Donald
Canada
Customer
Rating
10
Customer Rating On return from their adventure we ask customers: “On a scale of 0-10, with 10 being the highest, how likely is it that you would recommend Swoop to a friend or colleague?”
Donald's Trip Date:
9th Jan - 30th Jan 2026
What was your most memorable moment?
Experiencing the wonders of nature “up close” . . . the animals, icebergs, glaciers and the vastness of the white continent.
Which of the following best describes your adventure?
Great holiday
On a scale of 0 to 10, how likely is it that you would recommend Swoop to a friend or colleague?
10 out of 10
On a scale of 0 to 10, how would you rate your trip: Discover South Georgia, Antarctica and Falklands?
10 out of 10
Were Swoop right to recommend Aurora Expeditions?
Yes
Tell us about Zodiac excursions
Yes! Felt safe at all times. Getting up close to icebergs and traveling through the brash ice!
Tell us about the expedition team
I can’t say enough about the Expedition Team ~ from their knowledge in their specific field of expertise to their friendliness in getting to know us by sitting with us during dinner I can’t see how they could have been better. It’s hard to pick out a specific staff member on the team ~ Liz brought her knowledge of history to life with her enthusiasm, Peter was exceptional in his knowledge of biology, Heather was our “rock star” and John’s knowledge of different species of wildlife was truly outstanding. All the dining staff members treated us royally and it was amazing to hear them address us by our first names after the first day ~ even when we were wearing our name lanyards. It’s too difficult to pinpoint a favourite lecture . . . they were all very educational in their own right.
Tell us about the Sylvia Earle
Not being a “cruising type” I didn’t have any preconceived expectations about the Sylvia Earle. Our cabin was very comfortable. We especially appreciated the heated floor in the bathroom AND shower . . . great places to put things to dry out! It was unfortunate that our initial cabin choice, which had us closer to the middle of the ship, got changed due to a communication (?) error. This resulted in a bit of an uncomfortable situation when the seas got a little rough. I would rate the food as very good ~ lots of choices for the breakfast and lunch buffets. The dinner choices were hard to choose from at times, so I sometimes had 2 . . . especially the desserts! The dinner portions were very well suited to minimize any wastage of food being left uneaten. I would definitely choose the Sylvia Earle again . . . bigger isn’t necessarily better. It’s small size and ability to get into tighter spaces was a bonus as well as the ship’s technology proved that it’s in the top of its class!
Do you have any tips or advice for other people planning a trip to Antarctica?
It’s not a place everyone will get a chance to experience in their lifetime and it’s not cheap so make sure you want to go and experience something special. Make sure you make South Georgia part of your itinerary and the smaller the ship the better!
Has your experience changed your perspective in any way?
In some ways yes and in other ways no. Yes, with respect to learning about how the south polar region/Antarctica affect the world’s weather as a whole as well as the food chain from the smallest phytoplankton right up to the largest whales. No, with respect to realizing/understanding how threatened the Antarctic region and its wildlife are due to climate change.
Do you have any recommendations for Swoop, or feedback about the team?
No ~ thank you to SWOOP and the team in general for making this trip one that I will remember for a long time.
How prepared and excited for Antarctica did you feel?
I was well prepared and very excited about the trip to the Antarctic. I can’t see how going again to the Antarctic would be any better than what I have experienced . . . it probably would be a letdown.
Would you consider another trip to Antarctica with Swoop?
No
Would you be interested in travelling to Patagonia with Swoop?
No
Would you be interested in travelling to The Arctic with Swoop?
No
Would you be interested in travelling to Scotland, Ireland, New Zealand, Tanzania, Botswana, Namibia, Kenya or The Galapagos, with one of our trusted partners?
No
Would you like to receive our email newsletter about our other destinations?
No
When are you thinking of taking your next trip?
Within 12 months
