Starting a topic for last minute questions:

We leave for Buenos Aires a month from today! I just ordered a few books from Amazon and plan a stop to the library to finally start the background reading.

In reviewing the big booklet Ngaire put together & the little Hanseatic booklet we recently received I wonder if there has been clarification on evening attire - especially for men - will they need a jacket or is it going to be country club casual?

Ngaire, you mention the need for leather gloves for the zodiac excursions - how about ski gloves instead?

Regarding possible sea sickness - we are not particularly prone to it - should we bring stuff or can we always get something from the ship doctor if necessary?

Ski gloves are fine AS LONG AS they are the type that keep your hands dry if they get wet. I think most ski gloves are leather oor waterproof arent they. Obviously a question from a non skier. Always wear a glove liner underneath so you can get your gloves on and off easily.

I have asked that dress question SO many times and never get a definite answer. Let me put it this way. Last time the ONLY time it was not 100% casual was the welcome aboard. I saw dinner jackets and I saw open neck golf shirts. If you WANT to bring a jacket this is the night you would wear it. If not then you wont need one. Probably not bringing one for Ken. If he wants one it will be with a silk tee underneath - not a white shirt and tie. I keep hoping that the tickets "when they come" will have definite directions on this issue.

They have pills at reception. I did not need them last time.

Right on, Leslie! Can't believe how fast this trip is coming up! We leave in 16 days for the pre-cruise cruise. :ohmy:

Hope our gloves are ok - they have the ripstop nylon outer shell from ShopAntarctica. They're already in the bag...

Our main lingering question is also the evening attire for men. Jackets or no jackets....????

I don't think we will need to but we may have to ask Four Seasons (or airport) to store 1 piece of luggage (clothes for SeaDream) while we're on the Hanseatic. Any experience with this for 20 days?

Looking forward to seeing everyone!

Ok. I'll leave the jacket issue up to Don. Thanks!

We, too, are mightily perplexed on this issue of male attire (you ladies have it so easy with regard to attire, as you can make your "little black dress" formal or informal with a few well-chosen accessories). We certainly would prefer to not schlep along blazers (we've already ruled suits out), since they will add precious pounds to our 66 lb. limit. But on a cruise very similar to ours last year, Linda Garrison (a reviewer for About.com) said that most men wore suits or jackets and ties (aaarrrggghhh!!) on formal nights. "Formal nights" in Antarctica?? We should leave the tuxes to the penguins, no?? It may well be that the dress code on the Hapag-Lyoyd cruises is a bit more formal than on those chartered in the past by Radisson. Let us all hope and pray that when the docs arrive, there will be some clarification of this issue. It would be good if there was someone competent in the U.S. on the H-L team to whom to pose the question.

Isn't ShopAntarctica a great site? We didn't buy anything from them; but we used their list of gear to buy everything from Patagonia and REI.

We are bringing both Scopace tablets and the "patch" - anything worth doing is worth doing to excess, right??

If anyone gets further info on the jacket and tie issue, please post immediately. Foregoing the jackets could allow us to bring lots more malt scotch in our luggage...

Cheers, Fred

Editing to add: I've been doing some research on tango shows in B.A. Anyone have any good ideas?? We won't go to one the night before embarkation but will be going on the night of the 18th. Perhaps we can share info.

We were just in Buenos Aires at the end of October (see seamail topic). We went to the show at the Esquina Carlos Gardel, named after the famous tango singer. I think this is the new glitzy, touristy venue. It's is a big place - it really reminded me of a Broadway show instead of a tango show - we weren't thrilled, although the food was quite good. I think a smaller place is better.

The first time we were in BA 5 or 6 years ago we went to El Viejo Almacen which is a smaller club - I would skip the dinner - go elsewhere then take a cab to the show. If you want to actually DANCE I'm sure there are some other options that would be even more authentic.

I printed out the essentials list from the Shop Antarctica site - I think we we have most of what we need from skiing/hiking etc. - gotta get some glove liners and binoculars.

I also have to say - 66b lbs is A LOT - nobody should be having any packing problems, but of course all that scotch etc. is hefty...

This is the last official word I got on the dress code from the US REP.

"Dress at night is still "casual elegance" so
no tuxes etc"

I asked her if jackets were required she said she was not sure - it only says "casual elegance" I guess another phrase for "country club casual"

I was asked to post the roll call for POP, Names and cabin numbers. I dont have my cabin yet. Anxiously awaiting tickets!!!

JANUARY 20, 2007

Barry and Libby 204

Gerry and Peggy l 207

Fred and Pat 208

Ken and Ngaire

Brad and Leslie 214

Lawrence and Sarah 222

David and Toni 223

Robert and Eva Agnes 225

Richard and Sharon 228

Don and Michele 231

here's another question:

I know we have transfers to the airport on the 20th from the Four Seasons for the charter flight. Do we also have an ariival transfer or should we arrange that ourselves? (Since nobody's asked for flight info I'm assuming the inbound transfer isn't included.)

Also - when we fly back to BA after the cruise - do we fly into the domestic or international airport?

Yes Leslie, you need to arrange your own transfers from the airport to the hotel these are not included that I do know.

