We woke up to a clear day with remarkable blue skies on the Drake Passage. The gentle conditions combined with the capabilities of National Geographic Resolution made for a smooth sailing across this famous body of water. Crossing the Drake has become a rite of passage that sets the tone of our adventure exploring the Antarctic Peninsula. In the morning, we met the expedition team and learned about the birds that we hope to see on our voyage. After lunch, the photography team presented two interesting talks with tips and useful information that helped us prepare for capturing the best moments of our upcoming experience. At the end of our day, expedition leader Dan gave us an overview of our first day of operations in the South Shetland Islands, followed by Captain Heidi, who warmly welcomed us all to the ship and introduced us to the crew. We are all looking forward to our first sightings of the White Continent and are more than ready for what promises to be an unforgettable experience.