February Reviews

The luggage was picked up from our hotel without hassle and delivered to our cabin. The size of the ship, about 90 passengers was perfect. There were enough people to have dinner with different groups but it wasn't so big you got lost. The trip out and back was packed with lectures from scientists, there wasn't time to be bored. The accommodation was better than expected, it wasn't a pokey cabin. The food was great. The range of peoples age and background was vast but everyone was friendly and enhanced the social side of the trip. The wildlife was enchanting, there was a buzz every time we were going off the ship. Visiting active or unused stations was a thrill.

Highlight- the penguins Landscape- I was surprised at how little snow there was and how rocky the terrain was Wildlife - penguins were amazing and the sea lions were very cool People- my travel companions were terrific! We are got along very well. Great group Surprises- accommodations. We expected to be in a thermal tent and instead stayed at the Russian scientific location in bunk beds. It was good but unexpected. Also the weather. We were supposed to leave Monday mid day and do half a day with tours on Antarctica and then half a day the next day and head home. Instead we left late Monday night. Just had time for dinner and bed and then only half a day tour Tuesday because the weather turned bad on Wednesday afternoon.

The ship's crew was the highlight of the trip for us, they were simply magnificent. While it was good to go and see Antarctica, once was enough for us there. The surprise was how desolate it was. Very austere and lonely.

The highlight was the enormity of the scale of the peninsular and the pristine, untouched solitude of the environment. The landscape was overwhelming and all encompassing, with a grandeur that we had not expected. We loved the antics of the penguins and the curiosity of the chicks. Up close viewing of seals and whales was awe inspiring. Our outstanding leaders helped to deepen our understanding and appreciation of this amazing world. Our fellow travellers were all like minded so sharing our experiences increased the enjoyment.

9.5 put of 10 Great excursions with a blue sky day on a zodiac near ice bergs and whales the highlight. People on the boat a good mix and we found a like minded 8 which we largely shared the adventure with. Surprise was the intensity of the trip... 3/4 full days.

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 !!

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

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.

The highlight of the trip was seeing all the penguins, seals, birds, whales, glaciers, and beautiful landscape. I never dreamed there would be so many penguins and seals and they would be so close to you. My favorite experience was seeing all the seal cubs and loved how they would run up to you about three feet and then run back. I also loved getting close to the seals that were on floating ice. The Hebridean crew were amazing and everything was so organized with lectures and landings. There was little down time. Safety came first when determining if a landing was possible. Having Sunny and Seb on board to share their experiences was another highlight. I liked how the crew ate with us and shared stories. The ship provided a e drive of pictures taken while on the ship so I will show these pictures to my grandchildren. They will not have to wait for me to go through my thousand pictures .

The trip was even better than expected... The highlight was crossing the polar circle and seeing ice bergs the size of skyscrapers--who knew ice could be so incredible!? The landscape was amazing--like walking around in a painting. And the wildlife was unreal! It was everywhere and so untouched. The people were fascinating--loved the diversity in age, country and interest. I learned a lot from them! Someday, I'll tell my grandchildren that I went to a place that was so untouched by man--that it was nature at its best. Biggest surprise was that our ship didn't have a stabilizer! Haha.

Highlights were the Zodiac rides and landings. Lots of seals, whales and of course penguins. The multiple glaciers were majestic. Were had a very friendly and mixed group of people who just all appeared to enjoy everything. Not any real surprises but excellent quality of expedition staff and just a happy ship full of people. Totally different than the Arctic.

Great words cannot describe how fantastic it was

The highlight was the sheer untouched beauty and proximity to nature. Landscapes and wildlife were awesome. The people we met were inspirational.... How deeply we were touched by the sheer beauty of the continent and how it felt to be pecked by a penguin chick and splashed by a whales tale... The excellence of the presentations onboard..... the close proximity of whales, seals and penguins... and the gigantic and beautiful array of icebergs

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.

The penguins were the highlight for me..however we were very fortunate to see a Blue whale and the seals were amazing. The people I met were well traveled and interesting. My grandchildren are required to view my photos.

The highlights of our trip were the many amazing wildlife experiences. We were SURROUNDED by BUBBLE FEEDING WHALES on TWO occasions during zodiac cruises! We were a few yards away from DOZENS of playful crabeater adolescent seals frolicking in the water. We were CHASED by a leopard seal! Penguins and birds galore! (Can you tell I am on team mammal rather than team bird?) The landscapes were breathtaking. The people on the cruise were lovely and fun.

Stepping onto Antartica!

Discrimination by one of guides. He treated us like prisoner. Whole trip was stressful. We had done trip to Franz Joseph land with this company and had good experience. However there is severe deterioration in company. One of guides ( They know name) worked in police department in remote island and they hired him as guide. There was no tourism experience and many guides were inexperienced people and had severe attitude problem.

Antarctica exceeded every expectation! The overwhelming grandiosity is difficult to put into words.

Arriving in Antarctica on our first day in the early morning with incredible sunrise lighting (no wind) surrounded by icebergs and islands and and a lowly Emperor Penguin!