Antarctica Cruise

When I made reservations a week before the trip she helped me get all my documents and everything else I needed, spending a lot of time on phone calls and emails.

The ship’s staff was wonderful. They were very knowledgeable and friendly. They sat with guests at dinner and spent time with us in the lounge. They shared their knowledge, enthusiasm, and experiences with us. They also watched out for older passengers like myself and were always willing to lend an extra hand if you needed to get in or out of the zodiac or seemed to be struggling on a slope or step. They seemed to anticipate your needs and I couldn't have asked for anything more. I think the most memorable part of the trip was the penguins everywhere and that they were so unafraid and friendly. I was also impressed by the unspoiled beauty.

I would have found the experience more stressful had we not used ExpeditionTrips. I will definitely recommend you to anyone who is traveling to Antarctica.

The trip exceeded my expectations. Bill wanted to see his last continent. I wanted to see the glaciers and the penguins. I was born in the Arctic. I wanted to see Antarctica. The most memorable part of the trip was the kayaking. It was fantastic being on the water in the sunshine paddling around glaciers.

The wildlife, mountains and scenery were spectacular and it wasn't that cold. The ship was nicer than I expected. The ship’s crew was great and the staff was excellent. Our kayak guide was a lot of fun. The ship’s doctor was great. He provided me with extra medication for the drake passing (I was heavily medicated). The food was better than I thought it was going to be and the dining crew and kitchen staff could not have been more accommodating. My husband has a wheat allergy and was given special meals for dinner. For lunch, the staff always made a point of showing Bill which foods he could and could not eat.

The expedition was absolutely amazing in total so I would almost say every part was memorable – the camping was a once in a lifetime experience though. The efficiency of the landings was absolutely amazing. The expedition staff and the ship crew can be commended!

The Akademik Ioffe is a great ship in terms of stability and also skill of captain/crew in maneuvering to look at whales. The expedition staff was outstanding. The product speaks for itself and the staff did an amazing job of managing weather versus activities to make sure we leveraged our time to the max.

The most memorable part was the 5:30am zodiac trip on the first morning and seeing penguins for the first time.

You excelled in being there for me all the time providing me with the very best personal service anyone can wish for. You certainly cannot improve on that!

This trip went far beyond my expectations. It was the discovery of beauty in its most noble sense. It made me aware of the sheer scale of Antarctica; difficult to grasp and so wonderful to imagine now. The level of service on the ship was exemplary. I hadn’t expected that much. The friendliness and helpfulness of the staff, crew and the guides, the interesting lectures we were given, the excellent food, the many landings we made: it was obvious that everyone did their utmost best. An example would be the landings: if one beach was not accessible, the captain did his best to find another one for us to be able to set foot on land. This trip cannot be improved. The only regret I had was leaving the region.

The stunning Drygalski Fjord with its turquoise waters reflecting the white of the glacier under a deep blue sky would be amongst the fondest memories of my trip. The other most cherished experience was sailing through the Antarctic Sound where huge icebergs passed by on both sides of the ship for miles on end while the evening sun and the clouds played a game of light and shadow on these icy monuments. Setting foot on the Peninsula at Brown Bluff was another very emotional moment for me as was cruising in a Zodiac amongst the icebergs on which Adelies congregated. The landings on Snowhill Island (not often possible, it seems) and Paulet Island - and the many different species of penguins we would watch there (the Adelies and Gentoos) as well as the Chinstraps on Halfmoon Island (South Sandwich Islands on the other side of the Peninsula) - all of it contributed to an extraordinary journey, where the superlatives never seemed to end. Indeed, this was a trip of a lifetime.

They offered us a fabulous experience! The whole staff was fantastic!

I wanted to visit Antarctica for the penguins and my fascination with them. But, the most part of the expedition was probably seeing humpback whales doing tail flips from a kayak. The trip exceeded all our expectations. There is very little that can be improved upon, however having to wash our kayaking kit on the last day was a bit of a surprise.

The staff onboard the ship was the most professional and knowledgeable group of people we have had lead an excursion. The guides were extremely knowledgeable and brought with them special insights because they had lived adventures throughout their personal lives that they could share with us. The hotel staff on the ship was also exceptional—remarkable at times since the seas were a little rough.  Everyone presented themselves as professional and expert at all times. The trip was everything we'd hope to experience: beautiful, surreal scenery, lots of wildlife and great people. 

This trip far exceeded my expectations and I don't believe it could have been any better. The staff, guides and crew were excellent. The Captain was willing to take our ship close to Cape Horn and into tight places for us to get a closer look. The most memorable part of the trip was the Zodiac trips around the floating icebergs and the compatibility of everyone.

Keep up the good email response time and continual support. The trip was better than I what I had expected. The guides were very knowledgeable and gave great seminars/lectures. The wait staff in the restaurant was excellent and the food selection was good. I liked having the choice for lunch in the lounge or the restaurant. The staff was good, the organization was good, and our roommate problem was dealt with effectively.

