March 9, 2016 - The day has finally arrived

We boarded the Polar Pioneer just after 4 PM. My roommate is Paul Spillmann who is from Switzerland and whose command of the English language is excellent. He is 60 years old and is retired. His wife's name is Athena. Our room is larger than I anticipated with a desk, a small sofa and bunk beds. I am on the bottom bunk. The bathroom (head) has the toilet, a sink and a shower.

Shortly after we got on board we had an orientation where we met some of the crew, discussed what would be happening for the rest of the day and tomorrow and had a safety orientation. We then had an abandon ship drill where we all donned our life jackets and actually boarded our assigned lifeboats.

We left port about 5:30 to clear skies and calm winds. It was great to finally get this adventure underway. We have been told that tomorrow we will be in rough seas with gale force winds so I'm enjoying the calm before the storm. We should be having dinner soon. It certainly is a joyful day!

ILYB

    The Polar Pioneer

    Our cabin

    Lifeboat drill

    Inside the lifeboat 

    Leaving port

    Almost sunset