BOARDING my ANTARCTICA cruise on PONANT Le Boréal - pre-cruise program Buenos Aires to Ushuaia | EP1

[@chrispnw2547]

And move faster you did! Very nice accommodations and you were in good spirits despite such an early morning start.

[@KenTravels360]

Thanks! It helped that Argentina is 3 hours behind, so as we were still jet lagged, it wasn’t that terrible, but I think the adrenaline of excitement kept me going too.

[@rdethell]

Excellent video, Ken. We cannot wait to see more. Cheers, Ruth & Darrell from Canada.

[@KenTravels360]

Thanks, I am glad you enjoyed it. Hope you had a great New Year celebration. Happy New Year!

[@KenTravels360]

Ruth, check out my latest video, I think you are in it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4bSdqRnqtyIhMk

[@CruisingwithChooChoo]

I love watching your Antarctica series! I love how detailed you make it so that I get a real good idea of what to expect. What kind of camera are you using? Did you carry a waterproof backpack for your camera when you were on the Zodiac. Thanks so much for posting this series.

[@KenTravels360]

I mostly used my Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, with also my Insta360 One X2 for the fake-drone shots. Most people use their smartphone for photos and videos. Some may have camera with telephoto lenses if they want photos of whales. Yes you can get a waterproof bag for things whilst on the zodiac. Unless the sea is rough, you don’t generally get wet. And when it is, you probably would not want to use your phone or camera.

[@CruisingwithChooChoo]

@@KenTravels360 Thank you so much once again. I appreciate it very much.

[@KenTravels360]

You're welcome

[@CruisingwithChooChoo]

@@KenTravels360 Thanks, Ken. I was wondering what you were spinning around! The photos look great!

[@fredricgrethel1717]

We just returned from the Silversea SilverWind Expedition. It was wonderful. Thank you for these videos. Great job!

[@KenTravels360]

Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed them.

[@rinac.andrews3255]

I'm so glad to have found your channel! My dream is to go to Antartica but unfortunately, my health wont allow me to travel anymore. So watching your videos make me see where I want to go.

[@KenTravels360]

Thanks for your kind comments. I hope you recover in the future so that you can travel again. Take care.

[@nienping0714]

Hi Ken, is the tour after arriving at USH an optional paid tour? Are there USB charge ports inside Le Boreal and Sofitel? Do you need to bring power adapter for the cruise and the hotel? I am from USA, will be boarding on Feb 25. Thank you for your excellent videos, looking forward for our once in a lifetime experience

[@KenTravels360]

The tour at Ushuaia is free. There's a separate Tierra del Fuego National Park tour that has to be paid for, but as I've done that before already, I didn't go for that. There were USB charging ports, but I brought power adapters anyway, as I had lots of gadgets for filming, so I need to charge multiple things at the same time. I am sure you will enjoy your experience. Antarctica is amazing.

[@nienping0714]

@KenTravels360 Thanks. Do you know where to exchange pesos at blue rates?

[@KenTravels360]

The easiest thing is to ask the hotel concierge, and they shall tell you where to get the blue dollar rates. One thing to be aware of, is that, from December last year, the government changed the rules, so that if you pay with a foreign (non-Argentine) credit card, you will get blue dollar rate, so it's almost hardly worth changing money. For transportation needs, use the app called Cabify - they are like Uber in Argentina (and Spain). buenosairesherald.com/argentina-101/foreign-tourist-dollar-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-preferential-exchange-rate

[@marycolmenar1633]

After the cruise, did the group went straight for the domestic flight back to Buenos Aires? If yes, were you allowed to stay at the hotel before your international flight? Most likely my departure flight after the cruise will be in evening.

[@KenTravels360]

The whole package finishes when they take you back to Buenos Aires. Note this is the domestic airport, so you will still need to transfer to Ezeiza. We stayed a few days afterwards in Argentina.

[@marycolmenar1633]

@@KenTravels360 Very helpful information. Did Ponant drop you off at your accommodation post cruise since you stayed a few days afterwards in Argentina? If yes, did Ponant book your post cruise nights? I am planning to add a night or two post cruise nights.

[@KenTravels360]

No we arranged everything post cruise ourselves, as the prices offered by Ponant for those services were not competitive.

[@marycolmenar1633]

@@KenTravels360 Many Thanks! Your responses will truly help me plan ahead. Your videos are fantastic and informative :)

[@marycolmenar1633]

Did Ponant allow you to keep their parka after the cruise?

[@KenTravels360]

Yes of course. Nobody wants a second hand parka.

[@marycolmenar1633]

@@KenTravels360 Awesome, that is good to know. It will be surely helpful to know especially when a traveler is planning to travel light.

[@KenTravels360]

Think of it less as a gift but more like something included in the cruise fare.

[@marycolmenar1633]

@@KenTravels360 good point. Is it similar to typical 3-in1 (triclimate) jackets?

[@KenTravels360]

Not quite. Check out the next episode Ep 2 where I show us trying it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYSvgHlmrryCjNU