BTimmer's Almost Live Antarctica Redux - Oosterdam 1/7/24 to 1/29/24

[Hogladyrider]

@Btimmer...great pic!

[Sea42]

On our cruise that left out of San Antonio, we also stayed in San Antonio and enjoyed it so we'll be doing the same for next year's cruise. Can you tell me a little more about your casita?

 

 

[Btimmer]

It's just a bedroom with a bathroom and pretty small (about the size of a ship stateroom).  It's pretty old and some evidence of mildew or mold and it's got a tired appearance. Outside pictures make it look charming and it's really close to the port.  If you want more info, write me at tkbowman@gmail.com

 

I do highly recommend staying in San Antonio and experiencing the waterfront esplanade.  It's happening place.

[Btimmer]

My daily written blog is now up and can be found at:  Https://timmer2024osa.blogspot.com

 

Here's a few pictures from walking on the esplanade today.

 

 

 

 

from about 3' away

[Btimmer]

We're about to board the Oosterdam.  We spent the morning and early afternoon down on the waterfront.  It's about 70°f and sunny.  

Oosterdam in the background 

 

Dancers on the esplanade 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Sea42]

On 1/6/2024 at 11:25 AM, Btimmer said:

It's just a bedroom with a bathroom and pretty small (about the size of a ship stateroom).  It's pretty old and some evidence of mildew or mold and it's got a tired appearance. Outside pictures make it look charming and it's really close to the port.  If you want more info, write me at tkbowman@gmail.com

 

I do highly recommend staying in San Antonio and experiencing the waterfront esplanade.  It's happening place.

Thanks for the details!

Last time we arrived on New Years Day and stay at a small motel owned by a brother and sister team. Basic but clean and the food they served was great. We may stay there again, I just have to look at current reviews.

Thanks!

[Btimmer]

We boarded an hour early with no lines.  It feels great to be back on the Oosterdam.  Here's a few stateroom pictures and my first meal of nachos.  We're about two hours from departure at 6pm.

 

On the intra port shuttle

 

Our view - Stateroom 4107

 

Desk area

 

Usb outlet at bedside (one each side)

 

Deck 3

 

Later checkins means the Lido is closed and we miss the Mariner reception.  

[Btimmer]

The Captain just announced that due to strong winds that the port is closed and we'll be unable to depart until 4am tomorrow morning.  Additionally a number of passengers have delayed flights and he wants to wait for them.  As a consequence our first port stop at Puerto Montt has been cancelled and replaced by a sea day.  
 

It's certainly not the news everyone wanted. But we will still choose to enjoy the voyage.

[omago4th]

was there a mariners lunch?   my last 2 cruises there was not one.

 

 just wondering?

 

looking forward to following you.

[Btimmer]

1 hour ago, omago4th said:

was there a mariners lunch?   my last 2 cruises there was not one.

 

 just wondering?

 

looking forward to following you.

There was a Mariner's reception (no lunch), but unfortunately it was held ending at 3pm and we didn't board until after then.  They really need those to be on the first sea day so all can make them. We've never been to a Mariner's lunch on embarkation day in over 800 days of cruising on HAL.

[Btimmer]

It's 6:30am local time Monday morning  in San Antonio, Chile and we are still moored at the dock.  We were supposed to leave at 4am.  The Volga, a container ship moored behind us, has just backed out with normal tug assist.  It will be a very interesting Q&A with the Captain this morning. It's a scheduled event.

 

So far the WiFi in this cabin has been horrible.  I paid for the top level package and video is unwatchable and just checking email is painfully slow.  I don't yet know what is the issue I'd but will pursue it later today.  Up in the Lido I could watch video but it was slow.

 

[oakridger]

@Btimmer I'm watching you on CruiseMapper and looks like you are finally on the move!!  Yay!

 

Bon Voyage!

 

~Nancy

[Btimmer]

Yes we are finally backing out which I can see on the bow camera.  The Internet connection continues to be horrible. This short post too nearly 3 minutes to complete

 

 

 

[TravelBluebird]

16 minutes ago, Btimmer said:

Yes we are finally backing out which I can see on the bow camera.  The Internet connection continues to be horrible. This short post too nearly 3 minutes to complete

 

 

 

We are on our way!!

 

Wow that is not right re the Internet.  Internet in my phone is fine—my iPad keeps dropping the connection.  Hope they can solve it for you!

