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Headed Toward Adventure, A Stormy Night On Seabourn Quest En Route To Antarctica

Ralph Grizzle

Seabourn Quest Storm
A dark and stormy night as Seabourn Quest sails from Buenos Aires to Montevideo, as we begin our Antarctic adventure. © 2014 Chris Stanley

Cruising to Antarctica is full of adrenaline-filled adventure. Typically, the adventure begins with the crossing of the Drake Passage, a notoriously nasty stretch of water where Mother Nature can — and often does — release her wrath.

Our adventure on Seabourn Quest started nearly 1,000 miles north of the Drake Passage, on the night we left Buenos Aires. During dinner outdoors at the Colonnade (one of four restaurants on Seabourn Quest), we watched as lightning streaked the sky. The electrical discharge was so intense, and so awe-inspiringly beautiful, that we felt like applauding after each thunderbolt.

When I returned to my suite later, even my room stewardess, a South African named Natalie Drake (a fitting name for sure), remarked upon the beauty of the night sky. She said she was headed to the exterior decks right after her shift to attempt a few photographs. We were one step ahead of her. We grabbed our cameras and bee-lined it to an alcove on deck nine to photograph ship and sky. It was absolutely beautiful as flashes of light silhouetted Seabourn Quest.

Soon after we set up our cameras, however, the wind picked up and rain spattered the open decks. The wind became stronger and stronger, reaching gale force and pushing sheets of rain horizontally. We were mostly sheltered from the rain but caught in the storm nonetheless. The only way out was to brave the elements, descending a few stairs to seek refuge inside.

Only a few seconds of exposure on those stairs, and our clothes were soaking wet. Mother Nature had reminded that she can be fickle and fierce, and for three wet sailors, she had set the tone for our Antarctic adventure.

More to come.

More from my site

  • No Need For TrepiDRAKEtion: On Seabourn Quest, Smooth Seas Across The Drake, Plus, Our First Iceberg SightingNo Need For TrepiDRAKEtion: On Seabourn Quest, Smooth Seas Across The Drake, Plus, Our First Iceberg Sighting
  • The Four Best Places We’ve Ocean CruisedThe Four Best Places We’ve Ocean Cruised
  • Penguin Video: Hear Their Voices, Watch Them Waddle, As Seabourn Quest Takes Us Deeper Into AntarcticaPenguin Video: Hear Their Voices, Watch Them Waddle, As Seabourn Quest Takes Us Deeper Into Antarctica
  • Penguins Greet Guests On Half Moon Island: Exploring Antarctica On Seabourn QuestPenguins Greet Guests On Half Moon Island: Exploring Antarctica On Seabourn Quest

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ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Maggie Blehert

Her ideal travel day: venturing to a new place, learning something interesting and sharing a smile.
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Steve and Wendy Bodenheimer
Cruise Specialists Voyage Hosts reporting on their round the world journeys.
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Ralph Grizzle

The Avid Cruiser. Well-traveled and insightful. Helping you make informed cruise decisions.
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