George & Kelly
Canada
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?”
George & Kelly's Trip:
Antarctic Basecamp AdventureGeorge & Kelly's Trip Date:
7th Nov - 18th Nov 2018
George & Kelly's Ship:
OrteliusOverall, how was your trip?
Initially seeing the breathtaking landscape. Saw Gentoo and Chinstrap penguins (though only on the first morning) Wish we encountered additional species of penguins as the rest of the trip were only Gentoo, not that I'm complaining, just wish I could see others as well. Did not see a great variety of wildlife, whales mostly from a distance and a few seals though I almost stepped on one camouflaged in the rocky shoreline...oops! Most magical moments was being with Kelly and sharing such exquisite beauty!
In one sentence, what did you think of Antarctica? Did it live up to your expectations?
Definitely beyond expectations John...absolutely incredible experience and have shared with so many friends
Would you visit again?
Yes
How was the service that Swoop provided?
Everything was perfect with the Swoop team...matter of fact, amazing! My regret was not clarifying that it was a two single bed room, wish I had known that and requested a possible upgrade. The room had a floor leak which the crew looked after through a couple of days. I received an email just a couple of days on November 4 and said, "Your voyage starts in 2 days...when it was actually 3...was second guessing myself for a bit.
How likely is it that you would recommend Swoop to a friend?
10 out of 10
You chose a/an Antarctic Basecamp Adventure experience. How was that experience?
Mountaineering and kayaking were fantastic. Nothing do to with the two leads on mountaineering, though two ladies that came on the team held us up for about an hour as one was afraid of heights and wouldn't move and the other was just not in physical shape. The team leads handled it with great professionalism. We got a redo for mountaineering but declined it to do a base adventure and tour the island instead.
If Swoop arranged some of your travel before/after your voyage. How did we do?
None of it.
How were your experiences on the zodiac excursions and shore landings?
It was all about safety first...excellent. Great adventures on the zodiac's and seeing things from aboard one and all the staff were amazing. If there was one thing to improve upon was the loading time at the gangway. There were several times we waited beyond 45 minutes after the time designated (and we were almost always the first 10 people) so a great deal of idle time waiting instead of boarding and getting the adventures started. Totally understand weather and off loading equipment and setting up shoreline excursions take time, then Lynn should have informed the ship that instead of 9:00 loading at the gangway, it was going to be 9:45. I spoke to a few that spilled into the main area of the ship and being overheated as they had gear for outdoors waiting. Expedition staff were great and very patient, especially with some that were a little out of control...LOL
Do you have any tips or advice for other people planning a trip to Antarctica?
Nothing will prepare you for a life changing adventure...buckle up and take in the most amazing scenery and wildlife you'll encounter no where else in the world, and that's coming from someone who has travelled to over 100 countries already!
Anything else? Tell us anything you’d like to share that we forgot to ask! It’s ok to leave this empty too :-)
You forgot to ask about the Polar Dip...geez...come on John!! :p
