Having enjoyed the glorious Antarctic sunshine late into the night, this morning was a leisurely start as National Geographic Orion sailed north across the Drake Passage through a gentle swell. Being a Sunday, the leisurely start seemed fitting and instead of an early breakfast we were treated to Sunday brunch.

Once we were awake and with full thanks to our coffee and omelettes, it was time to enjoy a day at sea as we pleased. Talks were offered in the lounge throughout the late morning and afternoon. Gina told us about enticing upcoming journeys in 2016 and considering how incredible our experience has been here in Antarctica, many of us may be looking for more polar voyages! The second talk of the day was a Photo Workshop. Photography is always a prominent and popular aspect of a trip aboard National Geographic Orion and with a wealth of knowledge from the photo team there is always help and hints on hand. Whether landing on shore, cruising in Zodiacs, or enjoying a drink in the bar—the photo team is always ready to answer our questions and help us get the best results from our cameras.

Spending time at sea aboard National Geographic Orion is very much part of the overall trip experience. In addition to enjoying the different talks today—which also included a great talk from Rod about his experience of unexpectedly overwintering in Antarctica—we could also choose to enjoy the gym and its fabulous view across the open ocean or a relaxing massage with Katrina, our wellness specialist. The observation lounge, with its extensive library and comfy chairs, is the perfect spot to sit back and relax with a cup of coffee. It’s safe to say that as we near the end of this trip we are becoming quite accustomed to the comforts aboard.

Another of the much-appreciated comforts is cocktail hour! Tonight at cocktail hour we watched the incredible footage Justin and Erin had filmed while snorkelling with the orca yesterday. This trip has been special in many ways, but a standout highlight for many will be the whales. Having seen dozens of humpbacks throughout the trip, spotting the orca was the icing on the cake. It was a sighting many of us had longed for all week. Heading down to dinner the chatter was lively and despite a slight swell, our journey across the Drake was going smoothly.