Reviewed 23 Mar 2012 by Robert Pecoraro
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Interacting with the wildlife in Antarctica.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
There really are no local people, except in Ushuaia. I think that the trip perhaps supported conservation but did not really reduce environmental impact.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
I think that it was a fantastic experience. The ship, Plancius, was better than we thought it would be and the staff was well-organized, helpful and friendly. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone.
Reviewed 21 Mar 2008 by Stacy Valentine
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
All of it, but if I had to pick it would be my first sight of Antarctica which was at sunrise, wow! And my 30 minute dive with a leopard seal. But it was all amazing.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Make sure you have enough camera memory space and batteries because you will be taking non stop
photographs ( I bought another 2gb memory card in Ushaia and I am so glad I did, I arrived home with
1,217 amazing pictures and have looked through again and again).
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
It’s the only way to see the Antarctic, every crew member and expedition staff have an appreciation of
the environment and the expedition vessel having a max of 44 passengers so as to minimise any disturbance to the white continent. All our hotels we stayed in were ecologically sound and benefited the local economy and the tour operator offset all carbon emissions for the voyage with rainforest concern. I am now more pro-active in my role to help conserve our world after this amazing expedition as I have a greater respect for our amazing planet.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It’s been the most amazing adventure/expedition I have ever had and I am sure ever likely to have, enhanced by the tour operator’s ethos and lead on conservation. I would recommend it to everyone whether you dive or not, just to be able to experience the white continent in the intimate manner in which I did has been a privilege.
Reviewed 04 Apr 2008 by Judith Bewell
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Diving around the ice bergs and snorkelling with the leopard seal. Real WOW factor. It may have been the largest diving expedition ever to Antarctica, but it went like clockwork, despite the sometimes inclement weather! This has to be due largely to the organisation and management of the local operator, a great team, very friendly and approachable.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Don't worry about the food and drinks on board. It was superb. No need to take your own favourite nibbles, fruit teas etc, there was more than ample, and a good variety. To save on weight, rent your boots in Ushuaia for US$10. If possible, take your laptop and blank DVDs. Not only can you view and back up your own images, but many an hour was spent on our voyage sharing images with others on board. Argentinean pesos were the favoured currency in Argentina, the boat accepted US$ and Euros also. Be prepared for changes in the proposed itinerary, it's only given as an example, really. Relax with the tour operator and the local operator and you'll have an awesome time!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
The expedition crew were explicit in their instructions about respecting wildlife and the environment, and stuck to the rules themselves. It was a pity that some of the Russian passengers had no regard whatsoever for these rules.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
An awesome experience, thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated. Nothing was ever too much for the expedition crew who did their utmost to ensure we made the best of our time in Antarctica.
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