The onboard staff was professional and knowledgeable and made us feel part of the expedition team rather than just people on a cruise. Brandon the team leader was SO enthusiastic and had a really great manner with guests and staff... and a great Good Morning voice over the tannoy too! Dan was an amazing kayak and camping leader, he seemed to work non-stop to make sure we took full advantage of every possibility.

I had seen an Antarctica exhibition in New Zealand and decided I HAD to go. My 35th birthday provided the perfect excuse. Most memorable part is SO difficult as it was all so amazing but I think silently kayaking through the glassy waters amongst the towering icebergs has to be close to the best...

The staff was extremely knowledgeable, friendly and truly made the experience great. The crew is also exceptional. They went out of their way to help people who were not feeling well and wanted to make sure we were as comfortable as possible. The only improvement I can think of would be more excursion options (i.e. kayaking, etc).

Every contact with the staff, guides and crew was fantastic, especially the sailors who met the Zodiac with big smiles & helping hands, one of the wait staff who brought me hot water & lemon at breakfast without my asking, and the guides who kept us so busy we didn't have to do anything. The guides were dynamite. They shared their passion for Antarctica and inspired us to make the most of every minute.

I think the guides, for the majority, provided all services as expected, and in some cases exceeded expectations.  I can say for certain that one particular guide was consistently making an effort to ensure that our exposure to the landscape and wildlife was maximized. Additionally, I was extremely impressed by the service of the Ocean Nova staff — I’m currently hard at work trying to burn off the pounds from the fantastic meals served on board.

There were SO many memorable moments, but I think the most memorable was being greeted by a humpback and her baby on Christmas Day that truly sums up this experience — totally unexpected, and impossible to explain in words!

We have been on every continent and this was our last big hurrah! The most memorable part of the expedition for me ... well was basically everything! If I had to pick something it would be hiking up a mountain to a 360 degree view of Antarctica and a penguin colony at the top of the mountain. It was just so unreal.

The entire staff on Clipper Adventurer had superior service. I'm not sure how they were trained so well. Everyone was laid back and friendly and never talked down to anyone. The trip leader (Lauri) had so much experience and picked great landings. Even our waiter (Francis) was so over the top and the first time he found out we liked anything specific (ie tabasco sauce for my husband) he would bring it for every meal. The hotel manager (Carlene) was very experienced and always on top of making sure everyone was happy as well. I was very impressed. It's hard to 'expect' anything from a trip to Antarctica but it far exceeded my expectations. Every time I thought we'd seen all we could have, the next landing would be even more amazing. I can't think of anything that would improve it except for making the Drake Passage smoother ;).

Also, the transfers were always early and never failed to show up. Overall, the trip exceeded my expectations, I cannot think of any way to improve it. All of the guides were excellent and the expedition leader was very good about always keeping us advised as to what was happening well in advance. They did a great job of getting us where we needed to be in the most efficient way possible. We had always wanted to visit Antarctica and the timing just seemed to work. I think the most memorable part of this trip was the natural beauty of the continent!

The staff on the ship was AMAZING. I’ve never had a hotel manager be so concerned about my well-being and making sure i was satisfied with my vegetarian options. The dining staff was also great. I had a blast with them. They even reserved tables for us so we'd always have a table to ourselves. Really cool!

I took this trip to set foot on my seventh continent. So that goal in life is now fulfilled. One of the most memorable parts was the FIRST time we went off the ship in the zodiac and went searching for leopard seals. Absolutely amazing.

The difference was the amount of relevant and useful information that was given, so we never had to search more than a few minutes to get any information about the trip.

The trip was definitely beyond expectations. Service was excellent from all the staff, guides and crew. The hotel manager deserves particular mention for ensuring the availability of a variety of vegetarian food throughout the journey. We felt very special. There are so many memorable moments that rate equally. Particular mention goes to the Polar Plunge - diving into freezing water is a unique, daring and foolish act of bravery.

The trip was more than my expectations and the weather was certainly one thing that I didn't expect: brilliant sunshine for three solid days. The staff on the Ocean Nova were really excellent. I had no great expectations but they certainly excelled. The quality of leadership and combined experience of the staff was very good. If anything, they filled our time so well we had little 'down' time. Taking the Polar Plunge at Whalers Bay, Deception Island and camping was a great experience not to be missed. We have friends in the UK sailing on Discovery from Cape to Cape and they couldn't believe that we did such crazy things!!!

She booked our flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia and back and she booked hotel rooms for us. She really fitted us to the ship that was perfect for us. She was absolutely awesome. Also, none of the other travel groups had hats or those laminated sheets with the animals on them that we received from you.

The trip was much better than what I expected. I was a little worried about the size of the cabin and the food, but the food was great and the cabin was larger than I expected. I’m not sure if Lori had anything to do with choosing which cabin we got, but it was a good bit larger than some of the other double rooms I saw. I wasn’t expecting this but we had several choices of food to choose from during lunch and dinner. The hotel staff was terrific. Several times I didn’t want exactly what was on the menu during lunch and dinner, and the staff would do whatever they could to accommodate everyone. They would alter the food selection to give me what I asked for. Also, the staff cleaned our cabin each morning and then had turn down service in the evening. They even left chocolates on the pillows. The expedition staff was also great. They were very knowledgeable. We were really lucky to have the expedition staff that worked our ship.

