Lesley
South Africa
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?”
Lesley's Trip Date:
23rd Dec - 10th Jan 2024
What was your most memorable moment?
There are so many highlights, impossible to find just one - from the beauty and incredible shades of white and blue of the icebergs and the 'fizzing' sound as the smaller 'bergie bits' melt, to the constant wildlife around the ship, eg birds, whales, dolphins, penguins everywhere we went, albatrosses following the ship, the black browed albatross colony [with chicks] on Falkland islands, sailing alongside the huge A23 iceberg, the impressive specialist knowledge of the expedition team, the friendliness of the onboard hotel crew, the skill and amenability of the captain as he maneouvered the ship in places where bigger ships can't go
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?
10 out of 10
On a scale of 0 to 10, how would you rate your trip: Antarctica, South Georgia & Falklands Revealed?
10 out of 10
Were Swoop right to recommend Albatros Expeditions?
Yes
Tell us about Zodiac excursions
Felt safe at all times, even when the sea was a bit wild - the crew handled them safely. loved that you can get close to shore, even if you can't land everytime
Tell us about the expedition team
Professional, friendly, approachable, highly impressive experts in their field - wasn't expecting this level of combined expertise favourites were Laura [lectures on sustainability, krill], Helene [whales], Thomas [Shackleton] enjoyed the lighter moments too, eg Kris [music quiz] and Nathan [picture of the day]
Tell us about the Ocean Albatros
Ship felt safe even when we were tossing in the sea cabins were comfortable, surprisingly spacious, loved the big windows - would choose this ship again food was good but after 19 days it was getting a bit 'samey' - but could always order an excellent steak and chips if we didn't fancy the menu! minor frustration was not always getting a suitable table at dinner time - table for 5 of us wasn't always easy, they don't 'officially' reserve [although they clearly do for the big chinese groups, and for some of the others who somehow managed to reserve a table before the restaurant opened...]
Tell us about the Kayaking
It was most frustrating that even though we pre-paid, as advised by Swoop, this was not taken into account, as there were so many people who wanted to do it [and had not pre-paid] - so it then went into a random lottery to finalise the groups. We had speciifcally wanted to do it in Antarctica, but we were allocated later in the programme, which would have meant South georgia. So 3/5 of us cancelled
Tell us about Buenos Aires
Loved it - simultaneously very european and south american both hotels very comfy LOVED the street art tour
Tell us about Ushuaia
Hotel was comfy, got ripped off by one of the taxis from airport as we forgot to check what Swopp recommended as the taxi fare - one charged 400o pesos as advised, but the other charged $10 and it was only when we conferred that we realised he'd taken advantage
Something Else?
Frustrated that we were charged $40 pp for a bus trip to the reserve to see magellenic penguins in Falklands. Didn't realise we'd have to pay for additional excusrsions - and it was excessive considering it was a 10 minute drive at most!
Do you have any tips or advice for other people planning a trip to Antarctica?
Do it! include South Georgia and Falklands go with a small ship
Has your experience changed your perspective in any way?
Would love to do this 'one in a lifetime' trip again!
Do you have any recommendations for Swoop, or feedback about the team?
Don't sell the prepaid kayaking if it's not guaranteed that you will be top of the list make people aware that they charge extra for transport in falklands
How prepared and excited for Antarctica did you feel?
100%
Would you consider another trip to Antarctica with Swoop?
Yes
Would you be interested in travelling to Patagonia with Swoop?
Yes
Would you be interested in travelling to The Arctic with Swoop?
Yes
