We tested 5 March 2022, yesterday, and received results back the next day. We "do not have any evidence of COVID 19 above the detectable levels of the PCR test we took." Pretty neat the way they word the results. Plausible deniability and happy lawyers.
Packing underway. The pictures below show how we started. Karla building as many combinations with the fewest amount of clothes starts with multiple piles that will be condensed. My starting pile is based on seven days of socks, polo shirts, underware and gym clothes. I expect slacks are good for a couple appearances before they require washing. There are free washing machines and dryers aboard the ship. They even provide the soap to insure compatibility with environmental standards.
Karla's Planning Piles
Rick's Planning Piles
The challenge is the wide variation in climate, from below freezing and zero humidity, to mid-80s and 100% humidity, to spring time weather and all its variations from New York on. Fortunately we are allowed two bags each, plus our carry-on. Viking provides a parka we get to keep and snow pants and boots to borrow. But even that "free" parka presents a minor problem--we have to have room to pack it to get it home.
Viking upgraded our air arrangements to first class, to include an 88 seat charter for the 11 hour flight to Ushuaia. This link here provides a tour of our luxurious plane.
So we are off tomorrow, 7 Mar 22, for the flight to Miami. We spend the night there, COVID test again to meet Argentina entry requirements, and leave the evening of 8 Mar for Ushuaia. We are scheduled to arrive early the morning of 9 Mar. The plan is to have a breakfast buffet at a hotel in Ushuaia and board the Viking Octantis sometime after noon. The delay gives the ships staff time to disembark passengers from the previous cruise, make-up rooms, and do all the other preparation for our arrival.
Until Miami...