Cabin 805, admin and off we go

8 November 2022 – Ushuaia and the Beagle Channel

After wide-eyedly entering the ship… Gangplank is on Deck 4, I made my way up the closest set of stairs to Deck 8.

The atrium with its LCD panels was amazing, but the glass lifts that look out on it was busy and there were lines. Gawking would have to wait until a ‘sea day’.

The keycard gained entry to Cabin 805… on the second try. From now on I would just have to try it at least twice – virtually every time. Only the one side of the card actually opened the door… I for the life of me cannot (even now) remember if it is the side with the writing on.. or the other one.

Backpack put down… it was time to get the ‘admin’ out of the way.

I think I did the credit card registration at reception first as I thought most would go for the jackets first… or the boots.

Then on to get the Red Jacket as it’s at the lecture hall on the same deck (Deck 6) as Reception. I think it was the lecture hall – I just remember tables and heaps of jackets and people trying on jackets.

The line was not very long at that point and I was second in line. I walked up to the table and shrugged – I have no idea what size jacket would work. Rumour has it that the team is quite good at sizing up the guests and recommending appropriate sizes. However, the gentleman sitting in front of me (chin on steepled hands) after looking at me for a few seconds confidently decided on a “Small”. Knowing that I was wearing a Large ladies HH fleece and padded jacket and that I have quite broad shoulders I was extremely sceptical… my words… “God, you’re optimistic”

He insisted on the small and I said I’d try it just to humour him, but there’s no way in hell…

I have no idea what happened after that… but the next moment he was fixing the velcro around my wrists, zipping up the jacket and instructing me to flex my arms – just to prove.. what he was saying… “Perfect”… Heaven knows, I so much wanted him to be wrong.. just to get that selfsatified smile off his face. But he was right.. it was perfect, soooooooo not what I would have chosen.

“Ok.. I would not have picked a small, but you clearly know what you are doing…” I had to admit defeat… I got a knowing “I’ve been doing this for a while” response…. All righty then…. this is going to be an interesting trip.

Next – Boots at the Expedition Launch – Deck 3. Decked out (excuse the pun) in the socks/pants that you will be wearing during landings to ensure a comfortable fit.

The boots in my shoe size were too tight around my ‘shall we say generous” calves. A problem I regularly have with knee-high boots. The boots with adjustable calve area is not available in my size. Luckily one size up was a compromise – thicker socks will prevent movement in the boot, but at least the calves were a snug, but bearable fit.

Back to Cabin 805 to deposit kit – admin almost done…

All that’s left is the safety demonstration – in our case also on Deck 6. Demonstration of getting into the full body survival suit – looked very complicated. I guess adrenaline or complete panic will kick in at the appropriate moments… It comes wrapped in a foil packet… my only question – How easy is it to remove from the packaging.. I can see myself struggling for 20 minutes to open the package – at that point procedure of getting into the suite is moot if I can’t get the package open. Got assurance that apparently it’s easy to open – Phew! And apparrently I was not the only one with that concern..

Then it was off to Deck 10 to wave goodbye to Sister Ship MS FN and Ushuaia as we departed into the Beagle Channel – off to Antarctica – two days of Drake crossing looming large.

I took my anti-seasickness meds before we departed – having never been a minute seasick in my life. I’ve done a few ocean cruises and day trips – no problem. OK – not Drake Passage, but still I had no inkling of what was to come around 4am when we hit open water…

Supper was uneventful. We were scheduled for supper as “Boat Groups” – one night only. I think the idea was for the groups to meet and get to know each other before the landings start. I dont think it worked as intended – not for me anyways.. the seatings overlapped and I ended up chatting with Yvonne and Carol – definately not in my group. After supper we chatted till quite late in their cabin before going off to sleep.