I really cant get any answers from the rep at Hapag LLoyd. She just says wait until the tickets come in and this will explain everything. I am STILL waiting for the tickets. I checked on these earlier this week and she said "any day now".

When we did the Hanseatic before we flew into the Domestic airport and a transfer was provided to the International airport. However I do not know the answer to this question.

I am also going to try to get a table of 8 and two tables of 6 close together so that we can mix and match and eat with different people within our group at night. This I am told cannot be arranged until we board. It will be the very first thing I do on arrival.

We wanted to go on this cruise with you all so much that, beleive it or not, I am even enjoying your thread about preparations! Oh how we wish we could be with you all!

I just know this is going to be a really amazing trip. We will be following every word you post!

(Sorry to hijack the thread)

Just got a mailing from A&K with a flier for this travel outfitter, New Headings, inside.

Cick here for Get ready for Antarctica package

Love these outfitter stores/websites! I've already found a couple of items in this site that I would love to order..! Our things ended up coming from several sources....REI, Patagonia websites, ShopAntarctica, & our cellar full of ski stuff.

Arlene, I take my hat off to you and Marc. If it weren't for you guys bringing up the subject of South Georgia Islands/Antarctica, we wouldn't be on our way now! Sure, Don & I have always had Antarctica on our list, but thanks to Ngaire & you & Marc, it is happening. Sadly, your presence will be very much missed but I know you will be planning this in the future - you've got so much of Asia to explore now! We are definitely taking you along with us in spirit!

I think our friend Helen Donegan will be on the ship with you in Antarctica. It is her 3rd or 4th trip there.

She's an interesting lady with a long history of cruising going back to the Matson line days.

Peggy

Just heard from one of my clients that lives in the UK that he got his Hanseatic tickets today. YEAH - that means we should be getting our shortly. Probably all sent at the same time and they get to the UK quicker than the USA. STAY TUNED!!!

And .. they're off!

Safe travels, Michele & Don. Who's bringing you the Hanseatic tickets? See you in a couple of days.

Cheers, Anne

Bon Voyage "Pop-er's!" We'll be anxious to hear reports when you return (no seamail, so I've heard). Safe travels, Don and Michele.

We will have email, with a special ship email address, so perhaps we can send our "sea mail" to a designated poster.

We're sitting behind Ngaire & Ken on the Dallas to Buenos Aires flight so we'll probably just get our Hanseatic docs passed back to us enroute!

Bon voyage to Michele & Don - first out the door - heading for SeaDream and also to Gary and Anne who we'll see in Buenos Aires after they disembark from the SeaDream cruise.

I'm so excited to hear about this trip, but it is not the same, I am on Regent's Explorer for 2008, and you are on that "other one" that is supposed to be so much better!

I am bringing Michelle's tickets to Buenos Aires. I will be the "ticket carrying princess" for this trip. Actually they are not really late Regent does not do tickets until about 3 weeks out. I think we are just all more anxious for these AND they told us they would be earlier than this.

Safe Journey, good weather & calm seas all you POPers. You are in for a wonderful adventure.

Enjoy every minute.

Ngaire - I always think of you as the ticket princess! LOL!

I am trying to motivate myself to pack. Cheers, Anne

Can't beleive I just thought of this. Do they have Trivia on the Hanseatic?? Not sure I can do a cruise without it ;)

Good point Peggy, I dont think they do. We need to bring some trival pursuit questions with us and play it on our own if they dont do this normally. We can have LCT Trivia each day. Anyone own a trivial pursuit game - I dont.

Here is a huge site of trivia questions with every catagoy you can think of. Maybe you could print them out and bring them with you!

Trivia Playing.com

Scroll halfway down the left hand index for questions with answers.

Good website for trivia lovers, Karen. Great Q & As.

Here's another question - binoculars? We don't have any - should I be shopping? If so, any recommendations for brands, etc.

I copied this post since I answered it in a thread on driver's in Buenos Aires.

Leslie - here is an article from a very good store on how to buy them:

http://www.telescopes.net/binos/choosing_a_binocular.html

This is the model I have. They do a pretty good job and I would recommend them. http://www.telescopes.net/binos/nikon_travelite_v_binoculars.html

Thanks everyone for the bon voyage & all the wonderful helpful advice on equipment. A special "thank you" to Jackie who answered my endless questions drawing upon her valuable experience. We wish you all were joining us for this incredible adventure.
Thinking of you Penguin Pop mates. FYI: I've had one occasion (very) recently to use Scopace for nausea & spinning (a wee too much partying on a bucking bronco of a small ship...) and it really does work and fast! So, Drake Passage, here we come!
Great idea to bring some "trivia" materials.
We packed binoculars but can't remember what type they are.(Hopefully, they will surface from the dreadful mess of clothes we've got surrounding us in this 2x4 cabin of ours.) I remember there was a good thread discussing this issue on ROAR. Kathy, yours look terrific.
Thank you, Ngaire, for being the "ticket carrying princess". Can't wait to see you all. We are so excited!

Just checking the Antarctica temperatures and weather. It is WARMER there than it is in DFW today. I guess this weather system was just getting me prepared!!!

Somehow I find humor in that situation. I am off to the warm Antarctica.