Crossing The Drake Passage - Antarctica
I declined my husband’s request to go to Antarctica for years out of fear of crossing the infamous Drake Passage. I don’t enjoy pontoon rides on the lake let alone days of rough water in the vast ocean.
I had read forums, scoured blogs, and watched videos (0/10 recommend) - all of which confirmed my decision - this trip was not for me. The turning point for my willingness to embark on this expedition occurred when I came across Divergent Travelers’ blog. They offered a new perspective - one of appreciation, respect for mother nature, and viewing the Drake as a right of passage (no pun intended). I had never thought about it that way. Of course no one wants to be seasick, but Antarctica’s inaccessibility is what makes it so special. It’s a privilege to make the voyage there, and mother nature can humbly remind you of that at any moment.
Leading up to our trip, anyone who asked me if I was excited knew that my apprehension about seasickness was overpowering my ability to look forward to the destination. I was fully committed at that point, but that didn’t mean I had overcome my fears. Most individuals who embark on a journey to Antarctica hope for the “Drake Lake” rather than the “Drake Shake” as the waves are known to be hit or miss. With my anxiety increasing the closer we got to our sailing date, I was checking the forecast as far out as the radar would allow. Of course, the projections were red, predicting the infamous wind and waves. It seemed inevitable - mother nature was not going to take pity on us like I had hoped, and I had to accept it.
We left the port around 8pm and were told we would hit the Drake Passage around midnight. We all proactively took our meds (some people wore scopolamine patches instead) because getting ahead of the motion sickness is a vital key to success. I was so nervous I barely ate dinner and I sure didn’t want to revisit my meal later that night. I apprehensively went to bed and hoped for the best. I woke up in the night to the creaking of our room and the bizarre feeling of movement. I knew without checking the time that it was around midnight and we had entered the Drake. It was difficult to sleep with that much rocking, but I was relieved to realize I didn’t feel ill.
We could watch our progress on the tvs in our room
The following morning I was ecstatic because I knew the medicine was working. I could finally relax, enjoy the voyage, and get excited for my time in Antarctica! The same fortune was not bestowed upon all guests - some of which were not to be seen the entire next day. As a general theme, most people with scopolamine patches or meclizine who took drugs ahead of entering the Drake ended up feeling okay.
Barf bags appeared throughout the ship
We made very good time, so we only experienced rough water for a day and a half instead of two full days. At no point during the journey did it feel unsafe. It brings a certain peace of mind to know that they won't sail into dangerous conditions, just uncomfortable ones.
Walking through the ship began to feel somewhat like a game. The best way I can describe the feeling of the ship rocking is like jumping on a trampoline in slow motion. If you tried to climb the stairs while the ship was moving downward, it felt like you were moving in place. It was completely normal to zig zag down the hallways as the ship slowly tilted back and forth. I didn’t spend any time in the gym, but I found myself wondering how people were possibly running on treadmills and lifting weights in those conditions. Certain things like showering and changing clothes were a bit trickier than usual, but it was remarkable how quickly we adjusted to the waves.
By the second day it almost felt normal (although still comical), and by the return trip home it became second nature. It was surprising how few things fell considering how much the ship was tilting, and it was impressive how the staff continued to wait on us with seemingly no issue, especially when pouring drinks!
Captain going over the wind forecast for our journey home
I couldn’t believe how well the medicine worked for me, and I am forever grateful that I made the adventurous decision to overcome my apprehension for the chance to witness something so magnificent! If it is any consolation, even the individuals who were ill on the journey said it was absolutely worth it. I know that visiting Antarctica is not for everyone, but if you are holding yourself back for fear of crossing the Drake Passage, please know that if I can do it, just about anyone can.
Medication Recommendations:
Meclizine - this works as a non-drowsy motion sickness preventative and treatment. It is the same ingredient used in non-drowsy Dramamine, but you can find generic brand for much cheaper. It comes in chewable and pill form. I chose to take one a day throughout the entire trip and two a day during the Drake Passage crossings.
Scopolamine Patches - many people on the ship wore these patches behind their ears, but I was hesitant about some of the side effects, which is why I chose medication instead. Most concerningly, if you touch the patch and then happen to touch your eyes, it will dilate them for days. Not only is that wildly inconvenient, Antarctica is a very bright place, so it's the last place I would want my eyes to be dilated.