Our final excursion was a cruise among the sea ice floes in Blind Bay. It was filled with unexpected treats: First, a couple of young crabeater seals investigated our pair of zodiacs. Then, we hopped onto an ice floe hosting the "Sea Bar", serving hot cocoa and Bailey's. Finally, on the way back to the ship, we came across a lone emperor penguin!
Heading north, we sailed through the reportedly scenic Lemaire Channel... which was mostly shrouded by a snowstorm. As we reached the north end of the channel, the skies cleared for a group photo and brief farewell to Antarctica party on the helideck.
The Drake Passage was a bit more lively on the return trip. The forecast swell was a bit under 6 meters, but we reportedly encountered up to 7 meter seas, with spray regularly splashing onto the lounge windows on the 7th deck..
We converged with a couple other returning ships entering the Beagle Channel. A clear night allowed me to get my first look at a few southern constellations.