12-days on Hurtigruten's MV Fram - Antarctic Discovery
Mar 14th, 2012, 10:52 AM
#21
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bb'ing = Blackberrying -- isn't that a word? It should be!
Hate that thing; only have it for work.
I agree that the length of landings should be a factor in picking a trip. But if it was a choice between going and doing shorter landings and not going becauce the price was way more and out of the budget -- I'd definitely choose shorter. And we didn't feel gypped by our shorter landings - we really had a blast the entire time and only on the first stop did we really wish for more time.
Hate that thing; only have it for work.
I agree that the length of landings should be a factor in picking a trip. But if it was a choice between going and doing shorter landings and not going becauce the price was way more and out of the budget -- I'd definitely choose shorter. And we didn't feel gypped by our shorter landings - we really had a blast the entire time and only on the first stop did we really wish for more time.
Sep 19th, 2012, 10:17 AM
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Thanks fineluxury - hope you have a wonderful time. We really loved it. That "swimming" (flailing, grimacing) was quite painful but somehow it seemed like a good idea at the time. And we have 2 polar plunge certificates we can frame & hang (haha) to really make it worthwhile :0
Have fun!
Have fun!
Oct 30th, 2012, 05:38 PM
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Leslie,
Great trip report. Great photos. We're doing the Christmas cruise on the FRAM and your experience sounds much better than I was expecting.
One question. We were advised on another website to take along walking sticks with baskets as third legs for potentially icy snow (we're able bodied, but in an age range where fractures are a possibility---not something I want to experience anywhere!). I realize your trip was a different month and a different year so won't ask you whether we actually will need them, but did anyone else on your voyage use them? Would they be allowed on the floor of the Cirkel boats? They do collapse, but won't fit in a small backpack to make hands free.
Also, were you allowed to bring water bottles for example on landings?
How water"proof" must your pants be to be allowed to land? Do they test them or anything?
Thanks! Great photos, btw. Someone has posted some great videos of a similar voyage on YouTube also, if you want to get "homesick". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDyON...feature=g-list
Great trip report. Great photos. We're doing the Christmas cruise on the FRAM and your experience sounds much better than I was expecting.
One question. We were advised on another website to take along walking sticks with baskets as third legs for potentially icy snow (we're able bodied, but in an age range where fractures are a possibility---not something I want to experience anywhere!). I realize your trip was a different month and a different year so won't ask you whether we actually will need them, but did anyone else on your voyage use them? Would they be allowed on the floor of the Cirkel boats? They do collapse, but won't fit in a small backpack to make hands free.
Also, were you allowed to bring water bottles for example on landings?
How water"proof" must your pants be to be allowed to land? Do they test them or anything?
Thanks! Great photos, btw. Someone has posted some great videos of a similar voyage on YouTube also, if you want to get "homesick". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDyON...feature=g-list
Nov 4th, 2012, 05:58 AM
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I'm trying to remember anyone using walking sticks - I can't picture that but I could see where it would be useful on some of the rocky climbs. But on slippery surfaces like ice would a walking stick be able to poke through the ice well enough to grip? Maybe only if it had a sharp point, so possibly a stick like a cane would not help much. And would you be allowed to bring it into the polar cirkel boat is another good question. When you climb into the boat you definitely need 2 free hands so I think if something can't fit in a backpack you maybe would not be allowed to bring it. People got into the boats with small point & shoot cameras on a strap around their wrists but but I wonder if a walking stick had a strap if that would be allowed or not. I guess if it collapses and doesn't take up much room in your luggage it wouldn't hurt to take on the Fram and then find out there if it's allowed ashore.
We had a waterproof backpack (just one for the two of us) that we carried water bottles in plus backup camera batteries, extra socks in case our feet got wet (never needed) and we had our cameras in that during the polar cirkel transport. In our case a regular non-waterproof backpack with cameras inside waterproof ziplocks would have worked fine - we did not get splashed or have rain (a little wet snow once though). But we've used the waterproof pack a few other times since then so it was a worthwhile investment. I have read of people getting hit with waves on the polar cirkels and having their cameras drenched so I didn't want to have to worry about that - hence the waterproof bag.
As to pants, no they didn't test them and also I saw a guy on one of the landings wearing jeans so I think there are varying levels of policing what people are wearing. I think if you have water resistant pants that would be fine (over other layers) and if somehow you got drenched getting off the polar cirkel you might have to go back to the ship and change and not continue with the landing. But since they are continually running those back and forth to shore you could change and then go back out. I guess I wouldn't invest in an expensive pair of waterproof pants if you'll never use them again. We're hoping to go north on the Fram at some point - that might be our only chance to wear our pants another time!
