Curt From Canada

JAN 06
Late Seating is the MDR is the better time on this cruise. Dancing before dinner is abundant and the after dinner shows timing works out really well. 
Early Seating (in the MDR) is a zoo. The R BAR is packed by 5:00 (as dinner is at 5:30). Everyone has the drinks package and they want their pre-dinner drink.  No fist fights at the R BAR yet, but they still have 246 days. 
R BAR is empty by 5:40. Lots of room on the dance floor.  The bartenders have lots of time and they are much more relaxed. 
The classical guitarist is excellent. They are typically difficult to dance to, but not this one. We will strike up a conversation with him to “order up” some foxtrots and rumbas.
There is Stowaway Piano Player on board.  We have already had one “drive by” Swing dance (to Crocodile Rock), and we will actively seek him out. He takes requests.
There is a Strings Trio with relaxing classical music. They are quite good. We are debating if anything is “danceable”. We might have to dust off a very old waltz (we have not waltzed in years).  Clear the dance floor … this might get messy. 😂
It is still very early, but the theatre entrainment has been top tier so far. 2 shows and 2 ✅.  Drawing on local talent will provide lots of options over the 274 days. RCL appears to be doing their homework. 
We have only had 3 days on board, but the Social Media personalities have been far less annoying than we anticipated. They are not hogging the dance floor nor being too distracting with “staged” recording. However, we have only had 2 days on board. Watch this space …
The pace (so far) has been very hectic. Afternoon naps are a must. Even the sea days are busy. 
Buenos Aires is a little scary. Lots of notifications of being careful about thieves and scams (from RC, locals and passengers). The Argentine economy is in very big trouble and it is very noticeable. We are glad that we paid for the RC excursions (and do not mind paying the premium).  We have heard of one stolen phone and one stolen purse from passengers just in Buenos Aires alone. 
Chops was empty on night 2 (only 4 other tables occupied in Chops over the 2 hours we were there). Very easy to get a window seat AND we got to watch a very tight and interesting sail away.  
As we left the Schooner Bar (after Chops Dinner) the sun was just setting. The pianist paused, looked out across the water at Buenos Aires skyline and switched to “Someone to Watchout over Me”.  After he finished, I asked him if he thought about playing “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me”.  He said that was his first thought, but it was a little “too cliche”. I think he made a great choice.  It was a beautiful, and tender moment (one that is easier, for some reason, to find on a cruise ship).  You have to be always looking for these moments, but you typically do not need to wait long. 
Do not spread this around (or the future segments will get totally booked). I am investigating future segments. D+ and tagging along on the UWC is (so far) a great deal. 
 
Curt from Canada

Quick background … we are on Serenade right now (we have done the Drake Crossing twice now). We are “segmenters” so we will be getting off in Santiago (on JAN 23). We have been cruising since 2006, so we are always looking for new parts of the world to visit. We can not envision spending too much time away from friends and family. Still, when the segments came out we jumped on the chance for this once in a lifetime experience. 
We booked an Oceanview for the Buenos Aires to Santiago leg, used Air2Sea to get a good price on our Toronto to Buenos Aires flight (plus the return from Santiago), AND won our Royal Up bid to a balcony (2 days before sailing). 
All of the updates will be in no order at all (get ready for a Tetris style information flow).  Questions are encouraged, but expect a delay (we may not have coverage every day, and we will not be monitoring this site when we are on the dance floor. 😂)
We went to the Loyalty Celebration on JAN 10 (we normally do not go). The crew appreciation portion of the hour was new to us (back of house and front of house nominees and winners for DEC were introduced and celebrated). It was nice. 
Top Level Cruiser Numbers:
115 Pinnacles
300 D+
325 D
Only 1,600 passengers for this leg. 
Cruise Director (Joff) is quite good. He has a nice mix of comedy and fun done in a mostly “relaxed” manner (very appropriate for a World Cruise). The World Cruisers are gravitating to him quickly … he is a stabilizing part of the cruise. 
Falklands port day was “juggled” to get us to Antarctica and back before some very bad weather sets in. We still experienced a “Drake Shake” on the way down (All most 30 ft waves). The sea sickness bags appeared in the stairwells at 8:00AM on JAN 10.  More on the Drake later. 
Like @twangster said … “It is part of the experience” … so we are going in with a positive mindset and a “boatload” of Gravol 😉
The singers are excellent (all 5 of them … no weak links). We will make sure we see all of their shows. 
I’ll post some thoughts on most of the days, but (to be clear) this is a “not at all live blog” so replies will be very delayed (we do not have the WiFi package). 
Send questions … but expect delays. 
Curt from Canada
Partial Ultimate World Cruiser 😂 

