January Reviews

I stepped on Antarctica - the final continent for me! The combination of the landscapes and wildlife will always be a highlight for me. It is hard to believe that such a place still exists on earth. I mailed a postcard from Port Lockroy, Antarctica! The crew of the Plancius were outstanding. They even remembered my name among all the passengers. Food and services were outstanding. There were many surprises. The Plancius was able to go through the Lemaire Channel for the first time this year, so we were very fortunate. Also, the captain took us to Deception Island and Cape Horn on the way back. I was very fortunate that I was matched up to a great roommate from Finland. I met many people from many different countries, all with very interesting stories.

Overall, the trip was good. Excellent guides, service on board, etc. The landings we were able to do were excellent, and we totally lucked out with beautiful weather and a calm Drake Passage on the way back.

While on ship, the trip was near perfect. The highlights occur all the time, be they ice bergs, orcas, or just the fascinating light. The travels to and from could have been better organized

Our trip was in three parts. For me one of the highlights was completing the W trek, the variety of terrain and the smooth organisation added to this. We then visited Los Glaciares where a highlight was seeing thePerito Moreno Glacier. Antarctica offered us the opportunity to reflect on a wonderfully different world. A highlight for me was waking up after camping out on the ice and seeing the wonderful colours reflected in sky and sea. And also the fantastic and uninhibited display of curiosity and fun all around us by a pod of whales. To be so close to creatures like this was a truly one of experience

For me the highlight was being at the top of Useful Island early in the morning with clear blue skies. Everywhere we looked there were white mountains, islands, wildlife and blue water. I was really impressed with the professionalism and friendliness of the ship's operator and the Hebridean Sky staff.

The vast and magnificent beauty of the Antarctica Peninsula. The Gentoo, Adelie, Chinstrap penguins and their chicks were so cute and adorable. The birds, Killer whales, and the humpback whales were so beautiful. The glaciers, floating ice, icebergs, blue sky and white clouds, the sunset, the rain, wind, and the snow, and the whole environment were all magical. You have to be there to feel the power of Mother Nature and we were admiring Her in awe! My most memorable and unexpected moments: -Our Ocean Adventurer cutting through the float ice and entering the Lemuir Channel to cross the Antarctica Circle! - Our first landing and walking on ice in the Antarctica Pennisula! - When our zodiac was surrounded by several humpback whales who were swimming towards us and showed us their tails, heads, and backs!! - When our zodiac parked near an Alcove area with surrounding icebergs, floating ice, and snow falling on us, so quiet that we could hear the voice of the gentoo penguins talking to each other, so quiet that we could reflect on the wonders of this end of the world!

Overall, excellent. I love the landscapes; the vast watery, icy nothingness. There was a lot less wildlife than I had expected, as we really was not that far down south at 68degrees. The most magical moment was when a humpback swam under the zodiac I was in, and I could see clearly its fins and white body, so close that I could almost touch it. I wish I could have reached out to stroke its body as it reared up its head near the zodiac!

The highlight was kayaking amongst whales and through brash ice. Landscapes and wildlife were spectacular. The ship operator's team were passionate and well informed. They were keen to give us the best experience possible. Most of the passengers were equally enthusiastic. Grandchildren - appreciate how important it is to protect our beautiful world. Kayaking was more challenging than we expected and gave us some thrilling experiences.

There is no one most memorable moment. Every day had memorable moments. But if I had to choose one, it would be seeing the icebergs and absorbing the incredible landscape.

Watching an iceberg rollover and sailing the Lemare channel in a snowstorm

I would say that the highlights were the landings and zodiac cruising. The landscape and wildlife were in a word amazing! Otherworldly! The expedition team MADE the experience... so informative and caring! I was surprised that the Drake crossing was SO SMOOTH! Wonderful Crew and perfect weather. The morning we spent on Useful Island... it was a pre-breakfast landing and it was just perfect... I will never forget it!

Kayaking with humpbacks appearing underneath and around us

The trip was well organised and went as well as the weather allowed. The highlight was undoubtedly the day we walked on the main continent twice, saw whales, did a Polar plunge and went sliding down a hill near Neko harbour. The group was great, a lot of groups formed but everyone was friendly to each other. Every one of the crew was also helpful, cheerful and friendly. The penguins were cute, the icebergs immense, the seals all over the place and the whales frustrating

Stepping off our zodiac boat onto Antarctic land for the first time and seeing two chinstrap penguins waddling towards us... We later explored Half Moon Island and saw three types of seals in addition to hundreds of penguins. Talk about a first impression!

The quiet---the beauty of the ice and land and glaciers. Luckily, we were around to see the new penguin chicks. We also camped on the ice/snow while there. Memorable.

"Camping!" We were expecting tents, but they had you dig a hole in the snow and that's where we slept! We were very toasty in the sleeping bags. Also, the Polar blunge, below the Antarctica circle! Beautiful sunny warm day.

Too many to mention really - orcas playing in the ship's wake, penguins, cruise through the Weddell sea icebergs, polar plunge from the continental shore ....

The entire trip was absolutely memorable. One activity the stood out was the camping night. The silence and the beauty of the clouds changing overnight allowed me to really stop and think how grateful I am to be able to experience this sene of peace and calm. A feeling I will cherish forever. The great expedition team made me feel safe and able to enjoy each moment and the experience overall.

Over the top fabulous trip. Surprise: 1)I don't think I understood that the trip was not a "Swoop" trip but rather a brokered trip booked through the ship's operator. 2)I didn't expect that over half the people of the trip (China residents) would not speak English. Made it tough for getting them understanding instructions. The variety of people from 13 countries was great; the other 12 countries could speak some or fluent English.

Seeing the Penguin and Albatross colonies on the Falkland Islands (Sanders Neck and West Point Island). Enjoyed watching all the young fur seals around the old whaling stations of Grytviken and Leith Harbor. The stop at Mikkelson Cove was also nice as the weather was good and it was a nice easy walk, and I could take time to just observe the many Gentoo penguins and chicks.