Antarctica with Apprehension

[Flying mermaid]

Really keen to see what you think, and look forward to all the stunning photos. We thought about booking the same cruise last year, but pulled out because .... it's a cruise.

About the time you depart for your trip - we'll be posting our trip report whilst driving / eating ourselves around Basque country.

yeah - we have never been interested in cruises, but it’s Antarctica - not a lot of choice ..... Ms FM was quite keen on the idea she would be able to say she had been on all 7 continents.

Enjoy your Basque trip - scenery and food should be great

 

[love_the_life]

You can fly into King George Island (South Shetlands) but weather can be very unpredictable and quite likely that flights are cancelled.

Flights to Antarctica | Fly to Antarctica

If it’s a toss up between Antarctica (by ship) or Basque Country, sorry, I know what I’d plump for.

 

[bPeteb]

This canvas on our dining room wall is from a photo we took of a group of emperor penguins (plus one funny little Adelie). Every time I see it I still can't believe we actually took that photo. Antarctica is a place you'll never forget. I'm with your husband, photos are forever, memories can fade. We take way fewer than we used to but in Antarctica maybe we got a little carried away - the icebergs, the penguins, the seals, the everything

 

[Cossie]

You can fly into King George Island (South Shetlands) but weather can be very unpredictable and quite likely that flights are cancelled.

Flights to Antarctica | Fly to Antarctica

If it’s a toss up between Antarctica (by ship) or Basque Country, sorry, I know what I’d plump for.

No contest in my mind either! I'm getting in early as well.

 

[craven morehead]

Getting with the program much earlier than usual

 

[Fifa]

I’ll be following along...
As my +1 is not interested in visiting Antarctica, my second son is keen to come with me but first we have to lock in dates!

 

[LadyC]

Sounds like a great trip. Look forward to reading all about it.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

You'll be fine. A lot of seasickness is all in the mind (so they say) and if you are out on deck and excited in what's happening, you won't even think of it. The only things that might be a bit iffy are a) putting your head down to read and b) sitting at the front of the ship when it is pitching a bit (Not sure about the Cloud but often the theatre is at the front (bow end) which means it can be a bit bumpy if the seas are rough). Ponant's theatre was at the stern.
You'll be busy on the first two days with briefings and lectures etc and then you'll be at Antarctica!
Anyway it might be smooth - the Drake Lake for you.
One thing to tell MrFM is not to spend all his time taking photos - yes, they are great but sometimes it is more important to just sit and take in the atmosphere of the place (a bit like visiting the Mona Lisa - everyone is jostling to take a photo and no one is really looking at the painting). It is amazing.

We were on the Silver Cloud in May after its conversion to an Expedition class ship late last year.

Their theatre is in the stern.

Susceptibility to seasickness varies by the individual and while certain things like reading, eating/drinking too much etc can make it worse for some people if you are prone to it medications will tend to be required at least at first.

Once the body gets attuned to the motions of the sea many people will be less susceptible.

So If you if you are not 100% immune I would always suggest starting the cruise by taking sea sickness medication and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption.

If a rough section is forecast make sure you start the medication well prior to that section.

 

[love_the_life]

View attachment 146400 This canvas on our dining room wall is from a photo we took of a group of emperor penguins (plus one funny little Adelie). Every time I see it I still can't believe we actually took that photo. Antarctica is a place you'll never forget. I'm with your husband, photos are forever, memories can fade. We take way fewer than we used to but in Antarctica maybe we got a little carried away - the icebergs, the penguins, the seals, the everything

That’s a great photo. We missed the Emperor Penguins as they had already left for the summer. We did see plenty of King Penguins on SG though and of course Adelies, Chinstraps and Gentoos on the peninsula. I could watch the penguins for hours, they are so entertaining.

 

[Straubs]

Can't wait to see this ... so am hoping Mr FM doesn't come to his senses just yet

 

[Flying mermaid]

So been speaking to the French suppliers (in fact to the CEO Antoine Jeannin) and they have promised to do everything they can to get my glasses to me before we leave. 3 weeks to go and Christmas and New Year in there, so it’s going to be tight!


Boarding Glasses – Motion sickness is over !

 

[tgh]

5 days and counting .. how are the nerves ?

 

[TomVexille]

So been speaking to the French suppliers (in fact to the CEO Antoine Jeannin) and they have promised to do everything they can to get my glasses to me before we leave. 3 weeks to go and Christmas and New Year in there, so it’s going to be tight!


Boarding Glasses – Motion sickness is over !

Have they turned up?

I'm intrigued by the concept and hope they work. Not that I think I'll ever need something like that luckily.

 

[Flying mermaid]

5 days and counting .. how are the nerves ?

Bad - I had a dream last night where we were sailing along beautifully and then a storm hit . Clearly it’s getting to me.

Don’t look like getting my boarding ring glasses either. They have had a problem getting delivery and they haven’t been posted yet, so no way they will arrive. Oh well - plenty of medication. . .

The younger brigade seem pretty happy about it all but Mr FM is sulking and muttering about what was wrong with Machu Picchu

 

[Flying mermaid]

Have they turned up?

I'm intrigued by the concept and hope they work. Not that I think I'll ever need something like that luckily.

I think they sound fantastic but sadly it doesn’t look like they will get here....

 

[TomVexille]

Bummer

 

[BAM1748]

So been speaking to the French suppliers (in fact to the CEO Antoine Jeannin) and they have promised to do everything they can to get my glasses to me before we leave. 3 weeks to go and Christmas and New Year in there, so it’s going to be tight!


Boarding Glasses – Motion sickness is over !

Stylish.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Stylish.

You only wear them for 10 minutes, so the geeky look doesn’t matter. Anyway if it is looking geeky or throwing up, I choose geeky.

When I finally get them I will trial them by reading in a car and see if they do work.....

 

[BAM1748]

I think geeky is perhaps not the right word, but I do hope they work as I get very sea/motion sick having been sick on a manly ferry while sitting outside! So I doubt they work for everyone.

Look forward to finding out What happens.

 

[Flying mermaid]

I think geeky is perhaps not the right word, but I do hope they work as I get very sea/motion sick having been sick on a manly ferry while sitting outside! So I doubt they work for everyone.

Look forward to finding out What happens.

Mr FM thinks they are snake oil, but I had great hopes for them - unfortunately not to be ...... they have been tested with the French Navy with a high success rate, but as Mr FM says you probably don’t go into the navy if you suffer badly from sea sickness .

Ms FM gets motion sick if a road is too curvy and Mr FM has a bad record with boats. I am fine if I am in fresh air, but I guess I won’t be doing that if there are huge waves breaking over the boat.