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Back from Cloud: Ushuaia to Ushuaia. Some comments and Ask Me Anything


Nitemare
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Took the 2-8 to 2-18 cruise to Antarctica and it was everything we hoped it would be.

 

We flew down one day early to make sure a blizzard at home didn't interfere with us making the trip and enjoyed an extra day in Santiago at the San Cristobel Towers (stayed on points, rates were high).

 

Boat was gorgeous and other than one rogue wave while we were in the waters of the peninsula that broke quite a few glasses and plates (wine was served in tumblers) and some significant Drake Shake heading north (south was pretty calm), all was wonderful.

 

Some quick thoughts to help your planning:

 

Cabin (standard veranda suite) was a bit dark, especially in the bathroom, in the shower specifically. Could use a second light in the shower and more lightpower in the room.

 

Room has a good sized illuminated clock.

 

TV channels were limited. MSNBC and FOX International, BBC and Skynews, and Skysports were the only things approximating "real" TV. No "Front of Ship" channel, but there was a map channel that also gave general weather info (temp, humidity, pressure).

 

Butler was good, his assistant was great.

 

Buffet was great for b'fast and lunch. You could order other things there we found out, so although you don't see pancakes/waffles/eggs in the buffet you can order them and they come fairly quickly. Same at lunch if you want something from the pool grill. I successfully defended my plate about half the time and took it myself to my table. Dining room for b'fast/lunch was also very good. We had dinner there most nights, plus 1 in La Terrazza (excellent) and 2 at the Hot Rocks (wear your parka, but it's worth it!)

 

Shore excursions were awesome. Naturalists were all wonderful -- smart, willing to share info and answer questions, and darn good Zodiac drivers, too! We found it easiest to wear our room slippers to/from the mudroom for easier changing into our boots. Sometimes we even brought the boots back to our room when they were dry and just put them on there instead of in the sometimes slightly crowded mud room, and left our slippers in our "boot slot" for changing into after the excursion.

 

Boots were a must. So were the water pants as some water landings were pretty high up the boot, and rain came at us sideways one day. We were very happy with the hoods on the parkas, although neck gaiters pulled up over the chin and nose were also very useful a couple days (especially in the LeMaire channel, when they opened up the front of the ship area on Deck 5 for viewing.

 

2 negatives that we put in our cruise survey:

 

1) The Dolce Vida area (lounge on 5 outside of the theater) smelled of cigarette smoke from Day 1 throughout the cruise. I know the casino used to be near there, is it possible the smell was in the carpets and they didn't change them in the refit?

2) There was a group of International travelers who were in our Zodiac group who paid zero attention to the concepts of "lines" or "sitting in the zodiac". Naturalists were aware of the problems, but other than repeating and gesturing to them to sit down there wasn't really much they could do.

 

I will try to answer all questions that I can!

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...other than one rogue wave while we were in the waters of the peninsula that broke quite a few glasses and plates (wine was served in tumblers) and some significant Drake Shake heading north...

 

I will try to answer all questions that I can!

Thanks for sharing and your willingness to answer questions!

 

Tell me a little bit more about this Drake Shake and rogue wave you encountered. How big were the waves in the Drake?

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They estimated that one wave at about 30 feet in what was otherwise pretty calm (under 5 feet) conditions. We were in our cabin on Deck 5 and didn't see it but did feel it as it knocked a few things off of our desk/table (soda cans, gloves, water bottles -- nothing breakable).

 

Drake Seas on the return had sustained 15-20 foot swells, which a smaller ship like the Cloud just rolls nicely with. Waves weren't breaking on her, but there was lots of uuppps and doooowns and side to sides as well. They brought us back nearly a day early as the conditions were predicted (we had sunshine for our transit but a storm was en route) and we had 24 hours in Ushuaia, which they filled with a birding walk around the nature preserve which was terrific.

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Nitemare, thanks for the report! Antarctica on Silver Explorer was a wonderful experience; I can only imagine how great it would be on Silver Cloud. We have to wait another two years before we go but I think it will be worth it.

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Thanks for the review Nitemare, just one question. Who or what is an International traveler?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

I recall being on the Explorer a few years ago when it was still the Prince Albert and the cruise after ours was to be chartered to a Chinese group, who had a reputation for collecting trophies of their travels.

Based on previous experience, the expedition staff were learning the Chinese for " Put the penguin back"

Rp

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Thanks for the review Nitemare, just one question. Who or what is an International traveler?

 

It was a group of non English speakers who could not or perhaps would not follow instructions or common courtesies. Where specifically they were from doesn't really matter.

