Choose one? We spent an incredible afternoon on the zodiacs following whales in the Gerlache Strait - what an incredible experience. We were fortunate enough to have several groups of whales in the area, with one whale breaching within 20 yards from our zodiac.

Great holiday

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We enjoyed the zodiac experiences. This was something new for us and were not sure what to expect, but the Antarctica 21 team did so well at preparing us on how to embark/disembark that we were completely comfortable whether simply transferring to shore excursions or chasing whales on the open water. Certainly the whale watching was a memorable zodiac cruise experience. A second was an unplanned urgent evacuation from the shore while in Neko Harbour. Fog and brash ice, as well as the threat of high swells from calving of the glacier prompted David to make the call to depart the area in the interest of our safety. Excellently communicated and managed. And an exciting experience to spin tales about!

It would be difficult to choose just one or two staff members as standouts. We enjoyed having the opportunity to personally interact with each of the guides during our trip, and each and every one of them were approachable, friendly and able to share their knowledge of their particular areas of expertise. We are particularly appreciative of Kuba Potrowiak, our intrepid snowshoeing leader. My wife had some difficulty in keeping up with the group, but Kuba was so patient and encouraging, and she was able to complete the entire circuit and enjoy the experience tremendously. But again, we could list something special that impressed us about each and every staff member.

We would definitely choose to tour on the Ocean Nova again. The accommodations were clean and comfortable. The housekeeping staff were so efficient and did a wonderful job. And, my goodness, the food!! Chef and galley staff fed us so well - a broad assortment of choices at each meal and excellently prepared and presented. Likewise, the serving staff were so friendly and attentive to the guests. It was delightful to be able to talk with them and learn a little about where they were from.

The main tip would be to not overpack. Focus on the basic apparel to ensure your comfort in changeable weather conditions. One thing I would not bring again are trekking poles - the poles provided by Antarctica 21 are much sturdier and more appropriate for hiking/snowshoeing than the collapsible poles that are a nuisance to pack in luggage.

We really got a much stronger appreciation for how fragile the ecosystem is and how impactful even small disruptions to a distant ecosystem (Antarctica) can be to the entire planet. It is a small world after all.

Keep up the good work. We were delighted with our experience.

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We felt we were very well prepared, and certainly excited. We're getting to an age where we want to see as much of the world as we can and may not have enough years to do it all - but we'll keep going until we can't ;-)

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Yes