Catching my first glimpse of the icebergs on arriving at the Antarctic Peninsula in the early hours of the morning.

Life changing

Yes

Yes, safe at all times. I do think every zodiac should have been given a comprehensive briefing just prior to or in the zodiac on their first trip. We did have a comprehensive briefing (from Koen) from memory it was the Monday morning. Two full days after our trips on the zodiac. Yes, of course, on the Saturday morning there was a general briefing re not standing, holding on etc...

Very knowledgable and friendly. I enjoyed reading their bio and was very reassured regarding their experience and passion for the polar regions. I mentioned specific guides in my blog. A point to note is during the 6:30 evening briefing most evenings (if not every evening), two or three guides would talk, almost non-stop in the bar. Usually Marco (Italian) and one or two others, usually females. It made it very hard to hear the guides giving their presentations at the other end of the lounge. The reason I always stood or sat near the doorway of the bar was to be in as much fresh air as possible, the last thing I wanted to do was to get Covid/cold/germs by sitting in the middle of the lounge for the evening recaps. I found that quite disrespectful of the expedition guides who were trying to give their lecture at that time. Just my thoughts.

The boat was tiny, which was both worrying... as we couldn't walk around and get our steps up, it was also quite slippy on deck (we wore North Face Thermoballs) but that it was tiny was also fabulous! The crew were amazing!!! Food was another level, I had no idea it would be that good. A request to please put in more 2 seater tables. Myself and Kerry were bumping elbows with at least 5 other couple keen to seat at one of the only two 2 seater tables. Partly due to being too tired to do "small talk", yes, one guy did actually ask me about the "education system in NZ"... on a Saturday night! I nearly had a hernia!!! :-) Also, I was so conscious of germs and keen to avoid covid/a stomach bug etc. There were quite a few people coughing badly and sneezing a few days into the voyage and some (including me) had a bad stomach for a day around the Tuesday/Wednesday of the voyage. Cabin was fab, super clean and actually bigger than we expected. We would definitely go on Plancius again but I know we'd be keen to look into the option of a boat with a spa pool, just to have a small luxury. We're not interested in a bar nor any other glitzy things, it was a true adventure holiday for us.

Our itinerary. As Swoop knows, the itinerary on their Polar Planner was incorrect, for months, maybe years. I booked my flights based on that with the arrival date into Ushuaia of 5th Jan. That was incorrect, it was 6th Jan, so we missed our relaxing night in Ushuaia before our long set of flights back to New Zealand. That was a major blip in my opinion. I only received the detailed itinerary in August '24. Yes, of course the intinerary changes day to day on the actual voyage but there was a relatively detailed itinerary on the Swoop Planner, which was then deleted and left blank for quite some time. I did appreciate Ben sending it to me eventually in August. I totally understand that he took over the job from Malva, Saffron and whomever else I was dealing with prior. On that note, can I say, "Well done" to Swoop on getting through Covid. It would have been an incredibly tough time for your company. Maps! The maps provided by both Swoop and Oceanwide and Expedition guides were in my opinion very poor in many ways Can I recommend these http://shadedrelief.com/antarctica/ by Tom Patterson, a retired Cartographer We'd love to goto the Arctic now. How can Kerry and I apply for a scholarship/sponsored trip by Swoop and/or Oceanwide. I can write an articles, daily updates, record original videos for you and provide publicity for your company. If you haven't looked already my blog and info on Antarctica is here https://www.amazing-antarctica.com/ I spent considerable time putting my website together, besides Science and conservation, I've touched on the history of huts, polar explorers, quotes, books to read, doco's to watch, how we can all help etc. We are super keen, can we do a collaboration? The Arctic, a return to Antarctica or somewhere else. Let me know please, Michele

Use a tethered GoPro on the zodiacs and kayaking. Use your iPhone for ordinary day to day photos. Live in the moment, experience it all by being present and not looking at everything through a zoom lens. Leave the photography to the experts. Get up early to feel (literally feel) the energy and crisp, lightness of the air. Antarctica was an absolute dream for us.

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes. I do live in the moment, I spend most of my time outside in nature, I love animals. It has made me determined to be the best "Antarctica Ambassador" that I can be, to have the conversations with almost everyone I come across. I have been horrified to be asked again and again, "Did we see polar bears in Antarctica?" Did these people not pay attention in Science class!

Yes, re maps and itinerary. Please see previous page. Thanks Ben, I appreciated your patience with my endless emails and thanks for the check-in phone call prior to our voyage.

Very!