We are on the Ultimate World Cruise right now. Just heading back to Ushuaia (after visiting a Penguin Rookery). I will post something more substantial and detailed later, but the short course is:
1).  No drama … the experienced cruisers already figured this out. Actually, the cruise so far has been extremely relaxing.  Although we have been a little bit too busy. 
 
2). Thé entertainment overall has been better than “normal” cruises (some of it excellent … rare for a Radiance class ship). The food has been hit and miss (as usual) … however, we did have the best MDR dish in over 30 cruises a few nights ago. 
 
3).  The staff is in over perform mode. They are doing a phenomenal job. 
 
4).  1,600 on this segment is well below capacity. 700+ Diamond and above C&A members.  1,600 only should bring up some questions. 
 
5).  Tons of dancing opportunities … only once did we have to elbow our way around the dance floor 😉
 
I will start a start a separate thread when we get back on board.
 
Curt from Canada
Partial Ultimate World Cruiser 😂

We are on the Ultimate World Cruise right now. Just heading back to Ushuaia (after visiting a Penguin Rookery). I will post something more substantial and detailed later, but the short course is:
1).  No drama … the experienced cruisers already figured this out. Actually, the cruise so far has been extremely relaxing.  Although we have been a little bit too busy. 
 
2). Thé entertainment overall has been better than “normal” cruises (some of it excellent … rare for a Radiance class ship). The food has been hit and miss (as usual) … however, we did have the best MDR dish in over 30 cruises a few nights ago. 
 
3).  The staff is in over perform mode. They are doing a phenomenal job. 
 
4).  1,600 on this segment is well below capacity. 700+ Diamond and above C&A members.  1,600 only should bring up some questions. 
 
5).  Tons of dancing opportunities … only once did we have to elbow our way around the dance floor 😉
 
I will start a start a separate thread when we get back on board.
 
Curt from Canada
Partial Ultimate World Cruiser 😂

We are on the Ultimate World Cruise right now. Just heading back to Ushuaia (after visiting a Penguin Rookery). I will post something more substantial and detailed later, but the short course is:
1).  No drama … the experienced cruisers already figured this out. Actually, the cruise so far has been extremely relaxing.  Although we have been a little bit too busy. 
 
2). Thé entertainment overall has been better than “normal” cruises (some of it excellent … rare for a Radiance class ship). The food has been hit and miss (as usual) … however, we did have the best MDR dish in over 30 cruises a few nights ago. 
 
3).  The staff is in over perform mode. They are doing a phenomenal job. 
 
4).  1,600 on this segment is well below capacity. 700+ Diamond and above C&A members.  1,600 only should bring up some questions. 
 
5).  Tons of dancing opportunities … only once did we have to elbow our way around the dance floor 😉
 
I will start a start a separate thread when we get back on board.
 
Curt from Canada
Partial Ultimate World Cruiser 😂

We are on the Ultimate World Cruise right now. Just heading back to Ushuaia (after visiting a Penguin Rookery). I will post something more substantial and detailed later, but the short course is:
1).  No drama … the experienced cruisers already figured this out. Actually, the cruise so far has been extremely relaxing.  Although we have been a little bit too busy. 
 
2). Thé entertainment overall has been better than “normal” cruises (some of it excellent … rare for a Radiance class ship). The food has been hit and miss (as usual) … however, we did have the best MDR dish in over 30 cruises a few nights ago. 
 
3).  The staff is in over perform mode. They are doing a phenomenal job. 
 
4).  1,600 on this segment is well below capacity. 700+ Diamond and above C&A members.  1,600 only should bring up some questions. 
 
5).  Tons of dancing opportunities … only once did we have to elbow our way around the dance floor 😉
 
I will start a start a separate thread when we get back on board.
 
Curt from Canada
Partial Ultimate World Cruiser 😂

We are on the Ultimate World Cruise right now. Just heading back to Ushuaia (after visiting a Penguin Rookery). I will post something more substantial and detailed later, but the short course is:
1).  No drama … the experienced cruisers already figured this out. Actually, the cruise so far has been extremely relaxing.  Although we have been a little bit too busy. 
 
