March Reviews

Everything was great

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 highlights were the abundant wildlife and spectacular landscape of icebergs, glaciers and snow covered mountains and ice shelves. I was surprised by the abundance of wildlife including Humpback whales and the many close encounters we had with whales, seals and penguins who were often curious about the humans visiting their world. The ship operator's team and the Russia. Crew of the Vavilov were fantastic. The Expefition leader and guides were knowledgeable, skilled, friendly, helpful and passionate about Antarctica and its environment and wildlife. It was also great to have scientists on board who were conducting research on whales and provided lectures on board the ship. We met many like minded passengers - who we will stay in contact with. I think the most magical moment was in Charlotte Bay on the Zodiacs seeing and experiencing so many Humpback whales, a few Minke whales and having a few close encounters with some curious Humpbacks.

Overall, and underall and in between, it was fabulous. Kayaking was the highlight, though it was pretty exciting to see baby penguins. Landscape, particularly the icebergs, was sublime, surreal, dramatic, transcendental, magical. Wildlife was a hoot, never got tired of penguins or seals. The people we met were fine. When you said we'd see "a lot" of penguins, I didn't quite grasp just how many that would be or how close we'd get to them ... a pleasant surprise. Biggest surprise was just luck -- the phenomenal weather.

Penguins were definitely the highlight. I could have watched them for hours. Lemaire Channel was spectacular though we had to turn around at the end due to iceberg blocking the way. Saw many whales - fin, humpback and orca.

Everything was amazing. Antarctica is the most unfathomable, incredible place that I can ever imagine visiting. And then there was the crew, the boat, the food, the education.

The trip was amazing. I took 3 girlfriends with me and we had a blast. Spring Break 2017! (J/K it was not a Spring Break holiday) We met so many amazing people who had fabulous stories to tell, and the crew was just as fun too. My highlight was landing on the continent in Paradise Bay and going to Deception Island. That water is freeeezzzinnngggg. We repeatedly said we felt like we were on an ocean safari we saw so much wildlife everyday. We also had the most amazing weather. LOVED IT!

Everyday was a highlight, every landscape wae a new vision of a pristine, untouched planet. Seals, penguins, birds, whams and dolphins... it was like being in a National Geographic documentary but with all the sensations of doing something unique. Not just seeing, but doing, living, and feeling exceptionally humble. Surrounded by nature but also by an amazing staff and respectful travelers, all with a deep sense of respect, kindness. sharing the moment all together. The hardest part of the trip after disembarking was to share with family and friends. An impossible challenge, which can only be understood by going there!