The Silver Cloud Expedition was docked at Ushuaia and ready to receive passengers when we arrived around 3pm, straight from our flight from Buenos Aires on Aerolineas Argentinas.
We didn’t have time to stop and explore the town of Ushuaia, which bills itself the southernmost city of the world. Surrounded by high, snow-covered peaks in all kinds of dramatic shapes, the town itself looks utterly unremarkable. We may have some time upon our return to go and walk the streets of Ushuaia, but today, we just wanted to get onboard and start our journey.
The Silver Cloud has been beautifully redone as an Expedition vessel, and ours will be just her fourth journey after an extensive drydock in Malta over the summer. All kinds of changes have been made to the vessel, including upgrades to the hull to make it ready for arctic regions, new technology that will allow for save navigation in ice, a new lounge added on Deck 9 overlooking the bow, a new fitness center, photo studio, new furnishings and carpets throughout, etc. etc. The ship is as good as new, and ready for its second life having been the founding vessel of Silversea Cruises 23 years ago as a regular cruise ship.
There’s 197 passengers on our cruise, with over 200 staff – an amazing ratio that promises great service and lots of pampering. Most guests on this trip are older than us and in their sixties and seventies, although it was nice to see three or four children as well.
Our cabin (420) is a Vista Suite on the fourth floor. No balcony, but a nice big window, and otherwise exactly the same as the Veranda Suites. It, too, was nicely redone – new bedding, furniture, writing desk, TV, Entertainment System, etc. All very cozy and nice.
We had a quick and light roomservice lunch, worked out, attended a Welcome Reception that introduced the12 or so strong Expedition Team – geologists, marine biologists, botanists, historians, ornithologists etc. – and gave an overview of our journey. We reacquainted ourselves with the ship and the Dolce Vita Bar on the 5th floor before dinner, and then sat down to eat around 830pm in the Main Restaurant as we sailed down the Beagle Canal towards the Drake Passage and enjoyed a beautiful, late sunset.
To bed by 1130pm.
Antarctic Journey - 2017/18 