Boarding Ocean Albatros: Embarkment day with Albatros Expeditions
After months of planning and excitement, the day was finally here… we’re off to Antarctica – or are we?
This is the first in a series of blog posts talking you through our expedition cruise with Albatros Expeditions.
In this one, we’ll talk through what do on on the day of your cruise (before boarding) and what happens when you first board… and of course, we’ll share exactly what went wrong for us!
Day 1: What to expect on embarkment day with Albatros Expeditions
Luggage drop-off
On the day of departure, you’ll need to visit a designated location in Ushuaia to drop off your luggage and collect your bus ticket.
Even if, like us, you’re carry-on only travellers, it’s essential you make this appointment.
You aren’t able to walk to the cruise terminal, so you really do have to get a ticket for your specific shuttle time.
The buses don’t have a lot of over-head storage either, so we recommend leaving your larger bags with them, to be transferred to the ship.
Ensure you keep valuables, electronics, medication, important documentation and anything else you might need ready access to in your day bag.
When and where to drop your gear
Our luggage drop-off was between 9 am and 11 am at 9 de Julio 24, Ushuaia (it came up correctly on Google maps).
We got there at about 10.15 am, and waited about 20 minutes in line.
When you reach the front of the line, you’ll give your name and they’ll tag your luggage ready to be taken to your cabin.
We weren’t specifically told our cabin number, but it was asked for when we got onboard, so it’s worth making a note of it.
Transferring from Ushuaia to the ship
After dropping your baggage off and collecting your bus pass, you’ll be free to explore Ushuaia until your scheduled pickup time.
The town itself is really cute and worth checking out. We recommend you head to a cafe or restaurant, or enjoy a walk along the shoreline.
Though by then, we’d already spent 2.5 days in town, so we were glad to head back to our accomodation, following brunch, for a little R&R (and to continue recovering from jet lag).
When and where to drop catch your bus
Bus transfers start departing at 3 pm, and run every 15 minutes until 3.45 pm. Though our 3.15 pm bus didn’t actually seem scheduled to leave until 3.30 pm, we couldn’t guarantee that would always be the case so recommend getting there on time.
Should you get there early, there’s a nice grassy area by the buses, or you can wait onboard in air-conditioned comfort.
It’s only a short 5-minute drive to the cruise wharf, if that.
Meet the bus at Av. Maipú 1210 (next to Malvinas Square).
Google maps brings up a pin close to the location, but it’s not quite correct… you’ll find the buses south-west of that pin, in a carpark within the green area on Google maps.
Boarding Ocean Albatross
From the bus, it’s straight up the gangway to the boat, and then it’s all go!
You’ll hand your passport over for safekeeping and your medical form (which can be completed quickly on the spot), while enjoying a welcome drink.
Then it’s time to try on your complimentary parka.
Though we provided our size estimates ahead of time, there was plenty of stock in all sizes, so it isn’t a worry if you need a different option on the spot.
Pro tip: The Ocean Albatros paperwork says they cater to both men and women in their parkas but they actually have unisex sizing… this meant I had to size up to a large to cater to my curvy hips/butt, while the rest of the jacket was too big for me. If you have a hard time with unisex sizing, you might like to bring your own jacket as a backup. I wish I’d brought my Nobody’s Princess jacket for this very reason!
With your new parka in-tow, you’ll receive your ship ID card and cabin keycard (this is where knowing your room number speeds things up) and then you’ll be taken to your room where your luggage will be waiting for you.
Settling in
Afternoon tea was served (I get the feeling nobody will be going hungry on this trip!) then we were all called up to the lounge for a compulsory safety briefing.
This was thorough but easy to understand, with intructions provided in English and Chinese.
In-ear translation devices were also available (definitely in Chinese, I’m not sure if other languages were also an option).
A emergency muster completed our safety briefing, where we ran-through what to do in the unlikely event of an evacuation.
Then we had a little time in our rooms/to explore the boat, before we were required again in the lounge – this time to meet the leadership team onboard the vessel, and importantly to learn about the plan for the following day – news we were all anxious for!
We’d already read about this being one of one of the worst storms on the Drake Passage in the last ten or so years, so we knew an update was unlikely to be positive!
Instead of starting our sailing across the Drake Passage tonight, we’re currently sheltering in the Beagle Channel.
We’ve been advised that tomorrow’s likely a no-go also, with winds gusting up to 70 knots, and 10m swells.
As disappointed as we are, we know it’s just the way an Antarctic expedition rolls sometimes.
Hopefully we can hit the Drake Passage ASAP, allowing us to spend as much time as possible on the Antarctic Peninsula.
Though we have been warned, it’s going to be a rough crossing – so definitely more Drake Shake than Drake Lake!
Good thing we’re always up for an adventure…
Rounding out the day
Exploring the boat
With a little time to spare, we set off to explore the ship.
It isn’t huge by cruise ship standards, which is exactly what we wanted.
With approximately 160 guests on board, it means we’ll all have plenty of time on the ice (assuming we make it there with this storm!) and that we’ll also get the chance to know a lot of our fellow passengers and crew.
Onboard we’ve got a sauna, small gym (which is adequate, but honestly not as impressive as they make it look in the photos), two jacuzzis, and a library (though books have to be read in there, which is a bit of a pain).
We’ve also got a very comfortable cabin with a king-sized bed, a fairly spacious private bathroom (with a great shower!), and on-demand movies/TV streaming which is an awesome addition.
I’ll share more about the ship’s facilities in another blog post to ensure you have all the information you need to decide if Ocean Albatros is the sailing for you.
Dinner
Dinner tonight was a buffet (while the rest will be served a la carte) and it was pretty good – both in terms of selection and quality.
There was also more than enough food for everyone, with all dishes being refilled as required.
I loved the pork, while Nathan really enjoyed the fish. And there were plenty of hot sides, salads, soup and bread to go alongside, along with options for vegetarians.
The surprise standout though, was a salted caramel pot de creme – far out, was it delicious!!
So far, we’d say the food has been good, but not outstanding.
We’ll see what the following days bring in terms of food, and will be sure to report back.
So, that’s the end of our first day onboard Ocean Albatros with Albatros Expeditions…
Not quite what we’d expected or hoped for, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed that the weather will clear soon, so we can be on our way.
Until then, we’re tucked up safe and sound in the Beagle Channel.
