Antarctic Peninsula Classic Reviews

Antarctica is the most pristine place that I have ever visited. My wife and I were amazed at the amount of wildlife we got to experience (Adelie, Gentoo, and Chinstrap penguins; Leopard, Crabeater, Weddell and Elephant seals; Humpback whales and a pod of over 20 Orcas that swam right by the ship). The ship and expedition staff were the most professional and informative group. They all worked well together and went out of their way to interact with the passengers. The best part about the team was how quickly they adjusted to weather conditions. This allowed us to not miss out on our landings and expeditions.

Seeing our first iceberg, before seeing land, was quite memorable, as was seeing the amount and size of the glaciers. Also, seeing the number and diversity of wildlife, in such a harsh climate, was not only memorable but encouraging as to the adaptability of nature.

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.

The vastness of the continent; seeing the wildlife up close; the incredible expedition team and the operator’s staff and crew; the learning opportunities from the lectures; the opportunity to make new friends from around the world....spending Christmas and my Birthday in an utterly indescribable place on our planet!

There were so many great moments, although the first day when the weather cooperated was truly the best day! Walking among our first gentoo colony and seeing how clumsy they are on land but graceful they are in the water - and the sun was shining, it felt so warm that everyone was stripping off their layers! And later that day, we kayaked through an ice graveyard and the water was so smooth, and our guide let us jump into the freezing cold water at the end of our paddle!

Opening the drapes in my cabin the first morning and seeing Antarctica

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.

I would say that the highlights were the landings and zodiac cruising. The landscape and wildlife were in a word amazing! Otherworldly! The expedition team MADE the experience... so informative and caring! I was surprised that the Drake crossing was SO SMOOTH! Wonderful Crew and perfect weather. The morning we spent on Useful Island... it was a pre-breakfast landing and it was just perfect... I will never forget it!

It would be impossible to choose the most memorable moment because the entire trip was so incredible! The first time we stepped onto the ice is definitely high up on my list!!

The Zodiac cruise among the icebergs, sheet ice, and pack ice around Pleneau Island, accompanied by an intelligent, well-informed guide who took a few "ice-breaking" risks and kept us all well-informed as to exactly what he was doing.

Our camping expedition was a one of a kind with the penguins coming to check out the people who landed on their property and placed sleeping bags on the snow.

Memorable...? Getting on the plane back to NYC

Very luxurious cruise, fantastic exploration team that provided though information, lectures, trips on zodiacs and large "citizen scientist" programs. Icebergs and all wildlife was observed close up and the whenever anyone saw more animals, it was announced over the PA system so everyone could see them. It included some fun events like a photo contest, charity auction, and "get to know your team" game.

Doing our first landing into the peninsula itself. The terrain was amazing and the weather was gorgeous. It is exactly what I imagined Antarctica to be like.

Highlight: Cuverville Island We liked the landscape and the wildlife a lot. Due to strong winds, quite some landings had to be cancelled (including the camping), but this was well explained and managed by the crew. The staff was very good.

Climbing up the ice shelf overlooking the ocean and passing waddles of penguins.

Kayaking and being surrounded by humpback whales

Everything about the trip was first-rate! Of course the geography and wildlife were spectacular, even more than we expected. But we were blown away by the expedition staff - by their amazing knowledge and ability to share it, their friendliness and the ability to adjust to situations at a moment's notice - like the time the captain slowed and turned and they launched zodiacs so we could see unexpected whales more closely. Our fellow travelers were all interesting and fun and the quality of the staterooms and ship generally were fantastic - as was the food!

Camping on the peninsula, Polar plunge, Kayaking, Lemaire Channel

Loved the Kayaking with seals and penguins. The sheer beauty of Antarctica was totally off the charts amazing, it was nothing like I had ever experienced.