I really struggled with this one because there were so many special places we visited and views that I captured with my camera, but the sight of huge icebergs was something so completely different than anything else I've ever encountered that it ranks at the top of the list.

Great holiday

I would tell people that I was glad that I did it but I wouldn't do it again unless the weather was better (it briefly rained/drizzled but then snowed for a good part of the night) and although I wasn't cold I was uncomfortable lying on the ground with a relatively thin ground pad underneath me instead of a thin self-inflating air mattress that I would have expected. The sound of avalanches in the mountains behind us was awesome. I was really hoping to see the sky at night to see how dark it gets but it never got more dark than it was around dusk and the skies never parted enough to see the stars.

Loved the small size of the boat and our cabin (owner's suite) was awesome. It was so helpful to have the extra room to lay out clothes to dry out or sort through and the shower and tub were wonderful. As noted earlier, the food was good but not great but the wait staff/attendants were phenomenal (shout out to Ernesto and

The expedition team made the voyage for us. They poured their years of experience and knowledge and people pleasing personalities into making each outing memorable (despite less than ideal conditions many times). They provided great talks and were very approachable when you would see them about the ship and for the most part they made efforts to sit with the guests during meals so you could get to know them on more of a personal level.

They were great and I felt safe but it was sometimes difficult to get pictures of things when there are 10-11 people on a Zodiac. I really loved getting up close to the smaller icebergs we encountered and the different perspective they provided being at water level. The most memorable excursion for me was a tie between the one to Cierva Cove (because of all the different sized icebergs we got a chance to be relatively close to) and the Mikkelsen Harbor one with lots of small icebergs but also the landing where we got lots of good photo opportunities with the penguins.

Yes

I would really recommend doing this once an excursion outing because of how close you get to icebergs and nature and it is quiet and let's you connect with nature better than on a zodiac.

Just embrace the entire journey because for most of us it's a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

It reinforced for me the need to protect places like Antarctica from any further encroachment of human settlement or exploitation (despite there being a treaty in place).

Yes

Although Sydney and Mike gave me good advice in the short time I dealt with them, it was the expert advice and understanding professionalism of Alicia Roitman who made this trip what it was for me. I pour over the details of trips (I plan most of our trips) and ask lots of questions and Ali was always there to answer (and sometimes re-answer or clarify) my inquiries and provide me with her insights and advice. She was so patient and understanding and made a very real connection to me. She was so energetic and smiling during our Zoom calls and she is the perfect person for that role. She really deserves a bonus for having to put up with me and all of my "I have just one more question" emails that she likely needs a vacation after having put me through mine!

Between all the advice and insight from Ali Roitman and all the materials in my adventure planner I felt very prepared and comfortable about what to expect.

Yes

Yes