Antarctic Cruise and South Shetland Islands

Reviewed 29 Dec 2005 by Pamela Cranston

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

************************** (5 stars is not enough!) There were just so many memorable moments it is impossible to single out one, so here is a list;

• Seeing newborn penguin chicks chirruping away under their parent's breasts
  
• Watching a leopard seal feeding on a penguin
  
• Trekking through the snow, giggling in hysterics as we yet again sunk through to thigh level
  
• Taking the polar plunge (and having to go in a second time to cool down from the hot pool that had been dug in the shore for us)
  
• Observing the penguins waddling up and down the penguin highways and then hesitating to build up the courage to plunge into the sea
  
• Having a pair of humpback whales rise to the surface feeding a matter of a few feet from our zodiac
  
• The scale, colour and sculpture of the icebergs
  
• The pristine, unspoiled landscape and the sheer expanse of it
  
• Watching the penguins porpoise through the water

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Don't hesitate. If you can afford it, do it! Would definitely recommend going for one of the smaller boats as it just feels that much more special to share each landing with as few people as possible. It also means there is greater flexibility and it is quicker to launch everyone onto zodiacs if something spectacular comes our way.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

The Antarctic piece didn't really benefit locals however all the expedition leaders and crew went to great lengths to ensure minimum impact on such a precious part of our great planet. They were absolutely fastidious (and rightly so) about us cleaning our boots after each landing and ensured we lived the cliche "take only photos, leave only footprints". The operator did ensure they booked me into a locally owned, first class hotel in Buenos Aires and employed local agents to transport me to and from the airport. .

4. Any other comments?

Still following up on the fact that I was told (and have it in writing) that there would be no children on the ship. There were 2 * 10 year olds and an 11 year old. If companies state a policy then they should stick to it or make other passengers impacted aware of them breaching the policy either at time of booking or, if the reason for breach arises after the booking is accepted, they should ask permission from pre-booked passengers when they later seek to breach it. It was definitely within the tour operators control to accept or reject the bookings involving the children.