Dan
United States Of America
Customer
Rating
10
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?”
Dan's Trip Date:
3rd Mar - 14th Mar 2023
What was your most memorable moment?
The Zodiac rides where (1) we were in the middle of three humpback whales for 30-45 minutes as they circled and approached our Zodiac, getting no more than 6 feet away from us, and (2) we were watching 15-20 seals playing near an iceberg that lost a portion of ice at one end and then began rotating and turning as we watched this rare and memorable sight.
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Which of the following best describes your adventure?
Great holiday
On a scale of 0 to 10, how likely is it that you would recommend Swoop to a friend or colleague?
10 out of 10
On a scale of 0 to 10, how would you rate your trip: Antarctic Fly & Sail Combination?
10 out of 10
Were Swoop right to recommend Aurora Expeditions?
Yes
Tell us about Zodiac excursions
We greatly enjoyed the Zodiac cruises. The procedures for loading and unloading the Zodiacs were done in an outstanding manner, including some conditions that were on the difficult side. We felt safe at all times. The most memorable Zodiac cruises were described in the answer to the first question.
Tell us about the expedition team
The expedition team was knowledgeable and friendly and added to the adventure. The expedition leader Howard Whelan is an outstanding individual with a great background. One of his assistants, Jonathan Chester, provided an outstanding lecture on the Falklands when we had to change our itinerary to avoid a severe storm in the Drake Passage.
Tell us about the Sylvia Earle
Everything about the ship, the cabin, the onboard library, the sitting areas, the eating areas, was outstanding. The captain and leadership crew spoke at a couple of meetings and inspire great confidence that we were in excellent hands throughout the trip. We would definitely choose the Sylvia Earle for another trip in the future.
Something Else?
We stayed in the Solace Hotel Santiago for two nights (March 1-3, 2023) on a pre-cruise extension. The hotel is in an excellent location, and has excellent facilities. Unfortunately, the air conditioning in our room never worked properly, with overnight temperatures reaching 34 degrees Centigrade on both nights, making it very difficult to sleep comfortably. During the two days we were there, the hotel kept telling us that it would be fixed in an hour or two, but it never was fixed. Other guests were demanding a partial refund because of the faulty air conditioning. We did not make any specific demands (other than we wanted the air conditioning to be fixed), but we heard other guests demand partial refunds. If the hotel later offers partial refunds, we would like to be included. Our day-trip guide for the tour was excellent!
Do you have any tips or advice for other people planning a trip to Antarctica?
We did not immediately learn of the requirement for visiting Antarctica that only 100 guests per ship could land at a particular location at one time. For us, wanting as many excursions as possible, this seriously affected what type of trip we wanted to have. It did not appear that we needed day packs very much, if at all. We only took one on the first excursion. Overall, the information about the clothing needed on the trip was outstanding, and we highly encourage the ZOOM call to emphasize some of the specifics needed to have a great trip, as we did.
Has your experience changed your perspective in any way?
We had some appreciation for Antarctica, through reading and watching documentaries, but actually seeing the beauty of Antarctica increased our awareness of the need to preserve and protect the land and the wildlife there made it even greater.
Do you have any recommendations for Swoop, or feedback about the team?
The team was great. We appreciate everyone's efforts. It was particularly assuring that Swoop employees had actually been on trips there.
How prepared and excited for Antarctica did you feel?
We were both excited and prepared for the Antarctica trip.
Would you consider another trip to Antarctica with Swoop?
No
Would you be interested in travelling to Patagonia with Swoop?
Yes
Would you be interested in travelling to The Arctic with Swoop?
Yes
