Among the other things about which the tour operators cautioned lowered expectations, was the ease of crossing the Southern Ocean, a notoriously challenging passage famous for foul weather and high seas.  The 1000 kilometers between Argentina and the Antarctic Peninsula is known as the Drake Passage.  We had heard rumors of the tour that had immediately preceded us:  the wind and waves were so extreme that they had to abandon their planned route to Antarctica and instead travel to the Falkland Islands.  Their tour featured many Antarctic-like things, including Emperor Penguins (which we would not encounter), but it was not Antarctica.  And I don’t think anyone’s travel insurance would cover that distinction.