Splash zone at night Our tour of this innovative ship continued today with lots of nooks and crannies (hidden gems) to discover. From a speakeasy supper club (8 course meal and cocktail pairing with live music) to an adults only private hideaway with the world’s first suspended edgeless pool, there is something for everyone. Super… Continue reading 24 starts with a bang – Sailaway and day at sea

Red-eye flight behind me, I am sitting at the Royal Caribbean transfer desk at MIA airport with anticipation for the 3-nights that lie ahead. The geek in me is looking forward to seeing how this newest ship elevates the game and how it all functions. One thing is clear even before I board, Royal Caribbean… Continue reading 24 starts with a bang – Anticipation for Icon

Happy New Year to all my readers. I am excited to start another exciting year in travel with a bang. While my first trip ended up falling through as my new passport didn’t arrive in time, I am now kicking the year off with a 3-day Icon of the Seas inaugural out of Miami next… Continue reading 24 starts with a bang – Icon of the Seas

Team farewell toast One defining feature colors all Antarctica cruises - the famed Drake’s passage. This open ocean section presents some of the most challenging navigable waters on the planet. Treacherous winds, massive swells, and storm after storm passing through this natural funnel make it the most feared passage on the planet. Drake’s passage from… Continue reading Antarctica – What about the Drake?

Best ever chocolate desert at La Dame There are many options for expedition cruising in the polar regions these days. So it comes down to preferences in style and substance (I.e. soft vs full on adventure). While not the newest ship, Silver Cloud punched a big hole in comfort, quality, and overall amenities that set… Continue reading Antarctica – Silversea Cruises sets the bar high

Icy Cathedral Reflecting back on a life in tourism, from my early days guiding rail traffic in tiny Swiss stations, my early 30s TransAmerican VW Vanagon days, to the past extraordinary 6 years at Direct Travel, one place stood unwaveringinfly at the top of my aspirational list - Antarctica. Adelie Penguins on an iceberg I… Continue reading Antarctica reached – Speechless & Emotional

Having made it back to a balmy 85 degree Santiago de Chile and then home for the holidays, it is time for final reflections on this “life-changing” trip. Our cabin with all the goodies While overall a great success, I admit right away that I underestimated a few areas of preparation for this “once-in-a-lifetime” trip.… Continue reading Antarctica left behind – Final Reflections

My personal determination to make it down here to Antarctica started with a squirt back in March of 1980. In fact, it was a humiliating squirt straight onto my new Sunday dress pant legs purchased for the Protestant Confirmation service that day. Before the ceremony scheduled for 1pm, our family and attending relatives gathered at… Continue reading Antarctica reached – 7th Continent checked (a squirty reason revealed)

Elephant island emerges from fog Our first few hours down here at the edge of Earth’s southernmost continent were of the foggy and windy mind. As with everything in life, good things come to those who wait and sure enough, by early afternoon, the sun broke through and showered us with endless light across these… Continue reading Antarctica reached – Whales, Icebergs, and Penguins

Silver cloud in Fortuna Bay Three amazing days around South Georgia came to an end with a fantastic last landing at Fortuna Bay - a king Penguin colony of thousands of birds - amongst elephant and fur seals peacefully cohabiting on this pristine beach. Busy cruise ship season in Antarctica as documented by http://www.cruisemapper.com Once… Continue reading Antarctica reached – Yes, we are still alive

Kayaking in Haakon Bay past a king penguin colony Our day began very early at 445AM for a pre-breakfast zodiac ride to Cape Rosa where Sir Ernest Shackleton found refuge on his 1914-16 polar expedition after sailing back from Elephant island on the Antarctica archipelago to South Georgia. Selfie on Cape Rosa For our second… Continue reading Antarctica on the horizon – South Georgia – kayaking

Map of South Georgia Two days at sea running at 18 knots away from a massive Antarctic storm system, our masterful captain Andri Domanin steered us safely toward South Georgia with minimal waves. His feat allowed us to experience an additional, unscripted passage through the stunning Drygalski Fjord at the very southern tip of the… Continue reading Antarctica on the horizon – South Georgia Island

Rock hopper Penguin on Falkland Island After a day at sea, our Silver Cloud expedition ship arrived at New Island in the western Falklands for a first zodiac outing. Courtesy of my companion Jerry’s video skills, enjoy the Rockhopper Penguin we saw from a few feet away as we explored the cliffside. Landing site at… Continue reading Antarctica on the horizon – Falkland Islands

Santiago’s Plaza de la constitution We put our day in Santiago to good use as the hotel could not give us a room til late afternoon. instead of sitting around, we walked the historic Bellas Artes neighborhood on foot, from Constitution Square to Plaza de Armas, and down to the market hall, our sojourn showcased… Continue reading Antarctica on the horizon – Santiago to the end of the world

United A319 to Houston While I have seen a lot of aircraft of late, today’s boarding in sunny Palm Springs carries special excitement as I begin my vacation with an overnight flight to South America. United is flying me via Houston to Santiago in Chile where I will unite with my travel companion Jerry for… Continue reading Antarctica on the horizon – journey to Santiago