Anette Kirby
Ireland
Customer
Rating
8
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?”
Anette Kirby's Trip:
Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctic AdventureAnette Kirby's Trip Date:
1st Jan - 31st Jan 2019
Anette Kirby's Ship:
PlanciusOverall, how was your trip?
The experience was fantastic. We saw lots of different seals, penguins, icebergs and glaciers. Highlights: 8 orcas playing "with" our ship, and 2 humpback whales jumping in and out of the water as we had to say good-bye to Antarctica. But our trip was interrupted and our itinerary changed almost completely (effectively to a trip that would have taken half the time and cost half the money). I experienced Antarctica as a "mass tourist", which was different to, e.g., standing on the Greenland ice shelf all by myself. But crew, staff and also fellow passengers were great company, experienced, and did everything they could to make the trip excellent. Most magical: sailing into cierva cove at 5 o'clock in the morning, sun blazing, icebergs glittering, no one at the back end of deck 3 ;)
In one sentence, what did you think of Antarctica? Did it live up to your expectations?
The ice, the sun, the blue skies and the wildlife did, very much so; being on board a cruise cum expedition ship is not my cup of tea.
Would you visit again?
Yes
How was the service that Swoop provided?
I have no complaints whatsoever about my first trip booked through an agency ;) Bar the information on the timing of the return flight, which could have been a day earlier. And the buff is really great!
How likely is it that you would recommend Swoop to a friend?
8 out of 10
You chose a/an Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctic Adventure experience. How was that experience?
I spent only 1 instead of 4 days in South Georgia, which was very disappointing, as I had originally wanted to go only there. What we saw was exceptional, and I do very much want to go there again. The Falklands are also very much worth a re-visit, that says it all ;) The Antarctic Peninsula for tourists is not as lonely as I had hoped. The landing sites are quite small and soon crowded with 100 fellow passengers and masses of cameras. All understandably so. That is my very personal opinion, and nothing much you can change.
How were your experiences on the zodiac excursions and shore landings?
I cannot imagine improving the experience any further as to what we had (bar the fact that you would have wanted fewer people on land, but that is very selfish). It was organised very well, worked out perfectly.
Do you have any tips or advice for other people planning a trip to Antarctica?
Don't bring too many warm clothes! You only need them for the landings, so maybe for 4 hours a day at the most. On board it's very warm. Sit back and enjoy. The beautiful pictures will never leave your mind.