2). Thé entertainment overall has been better than “normal” cruises (some of it excellent … rare for a Radiance class ship). The food has been hit and miss (as usual) … however, we did have the best MDR dish in over 30 cruises a few nights ago. 
 
3).  The staff is in over perform mode. They are doing a phenomenal job. 
 
4).  1,600 on this segment is well below capacity. 700+ Diamond and above C&A members.  1,600 only should bring up some questions. 
 
5).  Tons of dancing opportunities … only once did we have to elbow our way around the dance floor 😉
 
I will start a start a separate thread when we get back on board.
 
Curt from Canada
Partial Ultimate World Cruiser 😂

@twangster ... your pictures are always awesome and inspiring.
It is official ... we will not be bringing our cameras on our Antarctica cruise in January.  Instead, would you be so kind to:
1). Take lots of pictures of:
Gerlache Strait Paradise Bay Schollaert Channel & Dalhan Bay Elephant Island Cape Horn 2). I like Icebergs and my soulmate loves wildlife.  A good mix will add to the illusion that they are our pictures.
3). To cement the illusion ... Superimpose the likeness of my soulmate and I on the best of the pictures in each location.  Use stock photos of Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston.  We are not "exactly" twins, but our friends are not that observant.
😉
... or just keep doing what you are doing, whatever is easiest.
😂
Curt from Canada
 
 

@twangster ... your pictures are always awesome and inspiring.
It is official ... we will not be bringing our cameras on our Antarctica cruise in January.  Instead, would you be so kind to:
1). Take lots of pictures of:
Gerlache Strait Paradise Bay Schollaert Channel & Dalhan Bay Elephant Island Cape Horn 2). I like Icebergs and my soulmate loves wildlife.  A good mix will add to the illusion that they are our pictures.
3). To cement the illusion ... Superimpose the likeness of my soulmate and I on the best of the pictures in each location.  Use stock photos of Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston.  We are not "exactly" twins, but our friends are not that observant.
😉
... or just keep doing what you are doing, whatever is easiest.
😂
Curt from Canada
 
 

@twangster ... your pictures are always awesome and inspiring.
It is official ... we will not be bringing our cameras on our Antarctica cruise in January.  Instead, would you be so kind to:
1). Take lots of pictures of:
Gerlache Strait Paradise Bay Schollaert Channel & Dalhan Bay Elephant Island Cape Horn 2). I like Icebergs and my soulmate loves wildlife.  A good mix will add to the illusion that they are our pictures.
3). To cement the illusion ... Superimpose the likeness of my soulmate and I on the best of the pictures in each location.  Use stock photos of Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston.  We are not "exactly" twins, but our friends are not that observant.
😉
... or just keep doing what you are doing, whatever is easiest.
😂
Curt from Canada
 
 

It's difficult to capture in photos the shear numbers.



Fur seals coming ashore.

It's a penguin pool party!

Leaving Fortuna Bay was also a treat.
The scenery looked much better in person, these photos don't do it justice.

On a beach I spotted a large number of King penguins.



All around us seals and penguins were jumping in the water.  Many birds were flying around as well like this Imperial Cormorant.
 




Just as I was ready to come in off the balcony a massive tidewater glacier appeared.




Then in the snow it began to fade.

@twangster ... your pictures are always awesome and inspiring.
It is official ... we will not be bringing our cameras on our Antarctica cruise in January.  Instead, would you be so kind to:
1). Take lots of pictures of:
Gerlache Strait Paradise Bay Schollaert Channel & Dalhan Bay Elephant Island Cape Horn 2). I like Icebergs and my soulmate loves wildlife.  A good mix will add to the illusion that they are our pictures.
3). To cement the illusion ... Superimpose the likeness of my soulmate and I on the best of the pictures in each location.  Use stock photos of Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston.  We are not "exactly" twins, but our friends are not that observant.
😉
... or just keep doing what you are doing, whatever is easiest.
😂
Curt from Canada
 
 

