Fog, fog and more fog!

The weather has really changed. We woke to a ship sailing through thick fog. When we reached Beechley Island, it was still very foggy - so much so that the scheduled landings were cancelled. This was due to the fact that the expedition team couldn’t set up the polar bear rifle perimeter around the landing site. We sailed onto Maxwell Bay hoping to see some wildlife but the fog continued. We were able to sail far enough north to get clear skies but it was still very bleak and uninviting. No wildlife.
The highlight of the afternoon was at 4pm when they served warm Arctic Rhubarb Crumble with custard and apple cider on the pool deck (10). Small pots of warmth and deliciousness. We were soon back in the fog as we left Maxwell Bay - it felt quite odd, being surrounded by thick fog and sailing along. Almost detached from the rest of the world.
The other highlight was our meeting with the sister ship Fridtjhof Nansen - last night at 10pm. It was absolutely freezing out on deck but a lot of people went outside to say hello. The two ships were transferring stores between them. I stayed outside for around 20 minutes until the fear of exposure drove me inside. I was amazed as to how close the two ships came but seas were relatively calm even if it did start to rain/sleet towards the end of the operation. She was on her way about 10.50pm. By this time most people were back inside as the sleeting rain was way too cold.
The captain has also announced that, due to the ice conditions in Baffin Bay and around Greenland, the itinerary needed adjustment. Instead of a day each of Crocker Bay and Dundas Harbour, we would do the Bay in the morning and the Harbour in the afternoon. From there we will go to Pond Inlet and then have 2 days to get across to Greenland. We apparently need the extra day as we will be at reduced speeds due to ice. Plus there is extra ice at the entrances of Disko Bay and Icefjiord which will need more time to navigate. Made sense to me but there is always the idiot in crowd complaining. How come we have to miss out? Other cruises managed why not us? Paid a lot for this trip …..etc. we are not missing out, it’s just a little abbreviated and the captain cannot control the ice or the weather. Plus this is the nature of an expedition cruise.Meer informatie