Day 1 - Feb 4, 2022

Traveling internationally during Covid is challenging and stressful!  Our flights were changed twice when Buenos Aires  became “off limits” for travel.  We flew from Dayton to Washington, DC, then on to Miami, where we were put on a 12-hour charter flight the next day to Ushuai, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world.  We have been tested for Covid 3 times in the last 3 days – thankfully we are negative. A positive result would have meant being quarantined in our room for the duration of the cruise.

Made it to the new Viking Octantis at 1 pm today. This is a brand new expedition ship that will sail to the Antarctic from November to March, then tour the Great Lakes in the U.S. in summer. The passenger capacity is 328, but we’ve been told there are 280 on our cruise. 

Here are a few photos of the ship – more to follow in future days. The internet is VERY SLOW.

Having dinner at Manfredi’s, the Italian special restaurant.

 


The Hanger is an enclosed area at the stern of the ship where the zodiacs and special expedition boats can launch in a protected environment.

 

 


There is a webcam for the ship is you’d like to see our progress:
https://viking.panomax.com/octantis


We will be sailing through the Drake Passage tomorrow on our way to the Antarctic peninsula.  This area is notorious for rough water and large swells.  Hoping we don’t get seasick.

 

 

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