Azamara in the Antarctic - a live perspective

[Mackdogmolly]

Had a great private tour from Port Stanley today (just 4 of us) to Bertha’s Beach to see Gentoo Penguins and then to Gypsy Cove, where we saw molting Magellanic Penguins. Then a little tour of the town. Falkland Outdoors, a great little family run operation - highly recommend. Before we left Bertha’s Beach, there were 2 stranded passengers from an Azamara tour that had left without them! The wardens were working to get them back to town. 
The weather was very changeable - some sun, some rain, some blustery wind. 
Bought some local gin, among other souvenirs!

[uktog]

We have had an amazing day on the Falkland Islands- and we say not one penguin except stuffed ones in the shop. 
 

We engaged Shaun Jaffray (Adventure Falklands) who has taken over Patrick Watts business. He provided a driver Dave who was a young boy during the 1982 conflict and knew so much about all the sites. It was a most wonderful day. We were off-road but in comfort for most of the time, through farmyard etc to access sites. We paid 50% more than the quick ship drive by but were out for 7 hours. 
 

I’ve tried to name all the pictures for those into the details of the conflict. For UK guests this one is a must do 

Downtown Stanley 

The Governors house where Argentine surrendered in 14 June 1982

Inside the Anglican Church 

You have to have a pub and a phone box 

The Fleet Air Arm memorial Bluff Cove

 

The Welsh Guards Bluff Cove. Sir Tristram and Sir Galahad were lost there

Grave of an unknown soldier in the Argentine cemetery 

Where Sir H Jones was killed (the white marked area)

and his grave at San Carlos

The Task force memorial San Carlos

Goose Green

Wreckage of an Argentine plane. Still there

Mount Tumbledown area

 

 

[uktog]

@Mackdogmolly  I thought Bertha Beach was a 4x4 trip so how on earth did they get left behind!  
 

I think most people today have had a wonderful time. Now we continue the British theme with the menu tonight! 

[Mackdogmolly]

We had fish and chips in port so the menu in the MDR did not appeal. Went to Prime C on the off chance that they could fit us in without a reservation and it was easily done. So had a lovely meal there and calling it an early night.

Edited February 23 by Mackdogmolly

[Mackdogmolly]

2 hours ago, uktog said:

I thought Bertha Beach was a 4x4 trip so how on earth did they get left behind!  

There were some larger vehicles there.

[uktog]

18 minutes ago, Mackdogmolly said:

We had fish and chips in port so the menu in the MDR did not appeal. Went to Prime C on the off chance that they could fit us in without a reservation and it was easier done. So had a lovely meal there and calling it an early night.

We went to the MDR it was meh tonight and way too hot. We heard people telling their butler at 1830 they were too tired to go to Prime C so just cancel. We should have done as you did and chanced a slot upstairs 

Edited February 23 by uktog

[Grandma Cruising]

5 hours ago, Mackdogmolly said:

We had fish and chips in port so the menu in the MDR did not appeal. Went to Prime C on the off chance that they could fit us in without a reservation and it was easily done. So had a lovely meal there and calling it an early night.

Did you have your fish & Chips at the Globe, we had it there a few years ago and it was great!

Glad to hear you're having a great time.

[uktog]

Justin the Assistant CD did his show tonight. He really has an excellent voice though we felt the structure of his show was weak and did him no favours. Hopefully he can get mentored by someone else as he’s got tremendous potential and is a genuinely nice guy. 
We find the show time on the ship of 9pm a total pain. It means only early speciality dining works, if you dine at 1830 you’re kicking your heals for c an hour and if you go to the MDR at say 7.15 to work around this only the poorer middle tables are available. We will continue to work around this but it’s a bad time in our view given it’s only one show. 
We’ve bounced around a bit in the night. Doesn’t affect us but I think some are feeling less good. We did have fun our curtains kept sliding open but otherwise as we’d done our usual rocking boat precautions eg remove ice tongs from top of bucket to stop rattling , separate the glasses on the tray to stop chinking we had nothing other than the typical creaks in weather like this. 
As has been highlighted before no mid cruise feedback forms only a tiny QR code in the bottom of the Insider and no mention by the Cruise Director to highlight the code (others do that). It’s a shame because crew miss out on positive recognition mid cruise and little issues don’t get highlighted 

Lets see what today’s rolling sea day brings 

[Mackdogmolly]

5 hours ago, Grandma Cruising said:

Did you have your fish & Chips at the Globe, we had it there a few years ago and it was great!

Glad to hear you're having a great time.

No, we had them ad a place called the Waterfront, near the pier. They were excellent too!

