Back at Sea

By this point in the trip, you have undoubtedly met a lot of your fellow travelers, attended both safety and informational briefings, and started to get to know a lot of the expedition staff and crew. You also will start to settle into the ship a bit more, exploring any nooks and crannies and discovering the various areas of what will essentially be your home for the next week or more. 
 

Nobody would call the Ocean Adventurer a luxury ship, but instantly I found myself kind of smitten with its retro decor and scrappy attitude. This was only augmented as I got to meet more of the crew, who were all so cheerful, friendly, and helpful with everything. One thing that really surprised me was how delicious every meal was, and while maybe it would be a stretch to say it was ‘gourmet’, everything I ate was fresh, flavorful, and delightfully seasoned in a way that would rival pretty much every restaurant in my hometown (sorry, Missoula). The experience was heightened even further by the complimentary wine served at dinner, which seemed to be refilled as if by magic after every few sips by the ever-accommodating staff. 

You also by this time have no doubt found your favorite places on the ship. The Lounge is always a favorite for folks drinking coffee or cocktails, playing cards, and chatting with other travelers. You also might find yourself in the Library, digging through the extensive collection of books on polar expeditions. However, I always found myself most drawn to being outside as often as I could. Whether it be on the side of the ship, the bow, or watching the albatrosses flying in the ship’s wake, I really could not get enough of the sea, sky, and crisply fresh air.