Cruise Ship Battles 40ft Drake Passage Waves

Passengers aboard Quark Expeditions' Ocean Explorer faced a harrowing journey through the Drake Passage, notorious for its tumultuous seas, with waves reaching up to 40 feet. Travel blogger Lesley Anne Murphy documented the experience, describing it as a '48-hour rollercoaster,' and shared footage of passengers struggling to maintain balance as the vessel swayed violently. Despite the rough conditions, no injuries were reported, and the ship's structural integrity remained intact. Passengers were instructed to stay in their cabins during the worst of the storm, which allowed for reflection and bonding over the shared ordeal. While some found the experience terrifying, others, like Murphy, described it as exhilarating and a 'trip of a lifetime.' The passage, which connects the Southern tip of South America with Antarctica, is infamous for its unpredictable and severe conditions, often referred to as the 'Drake Shake' when rough, compared to the calmer 'Drake Lake.'