Cruising around the Antarctic Peninsula & Paradise Bay | NCL Star NYE 2023

Welcome back to Mer Cruises Solo! Today is day 10 of 16 on my solo South America and Antarctica cruise on the Norwegian Star, and we officially, finally, reach Antarctica! I woke up super early so I wouldn't miss a thing - and the early wake up call was so worth it - the views were INCREDIBLE! We cruised around the Antarctic Peninsula, through the Gerlache Strait to Paradise Bay, and even got blue sunny skies! So many icebergs, lots of whales, penguins swimming and hanging out on the ice, it was incredible. The scenery was stunning, the wildlife was plentiful, and the views from my balcony left nothing to be desired - I had an absolutely amazing day with views that just left me in awe. We capped off the day by ringing in 2024 together, as this was New Years Eve!
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🎬 Filmed with:
📸 Sony ZV-1F Camera
📱 iPhone 14 Pro Max

Пікірлер: 34

  • @mimikarenbryant7325
    @mimikarenbryant732521 күн бұрын

    Your videos bring back pleasant memories of our South America & Antarctica cruise on HAL in 2015. Would love to do the same itinerary you did as a revisit! Would never get tired of the amazing vistas and the penguins and whales!!

  • @MerCruisesSolo

    @MerCruisesSolo

    21 күн бұрын

    I agree! I absolutely plan to do this (or similar) itinerary again and experience some different excursions, there is just SO much to see! Thanks for watching! :)

  • @sail2day822
    @sail2day822Ай бұрын

    Best video narration I have seen on You Tube

  • @MerCruisesSolo

    @MerCruisesSolo

    Ай бұрын

    Thank you so much!!! ☺️

  • @sail2day822
    @sail2day822Ай бұрын

    Bucket list cruise

  • @thelifeofreillytravels
    @thelifeofreillytravels4 ай бұрын

    Wow, you got to go further south than we did! 😮 Paradise Bay looks amazing!😍

  • @MerCruisesSolo

    @MerCruisesSolo

    4 ай бұрын

    It was incredible! Highlight of the trip for sure!

  • @adamsaldana5462
    @adamsaldana54624 ай бұрын

    im doing a solo on the Getaway. A simple western Caribbean Itinerary. First time solo, hope I'm ready to be alone with my thoughts.

  • @MerCruisesSolo

    @MerCruisesSolo

    4 ай бұрын

    I hope you have an amazing time! Solo travel is so freeing and relaxing ☺️

  • @kerryharder2416
    @kerryharder24163 ай бұрын

    Wow, so amazing what a trip and so many memories! Thank you for sharing with us.

  • @CruisingWithJT
    @CruisingWithJT3 ай бұрын

    Wow… this was so well narrated and put together! Nicely done! Definitely a bucket list trip! Thank you for sharing your experience, now I need to go to Antarctica!! The weather was fantastic, the views of everything were incredible and the wildlife simply amazing. Talk about an awesome way to start the new year! 🎉🙌🏽

  • @MerCruisesSolo

    @MerCruisesSolo

    3 ай бұрын

    Thank you SOO much for this comment! It truly was such an incredible experience!!

  • @chrishiggs7351
    @chrishiggs73514 ай бұрын

    Antartica looks fantastic, glad you had great weather and were able to see a lot of wildlife and the glaciers.

  • @brianfoster4434
    @brianfoster44344 ай бұрын

    thank you for this content. I really enjoy it.

  • @JoeHartman80
    @JoeHartman803 ай бұрын

    This is such a bucket list trip. You lucked out with some gorgeous weather.

  • @magenof1440
    @magenof14404 ай бұрын

    You had such great weather!! I’m jealous!

  • @44monsterman
    @44monsterman4 ай бұрын

    Just added this one to my bucket list.

  • @pams6792
    @pams67924 ай бұрын

    Penguin so cute. I zoomed in.

