I start my Antarctica cruise next week by flying to Santiago, Chile. I did not get to visit Santiago during my South America Grand Voyage, so I am looking forward to it. What I am not looking forward to is the 12 1/2 hours of flight time – Phoenix to Miami to Santiago. I leave at 2:30pm and arrive at 9:00am the next day. I hope to do some whirlwind tourist activity that afternoon, as the next morning we fly from Santiago to Puerto Williams to board our ship. Note: while Chili is south of the US east coast, they share the time zone of Brazil, so there is a four-hour time change compared to Arizona.
Once on board, Silversea is providing all guests with a two-layered parka, backpack and water bottle. However, we are required to have insulated, tall waterproof boots and waterproof trousers. They have a website where you can enter your size information, and offer to rent the boots and pants to you. There is a little note – “if your calm measurements are greater than ##, the boot may be uncomfortable.” ”Huh,” I thought, “would suck to be those people.” So I measured my calf.
Two inches (5 cm) more radius than the note. Awkward.
Amazon to the rescue. For some clothing they have a “try it for seven days free” offer. So, I ordered the boots that I could rent from Silversea and I ordered the next higher-tier boots. My plan was to try them both on – send them both back if the basic boots work, or keep the high-tier boots and take them with me. Both boots were by BOGS, and Silversea was right, the base boots were too tight on my lower legs. However, the “Ultra High Tall Insulated Waterproof Work Rain Boots” fit very well. While on Amazon I also bought base layer long underwear. To finish my shopping I visited my local Bass Outfitters and got some waterproof over-trousers.
Thus, I will be carrying large, heavy boots with me on my journey. Even more frustrating, I need to pack for both Antarctica AND Brazil, as I will visit the Iguazu Falls for three days after returning to Santiago. I expect to not need insulated boots and trousers while in the Brazilian jungle.
But I’m sure I can endure. I’ve been reading “How to take care of your camera in the cold” articles. We shall see how that goes.
Really looking forward to this cruise as I sit at home…thank you for the vicarious chance to get away😊
Bon voyage my friend👍
Make sure you do ALL the things from the foodie review identical trip on YouTube!
It should be no problems to visit all the restaurants. What I learned from those videos is how Silversea stores the super-insulated waterproof boots not in your cabin, so folks don’t stomp snow all over the ship.