On 12/1/2022, one passenger was killed and four injured when a “rogue wave” hit their Viking Polaris cruise ship during a storm as it tried to negotiate the Drake Passage during their return from Antarctica to Ushuaia, Argentina.
The storm caused a giant wave that broke several panes of glass that fell onto and killed an American woman who “received blows from a glass surface that collapsed in the middle of the storm.”
“Four other guests sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the incident and were treated by the ship’s onboard doctor and medical staff.”
Viking Polaris’ next trip, scheduled for December 5 - 17, was canceled.
When Carlos asked us to write down our expectations for this expedition, one of the quietest, meekest travelers in our group of 19 wanted to experience the “Drake Shake” to its fullest. Thankfully, once we passed through the Beagle Channel, we met the “Drake Lake” instead. But that was NOT the case on our return, and Kathy got her wish. More on that later...
Arvin, one of the crew members who walked me to my cabin, couldn't believe I chose to travel solo. When I spotted a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine and two glasses in my cabin, I returned one glass to him and said I didn't like to share.
The next two days were spent at sea following an exhausting schedule of amazing lectures by the expedition team, lots of cocktail hours and parties, unlimited alcohol, and gourmet meals. There was a pre-lunch aperitif for independent travelers, a Sir Edmund Hillary Club Party, and wine and beer with lunch and dinner. I didn't have to order red wine because the crew always had it poured and waiting for my arrival. I was invited but declined to attend the Captain's Farewell Dinner to enjoy my last meal with my new friends.
I was drained and we hadn't even arrived for our first landing
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