@twangster ... your pictures are always awesome and inspiring.
It is official ... we will not be bringing our cameras on our Antarctica cruise in January.  Instead, would you be so kind to:
1). Take lots of pictures of:
Gerlache Strait Paradise Bay Schollaert Channel & Dalhan Bay Elephant Island Cape Horn 2). I like Icebergs and my soulmate loves wildlife.  A good mix will add to the illusion that they are our pictures.
3). To cement the illusion ... Superimpose the likeness of my soulmate and I on the best of the pictures in each location.  Use stock photos of Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston.  We are not "exactly" twins, but our friends are not that observant.
😉
... or just keep doing what you are doing, whatever is easiest.
😂
Curt from Canada
 
 

@twangster ... your pictures are always awesome and inspiring.
It is official ... we will not be bringing our cameras on our Antarctica cruise in January.  Instead, would you be so kind to:
1). Take lots of pictures of:
Gerlache Strait Paradise Bay Schollaert Channel & Dalhan Bay Elephant Island Cape Horn 2). I like Icebergs and my soulmate loves wildlife.  A good mix will add to the illusion that they are our pictures.
3). To cement the illusion ... Superimpose the likeness of my soulmate and I on the best of the pictures in each location.  Use stock photos of Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston.  We are not "exactly" twins, but our friends are not that observant.
😉
... or just keep doing what you are doing, whatever is easiest.
😂
Curt from Canada
 
 

This has been our day cruising up the coast of South Georgia Island.  Destination unknown.

Bertrab Glacier maybe?

Some of the more interesting icebergs.




Northern part of the Ross Glacier I think.






This went zooming past pretty close.



Our friend the Albatross bringing us good weather.


Antarctic Prion.


Weather has been variable.  It's sunny then it's not.  Clear then misty.  Where did that Albatross go?

At this point there are so many icebergs it's not worth taking any more pictures of them.  They are everywhere.

Having said that, this one is particularly close and is quite striking when looking out my balcony window.



Easily taller than the ship.

Of course fur seals and elephant seals abound as well.

All of these animals coexist peacefully.


More pups!  Our zodiac driver tells us they are now much larger since his last visit a few weeks ago.









Seal condominium.

We head over to the main beach.

 
Where we find a motherlode of King penguins.

... and some Elephant seals.






Some Chinstrap penguins shuffled in.

OMG, how cute is this ??

@twangster ... your pictures are always awesome and inspiring.
It is official ... we will not be bringing our cameras on our Antarctica cruise in January.  Instead, would you be so kind to:
1). Take lots of pictures of:
Gerlache Strait Paradise Bay Schollaert Channel & Dalhan Bay Elephant Island Cape Horn 2). I like Icebergs and my soulmate loves wildlife.  A good mix will add to the illusion that they are our pictures.
3). To cement the illusion ... Superimpose the likeness of my soulmate and I on the best of the pictures in each location.  Use stock photos of Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston.  We are not "exactly" twins, but our friends are not that observant.
😉
... or just keep doing what you are doing, whatever is easiest.
😂
Curt from Canada
 
 

TL;DR - All is well.  Christmas is coming.  The BOGO process is a Charlie Foxtrot.
 
