Maria
United Kingdom
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?”
Maria's Trip Date:
14th Mar - 23rd Mar 2025
What was your most memorable moment?
I expected beautiful scenery and it didn’t disappoint but I was overwhelmed with how many whales encounter we had, I cried because I tried and paid to see whales in at least 3 different countries and saw none, the penguins are of course hilarious and made me laugh. Coming to Antarctica in March was key.
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: Onto the Antarctic Ice?
10 out of 10
Were Swoop right to recommend Oceanwide Expeditions?
Yes
Tell us about Zodiac excursions
Apart from the cold (duh) I enjoyed every zodiac cruise and guides . It’s different experience every time and my most memorable is of course seeing so many playful whales. I was hoping to see one fluke closer. I saw so many!!!!
Tell us about the expedition team
The best, very friendly professional bunch. I really wouldn’t or couldn’t do what they do which they do with passion!
Tell us about the Hondius
I like that it’s just big enough but sadly for me who is prone to seasickness, I was still terribly sick for the whole journey to and back via the dreaded Drake. Thank Goodness I recovered once in the peninsula.
Something Else?
I wish I didn’t let Colin persuade me to do the Drake, but it was the only way for my budget . I really wanted to fly the Drake but I got tempted by Colin to do the rite of passage hahaha. If I had known I’d be unconscious, I wouldn’t have bothered haha.
Do you have any tips or advice for other people planning a trip to Antarctica?
Please if you’re prone to seasickness, don’t risk it. I was ok on a cruise going through a rough storm in the North Sea so I thought I’d be fine. I loved my time with the ship’s crew and passengers while in the peninsula but I swear never to go through the Drake or similar again even if one pays me to do it. If I could turn back time, I’d fly the Drake .
Has your experience changed your perspective in any way?
Not really, perhaps because I feel that I have over prepared myself and watched too many videos. I’m still pinching myself though and it’s hard to believe that I have actually been there. Everything feels like it happened so fast. The 3-4 days at the peninsula was short and every day is hectic and full on. I was barely conscious and drinking only water during Drake crossings. So it felt short. To those who are not seasick then it was probably fine. I was hoping to have chill time during sea days but it wasn’t to be for me.
Do you have any recommendations for Swoop, or feedback about the team?
If you have another client like me who knows that they can be seasick, please let them know my story, if I had known I’d be nauseated for 48 hours x2
How prepared and excited for Antarctica did you feel?
Over prepared lol
Would you consider another trip to Antarctica with Swoop?
No
Would you be interested in travelling to Patagonia with Swoop?
No
Would you be interested in travelling to The Arctic with Swoop?
Yes