, I know smaller ships can go right near downtown and dock. I know Serenade couldn't do that.

Just showed that , because that is probably about the same area down town you would have been tendering in to.

[island lady]

Current position:    Doing the actual "round the horn" part of our journey now.  About 5 am passed by that last "big snow capped rock" at the end of the tail.  Should be some very pretty sailing by this afternoon on our way to Ushuaia.  And we finally received confirmation that we will be docked, instead of tendered there.  Was way too weird that we would have been tendered there (as was previously listed) for an overnight.  They have a huge pier there.  The word was that something to do with a gathering of the Argentine Navy had made it questionable.  We will see.  Definitely be an interesting cruise today.  🙂  

 

It is 7:18 am our time right now...since we continue west, I am assuming we will have a time change soon.

 

 

 

 

[island lady]

We passed up what I assume is the entrance to the channel to Ushuaia...looks like a little first visit to Cape Horn. Maybe do a little loop de loop?   Cloudy with rain in the area...can't quite see land yet, but is just beyond the horizon.  Balmy 41 degrees outside right now.  🥶

[CSHS1979]

Some maps for the passage to Ushuaia and Punta Arenas

 

 

 

This one looks promising

 

 

Edited January 16 by CSHS1979

[CSHS1979]

Taste of Royal today at 11:30 in Giovanni. Hope to get a window seat

[island lady]

40 minutes ago, CSHS1979 said:

Taste of Royal today at 11:30 in Giovanni. Hope to get a window seat

 

We enjoyed a 4 top window seat in there yesterday for lunch.  Rather limited window seats.  Had such a great lunch and good time!  My steak was perfection! 

 

The last 2 "Cheers with and Officer"...my steak was just nasty.  😒

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 16 by island lady

[island lady]

44 minutes ago, CSHS1979 said:

Some maps for the passage to Ushuaia and Punta Arenas

 

 

 

This one looks promising

 

 

 

I like the route with the brown colors and red line.  Assuming that is our route perhaps?  Just barely starting to see a bit of land on the horizon now.  Looking forward to the interior passage soon.  🙂 

[cruiselvr04]

Looks like the next few days will have very scenic sailing.  So fun!  
 

We were never very interested in SA but after your pictures and report we are definitely going to add it to the list! 

[MindyJohn]

I've finally been able to spend some time catching up with your Thoughts and Impressions group, @island lady  The photos and discussion are wonderful and we are grateful for your time and effort!!!  

 

We were fortunate to sail this area with Azamara in 2015.  Here's a pretty 11pm sunset shot from Paradise Bay area and several from our penguin excursions at Port Stanley.  I'm sorry the weather didn't cooperate for you.  We were also rerouted to avoid a storm but luckily got into Port Stanley.  We went to a sheep farmer's house in the morning to view the cliff on his property inhabited by cute Rockhoppers.  In the afternoon it was Bluff Cover to see Kings.  

 

 

[MindyJohn]

On 1/15/2024 at 2:47 AM, pstone1 said:

We’re sad but certainly understand.  Our Penguin excursion to Seal Bay was not cancelled so we were all packed up and looking forward to it this morning!  
 

I guess I’ll just have to book another cruise with the Falkland Islands on the itinerary!  😉

I saw a post yesterday from the tour operator we used in Port Stanley in 2015 saying he had a whole lotta sandwiches to give away since Celebrity and Serenade had both had to sail away.  

[delmom18]

On 1/14/2024 at 9:37 AM, cruise1957 said:

I hope it won't go poof.

I've already been thinking of how I'll adjust to not seeing this thread once the UWC is over.  It's such a part of my life and I too am very grateful to all onboard who post here.

[Mike07]

2 minutes ago, delmom18 said:

I've already been thinking of how I'll adjust to not seeing this thread once the UWC is over.  It's such a part of my life and I too am very grateful to all onboard who post here.

 

 

For sure, it's fun to check in on the ship and where they're at.

[Ocean Boy]

1 hour ago, cruiselvr04 said:

Looks like the next few days will have very scenic sailing.  So fun!  
 

We were never very interested in SA but after your pictures and report we are definitely going to add it to the list! 

I am feeling the same way.

[pstone1]

55 minutes ago, MindyJohn said:

I saw a post yesterday from the tour operator we used in Port Stanley in 2015 saying he had a whole lotta sandwiches to give away since Celebrity and Serenade had both had to sail away.  

I’m sure they were looking forward to a sold out day!

[island lady]

1 hour ago, MindyJohn said:

I've finally been able to spend some time catching up with your Thoughts and Impressions group, @island lady  The photos and discussion are wonderful and we are grateful for your time and effort!!!  

 

We were fortunate to sail this area with Azamara in 2015.  Here's a pretty 11pm sunset shot from Paradise Bay area and several from our penguin excursions at Port Stanley.  I'm sorry the weather didn't cooperate for you.  We were also rerouted to avoid a storm but luckily got into Port Stanley.  We went to a sheep farmer's house in the morning to view the cliff on his property inhabited by cute Rockhoppers.  In the afternoon it was Bluff Cover to see Kings.  

 

 

 

Thanks Mindy my friend!  Wish you were with us!  These are fantastic photos...love the little "Rock Hoppers".  Thanks so much for sharing!   Looking forward to our Penguin tour out of Punta Arenas.  🙂  

[island lady]

35 minutes ago, delmom18 said:

I've already been thinking of how I'll adjust to not seeing this thread once the UWC is over.  It's such a part of my life and I too am very grateful to all onboard who post here.

 

Awww...thanks!  Such a nice compliment.  🥰

[island lady]

Current position.   Navy boat on our port side about to launch a rubber boat dingy to board here on our starboard side with pilot to join us.  Then we will be able to get closer to Cape Horn.  My pictures are bit far way so far...hoping to get some better shots soon.

 

 

[island lady]

Seems to be some rather rugged and tough sailing enthusiasts down here at the bottom of the world!  

Still waiting for the pilot boat to come around us.  

 

 

 

 

[island lady]

Ahoy Navy pilots!  

 

Pilot is on board now, and will be with us all the way to Valparaiso Chili (end of mini leg #2).  Pulling a nice tour of duty for 8 days.  😉 

 

 

Edited January 16 by island lady

[island lady]

Navy boat waiting for the rubber dingy to rejoin them.  Lighthouse and station on the ridge .  Can't quite see it, but a monument on the top of the cliff as well.  The actual end...of Cape Horn.  And we are on our way back to head into the passage.  

Once again lucky to have our balcony on the starboard side.  Bucky tried to get some shots on deck 12 and 13, but was elbowed out of the way.  Sigh...glad I stayed warm and dry in the cabin!  😉 

 

 

Edited January 16 by island lady

[Another_Critic]

1 hour ago, island lady said:

  Bucky tried to get some shots on deck 12 and 13, but was elbowed out of the way. 

 

Tequila shots?  🥛  😉