Viking Cruises

viking.com | 21 S U M M E R I S S U E 2 5 This page: Antarctic Peninsula stabilizers, which reduced rolling while sailing. We also observed humpback whales from our stateroom windows and various types of seals relaxing on floating ice. We settled in quickly to life on board, attending numerous talks given by highly experienced and knowledgeable experts. Viking has teamed up with many cultural and scientific partners, including The Scott Polar Institute, the University of Cambridge and The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. These specialists shared their expertise with guests, offering a series of insightful lectures throughout the voyage. We particularly enjoyed Professor Julian Dowdeswell's talks on early Antarctic explorers and their remarkable journeys in this hostile polar environment. At first, there seemed to be an enormous white wall in front of us—it was our first iceberg. There was a tremendous feeling of anticipation for what lay ahead. With a glass of champagne in hand, we watched from the windows of the Explorers' Lounge. Professor Dowdeswell showed us our exact location on his detailed map and answered questions from curious guests. We were delighted to see clear blue skies and bright conditions ahead. As we sailed further, the number of icebergs came thick and fast—there were so many different shapes and sizes, shaped by strong seas and wind. Conditions were perfect for joining a short expedition on a Special Operations Boat, allowing us to get closer to land and observe "Sailing into calmer waters, we saw the Antarctic Peninsula from a distance." the pristine Antarctic landscape. We also witnessed the distinctive structure of icebergs and the vivid blue color of glacier ice. We were fortunate to see several humpback whales breaching and felt humbled to observe this magnificent display up close. After dinner, we joined fellow guests in The Hide, a small, cozy area of the ship. Gathered around a central fire, we sipped whisky while listening to tales of travel and adventure. The following day, the Viking Expedition Team transported the necessary equipment for us and graciously provided our special expedition clothing before we boarded Zodiacs for our landing on Paradise Bay. The trek we made up a snowy hill was worth the wonderful view of the bay below. We were excited to observe penguins in their natural habitat, where they slid on their stomachs across the ice and followed each other in long lines along their "penguin highways." They appeared completely

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