Mark
United States Of America
Customer
Rating
8
Customer Rating On return from their adventure we ask customers: “On a scale of 0-10, with 10 being the highest, how likely is it that you would recommend Swoop to a friend or colleague?”
Mark's Trip Date:
22nd Jan - 8th Feb 2022
What was your most memorable moment?
I don't really do "favorites". There were so many incredible moments and each is special in its own way.
Which of the following best describes your adventure?
Life changing
On a scale of 0 to 10, how likely is it that you would recommend Swoop to a friend or colleague?
8 out of 10
On a scale of 0 to 10, how would you rate your trip: Fly & Cruise the Antarctic Peninsula?
10 out of 10
Tell us about the wildlife
We were very lucky on the trip. Saw large numbers of all three of the bristletail penguins in colonies and elsewhere. Likewise, we saw tons of whales. On one day in particular, we probably set a record for the number of sightings in a day. Only saw Minke and Humpbacks although I did have one sighting that appeared to be a larger baleen what, possibly a Sei or a Brydes. We also saw Orcas but no other dolphins which was unusual. Great sightings of seals of all types, Leopard, Elephant, Crabeater, Weddell, and Fur. Nice views of birds although not going through the Drake limited what we could see. One person saw a Wandering Albatross but I didn't see it.
Tell us about Zodiac excursions
Edwin and Liz were great with the snorkeling team. It's tough seeing things underwater given the visibility and the speed with which the animals move but I did get some good videos of penguins swimming underwater. The two of them did a nice job maximizing our opportunities while keeping us safe. The excursions sites were great with a nice variety of penguin colonies, historical sites, landscapes, ice, and volcanos.
Tell us about the expedition team
Really great team. Howard did a nice job as leader of the expedition. The staff was friendly and very approachable. Really enjoyed John's insights into the birds and other animals. All expedition staff really seemed to enjoy their jobs and interacting with the guests.
Tell us about the Greg Mortimer
Great boat. Perfect combination of being large enough to have amenities such as the fitness room, library, and spa while being small enough to be personal and allow for comfortable offshore excursions. Still new and the room and other facilities felt modern and comfortable. Having a less than full trip meant things weren't crowded.
Has your experience changed your perspective in any way?
Travel always changes your perspective. Seeing a place like Antarctica just increases your desire to see it protected.
Do you have any tips or advice for other people planning a trip to Antarctica?
Not really. Didn't have a lot of surprises relative to my preparation.
