Customer Reviews

Incredible! Every day was surprising, filled with adventure. Highlights: seeing gentoo and chinstrap penguins in a snowstorm, crossing the Antarctic circle, seeing humpback whales up close, and watching penguin parents tend to their hatchlings. I traveled solo and met plenty of like-minded fellow travelers. I would encourage anyone considering it but who might be nervous to go for it! It is the perfect trip for solo travel. The ship operator's team was just phenomenal - great energy, positive attitudes, fun, and generally just good humans. We weren't able to fly back on schedule because of weather conditions but for me this just added to the spirit of adventure. It is not for everyone though! You need to be able to let go of control and roll with unforeseen circumstances.

There were too many to select just one. Each day seemed to build upon the previous one. Encountering such a wide variety of wildlife and being fortunate to have such great weather made it super.

To many highlights to mention. The weather could change almost in an instant, changing the light and the landscape before your eyes, completely captivating. Lots of wildlife despite being late in the season, and being later we saw lots of whales. The ships crew and the expedition crew were exceptional. There were 98 passengers on board the Island Sky and we were surprised by the age range, 22 to 78 with an average of 62 (this must be accident rather than design) but it made for a wonderful atmosphere with people prepared to mix in chat, and eat together. We hope to meet up with a few in the future. Most magical moment, that's difficult, probably being in a Zodiac among sleeping Humpbacks.

While on ship, the trip was near perfect. The highlights occur all the time, be they ice bergs, orcas, or just the fascinating light. The travels to and from could have been better organized

There were so many memorable moments. Seeing a pod of Killer Whales, setting foot on the 7th continent, the Elephant Seal pups looking up with those adorable eyes, the King Penguin chicks running and flapping around trying to shake off their down coats. What a trip!

Our trip was in three parts. For me one of the highlights was completing the W trek, the variety of terrain and the smooth organisation added to this. We then visited Los Glaciares where a highlight was seeing thePerito Moreno Glacier. Antarctica offered us the opportunity to reflect on a wonderfully different world. A highlight for me was waking up after camping out on the ice and seeing the wonderful colours reflected in sky and sea. And also the fantastic and uninhibited display of curiosity and fun all around us by a pod of whales. To be so close to creatures like this was a truly one of experience

It's difficult to pick one. Our first day on land, the fog was so thick that we could barely see the ship in the water. As we hiked up the hill to penguin colonies, we turned around and saw what looked like an outline of a mountain through the fog, but figured it was just thin clouds. We turned around just a few moments later to see a massive, glacier-laden mountain towering over the water, making our boat look miniscule. It was a moment of surprise and awe that kick-started this amazing trip. Each whale sighting had me on my toes, in awe of the humpbacks especially.

For me the highlight was being at the top of Useful Island early in the morning with clear blue skies. Everywhere we looked there were white mountains, islands, wildlife and blue water. I was really impressed with the professionalism and friendliness of the ship's operator and the Hebridean Sky staff.

Everything! The scenery was fantastic. The food was amazing. The guides were great. All the wildlife and all the experiences of being there. It is hard to describe how awesome it was. Those who have been to Antarctica can relate. So much fun!

Landscape and beauty like no other place on Earth. The staff went above and beyond. They were specialist in their fields and loved their jobs, Amazing. Wildlife everywhere, just so peaceful and serene out there in Antartica. Yes there was bad weather, it was a bit cold but that’s what you get for going to the bottom of the earth! The cruise itenerary did change and we got to go to Falkland Island as well, what a lovely surprise. We had a famous person on our ship, such fun!

