Cruise Ships

Ten cruise ships a year are allowed to visit Palmer Station. They bring tourists from all over the world. As part of their Antarctic adventure, the passengers take a zodiac ride from the ship to shore and get a tour of station. Part of my job as Assistant Lab Supervisor is to visit the ship (prior to the passengers' tours) and present a slide show on the science research that goes on in the area.

We ride out to the ship via zodiac and board through an entrance just above water level. The first ship of the season was the National Geographic Endeavour.

They have nine naturalists on board for the 135 passengers. One of them was Paul Nicklen, the man behind all the leopard seal pictures I posted to my site here from National Geographic. It was so exciting to talk to him about those experiences and others he's had. He autographed a copy of his article for me, and he came over with the Endeavour crew that night to have a good time at the local pub.

Before Paul and the crew came ashore, we were all invited aboard the ship for after-dinner drinks and socializing with the passengers. That was a great time- especially since they were serving my favorite beer, Monteith's Summer Ale (from NZ).

What a wonderful evening.