  • @craigsmith6446
    @craigsmith64464 ай бұрын

    I have enjoyed your video log of your Antarctic cruise. I am researching doing this myself, NCL is at the top of the list because of the reduced single supplement, you mentioned this in an earlier episode. Sometime you gotta go solo if you want to do trips like these. Glad you had a great time!

  • @MerCruisesSolo

    @MerCruisesSolo

    4 ай бұрын

    Thanks for watching, so glad you are enjoying the vlogs!

  • @sandrawalker948
    @sandrawalker94816 күн бұрын

    We were on the Norwegian Star in 2009 and will be on her again in September 2025 for our Norway/Iceland/Scotland cruise. We really did like her. Did you enjoy sailing on her? Also, your makeup is beautiful, do you mind if I ask what you use? Thank you

  • @MerCruisesSolo

    @MerCruisesSolo

    15 күн бұрын

    Thank you! Yes, I enjoyed the Star, she’s a great little ship! Only thing missing is an Observation Lounge, it would be a great addition. As far as my makeup, most likely wearing ‘It Cosmetics’ in this video, it’s my go to!

  • @cravechannel
    @cravechannel2 ай бұрын

    Hi! Thank you so much for the fantastic videos! I am booked for the same cruise in January. I'm very interested in your candid assessment. I'm terrified of sailing the Drake Passage. I am now struggling with my feelings about making that journey and then not landing in Antarctica. The scenery sailing around looks incredible. I feel that it's unlikely I'll go again though. I'm not much of a cruiser, and typically travel in other ways. Did you feel satisfied with the Antarctica experience provided on this particular cruise? Thank you!

  • @MerCruisesSolo

    @MerCruisesSolo

    2 ай бұрын

    I was so happy with my Antarctica experience on this cruise, I thought it was absolutely incredible and loved every minute!! The captain and professional experts on board would never put the passengers at risk if the weather or waves were unsafe in the Drake Passage, so I wouldn’t worry about that! We had a very smooth ride, all things considered :)

  • @AussieInUS
    @AussieInUS4 ай бұрын

    Your videos are getting better. But room for improvement as far as editing goes. Thanks all the same. Continue NCL cruising, still great. Thank you.

  • @shannyrenee17
    @shannyrenee174 ай бұрын

    I just put my deposit down for Dec 2025! (Don't have as much time off this year.)

  • @mvnorsel6354
    @mvnorsel63544 ай бұрын

    Perhaps one of the last ever to visit Paradise Bay on NCL ?

  • @MerCruisesSolo

    @MerCruisesSolo

    4 ай бұрын

    It is still on the 2024 and 2025 season’s itineraries, hope it stays!

  • @tropicalbreez5
    @tropicalbreez53 ай бұрын

    I will be taking this cruise in Jan 25! I need some advice on a packing list for this cruise since it covers multiple temp zones and excursions. Any advice?

  • @MerCruisesSolo

    @MerCruisesSolo

    3 ай бұрын

    My biggest packing tips are to pack layers! Merino wool clothing packs well, can be worn multiple times before needing to be washed and dries quickly, I brought several merino wool sweaters and they were great in the cold weather. You spend a lot of time on the ship so lounge wear got worn most of the time (sweatshirt/sweatpants). For the warm days it does get HOT so you’ll need clothes that will keep you cool. Hope that helps!

  • @tropicalbreez5

    @tropicalbreez5

    3 ай бұрын

    @@MerCruisesSolo Do you need formal wear for dinner or are jeans acceptable? Like you I am traveling solo.

  • @MerCruisesSolo

    @MerCruisesSolo

    3 ай бұрын

    @@tropicalbreez5 you don’t need formal wear, jeans are completely fine! (they just can’t be ripped)

  • @tropicalbreez5

    @tropicalbreez5

    3 ай бұрын

    Thank you! I’m excited!

  • @MrP19883
    @MrP198834 ай бұрын

    Wow ..makes me want to go back there. Amazing world we live in . Let’s keep it that way🐣