mlgb

It might be that the permissions expired or another issue with Picasa now that it is Google+ I might try to play with it again tonight or maybe post new links.

There were some big seas in the Pacific Ocean and around Cape Horn. The Beagle Channel, Strait of Magellan and the Chilean Channels are more sheltered. We also had a big wind storm when we were docked at Puerto Madryn (we could see the front coming..it looked like one of those sandstorms you see photos of) They had to put a hold on boarding till it cleared, the passenger ramp was moving too much for it to be safe apparently. . In the Falklands the last few tenders going back to the ship were exciting. So I'd suggest if there is any weather forecast (or visible) to not dally too much in town before going back. The weather can change in the space of a few hours no matter the time of yar.

As I recall there may have been times when it wasn't too easy to walk without holding onto a railing My cabin location was an inside cabin in the center of the ship so seemed pretty stable. It's a good idea to learn how to get from your cabin to dining room etc without going outside since they may close outside decks if seas or winds are too strong. The Sun has an MDR on each end at the lower level so that was convenient..unlike the Island Princess which I took on a repo cruise earlier this year.

I met my lecturer friend when they docked in LA on the final trip back from BA which continues up to SF. He said it was a rough trip. They arrive in LA at the end of April.

tripplanner001

Thanks mlgb. This is extremely helpful; very much appreciate the added insight. We're booked on a cruise to Antarctica next December, which starts and ends in Ushuaia and goes via the Falklands so I was particularly curious about that leg of the journey.

mlgb

Ushuaia and the Beagle Channel was beautiful.

December may be even windier...it is barely summer. I've been to S. NZ and Torres del Paine and December can be very windy with snowfall..even on the supposed first day of summer! In my experience with NZ March into April is more "settled".

Falklands is basically a temperate climate it seemed appropriately English when we visited.

mlgb

I think the problem with seeing the photos is that Ideclined to connect them to my Google acount, now that Picasa is dead I think you won't be able to see them at all. Sorry

tripplanner001

No worries mlgb. I'm enjoying your report and will try to picture the scenery that you paint with your words.

AngelaTheo

Thank you very much for your trip report. My husband and I doing the same trip for our 30th wedding anniversary in January 2017. We fly from UK via Paris to Santiago where we have 2 nights before the cruise then an extra 2 nights in Buenos Aires at the end.

We are still in the research stage and looking at excursions but have managed to contact a guide at Port Stanley who is taking us on a private penguin and nature tour.

The big question for me is what on earth to pack!

Eschew

Although it is their "summer", due to the locationa, it would be still cool. Pack what you would wear in the fall, and make sure you have something that is wind and rain resistance.

mlgb

Think of what you might bring on an Alaska Cruise..Layers but if you plan to spend much time out on deck, be prepared for something colder than fall.. especially when they go out into the Pacific along the west coast of Chile (on the way to Punta Arenas), the Beagle Channel out to Cape Horn. On land it is less cold but can still get very windy..I'd carry on excursions wind/rainjacket (not a poncho, too windyy for that), hat that stays on in the wind and gloves. In Santiago and Buenos Aires/Uruguay you probably want summer clothing. For other land excursions it depends on the weather forecast but I might always bring a fleece just in case...

Don't forget lots of sunscreen, sunglasses, maybe an extra hat, and your usual cruise medicine cabinet..

It's a great itinerary.

mlgb

AngelaTheo, I highly recommend Estancia Excursions to Volunteer Point for the Port Stanley pentguins tour.