Customer Reviews

The ship was very stable, nice and the food was better than expected. The staff was very professional and always helpful. The group was a microcosm of the world with people from all over. 99.9 percent spoke English and we all got along wonderfully. My roommate was great and the cabin location was perfect for an old guy. Three of us had a birthday on the same day and we got cake and a song which was special. The only reason that I wouldn't visit again is due to my age. I do not recommend the hotel where I stayed, plus the cost of the private transfers which should have been better explained, otherwise it was great.

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.

From beginning to end the trip was fantastic. It was so educational and I learned more about the wildlife, geology and history of Antarctica than I could have imagined. All the staff and crew members were knowlegeable and helpful. The highlight had to be getting so close to the humpback whales while we were on the zodiac

Thoroughly enjoyed the landings and all the wildlife, but unfortunately due to a medical evacuation we spent the majority of the holiday at sea, which was a big disappointment.

Our trip on Polar Pioneer was outstanding. We loved the ship and it’s crew, who together with the expedition team make our voyage unforgettable. Highlights: sleep over on the ice, sun sets, icebergs Landscapes: sensory overload

The trip lioved up to all our expectations and more. Highlight was the bubblenet fishing of the Humpback whales really close to the ship and the Antarctic plunge which could have been on a beach at home for air temperatures but not the ocean. The guides were so knowledgeable and helpful, it became like one big happy family

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 ;)

It was fantastic - South Georgia was such a special place for wildlife and the peninsula was spectacular. Too many magical moments to mention, but being surrounded by 150-200 humpback whales was one of the highlights.

Loved South Georgia and the encounter with 150 Humpback whales near Shag Rock. That experience was unbelievable as was the Iceberg graveyard in Antartica. I enjoyed getting up and close to nesting Albatross in The Falklands as well as seeing 130,000 breeding pairs of penguins in South Georgia. Seeing 150 Humpback whales so close to the ship ie 20m for over 40 minutes was special. The expedition crew was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. The ship crew were equally superb with great humour, service and friendliness. The Lido deck BBQ with full roast pig was very very special. Loved the ship and the crew. I think visiting the Antarctic is a once in a lifetime experience. I would revisit Antartica again however do fly in and fly out. My only issue I had with the trip was there was little to do on Sea Days. Therefore I would prefer to shorten the trip.

We reached both Stromness, Grytviken and Elephant Island and even landed at Cape Wild. Truly in the footsteps of Shackleton. Amazing wildlife everywhere. Glaciers and icebergs on the peninsula are just majestic and something to see.

Excellent. Out of this world landscape and wildlife more abundant than anyone can expect. Nearly everyone we met were very nice and we did develop a few new close friendships. However, as always, there were a few annoying people ("the front row people") and the "birder" group. No real surprises, but the serenity of Cierva Cove was magical.

It seems impossible to name just one highlight, but if I must, it would be the hour or so we spent cruising amongst a group of 200 or so Humpback whales. They were so close you didn't know where to look first. We got closer to the wildlife than I expected, particularly the nesting albatross and penguins sitting on eggs. I can now tell 6 species of penguins apart! The only real surprise was when a wave hit the ship straight on the side and broke a window while we were all sitting in the lounge.

The expedition crew was excellent, very knowledgeable and friendly. They were obviously enjoying the trip and landscapes and wildlife as much as we were. The other passengers were also friendly and personable. 100 (+/- 10) passengers made it possible to meet almost everyone. The aft deck on the Herculean Sky was a bonus....a great place outdoors to have lunch and watch birds ans WHALES (100s of them). The sheer size of the penguin rookeries was breathtaking.

If I had to pick a highlight, it would be kayaking on a heavily overcast day in an ice-filled bay enclosed on three sides by terminal glaciers and snow-filled mountains, watching a humpback whale roll nearby as I listened to the sizzling of the bergy bits around me. But, in truth, there were lots of magical moments. Every day was full of anticipation and delight. The only true surprise, however, was when a rogue wave in Drake's Passage took out a window in the lounge of Deck 3!

It is hard to pick out a highlight, the penguins especially seeing a Macaroni penguin on the first landing (I could watch penguins for hours), making a dash against the conditions to reach the Antarctic Circle and some of the scenery around Neko Harbour. Unfortunately we didn't camp due to the wind conditions, but this didn't have much of an impact on the enjoyment of the trip. Such a wide range of people from all over the world.

Too many highlights to count - The landscapes and wildlife were stunning. I met some lovely people on the ship and made some lasting friendships. I was really impressed by the way the passengers were led to seats and were not left to find someone to sit with. This was particularly helpful as many were travelling alone. Finding that my great, great grandfather's ship (SS Great Britain) ended up in the Falklands and featured prominently in the museum. Also being able to follow my grandfather's route around the Horn, around which he had sailed nine times in the American wheat clippers. All a bit of unexpected family history. Stepping ashore on Elephant Island.

Kayaking with humpback-whales, breaching, spouting - and only a few meters away was probably the highlight Meeting lots and lots of penguins - and seeing them come pretty close to you, when you sat down quietly - was also fantastic The ship's crew - both staff and guides - were amazing and there were some great fellow travelers too

Highlight was kayaking alongside a humpback whale in stunning scenery. Both clients and staff/crew on board were very friendly and the big surprise was the amount and quality of the food.

After going through all this it is tough to see doing it again with out some incentive and other vacationplans to feel as if we might accomplish something

The shapes of the icebergs - and the colors! The way the penguins porpoise in groups. The way I didn't realize for a long time that the sun hadn't set. The long walks up and around. Definitely the polar plunge. And yes, the people. How cool is it to get a bunch of adventurers on a boat together?!