Although we initially had a smooth passage through the Drake, the journey from Port Stanley to Uruguay was tumultuous and could be considered our very own “Drake Shake,” much to the satisfaction of the passengers who had been hoping for a more dramatic experience.

Despite the bumpy sea days, we found relaxation in reconnecting with our bus travel mates from the Iguazu Falls tour, enjoying entertaining culinary demonstrations by the talented restaurant staff, and celebrating at the Captain’s Circle reception, where we won a bottle of champagne that we shared with new friends we’ve met along the way.

We also participated in an event called Chef’s Table, where we toured the galley and were treated to seven beautifully arranged meals, some almost too pretty to eat.

Captain Todd McBain stands out as the most interactive captain we’ve ever sailed with. Although all the ships we’ve been on have had good captains, Capt. McBain went above and beyond by providing detailed updates throughout the journey. He navigated the ship to places no large ship had ever ventured before during our scenic cruising in Antarctica. Additionally, he made himself available to all passengers, always ready to answer questions and pose for informal photos. As he moves on to the Emerald Princess after this tour, we hope our paths cross again one day, as his exceptional leadership and approachable nature left a lasting impression on us.