Hello from the Rotterdam

[infohunter]

You mention you sailed thru the Falklands. Did they have to cancel your stop there? I know it's always a possibility but I'm hoping we're able to get there since I'm looking forward to the the Volunteer Point excursion I booked.

 

This sailing did not stop at the Falklands. Our seas were smooth so if it had been scheduled we could have stopped.

 

My understanding is that Falklands is a hit or miss in terms of the shore excursion. Hopefully you will be able to do your excursion.

[infohunter]

Was surprissed this afternoon with a phone call from Andrea the Cruise Director. She has arranged a date and time for the CC folks aboard to have a meetup which she is posting in the daily program. YEAH! I've meet a couple of the CC folks but it will be nice to put name and faces to all of the online nicknames.

 

Still looking out for our first glimpse of iceburgs.... should be in the next hour or two ;)

[BldLvr]

Infohunter.....DH and I were on this same cruise last Dec. except we left Dec.22. I know the excitement you are feeling about the icebergs, they are an awesome sight. I hope you get to go thru Iceberg Alley, we were there on Jan. 1st and we saw thousands of bergs. And the scientists from Palmer came aboard on our cruise also, they are interesting but we listened for awhile, then realized the ship was sailing thru some beautiful scenery so we went out on deck! I spent HOURS on deck, and I did not sleep much. This was the most fabulous trip we have ever taken, enjoy! We had quite the ride crossing the "Drake Shake". Marian

[infohunter]

Unfortunatly we have been battling fog all day today. Couldn't go down iceburg alley due to the fog.... however they did a great job rerouting us (plan B) so still got to see some lovely places.....

 

Up in the crows nest is a very cool display showing our update route and other items. Worth a visit just to see the penguin colony.

 

It's just at freezing today and breezy. Seas are very calm! I'm amazed at how many folks on board didn't bring gloves and scarves. Today there was a 50% off sale on jackets. Also a selection of gloves and scarves are on sale as well. However they only go up to a XXL so if you wear a larger size or like things loose then you are SOL! So don't forget your cold weather gear if you like to be outside.

 

Meeting some fascinating folks onboard.... It's great talking to everyone and finding out what they do and their experiences with cruising....

 

We are now cruising deception island. Tomorrow we pick up the folks at Palmer station. Looking forward to that....

 

However I'm also hoping that we have a little bit of rough seas at some point. I would like to have that experience. The hubby reminds me that I should be careful of what I wish for ;)

 

Well I'm off in a little bit to see if I can win another cruise at a special edition of Bingo tonight. Keep your fingers crossed for me....

 

Reporting from the deep south.....

[gizmo]

Thanks for all the great posts. I am really enjoying them. :)

[nancycoop1]

I can hardly wait for your next post. Thanks for all the good info.

[infohunter]

Hello again from Antartica.... not going to type where we are as this will change each cruise depending on the ice flows.... I think we are on plan B.... however the ice captain is doing a great job of finding us interesting spots.

 

This morning got some great shots of penguins.... of course if I had a larger zoom it would have been better ;) However on the camera they look like dots but I can do a zoom in and crop later. There have been a couple of wale sightings as well. It's so hard to figure out where the best spot is. Today I really enjoyed being aft.... It was easy to duck into the lido for a quick tea refill and warm up before going back out.

 

Yesterday we had our antartica swim. Yes I participated. Gettin in was easy as the pool was heated.... it was the getting out that was a little bit frigid! Surprised at how many were participating. Great time!

 

So far the water has been very very calm.... I've got my fingers crossed for some rough weather as we get to Cape Horn. Yes I'm one of those that want some rough weather.

 

Well going to sign off as I'm off to a port lecturer on Ushuaia and then a lecturer from the Captain on the bridge and navagation.

 

Oh... before I do sign off.... if you play Bingo... there are various bonus games that happen.... so bring a picture of you grandkids and your dog as you can get extra cards at times. I think that there was another bonus one but I don't remember what it was. I actually was part of a three way tie for the cruise bingo game. However in the run off I ended up not winning. So me and another lady split second prize which was $100. I took my $50 and promptly lost it playing black jack. Oh well......

[JG1981]

Hi your stories sound awesome please post pics!. I feel like taking that trip next year. Is the internet connection on the ship good at all?? Or being in Antarctica it gets cut off constantly? I am curious because i feel like taking the trip but i need internet access most of the day and this is actually an item that worried me.

