After leaving South Georgia we headed south for 800 miles across the Southern Ocean to Elephant Island. There we would get our first Antarctic experience. Up to this point our voyage had been fairly smooth sailing, I was feeling fairly confident with my sea legs. In the Southern Ocean that all changed. The ocean had turned violent. For 2 days we encountered swells at times that would reach 30 feet. Walking the length of the ship down the passageway was at times harrowing to say the least. The bow of the ship would ride up the crest of a wave then just as you have adapted to going uphill, on your next step it would drop into a trough between waves. After a brief moment of weightlessness your foot fall would find the floor a couple of feet lower than where you anticipated it would be. In the observation room I would sit watching the bow of the ship become completely submerged in a wave which would roll along the deck until it smashed against the window obliterating all visuals until the until the ship crested the next wave. I was definitely out of my comfort zone. Our cabin was center of the ship on the 4th deck. Optimal placement for rough seas. The individuals who had paid top dollar for the suites forward on the top 7th deck had stories of items falling off the shelves, doors and drawers opening and spilling their contents everywhere. Several moved to the lounging areas on the lower decks so they could sleep without falling out of bed. Apparently it happened often enough that the crew had a saying for it………. “The more you pay, the more you sway.”