Expedition Leader Larry Hobbs welcomes newly arriving passengers to the Le Boreal in Ushuaia.

A family meets Captain Jean Phillippe Lemaire.

Guests relax with a glass of champagne after checking into their cabins.

The “End of the World” town of Ushuaia is nestled at the base of snow-covered mountains.

The Expedition staff of Le Boreal consists of folks with 258 years of combined Antarctic experience!

Ushuaia

12/19/2010

 We arrived at the port of Ushuaia in southern Argentina – the City at the End of the World – from all corners of the globe and boarded mv Le Boreal during the afternoon. After we had been shown to our staterooms, there was time to have a plentiful afternoon tea (and glass of champagne!) and wander leisurely around to explore the layout of the ship. Then we had to take part in the mandatory Emergency Drill (carried out on all ships) in which we learned how to gather at our muster station and put on lifejackets. Captain Jean Phillipe Lemaire instructed us in the regulations and procedures that are so necessary for making shipboard life safe.

The next item on the program was to gather in the Lounge and learn more about shipboard life from Cruise Director Jannie Cloete. Expedition Leader Larry Hobs outlined the plan for the cruise, stressing that this would be a real adventure in which the daily program had to remain flexible but that he would work with the captain to ensure we had the best possible experiences. Larry introduced the members of the Expedition Team who will enrich our experience with lectures and conduct the all-important landings at our destinations. Each one said a few words about their role, which left no doubt that the team has the knowledge and enthusiasm to deliver a very memorable cruise.

Dinner followed, then early to bed after our long day with hope that the weather would remain calm for the crossing to the Falkland Islands.