[NorbertsNiece]

Hi, glad you're finally underway .  Would you like me to track your progress here? Not a problem so long as the satellite has a signal .

 

[Btimmer]

9 minutes ago, NorbertsNiece said:

Hi, glad you're finally underway .  Would you like me to track your progress here? Not a problem so long as the satellite has a signal .

 

Thanks, but it's not necessary.  It is good to be underway. We'll now have two days at sea. If you want to track for your own information, please feel free to do so.

Edited January 8 by Btimmer

[Btimmer]

Now that we at sea, the internet speeds have picked up dramatically.  30 seconds for this post from opening to sending.

[Btimmer]

At 11am this morning, Captain Kevin Bairnaert hosted a very full session in the Main Stage to address the embarkation delays and answer any other questions.  As he started his presentation he told a story of being a new 2nd officer on a cruise ship and being on an airplane flying home from his assignment.  They were boarded on an airplane and ended up setting for a long period of time with no explanation from the Captain as to what was going on.   In the end, it was disclosed the that delay was due to Air Force One's arrival,  In those cases, all other airline traffic is stopped.  Captain Kevin made a pledge to never let that happen when he became in command.  He would be transparent with his passengers which promotes happy passengers.  

 

He went on to say that the reason for the departure delay was due to two factors: weather and 213 passengers who had delayed connections in arriving into Santiago and transfers to San Antonio.  But the biggest issue was  the weather issue. He showed us copies of internal emails from the port and screen shots from the weather maps on the bridge.  This port is apparently a tricky one to sail into when the weather conditions exceed 15 knots and the swell is over 1.5 meters.  There is also a requirement that two tugs be attached to any vessel when arriving or departing regardless of whether the ship has its own maneuverability like the Oosterdam has with azipods and thrusters.  The required tugs cannot safely operate in the weather conditions I described above. The soonest that the port would re=open was 4am.  As for the delayed passengers, 90 some got on between midnight and 3am.  He didn't comment on the others.  As far as departures are concerned, the cargo ships have priority.  Therefore the container ship Volga was allowed to leave first.  Then the Oosterdam was allowed to leave which is did starting just before 7am.  

 

He then went on to describe why we were missing Puerto Montt.  That had to do with the tide levels under a major power line.  The ship can only pass under it at certain times and in certain tidal conditions.  Additionally the ship did not have enough speed to make it to the proper point given a late departure and the time at which the ship needed to pass under the cable.  So the decision had to be made to skip the port and head directly to Chacabuco.

 

I really appreciated the transparency that the Captain displayed and the audience seemed to as well.  As I write this we're cruising along at 18.5 knots.  

 

We've met a few people from Cruise Critic at the M&G and had lunch with one of the couples.  We're looking forward to a good remainder of the cruise.

 

[0106]

Thank you for the detailed information from the captain’s talk.  I look forward to information about activities on sea days, the lecturers on board and the commentary while you sail through Antarctica.  We will be boarding when you disembark.

[Hogladyrider]

@Btimmer  thank you for all the details from the Captain's talk, VERY informative and so interesting.  Very different from Caribbean cruising for sure.

[Btimmer]

18 minutes ago, 0106 said:

Thank you for the detailed information from the captain’s talk.  I look forward to information about activities on sea days, the lecturers on board and the commentary while you sail through Antarctica.  We will be boarding when you disembark.

Thanks for following along.  Be sure to follow my daily blog as there will be lots more information in it.  For this "Almost Live" thread, I'll tend fo cover breaking news and a few pictures from time to time as well as answer any questions asked of me.  My daily blog is found at:

 

 Https://timmer20240sa.blogspot.com

[Sea42]

3 minutes ago, Btimmer said:

Thanks for following along.  Be sure to follow my daily blog as there will be lots more information in it.  For this "Almost Live" thread, I'll tend fo cover breaking news and a few pictures from time to time as well as answer any questions asked of me.  My daily blog is found at:

 

 Https://timmer20240sa.blogspot.com

Blog not found

Sorry, the blog you were looking for does not exist. However, the name timmer20240sa is available to register!

[Cruise Suzy]

Https://timmer2024osa.blogspot.com  works

[Hogladyrider]

https://timmer2024osablogspot.com

 

 

[Btimmer]

Thanks to @hogladyrider and @Cruise Suzy for correcting the link.  It's tough to edit with the internet onboard having significant delays.