Oh, but I just remembered how much fun sliding down the hill on one of the landings was - I climbed up and slid down 5 times it was so much fun. And for that you'd want waterproof pants so maybe that's something to consider.
I'll check out the link you posted - it probably will make me want to go back right away. It was such a great trip I would love to repeat it but unfortunately there are lots of other places I have to see first! I hope you have a wonderful time - I'm sure you will. It was such an amazing experience and the Fram was a lovely ship - just the right size and level of creature comfort I thought. Some of the ships that are more like research vessels and are smaller...well I'm sure they're also fantastic trips but the Fram was perfect for me. And being there for Christmas - that sounds like it will be magical. Please write something when you return!!
If you have any other questions I'd be glad to try to answer them.
We had a waterproof backpack (just one for the two of us) that we carried water bottles in plus backup camera batteries, extra socks in case our feet got wet (never needed) and we had our cameras in that during the polar cirkel transport. In our case a regular non-waterproof backpack with cameras inside waterproof ziplocks would have worked fine - we did not get splashed or have rain (a little wet snow once though). But we've used the waterproof pack a few other times since then so it was a worthwhile investment. I have read of people getting hit with waves on the polar cirkels and having their cameras drenched so I didn't want to have to worry about that - hence the waterproof bag.
As to pants, no they didn't test them and also I saw a guy on one of the landings wearing jeans so I think there are varying levels of policing what people are wearing. I think if you have water resistant pants that would be fine (over other layers) and if somehow you got drenched getting off the polar cirkel you might have to go back to the ship and change and not continue with the landing. But since they are continually running those back and forth to shore you could change and then go back out. I guess I wouldn't invest in an expensive pair of waterproof pants if you'll never use them again. We're hoping to go north on the Fram at some point - that might be our only chance to wear our pants another time!
Oh, but I just remembered how much fun sliding down the hill on one of the landings was - I climbed up and slid down 5 times it was so much fun. And for that you'd want waterproof pants so maybe that's something to consider.
I'll check out the link you posted - it probably will make me want to go back right away. It was such a great trip I would love to repeat it but unfortunately there are lots of other places I have to see first! I hope you have a wonderful time - I'm sure you will. It was such an amazing experience and the Fram was a lovely ship - just the right size and level of creature comfort I thought. Some of the ships that are more like research vessels and are smaller...well I'm sure they're also fantastic trips but the Fram was perfect for me. And being there for Christmas - that sounds like it will be magical. Please write something when you return!!
If you have any other questions I'd be glad to try to answer them.
Dec 7th, 2012, 05:15 PM
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Thanks, Leslie, I will definitely report back. Your report has me feeling MUCH better about the need to stay thoroughly insulated/heated throughout the voyage as I too am cold allergic. Which is why Panama in the winter, not Canada!
You will love the Galapagos, even though Solitario Jorge (Lonesome George) is now dead. His genes live on, though, despite the fact that they could never get him to mate! He was the last of his exact species but apparently he himself was a hybrid and there are some distant cousins. Warning: no matter when you go, the Galapagos are HOT! You will certainly not be chilled! Panama is better, especially if you visit the highlands, but hey, they're all adventures!
Regards, Louise
You will love the Galapagos, even though Solitario Jorge (Lonesome George) is now dead. His genes live on, though, despite the fact that they could never get him to mate! He was the last of his exact species but apparently he himself was a hybrid and there are some distant cousins. Warning: no matter when you go, the Galapagos are HOT! You will certainly not be chilled! Panama is better, especially if you visit the highlands, but hey, they're all adventures!
Regards, Louise
Dec 12th, 2012, 06:01 AM
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Hi Louise - actually we took our Galapagos trip in May and so luckily we did get to see Lonesome George just before his death. It WAS hot which I didn't mind at all!!
About being cold - we took hand and foot warmers with us to Antarctica and they weren't necessary since our temps were never that cold and also we were only out for an hour at a time - not long enough to get too cold. I have a big ziplock bag of them still sitting here while I figure out what to do with them. But if you're very sensitive to cold that's one option to keep in your mittens or boots.
About being cold - we took hand and foot warmers with us to Antarctica and they weren't necessary since our temps were never that cold and also we were only out for an hour at a time - not long enough to get too cold. I have a big ziplock bag of them still sitting here while I figure out what to do with them. But if you're very sensitive to cold that's one option to keep in your mittens or boots.
