As the SH Minerva currently lilts its way steadily through the Drake Passage, the sun has been intermittently peeking through the clouds as I am on my way to Antarctica.
I Am On My Way To Antarctica.
We departed early from an unusually sunny and fairly warm afternoon in Ushuaia at 5:43 yesterday, Tuesday, December 3, 2025 and spent the rest of the evening moving forward through the calm waters of Beagle Channel on our way to the open waters of the Southern Ocean.
A storm system to the west prompted the captain of the vessel to venture in a southeasterly direction before heading due south tomorrow morning towards the Antarctic Peninsula, where we will spend four days. Only 74 passengers are aboard the ship, which is operated by Swan Hellenic — and I have enjoyed making the acquaintance of every passenger whom I have met so far.
Final Boarding Call
My expectations with Swan Hellenic have already been wildly exceeded. The stateroom is almost as large as a typical hotel suite; and is quite comfortable and well appointed. Every member of the crew has gone out of his or her way to ensure that all details are met — whether those details pertain to customer satisfaction or to adamantly protecting the environment once we arrive in Antarctica — and the service has been nothing short of phenomenal.
If you have been following The Gate With Brian Cohen, you have known that I have wanted to go to Antarctica for years.
Consider this short article an introduction to that dream, which is finally coming true…
All photographs ©2025 by Brian Cohen.
