1. Home
  2. Travel
  3. Cruises

Antarctica Cruise Logbook - Hanseatic Cruise from Ushuaia to Antarctic Peninsula

By , About.com Guide

4 of 10

Antarctica Cruise Logbook - Cruise Day 2 - Cruising Antarctica's Iceberg Alley

Iceberg Alley - Weddell Sea - Antarctica

The thousands of icebergs in Antarctica's Weddell Sea have earned it the name, "Iceberg Alley".

Photo (c) 2005 Linda Garrison
The Hanseatic sailed north from Paulet Island in the late morning along the Antarctic Sound on the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula. We could easily see why this 30 mile long, 7.5 mile wide area is called "iceberg alley", as hundreds of icebergs, of all shapes and sizes could be seen at any one time. We could tell the captain was enjoying this part of the cruise as he steered the ship through the maze of icebergs and took us very close (within 70 meters) to some of them. He even circumnavigated one beautiful iceberg, giving us a 360 degree view. The captain opened the fore-deck and most of the passengers gathered there or on the observation deck. It was a marvelous afternoon.

Late in the day we neared the Chilean O'Higgins research station. The Hanseatic had a German technician on board who was enroute to the German facility at this base. Two of the crew took him ashore in a Zodiac while we got ready for our special Ernest Shackleton dinner. We all laughed when we were greeted at the entrance to the Marco Polo restaurant by our expedition leader, David Fletcher, dressed as one of Shackleton's men. The costume was complete with black (i.e. frostbitten) toenails! The menu had items named for Shackleton's men or his exploits. The evening was topped off by a classical concert by the surprising Festival Band--we didn't know they were so talented! What a way to end an amazing day. Tomorrow morning we arrive at the Lemaire Channel.

Explore Cruises
About.com Special Features

Holiday Central

What to eat, where to go, fun things to do and how to save money on the perfect gifts. More >

Hot Winter Travel Deals

Check out these tips on finding the best airfare, hotel rates and cruise deals. More >

  1. Home
  2. Travel
  3. Cruises
  4. Cruise Destinations
  5. Antarctica Cruises
  6. Antarctica Cruise Logbook - Hanseatic Cruise Day 2 - Cruising Antarctica's Iceberg Alley

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.