Nandini
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?”
Nandini's Trip Date:
30th Jan - 21st Feb 2025
What was your most memorable moment?
Minke whale under my kayak. Polar plunge Crossed the circle
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: Immense Discovery: Falklands, South Georgia & the Peninsula?
10 out of 10
Were Swoop right to recommend Aurora Expeditions?
Yes
Tell us about Zodiac excursions
Very good. Expedition team is very professional and everyone is an expert. They do need to improve communication though. At a landing, one zodiac saw many humpbacks but they never relayed it to others: But other than that, no issues at all. Expedition Team members went over and beyond and helped my father when I could not be with him due to kayaking.
Tell us about the expedition team
Good expedition team. Good navigation (wasn’t that sea sick). Captain and expedition team did a good coverage of the landscape.
Tell us about the Kayaking
Fantastic!!!! A hundred percent. Especially if you go just to the peninsula, waters are very safe and quiet and crystal clear.
Tell us about the Sylvia Earle
Good cabin space, comfortable stay. New everything so felt good. Ship is small and can penetrate farther. Catering could have been definitely better especially for vegetarians. We are not foodies so didn’t care much. My father skipped some dinners due to lack of options. But most of the chefs really couldn’t make good dishes. Had a couple of tasty dinners. But that’s all. I might choose this ship for stability and design but then I would convey my food preferences well in advance and get some written guarantees. I had specifically asked for ginger tea and handed over my tea powder and told them I can grate ginger etc and make it myself. They did not allow and not once did I get ginger in that tea. Pretty disappointing. And secondly they need to fix their drainage system. It started smelling pretty bad in last week. I got it fixed pretty late in my bathroom. Should have insisted on a fix early on. I understand the crew is small and they are immensely tied up. Each day was hectic for us. I can only imagine their state. But then they need to bring in more staff to help in the kitchen. Waiters etc were very good. No issues whatsoever. But the actual food was something that could be improved upon.
Do you have any tips or advice for other people planning a trip to Antarctica?
Do kayaking, snorkeling if available. I did kayaking so couldn’t good snorkeling. The expedition should have given that combo option. Anyway, Don’t be afraid. Same thing goes for polar plunge. If you don’t have any medical conditions, just go do it. Everything is done in a heavily guarded safety net and the experience is amazing. So don’t miss anything by being over cautious.
Has your experience changed your perspective in any way?
Yes, now I can do many more with my father. My confidence has jolted up sky high. It was not as difficult as I had imagined. Another thing is I would try to limit these to two weeks vacations if possible. 23 days on that boat was a bit much for me (but there isn’t any alternative to do Antarctica with SG) There were many folks doing back to back vacations (they had been traveling a month earlier with plans to go on further tours after this one) I don’t have that mental stamina. Physically it is doable but home sickness set in during the last few days
Do you have any recommendations for Swoop, or feedback about the team?
Keep up the amazing work!!!
How prepared and excited for Antarctica did you feel?
My over prep for father really really paid off. From online research I thought weather would be very mild. But ended up kayaking in -10 deg celcius at a places. You need layers
Would you be interested in travelling to Patagonia with Swoop?
Yes
Would you be interested in travelling to The Arctic with Swoop?
Yes
Would you consider another trip to Antarctica with Swoop?
No
