After Drake Passage 'Rogue' Wave, Cruise Passengers Speak Out

Table Of Content

• Expedition cruises to Antarctica
• Photography and Documenting Your Journey Through the Drake Passage
• Between the Poles - Our Epic Global Expedition Cruise
• AOV-Atlas Ocean Voyages open bookings for 18 cruises on World Voyager ship
• Top 5 Reasons to Fly Across the Drake Passage on your Antarctic Expedition
• Safety Measures and Ship Stability

The summer months (December to February) offer slightly milder conditions, making it a preferred time for cruising. However, the passage is unpredictable, and sudden weather changes can occur, bringing gales and rough seas. It experiences a subpolar oceanic climate, with low temperatures, frequent storms, and significant precipitation. The area is also known for the ‘Drake Effect,’ a climatic anomaly that results in the concentrated flow of westerly winds and waves through the passage. Embark on a journey through the Drake Passage, a realm where the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans converge, creating a unique maritime adventure.

Expedition cruises to Antarctica

For many adventurers, the opportunity to join a Drake Passage cruise can't be passed up. To learn more about what awaits you on an amazing journey through the Drake Passage, just keep reading. The Drake Passage spans the distance between Antarctica’s South Shetland Islands and the southern tip of South America, connecting the southeastern Pacific Ocean with the southwestern Atlantic. As a waterway it is colossal, measuring roughly 800 km wide (500 miles) and 1,000 km (600 miles) long. Even so, the Drake Passage is the shortest distance from the Antarctic Continent to any other landmass. Learn about things to do in Antarctica, and how our experts can help you achieve your bucket list activities.

Photography and Documenting Your Journey Through the Drake Passage

These include measures to protect marine life, prevent pollution, and regulate fishing activities. The Drake Passage is infamous for the ‘Drake Shake,’ a term used to describe its rough seas. Ships are designed to handle these conditions, and stabilizers are often used to minimize rolling. Crew members, often including naturalists, help passengers spot and identify various species. The open decks of the ship offer panoramic views, providing opportunities for stunning photographs and unforgettable sightings. The anticipation of encountering one of the world’s most challenging and awe-inspiring maritime routes adds to the excitement.

Between the Poles - Our Epic Global Expedition Cruise

These stations play a key role in understanding global climate patterns, ocean currents, and the behavior of Antarctic wildlife. Crossing the Drake Passage is often seen as a rite of passage and a badge of honor among Antarctic travelers. It’s a testament to the adventurous spirit of those who choose to journey to one of the most remote and extraordinary places on Earth.

AOV-Atlas Ocean Voyages open bookings for 18 cruises on World Voyager ship

Beyond exploration, the Drake Passage also played a crucial role in global maritime trade. Before the opening of the Panama Canal in 1914, it was the main route for ships traveling between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. This revelation was significant for maritime navigation, as it provided an alternative to the perilous Strait of Magellan and the treacherous Cape Horn route. The Drake Passage subsequently became a critical path for ships traveling to the Pacific and further to Asia, playing a pivotal role in the global trade and exploration era. I camped out on Deck 4 of our expedition ship, where the public spaces are located. If you're in the public areas, you'll also stay busy chatting with other passengers and crew, keeping your mind off the rocking and rolling seas.

Top 5 Reasons to Fly Across the Drake Passage on your Antarctic Expedition

Passengers heading across the Drake Passage can expect temperatures ranging from about 5°C (41°F) in the north to -3°C (26°F) in the south. The TikTok-famous nine-month cruise, which is Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate World Cruise, set sail from Miami on December 10 and was about to make its way through the infamous Drake Passage as it headed over to Argentina. So far, nothing to worry about—unless you have heard of the Drake Passage before. It was named after Sir Francis Drake, a British captain who was thought to have sailed through the waterway in the late 1570s, though many contemporary historians now place him somewhere else. Some Latin American scholars call the Drake Passage Mar de Hoces, after Francisco de Hoces, who they believe reached the waterway some 50 years before Drake was near it.

Watch TikToks of the Drake Passage from passengers on the World Cruise - Florida Today

Watch TikToks of the Drake Passage from passengers on the World Cruise.

Posted: Thu, 11 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

These tools allow the crew to monitor weather conditions, sea currents, and potential hazards continuously. It doesn't take long after departing the mostly calm waters of the Beagle Channel around Ushuaia to know if you're going to be in for a rough ride – or the Drake Shake – while crossing the Drake Passage. The captain, of course, will have updates for the passengers and crew, but no one can prepare you for the tumultuous waves and swells once the ship hits the open ocean. Hurricane Atmospheric low-pressure systems (or cyclones) also come in from the Pacific Ocean and move west to east over the southern edge of the passage. These unpredictable conditions in the Drake Passage are formidable, making the seas challenging to navigate. Even the most veteran traveler sees the Drake Passage -- the body of water between South America and Antarctica that you must cross before you set foot at the End of the Earth -- as foreboding.

For some people, staying in bed, resting, and watching the ship's lectures and programming on television may be the best option. I found that even without any medication, the ship's motion lulled me to sleep. Sleeping also passes the time and gets you closer to Antarctica – or back to the Beagle Channel on the return trip, where the waters will be much calmer.

While that may have been different for the region's first explorers centuries ago, new technology, safety procedures, and specialized equipment nowadays ensure a safe crossing. From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises). Cruises through the Drake Passage often include educational programs that highlight the region’s cultural, historical, and scientific importance.

The crew also recommends keeping something on your stomach, such as a light breakfast or lunch – and staying hydrated. It's best to avoid heavy, fatty, or spicy foods unless your gut is OK, then go for it. You can also try ginger candies, gum, tea, or even foods made with ginger to settle your tummy. One way to keep seasickness at bay is to stay calm, which is where a good diversion comes in, like an onboard lecture about explorer Ernest Shackelton or a movie about penguins. It's also a good idea to step outside and take in the fresh air, even if it's just for a moment.

And then again, you may not be so lucky and end up with the Drake Shake, which can have varying degrees of "shake," as mentioned above. You may have mild swells of 12 feet, very little wind, and no oncoming storms to dodge en route to the South Shetland Islands. Then again, you could end up with 40-foot waves in the middle of a rain or snowstorm with gusty winds. It's no wonder that, according to one source, as many as 20,000 sailors have lost their lives to this foreboding body of water ­– and 800 shipwrecks lie within its depths on the ocean floor. However, it was ultimately the Dutch explorer and captain of the Eendracht, Willem Schouten, that is recorded as the first explorer to make the crossing during an expedition in 1616. The following map shows Drake Passage's location and major ports included in most cruise itineraries to the Antarctic Peninsula.

In the Antarctic summer -- the opposite of North America -- travelers can typically expect rough seas, clouds, and misty and windy conditions while on the Drake Passage. Average temperatures range from 26 degrees Fahrenheit in the south to 41 degrees Fahrenheit in the north. I spoke with several expedition team members on my ship, Atlas Ocean Voyages’ new World Traveller, about their experiences on the Drake Passage.