December 22, 2021
Our trip was confirmed in October 2021, when vaccinations were available and the world appeared to be recovering from Covid. A couple weeks before our trip was scheduled, a new variant of COVID-19, called Omicron, was discovered in South Africa. It was thought to be 10x more contagious than previous strains. This trip had an element of this contagion that most definitely changed the experience for everyone.
Argentina is strict about COVID protocols. In order to enter the country we required a molecular PCR test within 72 hours of departure along with proof of vaccination. We also had to purchase medical insurance before entering Argentina.
Prior to getting on the ship, we showed proof of vaccination and underwent rapid antigen testing which was performed by the ship’s doctors inside a school gymnasium in Ushuaia. Once all passengers cleared, we boarded a bus that took us to the ship.
They also separated the ~80 passengers into two groups: Red and Blue. Our Blue group was further isolated into smaller sub-groups for meals. We all ate together in the dining room, but Red on one side and Blue on the other side. All of this was in order to contain the spread if we had an outbreak. We all wore our masks inside the ship; only took them off when we were socially distanced on the outside deck or seated at our tables eating meals.