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Catherine Macwillie

United States Of America

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?”

Catherine Macwillie's Trip:

Antarctic Peninsula Classic

Catherine Macwillie's Trip Date:

2nd Mar - 15th Mar 2019

Catherine Macwillie's Ship:

Island Sky

Overall, how was your trip?

Awesome, Incredible, Amazing, Wonderful, Perfect, Great Response, I would do it all again! Tough to give only one example, camping, polar plunge, cruising on Zodiac's, landings, lectures, food, cabins, talent show Wildlife, great. Everyone was amazing passengers, great expedition team leader and members, and crew It was all a surprise. Whatever I thought I knew, what I thought I expected everything surprised me. Especially the icebergs, colors, wildlife, history Can't limit to one answer hitting the water in the polar plunge, watching the leopard seal catch penguins and being only feet from all of it, the whales, the penguins were so amazing.

In one sentence, what did you think of Antarctica? Did it live up to your expectations?

Awesome, Incredible, Amazing, Wonderful, Perfect, Great Response to my questions, emails, telephone calls, pricing, I would do it all again!

Would you visit again?

Yes

How was the service that Swoop provided?

Awesome, Incredible, Amazing, Wonderful, Perfect, Great Response to my questions, emails, telephone calls, pricing, I would do it all again and will for the Georgia Cruise. Going the extra mile Swoop owner gave up his spot for camping on Antarctica. (PS You can't publish that because technically that never happened) The ship's operator was the best as an expedition team and the ship was absolutely amazing. Helped that we had all of the scientists were lectures and the lectures on Antarctica was amazing. The grandson of the British Explorer Scott giving personal stories on his family. The only other think Swoop could have done better was to make the trip FREE. Other than that perfect.... P

How likely is it that you would recommend Swoop to a friend?

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

10 out of 10

You chose a/an Antarctic Peninsula Classic experience. How was that experience?

Trip exceeded what I expected and then some. Definitely a bucket list trip. Hope to book again only the next time the 19 day Georgia cruise. Absolutely the right cruise for a first time experience. The next was time frame for the cruise, the cabin was amazing to myself without surcharge so pricing was critical money. In fact if you guys can put me on the list for 19 day Georgia cruise optimized to maximize my experience and pricing with a cabin to myself again. Please do reach out. I have not really focused enough on the lectures. They added so much to the cruise. scientists too.

If Swoop arranged some of your travel before/after your voyage. How did we do?

I arranged my own airfare etc with the exception of the hotel Arakur Spa and Resort. Beautiful hotel. Only issue was that I thought that I was getting on a ship that Swoop was in charge of. Didn't understand how the ship's operator was involved initially. So nearly missed the presentation the night prior at the hotel.

How were your experiences on the zodiac excursions and shore landings?

The landings and the cruising looking for wildlife were amazing. More than three hours would have been too long 2.5 hours depending on the cold factor was perfect. Whales, sea leopard catching penguin, icebergs, seals, birds on icebergs Colors of Antarctica were amazing. Not just while and grey, but green, red, brilliant blues, orange, brown. THE EXPEDITION STAFF WAS AMAZING. TOP ONE PERCENT ABSOLUTELY.....

Has your experience changed your perspective in any way?

Have already committed to being involved in trash in the oceans. The cruise only increased my commitments. Was surprised at the extent to the decontamination process was taken, so that increased my awareness of the treaty on other rules governing the Antarctica and I am assuming the Arctic as well.

Do you have any tips or advice for other people planning a trip to Antarctica?

Bigger size gloves so that you can have two layers. Too difficult to put on gloves that are not oversized in the cold. Consider handwarmers. An extra day after the cruise at a hotel, instead of rushing to the airport. Return trip much more relaxing.

Is there anything you would recommend we change to make trips like yours more environmentally sustainable?

Can't currently think of anything.

Anything else? Tell us anything you’d like to share that we forgot to ask! It’s ok to leave this empty too :-)

Not sure about either of these options. More interested in the 19 day Georgia cruise and the Russian port for cruising the Russian Arctic.

18 people found this review helpful

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