Plancius Ship Reviews

How do I choose just one moment? Was it being close enough to touch a humpback whale and her calf as they fed? Was it kayaking in a bay, watching penguins "dolphining" as they swam, watching seals lolling on icebergs? Was it taking a Zodiac cruise and seeing an old shipwreck? Was it going on a mountaineering trek and getting the most amazing views? If I have to choose just one moment, I will choose the first time I set foot on the continent--such a thrill!!!--but honestly, the whole trip--each and every day--was made of memorable moments.

No question, hard to choose one. Far the best: zodiak cruise with the whales. Second: Paradise bay zodiak criuse on an amazing suny afternoon. Third: Deception Island on an amazing sunny day.

Sleeping on the continent in my bevy bag to wake up at 3am to light snow, peace and a phenomenal view of glaciers and a waterfall. The watching a group of artic turns chase a skua right over me as I lay snug in my bag. The windy wet ride through iceberg alley with dark clouds on the horizon, making it look like one could fall off the edge - cerulean blues iceberg caves, huge icebergs with turrets and knife edge peaks and, to top it all off, a leopard seal on an iceberg. And penguins frolicking in the water - torpedo like in their speed and jumps, clearly having a blast. I could go on...ice climbing with calving icebergs, swimming penguins and seals below, and snow waterfalls from avalanches in the mountains across the bay; Damvoy Point - blue sky with great clouds coming across the peaks and that amazing blue streaked, cracked glacier ...and baby penguins! Love the Adeline's her and there and sharing the penguin highways with them...wacthching them hoping, sliding, jumping, braying....could watch pimguisn forever.

Four-star experience! Could not have been better. Highlight was the ship's crew, our guides, and our fellow explorers... all nice folks. Landscapes stark and challenging, photogenic and forboding. Wildlife incredibly resilient and not camera shy, especially the young penguins! Surprised how wonderful the experience was. Being on the bridge, with the Captain, navigating the Lemaire Channel, which had a HUGE iceberg towering over us!

The trip was great. The Plancius was a clean and well run ship. Accommodations and dining on the hotel staff side were well run and comfortable. The Expedition Staff were helpful, informative and showed their passion for Antarctica. Events were flexible but well planned. Landscapes were stunning, the weather was warmer than expected, hovering around freezing and the wildlife was great to see up close. The small ship size with 105 guests was nice. You may not have had the chance to speak to everyone, but that was your own or their choice. 28 different nationalities amongst the guests and crew, so a nice mix. One surprising aspect was the age of the guests. My initial thoughts due to the "bucket list" type vacation and expense of a trip to South America and Antarctica was of an early retired mid-60's well off couple with appropriate means as the standard guest. However there were many younger guests, although the youngest few (mid 20's) were there with their parents for special birthdays etc. But also many in late 30's to 40's which may have been a product of this being a diving adventure. There definitely were the 60's-ish couples but much more age diversity. It is hard to pick one most special moment, however crossing the Antarctic Circle and cruising in Crystal Bay is something to remember for a lifetime. The same goes for the close interaction with Fur Seals on land and near the shore.

Seeing orcas trying to drown a humpback whale Meeting some of the most amazing people

The otherworldly scenery of Antarctic. Plus the penguins, seals, and chance to mountaineer, kayak and sleep on the continent.

The Moment when one of our guides, Steffie, told us to put down our cameras when we were on an outing on the Zodiac, and just listen! It was surreal - the peace that surrounded us, the sound of the whales, blowing through their blow hole, the water lapping around us - I realized, I have not actually been listening for years!

There isn't one. It was like being in a David Attenborough Nature programme. It was amazing. At one point I was leaning over the side of a Zodiac with my camera in my hand & I actually said out load: 'I don't want to go home'. So much wildlife - penguins, sea birds, whales, dolphins - and beautiful icebergs that were all different. Nature is so beautiful & a brilliant artist. Add to that the wonderful scenery & you are in heaven. Loved it.

There were so many memorable moments. Seeing a pod of Killer Whales, setting foot on the 7th continent, the Elephant Seal pups looking up with those adorable eyes, the King Penguin chicks running and flapping around trying to shake off their down coats. What a trip!

We were on our way to Cuverville and ran into a large pod of Orcas and they got us all off the ship and we spent 3 hours in zodiacs surrounded by about 25 orcas and a humpback whale.

The quiet---the beauty of the ice and land and glaciers. Luckily, we were around to see the new penguin chicks. We also camped on the ice/snow while there. Memorable.

Too many to mention really - orcas playing in the ship's wake, penguins, cruise through the Weddell sea icebergs, polar plunge from the continental shore ....

The entire adventure was amazing, I could literally highlight all the activities one by one. The crew was fun and extremely helpful, the food and the services were excellent and every little thing on the ship was designed to make sure that we had the time of our lives. What did I love the most? The animals for sure! I wanted to snuggle up with those curvy seals that always had a smile on their faces and I had a hard time not to hug those clumsy little penguins always curiously staring at us. Seeing a whale made us run to the windows or out to the deck every single time, even on the last day, even if it was 6 am in the morning and we wore nothing but our pyjamas under our coat. Last, but definitely not least, Antarctica is the cupid in my life's love story. My boyfriend had never heard of anyone dreaming about Antarctica before but wanted to get on board. One thing led to another and we suddenly were not only planning the trip but were also falling in love. My best and dearest memories would already tie me to this amazing continent but in Neko Harbour he also proposed to me making this journey truly unforgettable.

Honestly, every single thing about this trip was incredible. My husband and I travel a lot, but this was hands down the most incredible experience we've ever had. If I had to pick one thing, I would say kayaking was our favorite part. We really enjoyed being able to explore and see wildlife from a completely unique view.

This is so difficult because there were so many memorable moments. I think the one that will stick with me for the rest of my life, and the one that had me feeling the most emotions, was the sunset near Liard Island. We had just crossed the Antarctic Circle and the captain held us stationary as we watched the sunset. The sounds of whales were all around us and the light was perfect. I’m a sucker for sunsets and this one brought tears to my eyes. I will never forget this moment!

Impossible to identify any one moment as there were so many each day. Perhaps the first sight of the Antarctic after we woke up on Saturday morning, but really everything was a highlight.

I dont have one moment. It was the entire experience. One moment isnt the best.

Kayaking a few feet from humpback whales

Ice climbing; camping, especially the feeling when our zodiac pulled away and I found myself somehow connected with Shackleton and the seabirds flying overhead; seeing a dozen or more Elephant Seals woven together in the pebbles surrounded by penguins; and the sheer exhilaration of participating in the polar plunge with like-minded thrill seekers!