After crossing the Drake Passage yesterday, Seabourn Quest held a position for most of the day today off Half Moon Island. All guests who wished to do so were able to go ashore in Zodiacs, except for one wheelchair-bound passenger who will likely get to go ashore under calmer sea conditions later this week.

With more than 400 guests on board, landings were staggered among five groups, the first of which began disembarkation at around 8 a.m. and the last of which zipped ashore at around 15:00. Each group was able to spend about 90 minutes ashore to admire thousands of penguins (Chinstrap and Gentoo) — as well as a few seals “hauled out” on the snow (the term means that the seals were resting between periods of foraging — diving as deep as 1,200 feet — for food).

For guests waiting their turns to go ashore, there was no shortage of diversion. Scheduled activities ranged from “Popcorn Documentaries” to lectures presented by the expedition staff. Seabourn Quest’s large spa, fitness area, four restaurants and complimentary on-demand movies in staterooms added to the list of possible diversions. One couple ordered hot cocoa and wrapped themselves in blankets so that they could admire the snow-covered islands from the comfort of their balcony.