[moo444]

Hello Infohunter,

 

Just curious as to whether you ate at Pinnacle Grill the other night?

 

Your trip sounds like fun...

 

Happy New Year!!

[Seago2]

Sounds like a fantastic cruise- God only knows what itinerary has you seeing penguins? Going to the HAL site now- sounds absolutely incredible. Please keep posting!

[infohunter]

we had some great penguin viewing yesterday as we cruised Antartica.... However without good binoculars you were at a disadvantage.

 

This morning the hubby woke me to 4-6m waves. At times I feel like I'm on a bucking horse ;) We are half way between Antartica and Cape Horn. Overall this isn't so bad.... The ship seems asleep at the moment. It's 6:50am here now. Only other person awake I've seen is the coffee guy in the internet cafe. No walkers yet this morning but then again we are having high winds (Force 10).

 

Well I'm off with the hubby to see if we can get outside on deck 6 to do some video of the waves.

 

I'm having fun.... hope it gets rougher yet!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thank you for checking in - am loving your reports.

 

Penguins - cute!!

[SharonN]

Thanks for the updates infohunter. Glad you're having a great trip. Can't believe I'll be on the ship pulling out of Rio 4 weeks from today! I won't forget my binnoculars just need to figure out which pair I'm going to bring. One is much lighter weight and easier for travel but they're harder to focus so am thinking maybe I'll bring the bigger ones.

[PrincessYoga]

I am enjoying your reports. I can really sense your anticipation and enthusiam. It sounds like you are having a trip of a lifetime. One day I want no...will do this cruise. Btw, your avatar is great...very fitting.

[RevNeal]

we had some great penguin viewing yesterday as we cruised Antartica.... However without good binoculars you were at a disadvantage.

 

Thank you! I'm considering bringing a pair. In the past I've never needed them for anything other than Astronomical observations because the zooms on my video and digital cameras have always been sufficient to get "up close." So, thanks for the suggestion!!!!

[arzz]

I just found this thread -- I was on a transatlantic cruise when it started. I am so jealous of anyone giong to Antarctica, my single favorite destination that I have visited.

 

For those not yet in Antarctica -- Yes, do bring binoculars with a good magnification as without these many penguins and whales will just be dots. For penguin watching I found the viewing to be much better from the promenade deck level than up on top -- you are that much closer to the wildlife and will get a much better up close and personal view. For glaciers and scenic views the top deck are better.

 

Infohunter, do continue to have a great time, and keep posting -- but with the seas, as someone else said and from my own personal experience, be careful what you wish for!

[infohunter]

We survived Cape Horn.... Seas were 4 to 6 meters in height as we crossed the Drake passage. Things calmed down when we got off shore of Cape Horn and had a wonderful viewinging. Hubby and some other folks however did get a little sea sick.... My hubby wouldn't listen to me when I told him to put on his patch a couple of days ago as a just in case.

 

Some issues for those that will be sailing..... The ship ran out of crystalized ginger candy ( I had my own) and graham crakers! Was surprised that they didn't stock more graham crakers as they are great when your stomach is going upside down.

 

Other things to comment on.... I had been enjoying a cappuccino in the dining room each evening till a couple of nights ago. Thought there was a problem with the cup they brought me.... find out that they switched beans. So the new beans taste like they are burnt and are bitter. Others also were upset with the change. Don't know how long these new beans will last..... Have not tried the coffee bar as I didn't want to spend the money there. For those that don't know the cappuccino is fee in the dining room. They also seem to run out of teas as well. My favorite has been the lemon lift and the Green tea with lemon. Oh well don't mind to substitue that when necessary. One other thing I noticed that they ran out on was Snickers bars to purchase. So take that into account as well if you just have to have a snickers fix.

 

So far my favorite dishes served have been when they served Osso Buco and tonight's appetizer which were chile infused scalops (yum). Also very much enjoyed the chocolates that the ship has. Had one at Christmas and a selection in the Pinacle.

 

As to the Pinacle.... Our food was great! But to be honest the service team that I have which consists of Dedi, Ridwan, and Willis were much better. Understand however that the teams shuffle each sailing so these three won't work together again for a while. A shame as they made a great team. Ridwan is usually in the Lido at breakfast and lunch handing out the trays. I love talking with him!

