November Reviews

Impossible to state a highlight as one event built on the previous events. Even daft activities like a bar-b-que on deck as it snows and icebergs for decor, what can you say - brilliant. We were lucky with the weather so saw most things and other not so normal like 2 emperor penguins and an Leopard seal. The other passengers created a happy experience and staff and experts knew their stuff making the learning side enjoyable.

Probable the highlight (there were many) was landing on the continent. There were thousands of penguins, many whales, hundreds of birds. Mountains covered with snow. Icebergs everywhere some that rolled looking very wet, some with a dusting of snow that looked like powder sugar and some with seals laying in the sun. Strangers I never met acted like neighbors I knew for 10 years.

Kayaking with the humpback whales

Too many to tell. The visit to South Georgia was spectacular. The ability to see so many penguins and fur seals in their natural habitat was spectacular. But best of all were the guides. They were outstanding. They went above and beyond to make our trip both enriched and kept us safe.

When we arrived in Antarctica, and saw for the first time the magnificence of its imposing mountains

Waking up after camping on the ice to see the sunrise on the mountains surrounding.

Making our first steps on the 7th continent and actually landing at Point Wild. Both incredibly powerful moments for us

Most scary memorable moment was going through the Drake Passage since there was a storm it was pretty rocky going through. The most exciting moment was actually stepping foot on Antarctica and being greeted by penguins.

Watching 90 humpback whales feeding around the ship as we crossed the Drake on our way down to Antarctica.

Sea Kayaking and Polar Plunge

The highlight was the grandeur of the landscape. The people were mixed - a lot of lovely ones and quite a few rowdy types. The organisation of the crew every day to get everyone on shore was exceptional - Kayaking and snow shoeing were brilliant.

Trip was great; for subject matter, see paragraph above. Crossing the "Drake" was more arduous than I expected, and quite uncomfortable in both directions. My wife and I did not get sick, but we had the patch first, and then another med suggested by ship doctor, which seemed to work better. Highlight of the trip: interacting with other passengers on the ship, sharing stories of past adventures, and plans for the next. Most magical moments(2): going ashore at Cuverville Island, and walking among the penguins, which showed no signs of fear of humans, and climbing the hill above Neko Harbor, and seeing ice-covered mountains all around, and reflections on the water, which was perfectly calm.

The kayaking was fabulous, truly the best way to see things. Many of the kayaking moments stand out.

Honestly, there are almost too many to count. The top moments were probably seeing a pod of orcas off the side of the boat, seeing a caving iceberg, and climbing Spigot Peak.

Fantastic experience, would recommend to anyone interested in wildlife and the history of the area. Great informal atmosphere with no cocktail parties

Lots of wildlife - penguins galore, eggs & chicks. A humpback whale breaching close to the boat, orcas poking their heads up between the ice. Guides & staff were fantastic -nothing too much trouble. Loved going out on the zodiacs & lots of landings. Visiting a research station was very interesting. Getting close to wildlife, hiking on a glacier. Food on board was excellent. Drake passage was a 'rock & rolling ' adventure!!!!! Being chased by fur seals on the beach & having enormous elephant seals getting up close & personal!!

The turning over of the iceberg and seeing Cape Horn.

Kayaking in the brash ice in Neko Harbor. The stillness created by the ice was broken only by the occasional glacier calving. We paddled past a sleeping crab eater seal and watched feeding penguins swim past.

Emperors at Snow Hill.

It was fantastic. It was everything I had hoped it to be. I was disappointed that we were unable to camp with the penguins. There were way more penguins and seals than I thought there would be. Thought there would be more whales and dolphins. Nice surprise to come back to the ship and have a hot drink with a shot of alcohol in it. A surprise to get to walk on an ice flow. A fun surprise to have an outdoor BBQ on the deck in the snow!!! Best surprise was the thumb drive that the staff made for us of our photos and memories of our vacation. Very nice and it really touched me. I also really enjoyed and got into the Russian word and/or phrase of the day. I was THE only passenger that liked learning the Russian language. Everyone else were deadheads!!