I promised a live blog for this sailing but in keeping with my utter unreliability for doing live blogs, I have failed again....this being day 3 already.
I will skip all of the pre-boarding and boarding details as these are not of particular interest to anyone and it was entirely uneventful.  All went well. We are here.
The ship is in great shape for her age.  We sailed on Adventure relatively recently so there haven't been any changes since that time.  Sure, she needs paint in some areas and there are patches of carpeting that are in need of replacing but these are purely superficial issues and have not impacted our enjoyment at all.
We are in a Panoramic Ocean View Suite (VP), a room which was converted at the time that part of the spa was removed.  The room has an ENORMOUS panoramic view with ceiling-to-floor window panes.  It makes for a really lovely view....particularly at sunrise and sunset.  LOTS of space.  There is a large-ish closet area that they advertise as a second bedroom but that's not fair.  It's just a couple of bunk beds in a closet with a curtain.  Yes, it provides additional beds. No, it is not a second bedroom.  There is a bath-and-a-half (full bath and second toilet and sink) but the full bath is somewhat disappointing as it is the same size and layout of a typical stateroom bathroom with a space tube shower (ugh).  Nothing special there.  It is considered a full suite so we have access to the Suites Lounge and all of the suites' amenities.  Breakfast is in Giovanni's on this ship (it's typically in Chops) b/c Chops is on Deck 4, forward and Gios is the only specialty restaurant on deck 11....and it is in an unusual place (instead of being located inside the Windjammer entrance as it is on most VY and FR class ships, the entrance is outside of the WJ).  The food and service have been very good.
It's a good thing that the VP is considered a full suite b/c we would otherwise be denied access to the Suites' Lounge on this sailing.  There are 65 Pinns onboard this sailing (and I'm sure we are #'s 64 and 65 in seniority !).  Only the top 30 are permitted in the Suites' Lounge and we certainly are not among those 30...but since we are in a full suite, we are allowed in.  As may be expected, the SL is an empty wilderness and the Crown Lounge (CL) (or Clown Lounge as some are calling it) is a whirlwind of chaos.  Since the only [public] computers that I am aware of are located in the back of the CL (there are 2), that is where you will find me in the AM.  At least there is SOMEwhere to get on a keyboard !
As one would predict, there are many families and children on this sailing but I have not found it to be a concern.  Everyone is having a wonderful time and the children are all looking forward to Santa's arrival.  
There was a show in the theater last night called "Can't Stop the Rock" which we fully intended to attend but failed (we decided that the hot tub would be a better thing to do)....but I heard it was tolerable.  We went to the ice show on our last AD sailing so we will probably skip it this time but as I recall, it was very typical of all the ice shows and definitely worth going to if you haven't been before.
We have not stepped foot inside the WJ and intend to keep it that way.  Our one night of dining in the MDR (so far) was fine.  Welcome Aboard is one of my least favorite MDR menus and that happened to be the night that we decided to eat there (having eaten lunch in Chops on boarding day....didn't think 2 big meals in one day would be a good idea).  We will also eat in the MDR on Christmas evening and one more time during the last part of the sailing...which night, escapes me at the moment.  We have a 3 night dining package plus 2, BOGO which works soooo well for us.  Speaking of BOGO I thought I would relay the mechanics of using the BOGO on AD...or at least, on THIS sailing on AD as it never seems to be the same process, even on the same ship !  We ate at Giovanni's last night (night #2) and told the server that this represented the use of the first of our BOGO dinners and that we would be eating in Chops later in the week.  Knowing that it is MANDATORY that you pay for your BOGO meals on nights #1 or #2, we requested that the server go ahead and charge us both, full price for our Gio's meal.  That utterly confused her....so she called the manager over.  The manager finally decided that the thing to do was to call Chops, have them charge us for our [yet-to-be-consumed] Chops BOGO and then when we get to Chops later this week, we will already have pre-paid.  PERFECT !  Exactly what we wanted.  We paid for our Gio's BOGO and went home full and happy.  Later that evening we checked our onboard account.  Gio's was charged...but no Chops.  UGH.  So this morning when enjoying our breakfast in Gio's we queried the manager...what happened to our charge for Chops ?  Blank stare.  So she got on the phone with someone...the final determination is that they will charge us for the second BOGO when we get to Chops in a few days.  WHAAAAT ?  I thought the charge had to be completed NLT day 1 or 2 ?  It's an utter mystery and it's yet-to-be-seen whether or not this process will actually work but if I get to Chops and have some bill-issue, I will turn full Karen and somebody's going to be sorry.  LOL  I will report back.
This is already waaaytooo long.  That's what I get for waiting 3 days.  I will catch up later.
Merry Christmas to all !  Santa comes tonite !!!!

@twangster ... your pictures are always awesome and inspiring.
It is official ... we will not be bringing our cameras on our Antarctica cruise in January.  Instead, would you be so kind to:
1). Take lots of pictures of:
Gerlache Strait Paradise Bay Schollaert Channel & Dalhan Bay Elephant Island Cape Horn 2). I like Icebergs and my soulmate loves wildlife.  A good mix will add to the illusion that they are our pictures.
3). To cement the illusion ... Superimpose the likeness of my soulmate and I on the best of the pictures in each location.  Use stock photos of Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston.  We are not "exactly" twins, but our friends are not that observant.
😉
... or just keep doing what you are doing, whatever is easiest.
😂
Curt from Canada
 
 

Following with great interest and anticipation.  We sail on Serenade on JAN 05 ... our ships will not cross paths.  However, we will enjoy every experience you describe and every picture you send.  Your posts are always inspiring.
Our cruise is not an expedition one (just a cruising one).  Please get a couple of autographs from Penguins as you spend time on "The Ice".
😉
Curt from Canada