The vast and magnificent beauty of the Antarctica Peninsula. The Gentoo, Adelie, Chinstrap penguins and their chicks were so cute and adorable. The birds, Killer whales, and the humpback whales were so beautiful. The glaciers, floating ice, icebergs, blue sky and white clouds, the sunset, the rain, wind, and the snow, and the whole environment were all magical. You have to be there to feel the power of Mother Nature and we were admiring Her in awe! My most memorable and unexpected moments: -Our Ocean Adventurer cutting through the float ice and entering the Lemuir Channel to cross the Antarctica Circle! - Our first landing and walking on ice in the Antarctica Pennisula! - When our zodiac was surrounded by several humpback whales who were swimming towards us and showed us their tails, heads, and backs!! - When our zodiac parked near an Alcove area with surrounding icebergs, floating ice, and snow falling on us, so quiet that we could hear the voice of the gentoo penguins talking to each other, so quiet that we could reflect on the wonders of this end of the world!

Overall, excellent. I love the landscapes; the vast watery, icy nothingness. There was a lot less wildlife than I had expected, as we really was not that far down south at 68degrees. The most magical moment was when a humpback swam under the zodiac I was in, and I could see clearly its fins and white body, so close that I could almost touch it. I wish I could have reached out to stroke its body as it reared up its head near the zodiac!

Meeting Swoop’s Michael Battley! Michael was such a lifesaver when it came to getting me and my sister to even come on this trip after struggles with the Chilean mobility pass. He stayed with us on the phone every step of the way and I could not be more grateful. Beyond traveling mishaps, Michael turned out to be a great friend as well! He was one of the best parts of this trip.

The highlight was kayaking amongst whales and through brash ice. Landscapes and wildlife were spectacular. The ship operator's team were passionate and well informed. They were keen to give us the best experience possible. Most of the passengers were equally enthusiastic. Grandchildren - appreciate how important it is to protect our beautiful world. Kayaking was more challenging than we expected and gave us some thrilling experiences.

There were many memorable and each unique moments. While penguin sighting was not necessarily a highlight, seeing tens of thousands of them all gathered together for as far as your eyes can see, was very special.

The extraordinary landscapes and phenomenal wildlife were highlights of the trip. I fell in love with penguins, and can't get enough of them. Most of the people were educated and interesting; however, there were some Asian travelers who were challenging due to their rudeness. I only hope Antarctica is still there for my grandchildren to see with their own eyes!

Seeing penguins for the first time as we were on the mountaineering walk. Chinstrap penguins - they were so close! ?

Our trip was FANTASTIC! There were too many highlights to name only one... Seeing the Blue whale... 150,000 King Penguins... Glaciers... Glacier cave that was illuminated from withing with the most amazing blues and greens... Black ice... Humpback whales everywhere... Excellent level of customer service and attention to details. The expedition team members' passion, enthusiasm, knowledge and life stories were wonderful to watch and experience. The lectures were excellent and inspiring. The biggest surprise was the food. Food and service for foodies - did not expect that on an expedition ship.

All of it was fantastic. We had a great time exploring Buenos Aires. The tours that you set up for us were well worth it. Dinner at Fogon was to die for. The hotel you booked us at Palladillo was a great choicer in a safe neighborhood. I would not recommend the Tango dancing show/dinner. That was not worth the event or the meal. The rest of what you set up for us would be a definite do again. The UltraMarine ship through Quark was first class all the way. The expedition leaders and team where very knowledgeable. I am not one to think I would have enjoyed lectures or the presentations but I truly learned so much. We were not able to prebook the kayaking or paddle boarding but the weather cooperated so Quark added on additional excursions which were worth doing. The highlight for me were the 2 helicopter rides. Everyone gets the first 15 min ride over glaciers etc. Breath taking. The best was a second heli-landing that we were able to win the lottery and got to actually heli land on the continent. The penguins, seals and whales were abundant but the recommendation to extend the trip to include the Falklands, South Georgia to the Antarctic voyage was where most of the animals were located. We were beyond fortunate with the weather as every day (except sea days) was sunny with little wind. The team kept saying how lucky we were. Icebergs 6 or 7 stories tall and the plunge into the Southern ocean made it a trip that will not be forgotten any time soon. Thank you for all your work

We were very happy with our choice to see Antartica up close through using kayaks to cruise through the icebergs. The most memorable was first seeing the size and magnificence of these beautiful structures.