Reviewed 15 Dec 2009 by Chris Bragg
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The time spent around the continent is priceless and inspiring beyond description. It's difficult to single out particular parts as they were all special in different ways. Getting up close and personal with the wildlife and having the flexibility with the zodiacs to be able to see what we wanted to see from where we wanted to see it - both wildlife and the amazing ice structures - was great. The on-board team were great - enthusiastic, knowledgeable and approachable, the cabins were comfy, the food was abundant. Just a wonderful time.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
The usual re- clothing and photography (lots of memory cards, UV filters, spare batteries, etc.) - but bear in mind the time of year you re going w.r.t. the climate there! Hire the waterproofs onboard, but reserve them beforehand. Don't spend too much time taking photos of penguins... The place is stunning and the onboard team really help you make the most of it... but to fully appreciate it you need to put the camera aside. Avoid Aerolineas Argentinas if you can. A large number of fellow passengers seemed to have been misinformed about one aspect or more of the holiday - for example, some had been told they could sign up for the kayaking or camping onboard and pre-booking was unecessary. Two had even paid for the kayaking but the on-ship tream had not been informed by the company (and so they were unable to take part). There were a lot of administrative mistakes on the part of the company's various offices around the world (including the above, incorrect cabin type assignments, transfer errors, sending out information on the wrong ship, etc.). The onboard team handled all the resultant problems admirably and resolved as many of the issues as they could. However, I'd recommend getting as much detail as possible in writing before leaving and taking it all with you, including tax invoices, etc., so you have proof of payment for options, your cabin type, etc.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Pretty much. Had some concerns about energy efficiency measures onboard. Some of the Russian crew threw their cigarette butts overboard at times. Diesel consumption also a concern, although should be helped by the "imminent" replacement of the zodiacs' engines. Ashore, everything seemed to be done well and in accordance with the requirements down there. Provision of snow shoes might prevent the creation of large numbers of knee-deep holes where we walked.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
I'll be going back... enough said.
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Being so close to live penguins and icebergs. The incredible scenery. Walking on the Antarctic continent for the first time.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
You can save packing space by renting the outerwear on-board. Boots too, but the folks who used them said their feet were cold. They are just rubber Wellingtons. We brought all our own gear and I am glad we brought our own boots. Bring both a video and still camera, if you can. And telephoto lenses, UV lens and polarizing lens covers. The cold uses batteries up faster, so bring extra, even for a film camera. Know there is no internet access, but there is e-mail, for an extra charge.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Not as much as possible. Is there a way to institute recycling? Not burn the garbage? Compost? Switch to energy efficient light bulbs? I don't know about the technology of diesel engines, but I would hope there would be some way to minimize the carbon impact. Given how far Antarctica is from anywhere, there is no true eco-tourism possible, at this point. This bothers me. Benefit local people? If you spent some time in Ushuaia, yes.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Spectacular. Staff is truly wonderful, especially Brian Keating and Noz. This was the trip of a lifetime.
Reviewed 12 Mar 2008 by Rodney Paul
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
My visit to Antarctica was everything that I had envisaged. The opportunity of seeing the scenery, wildlife and entire environment at first hand was just incredible. The absolute high point was when we were standing on a very small beach on the continent itself, surrounded by penguins and blocks of ice when a Leopard Seal suddenly came out of the water literally a few feet in front of me chasing a penguin. The penguin was lucky and escaped as I think the Leopard Seal was slightly taken back to see a number of very large 'red penguins' all staring at him. It was a truly unforgettable holiday.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Check exactly what equipment is available from the ship, ie Wellington boots, coats etc, as this saves having to pack into one's own luggage. Take plenty of memory cards etc for cameras. Don’t get luggage checked through from the UK to Ushuaia direct, ensure that you have adequate time to collect it in Buenos Aires and then re-check it through for the rest of the journey. (I along with a number of other people lost all my luggage on the journey out there)
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
The tour operator upheld the standards of the IAATO agreement throughout the entire trip, so our impact on the continent was absolutely minimal, we only left behind footprints in the snow and ice.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
10 out of 10
Reviewed 13 Mar 2007 by Paul Brough
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Whales !! We had a wonderful morning in close proximity to humpback whales - up to 4 at any time - plus the occasional leopard seal as well. The next day they came to visit the boat "up close & personal" !! We also had close interaction with penguins, elephant seals, dolphins plus the odd albatross as well.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Try to avoid any contact with Aerolineas Argentinas ! Fly to Buenos Aires with a European airline as AA's service is awful - poor food, poor provision of inflight drinks, but - mostly - because they misplaced about 40 sets of luggage on the Gatwick-Madrid leg and, of the 5 customers going on the Antarctic cruise, 4 didn't get their cases until 2hrs before sailing [ie 36hrs later] & 1 didn't get it until she arrived back in Buenos Aires on the way back home. She had to re-equip at her own cost and Aerolineas merely shrugged their shoulders and offered 100 pesos compensation ! Allow plenty of time to get from your hotel to the International airport in Buenos Aires. Traffic is appalling and it may take you up to 2hrs to get there. Assume that you will have a bad crossing of Drake Passage and bring plenty of Stugeron travel sickness tablets [preferred by the tour operator's doctors]. We had a force 10 storm for almost 3 days - not good !
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
As we were based in Ushuaia, I guess that local businesses would benefit from the visitors for the cruises. The tour operator was very concerned about the impact of their activities on the Antarctic environment, though having a barbecue with plastic plates on the stern was perhaps not wise given the wind.
4. Any other comments?
***** Simply brilliant !!! Woes with travel delays / Aerolineas Argentinas merely blips in the whole experience. WOW !!!!!!!!!
Read the operator's response here:
Thanks for your feedback Paul and delighted to hear that, like most visitors to Antarctica, you were bowled over by the experience. Very sorry to hear of the problems encountered with Aerolineas Argentinas. The lady who did not get her baggage until returning to Buenos Aires is a member of our sales team so I have heard all about the problems on this flight! In light of negative feedback on Aerolineas Argentinas, we now offer alternative international flight packages with British Airways in conjunction with our Antarctic voyages.
Your feedback on the plastic plates is very useful - this has been passed onto our operations team who will look into sourcing bio-degradable plates in case any should inadvertently be blown overboard. Thanks again for taking the time to give your feedback.
Reviewed 26 Dec 2004 by Spencer Morris
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The views in Antarctica - can't be found anywhere else! Also, the non-Russian 'crew' were very good and on top of their presentation subjects and made everything run smoothly on and off the boat. Also seemed like nice people!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Speak to someone who has - the agents I spoke to on phone hadn't been (but they have now!). Its hard not to appear clueless, you really don't know what to expect. The tour operator guide books are good but I think not many people read them - perhaps an executive summary bullet-pointing essentials like the need for waterproofs (I did remember!)
3. Any areas for improvement?
It seems the method of transfers were inordinately lengthy. To travel the 2-3 miles from Ushuaia airport to my hotel took 2 hours (there was one busy street and 3 parallel empty ones - not sure if common-sense was being used but in end some guest got out and walked - If I knew the address of my hotel I would have done too). Taxis are so cheap I think it would be cheaper and quicker for everyone to use them. Maybe you only cater for older people in general but I think there is an untapped market amongst young City High Fliers around world!
4. Any other comments?
The local rep in Buenos Aires was very good indeed, suggesting very good restaurants in town and making appropriate suggestions for add-on in both Buenos Aires and Ushuaia. So although I did end up buying add-on trips, I didn't feel I was talking to a salesman happy to sell anything.
Although there is a hefty premium on this trip compared to other types of cruises - I never felt ripped off.