 

while I'm thinking of tidbits.... for those of you that like to gamble.... the casino is closed for 4 days due to being withing 12 miles of the chilean coast line (magallen and beagal channel).... So for us it closed at dinner on New Years and won't open again till Jan 4th. ERRRRRR.

 

Well we are off to Puenta Arenas....... Hope everyone had a wonderful New Year!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thanks for checking in - love your report.

 

Already running out of certain items - that is a shame.

[cruz chic]

Thanks for checking in - love your report.

 

Already running out of certain items - that is a shame.

 

That has happened a lot on all my cruises with HAL. I had the opportunity to talk with one of the supervisory people in the dining room one day and he let his guard down. He told me sometimes they even run out of eggs. You would think after 100+ years of sailing they would have this down to a pretty good art.

[Mary Ellen]

They also seem to run out of teas as well. My favorite has been the lemon lift and the Green tea with lemon. Oh well don't mind to substitue that when necessary. One other thing I noticed that they ran out on was Snickers bars to purchase. So take that into account as well if you just have to have a snickers fix.

 

So far my favorite dishes served have been when they served Osso Buco and tonight's appetizer which were chile infused scalops (yum).

Thank you SO much for the information.

 

Note to self: Order the chili infused scallops. Pack a supply of our favorite teas (might as well bring Splenda too) and also Snickers for DH. Hmmmm - I wonder how much we could get for our 'black market' Snickers, should the Rotterdam run out during our cruise. ;)

[RuthC]

Hmmmm - I wonder how much we could get for our 'black market' Snickers, should the Rotterdam run out during our cruise. ;)

More than they're worth, I'm sure. :D

[nancycoop1]

I eagerly await your report each day. It is so very good of you to keep us all informed.

 

Did you have any problem making reservations for the Pinnacle grill? We would like to dine there a couple of nights,

 

How formal was everyone on formal nights?

 

Thanks Again!!

[infohunter]

We made our pinnacle grill reservations online but then changed them the first day we were aboard. If you have dates and they aren't holidays you might want to do them via the HAL website. We changed them so that they weren't on formal nights.

 

As to running out of things... it is strange.... only one that is really bugging me is the Capuccino in the dining room. They changed beans a couple of nights back and the current beans taste burnt. So no capuccino's for me after dinner.

 

However I'm willing to roll with these things... however last night event made me yell at the front desk this morning. We got a call at 10:30pm at night. Woke us from a sound sleep as we had gone to bed early. Our excursion to Torres del Paine National Park was great but tiring. Anyway we couldn't get to the phone so it went to voice mail. The voice mail was about our getting off the ship in Valpairaso. Evidently they didn't get our forms. I yelled at the desk that they shouldn't be calling a stateroom at 10:30 at night unless it was an emergency. This was something that was uncalled for. I'm not sure that the front desk folks fully understood the issue. I'll be putting it in writing as I want to make sure that this doesn't happen to anyone else.

 

Overall I've found all of the staff to be very helpful as one has questions along the way.

 

Tonight is a formal night and the Officers Black & WHite Ball. Was just up in the Crow's nest and there are black and white ballons everywhere. However I'm now off to try and win the $100,000 jackpot Bingo. So wish me luck.

 

Tomorrow we are in Puerto Montt.... Have you heard that one of the volcanoes in the area is errupting? I've charted a plan to do an aerial over the volcanoes.... It's still on so I'm hoping I'll get great picks of the erupting volcanoe.....

 

More on that later......

 

Off to try my luck at Bingo.

[SharonN]

 

However I'm willing to roll with these things... however last night event made me yell at the front desk this morning. We got a call at 10:30pm at night. Woke us from a sound sleep as we had gone to bed early. Our excursion to Torres del Paine National Park was great but tiring. Overall I've found all of the staff to be very helpful as one has questions along the way.

 

Can't believe they called you that late at night either. I've also booked the Torres del Paine tour so glad you thought it was great.

 

Thanks for taking us along.

 

Hope you were lucky at Bingo!

[nancycoop1]

I hope your letting them know that calling at 10:30 saves the rest of us from such a fate!!

 

Glad to know you enjoyed the Torres del Paine tour. That is one we have considered but not decided on.

 

How was bingo?