Customer Reviews

Highlights were whales breaching beside us, penguins swimming in front and beside kayak, wonderful artistic ice forms- floes and icebergs, interesting history, really lovely other guests who we made great friends with, great lectures and talks from the naturalists and others. It was run very safely- much more so than when we went to the Arctic about 25 years ago, with a different company. All the people leaving and returning to the boat were signed in and out. Kayaking was a big highlight for me- being so close and it was all so well run. Safety was a high priority.

Too many things to mention. Kayaking through brash ice, over shadowed by 100 ft icebergs, the brilliance and purity of the light and air. The topogrophy was breathaking, very emotional, calm and inspiring.

The wildlife was the highlight.

Highlight - being so close to humpbacks in a kayak (maybe 2 meters). Having someone catch that experience on a brief video was priceless as a souvenir. Similar to the giraffes in east Africa, I was surprised how much I found the penguins to be an interesting animal. I had never seen how they swim. It was excellent to meet people that have traveled as much as we have; that was very unique and enjoyable.

Whales!! So close and I was able to take numerous wonderful pictures. On top of that, the whole staff did a wonderful job putting day to day events together. We never felt bored.

Highlight was kayaking on Christmas morning in a snowstorm. Loved the blue iceburgs, 1000's of penguins, seals and whales. We loved being on an expedition ship where there was no majority of demographic...ages from 10-81, couples, singles, families....people from all different countries. I hope to return someday...maybe with my grandchildren.

Highlights were just being there, being able to walk around on the continent and see the wildlife in its natural habitat - in terms of activities the highlight was camping out in a snow hole overnight on the summer solstice (truly magical). Our fellow travellers were also amazing, from the incredibly competent ship's crew, to the expedition staff (who were friendly, helpful, informative and approachable, as well as being experts in their field), to the wonderful people we met - all with adventurous souls and full of tales of travel. No matter how well travelled anyone was - we all had the same sense of child-like wonder in Antarctica.

Stunning scenery, icebergs everywhere some of incredible sizes both in length and breadth, wildlife, whales of various species. 6 types of penguins, birds nesting and following the ship, and all overlaid with amazing historical sites and stories. My grandchildren will hear how their grandmother was picked up by a 6 foot 3 inch giant and thrown from a beach into the zodiac, got knocked off the tubes by the strength of the waves, and then returned, soaked, to the ship with 8 inches of water in the zodiac!

I was amazed everyday during my stay in Antarctica. When you thought it couldn't be better, the mother nature always surprise you by its unlimited potential.

The only reason I wouldn't visit again is it's a "once in a life" opportunity! Going once was enough. I'm not sure I'd be up for the Drake Passage a second time, and it just costs a chunk of money to go in the first place. The highlights for me were Cuverville, Cierva Cove and Wilhemina. The landscape was beautiful. I wanted to go early in the season to see white - snow, icebergs, clear landings. And I definitely saw that! Blue icebergs were breathtaking. We saw all three peninsula penguins, seals, minke, killer and humpback whales - fantastic! The people were wonderful. There were only 63 passengers on the ship which was really nice having a smaller group. The crew is stellar, top-notch. So helpful, knowledgeable, and safety conscious. I will tell my grandchildren that I saw the great white continent and if they ever have a chance in their lifetime, they should go. It's truly a spiritual experience.

* Whole Trip was a highligt. * Funfact for me: It was the ship Metallica was on for its Antarctic concert. * Landscape and Wildlife were also amazing, so the staff and the other travellers.

Incredible views and peace, we were lucky with 2 curious humpback wales who added to the wonderful wildlife that we enjoyed.

The trip was perfect in every way. The ship was comfortable, the service great, scenery spectacular, the landings varied and fascinating, animal and bird life amazing

Great experience, not one particular highlight, just the whole experience! Landscape stunning, difficult to describe its uniqueness. Lots of penguins, seals. Limited whales which was a little disappointing but thats wildlife...... Crew and expedition staff were friendly and extremely knowledgeable. Unfortunately on board ship there was a rude and disrespectful Chinese party.

Alex. I have given you detailed feedback over the phone. I assume that the emails asking for feedback are automatically generated so do not see the need to repeat all I said to you. In short, Swoop provided a very good service with plenty of discussion and information before departure. The ship's hotel staff and crew were excellent. The ship's layout was poor, with nowhere other than the cabin (or the deck when weather permitted) to escape from the lounge when the presentations did not appeal or when we wanted to escape from the endless musak. The fixed 'fore and aft' lounge seating did not afford sensible conditions for lectures. The quality of the lectures was generally very poor with most expedition staff lacking basic public speaking skills and putting far too much emphasis on endless statistics. The expedition staff generally were lacking in general knowledge and sometimes even in courtesy. Any request for information about the bird life was usually met with 'ask Bruce' and of course Bruce was not always around to be asked. They ensured a safe environment but we often felt that they were reluctant to engage in conversation. Andrew and Michelle, the leader and his deputy, were both off-hand and dismissive. another member of the team, Bill, behaved totally inappropriately on occasion - largely to play to the gallery - even turning up in drag in the middle of a beautiful cruise through the ice. Our fellow passengers were mostly Swiss and German and were generally a good crowd although it was often difficult to find enough places at a table at mealtimes for a group of English speakers to sit down together. Hope that helps Peter

Loved it! 10 days without internet was awesome. We got to spend quality time with a lot of interesting people. Polar plunged twice. Kayaking was definitely a highlight!

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.

Everything about the trip to the Peninsula aboard MV Ushuaia was wonderful. The ship, crew, staff, and especially the expedition leaders were great. They really took care of us well and ensured that we all had the journey of a lifetime. The landscapes and seascapes were breathtakingly otherworldly. Of special note were the awesome tabular icebergs and the various hues of the ice and snow. Penguins topped the list for the wildlife experience. And for the humans, we met some interesting fellow passengers from around the world. The certificate and info disc were welcome surprises, icing on the cake.

Highlights include kayaking (in ANTARCTICA!), camping without a tent (in ANTARCTICA!), having a penguin staring at me for half an hour while I was just sitting up in my sleeping bag, watching 6 orcas circling a small iceberg to hunt the seals lying there, probably scared out of their minds. The captain STOPPED the boat while we watched transfixed for half an hour.

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!!