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Just received an email from Carol from California who was on the Cloud Expedition Feb 18-28. She said it was “Spectacular, Surreal.” She plans to write a CC review

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

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Just received an email from Carol from California who was on the Cloud Expedition Feb 18-28. She said it was “Spectacular, Surreal.” She plans to write a CC review

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Just submitted my review so as soon as it is approved by Cruise Critic I will post it here. Feel free to ask me any questions.

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Nitemare, goood day.

I have two questions:

1) How deep of water was the worst. I ask because I would like to bring my own water boots that are 16" high.

 

2) Do you remember what the temperature ranges were during the day on shore excursions? I was thinking it would be around 40 degrees Fahrenheit or 10 degrees C.

 

Maybe one more: how did the water pants come in handy?

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Hi,

 

Thanks for the really helpful review. We have booked on the November Cloud expedition from Punta Arenas to Ushuaia - and can't wait!! Did Silverseas organise your flight from Ushuaia? Ours seems to be included and returns to Santiago, presumably because we start in Chile? You said that you were returned to Ushuaia a day early (which I have to admit I'd be disappointed with) but what would have happened if you were late? I'm assuming that the flight is a charter so would possibly wait?

 

Also, with regard to the boots, I don't think we can hire them because it isn't an Ushuaia round-trip. So we'll need to buy them but I need them to be as lightweight as possible because of the weight restriction on flights. Do you have any tips about these? And can we get away with waterproof ski pants?

 

Thanks for the help

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It was a group of non English speakers who could not or perhaps would not follow instructions or common courtesies. Where specifically they were from doesn't really matter.

 

I just spent six years living in China... so I can guess. ;p

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How easy/hard to get into zodiaks? We did do Celebrity Xpedition in the Galapagos

 

Not hard. It's a step down from the platform on Deck 3, and there are lots of strong arms there to help you in and out. Our one friend with a walker was able to get in and out whenever he wanted.

Hi,

 

Thanks for the really helpful review. We have booked on the November Cloud expedition from Punta Arenas to Ushuaia - and can't wait!! Did Silverseas organise your flight from Ushuaia? Ours seems to be included and returns to Santiago, presumably because we start in Chile? You said that you were returned to Ushuaia a day early (which I have to admit I'd be disappointed with) but what would have happened if you were late? I'm assuming that the flight is a charter so would possibly wait?

 

Also, with regard to the boots, I don't think we can hire them because it isn't an Ushuaia round-trip. So we'll need to buy them but I need them to be as lightweight as possible because of the weight restriction on flights. Do you have any tips about these? And can we get away with waterproof ski pants?

 

Thanks for the help

Santiago to Ushuaia charter flights were included, as was the one night in Santiago prior to flying south. I think they head back to Ushaia early fairly regularly so as not to be late for the next load. We didn't see any restocking going on on the extra day so I don't think it's a hardwired early return

 

And regarding the boots, ours went to just below the knee. That, plus waterproof pants pulled over the boot (and jeans underneath, tucked into the boots) kept us nicely dry and warm. I waded intentionally into water over the ankle deep (for the photos, of course!) and couldn't tell I was in water. The rentals have good tread and thick soles so you don't feel the rocks and stuff, nor are things slippery

 

Temps during excursions ranged from around 30 and windy/snow or rain to 40 and bright sun (no parka needed!)

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Hi Nitemare,

Thanks for posting your review.

 

We will be on the Expedition next January and I wanted to ask about the parkas.

 

How was the sizing? Do they run small?

When did you have to place your order?

 

Did you rent boots? That seems the best way to go instead of packing.

 

I enjoyed your videos...a lot of penguins!

Thanks, Kathy

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Parkas are thick so I guess they run a bit small. When you zip out the inner part (there's an inner and outer coat -- most of the warmth comes from the inner part) the waterproof shell is HUGE. They have extras onboard in case yours doesn't fit.

 

I rented boots, wife bought boots ahead of time as she needed them anyway and "wore" them on the plane to save space (they quickly went under the seat in front of her and were replaced by little slipons from the carryons). She also bought pants (going out of business sale at Eastern Mountain Sports, they didn't have my size), and I rented them (big logos for "Ship to Shore" on the pants leg was unnecessary).

 

I think we got an e-mail to remind us to order. I see from my e-mails that we ordered in mid October, so 2.5 months prior to going. Refund for deposits came 10 days after we got home.

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They estimated that one wave at about 30 feet in what was otherwise pretty calm (under 5 feet) conditions.

 

AND

 

 

Drake Seas on the return had sustained 15-20 foot swells...

Thanks for the info Nitemare!
We have to wait another two years before we go but I think it will be worth it.
I agree completely. Only 22-months to go!
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