[Mackdogmolly]

37 minutes ago, uktog said:

We’ve bounced around a bit in the night. Doesn’t affect us but I think some are feeling less good

I sleep right through it!

[Mackdogmolly]

38 minutes ago, uktog said:

As has been highlighted before no mid cruise feedback forms only a tiny QR code in the bottom of the Insider and no mention by the Cruise Director to highlight the code (others do that). It’s a shame because crew miss out on positive recognition mid cruise and little issues don’t get highlighted 

I quite agree - so easy to miss!!

[Mackdogmolly]

Bit of a shake as we cross the Drake. The Captain is reporting 12’ swells, likely increasing to 15’.

 

Lovely sea day brunch in the MDR today, with crew helping to carry plates for swaying guests 😅

[tmacktravels]

7 hours ago, Mackdogmolly said:

I quite agree - so easy to miss!!

In December on the Quest, the mid cruise feedback was on an A5 flyer with the scan code but a couple of us filled them by pen and ink ✍️ and handed into reception. They were acknowledged and discussed/actioned in a very timely manner. 

[nordski]

3 hours ago, Mackdogmolly said:

Bit of a shake as we cross the Drake. The Captain is reporting 12’ swells, likely increasing to 15’.

 

Lovely sea day brunch in the MDR today, with crew helping to carry plates for swaying guests 😅

Love the opening line!

[uktog]

We’ve bounced along today. The swell against us slowed our progress but by sailing further east we avoided some of the worst impact. 
Saw our first growlers tonight (little break offs of ice). 
Loved the fact the captain did a second weather update at 1830. Other captains could learn a lot about the benefits of such regular communication! 
Dined in Prime C tonight - pleasant but a little underwhelming- I wouldn’t have paid $49.95 pp for that. It was “fine” not “special” - a little bland and we had to send the potatoes sides back as they were cold. Let’s hope our next visit is better!  

[giraffeluver]

I was one of the swaying guests and actually was escorted around the the buffet and one of the officers filled my plate for me and someone else carried it to the table, LOL, Never had that kind of service before, very nice of them to take care of this young old lady. Food was good at the brunch, nice variety.

[Mackdogmolly]

Outside my cabin on deck 7 this morning. Still in the Drake.

[uktog]

Our first “big” one 

The seas have calmed and it’s so good the regular information broadcast on plans and what we are heading to see

 

 

[uktog]

Sailing past King George Island, our first close up view of the magnificance of icebergs and the polished surfaces. 

 

 

We’ve all been dashing out for pictures and guests have become less recognisable as they shroud themselves in duvet coats fleeces jumpers hats and scarves - many wearing all five! 

[Mackdogmolly]

18 minutes ago, uktog said:

Sailing past King George Island, our first close up view of the magnificance of icebergs and the polished surfaces. 

 

 

We’ve all been dashing out for pictures and guests have become less recognisable as they shroud themselves in duvet coats fleeces jumpers hats and scarves - many wearing all five! 

Yes, very cold and windy on deck!

[uktog]

Good morning Antarctica- looking forward to a day full of surprises and natural beauty. Opening our curtains to this - wow. 

 

 

Im surprised they’ve published a programme of activities in rooms with no viewing options- I wonder how many will watch Oppenheimer this afternoon in the Cabaret when we are in one of the peak viewing areas. Sends out a weird message about destination focus imho. 

 

Whilst the speaker programme is excellent the rest including its timings feels like a standard this is a cruise to it doesn’t matter where you have to have ….. (fill in the blanks). 
 

 

 

Edited February 26 by uktog

[Mackdogmolly]

View from our balcony this morning. Heading south towards Paradise Bay.

[uktog]

What an amazing morning - we have so many photos but here are three. These are all taken with iPhone obviously the long lense people will have even better 

 

views

penguins

whales

and the news we are to have visitor’s boarding from the Chilean Research base. Captain has used his personal contacts to set up this exciting interaction 

[Mackdogmolly]

44 minutes ago, uktog said:

What an amazing morning - we have so many photos but here are three. These are all taken with iPhone obviously the long lense people will have even better 

 

views

penguins

whales

and the news we are to have visitor’s boarding from the Chilean Research base. Captain has used his personal contacts to set up this exciting interaction 

We will give them lunch, fresh fruits, vegetables & wine to take back to the base. And they will offer us a Q & A and launch a drone to take a picture of our ship!

[Bloodaxe]

Unbelievable that anyone would want to watch a film with the wonders that you are cruising past outside.

You pictures are bringing back wonderful memories of our cruise in 2008, you are fortunate to have one of the best Captains we ever sailed with in charge.

 

Edited February 26 by Bloodaxe