Embarcation Time! - Our First Look at the Endurance

Gangway's down! Ready to board the Endurance

Tuesday, October 31 - Boarding the Endurance

The Nat Geo/Linblad Endurance docked at the pier in Ushuaia

"The Boss" Ernest Shackleton, captain of the original Endurance

We finished our afternoon catamaran tour of the Beagle Channel and returned back to the location of our busses to take us to the pier and the Endurance.  We arrived around 4:45 and were greeted by the staff as we prepared to walk up the gangway and board the ship.

We entered at the Reception area on the  5th deck, and were able to easily access our room on the same floor (520).  We enjoyed our first look at our cabin, which is really nice.  Good sized bathroom on the left, lots of closets on the right, a couch on the left with a beautiful print of a blue, tabular iceberg hanging over it, on the right a large screen TV, desk, atlas, water bottles; next our queen sized bed, with lots of storage underneath and finally, our balcony with table and 2 chairs.

Our first look at Cabin 520, with our orange polar coats waiting on the bed

Desk with closed channel TV and beautiful world atlas

Comfy couch, and doorwall to our outside balcony

Our orange two - layered polar coats were waiting for us in packages on the bed.  We tried them on - I was a bit swimming in mine, probably should have downsized at least by one, but I definitely could fit lots of layers underneath.  Under the bed was our folded hammock for the deck.  Would we really use it?  Our lifejackets were stored in the upper closet by the door.  We had our mandatory evacuation drills and put on our lifejackets properly - they’re quite heavy, with a belt around our waist and a strap between our legs. 

ORANGE! - we won't get lost on the ice! They will be handy at home during hunting season!

We all met on Deck 6 in the Ice Lounge for our on-board briefing, and then were called by deck to see the location of our lifeboat.  I kept unpacking after we completed the evacuation drill, until it was time for our briefing and dinner. Lots of space for everything, and our suitcases tuck away easily under our bed.

The Ice Lounge on Deck 6 - our gathering place for many briefings and lectures

Scenery while traveling along the Beagle Channel