Customer Reviews

The highlight was the wildlife. We saw penguins, seals and three types of Whales. The landscape is absolutely stunning. The talks on board were very high quality and the food and wine was first class. I got a free upgrade to a double room with window. People choosing this trip were all very bright and interesting and a good mix of young and old

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.

More varied than we expected in terms of landscapes and wildlife. We were pleased to have so much time ashore - more than expected. Crew and staff were great but an awkwardness in the composition of the passengers meant less companionship than we had experienced on previous similar holidays.

The trip met all of our expectations. The weather was beautiful, and we saw everything we came to see, including an Emperor penguin! The trip was bi-lingual, with about 80% of the people German speakers from Switzerland. As such, we weren't able to engage the other people as much as we would have wanted.

South Georgia was fantastic. Seeing the sheer volume of wildlife was incredible. It's frightening to think of the effects of global warming are having there. We had excellent weather. Only 2 landings were revised. Going early in the season gave us pristine snowy landscapes. We had the unique opportunity to see a lone emperor penguin. Getting out onto the ice flat and so close to massive ice bergs was fantastic. It was a friendly group of European travellers for the most part. I've discovery that I'm not so great on the open seas.

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.

Overall there were lots of disappointing moments got to do only 1 of the things i wanted to do...(polar plunge) Saw tons of gentoo penguins very little if any of much else people were nice...much younger crowd than i expected boat was ok, food was good, staff good.

The highlights were the Shackleton history and being able to stand on the top of the pass were the trio looked down on the whaling base at Stromness-their destination. Weather was perfect. The landscape was stunning- a glaciologists dream. Many interesting people on the ship. Only 60 passengers so quite intimate. Staff were very good- very friendly and knowledgeable . Was ssitting in the lounge early one morning and the 1st officer came down and told me to come up to the bridge to see the whale that was only a 100 metres away.

Kayaking among the icebergs, looking at penguins.

Highlight.....visiting Antarctica and landing on the peninsula. Landscapes dramatic and beutifuk. Wildlife plentiful and fabulous. People good company.

Overall, and underall and in between, it was fabulous. Kayaking was the highlight, though it was pretty exciting to see baby penguins. Landscape, particularly the icebergs, was sublime, surreal, dramatic, transcendental, magical. Wildlife was a hoot, never got tired of penguins or seals. The people we met were fine. When you said we'd see "a lot" of penguins, I didn't quite grasp just how many that would be or how close we'd get to them ... a pleasant surprise. Biggest surprise was just luck -- the phenomenal weather.

Penguins were definitely the highlight. I could have watched them for hours. Lemaire Channel was spectacular though we had to turn around at the end due to iceberg blocking the way. Saw many whales - fin, humpback and orca.

I really enjoyed seeing all of the wildlife on this trip. We saw dolphins chasing the boat. We got up close and personal with humpback whales. We saw orcas chasing or playing with (unusual siting) seals and hunting penguins in the sea. We saw different types of seals and penguins who were all very curious about us. The continent was not what I expected. I expected to see nothing but snow and ice but saw so much more. The people on the cruise were friendly and I had no problem getting to know most of them, even when language was a bit of a barrier. The food on the ship was amazingly delicious (and fattening). The crew was friendly and helpful.

Everything was amazing. Antarctica is the most unfathomable, incredible place that I can ever imagine visiting. And then there was the crew, the boat, the food, the education.

The trip was amazing. I took 3 girlfriends with me and we had a blast. Spring Break 2017! (J/K it was not a Spring Break holiday) We met so many amazing people who had fabulous stories to tell, and the crew was just as fun too. My highlight was landing on the continent in Paradise Bay and going to Deception Island. That water is freeeezzzinnngggg. We repeatedly said we felt like we were on an ocean safari we saw so much wildlife everyday. We also had the most amazing weather. LOVED IT!

The whole of Antarctica is the highlight without a doubt. All the senses are overwhelmed and truly a special and spiritual experience. Landscapes were spectacular from the glorious sunny days and magnificent mountains, glaciers, and icebergs. Equally spectacular was watching the weather close in and clouds descend down the mountains. Of course a highlight for me was to dive there and especially within the Antarctic Circle, dive and iceberg and dive with penguins and seals. Saw more penguins, whales and seals than I expected and the ability to land and get up close and personal with them was fantastic. The crew on Plancius were fantastic, very knowledgeable, exceptionally professional and very accommodating. I met some great and very interesting people among both divers and passengers. Surprises included the quality of the service, expedition staff on Plancius, and restaurant quality meals!

Everyday was a highlight, every landscape wae a new vision of a pristine, untouched planet. Seals, penguins, birds, whams and dolphins... it was like being in a National Geographic documentary but with all the sensations of doing something unique. Not just seeing, but doing, living, and feeling exceptionally humble. Surrounded by nature but also by an amazing staff and respectful travelers, all with a deep sense of respect, kindness. sharing the moment all together. The hardest part of the trip after disembarking was to share with family and friends. An impossible challenge, which can only be understood by going there!

Everything was excellent... !!! what a lot to remind ...luckely we took a lot of photos !! we were just a little disappointed as we didn't rich the Polar Circle !(weather problem in King George Island, we were delayed for a little more than 1 day) May be they could have organise the program on a different way as it was the aim of our choice...Never mind we were lucky as the weather was beautiful all the way..blue sky nearly all the time!! Wonderful sight seeing, we saw a lot of wales very closed to the ship and of course all sorts of animals ..Very sheerful staff, very friendly and competent.We were welcomed at any time to the Bridge as the captain was always ready to talk to us. Very nice meals, very equilibrated..As we were the only french people we had to practice our english !!

It was amazing. The wildlife was endless and the highlight was probably seeing 30 whales bubble feeding right in front of our zodiacs. The staff were brilliant - so helpful, informative and nice. Met some wonderful people who we will keep in touch with! Loved the whole thing. The only shame was the cyclone which stopped us going down the Weddell sea which I had been so excited about - a real disappointment but staff did all they could to make the time on the ship great.

Enjoyed the Zodiacs and storm, force 11! Saunders Island was very relaxing.