I think the most memorable part of the trip was cross country skiing.  It was awesome.  My husband had cross country skied before, but I hadn’t.  It was very easy, and the terrain was absolutely beautiful.  We were able to ski on three occasions.

The energy and excitement that the expedition team generated was infectious. The hospitality staff was stellar. I can say they were better than some of the finest hotels I have stay in. I was amazed at how many staff and team members learned our names and things about the passengers so quickly. It was refreshing to be greeted by name on the evening of the first day.

We had a wonderful opportunity to have whales approaching our ship during dinner. The announcement was made and everyone scrambled to the deck to watch. When the whales were bored and moved on, we all went back to our dinners and much to our surprise the staff had removed all previously delivered food which was cold by now and came out of the kitchen with all new and hot food!!! The guides were always with us even during their down time and continuously shared stories and information about the Antarctic, which just enhanced the trip even more.

What I brought home with me is that there are people in this world with the same adventurous spirit that I have. To travel in such an extreme place takes a unique kind of person and I met so many folks with that spirit from around the globe! The scenery, the animals and the vastness of the Antarctic are amazing, but the people I met and memories I have can never be duplicated again.

They were all very well qualified and suitable. I was disappointed to have missed the ornithologist’s presentation on the first morning due to seasickness, but appreciated him helping us identify birds whenever he was nearby.

It has been my husband's dream for a long time to go to Antarctica, an unspoiled area. The most memorable part of our expedition was seeing the wildlife near us and unafraid of us, as well as the pristine scenery.

The Expedition Leader was the best leader I have ever met. He is full of life, always ready with a smile and his knowledge of the Polar Regions is incredible. The best part was crossing the Antarctic Circle. And the close encounter with the humpback whales!!

You excelled at tracking down answers to every question and making us feel that nothing within reasonable control would go wrong. We had long entertained the idea of going to Antarctica, but when Mike started adding continents to his passport, he realized he had just two to go: South America and Antarctica. This trip completed his quest. Based on our internet research, we were confident in our selection of a Quark expedition and we weren't disappointed. The trip was great all around -- the scenery, the accommodations, the staff, the arrangements and our fellow travelers. I can't say that we would change a thing about the trip as provided.

Every single person on the crew, catering, and expedition staff was wonderful. That having been said, some were even more wonderful than that. Victoria, our assistant expedition leader, kept us all in line (in a good way); inspired our confidence that not only would we have a great time but do so safely; and performed her job tirelessly and with a smile for everyone all of the time. Tim, Andrew, Fiona, and Phil all were friendly and made the trip extra fun. Alex the bartender was a good sport and excellent host. The crew was also much friendlier than I had anticipated. Although there were some natural communication barriers, we were always greeted with a smile and hello or something similar when we passed in the hallways, boarded the zodiacs or peeked onto the bridge.

Nigel was patient and encouraging in his quest to educate us. He made a comment to us all just as we started our journey back across the Drake Passage that really made sense to me and which changed my return journey plan for the better. He said something like this: 'As we begin our two-day crossing back to Ushuaia, most of you are thinking that your Antarctica trip is over. But if you really think about it, you still have about one-quarter of your journey left. Are you going to make the most of it by getting out on deck and observing the amazing sea life flying overhead and diving beside the ship, or are you going to leave a fair share of your vacation expense sitting on the table -- so to speak -- by sitting in your cabin?' His words really meant a lot at a time when all of our minds were focused on whether the crossing back would be as rough as the crossing over.

There were so many memorable parts that it is difficult to select one. The Drake Passage crossing certainly is something I would like to forget! Another was having a ball sliding down a couple of hills on our butts. A few more were the swim at Deception Island, the thrill of the first landing and the perfect weather on our last day that allowed us to take some of the best photos of our lives.

From my perspective, the interaction between staff, guides and crew were seamless with a result that we participants were the full beneficiaries. Woody and his team contributed so much to the totality it's impossible to discriminate one aspect from another.

I wish I could offer a suggestion for improvement but not this time. While I am a professional critic with over 50 years of international living/working, I'm at a loss this time and that's very good. The voyage was the objective of a lifetime from the earliest exposure to polar expeditions and this was an opportunity to share quality time with one of my daughters. It's impossible to single out the most memorable part - all of it was fantastic! To isolate one dimension would be a disservice to all others.

The fact that you took care of the details and provided all of the information in the trip documents is where you really excel. Everyone, and I mean everyone, went above and beyond their expected duties. I was so impressed! Our expedition staff offered us the opportunity to expand our knowledge about Antarctica through their expertise. I feel very fortunate to have been part of this group.

Visiting Antarctica had always been a goal of mine. The entire expedition was truly memorable...the sheer beauty, the majestic wildlife, the pristine wildness of the continent. Words cannot describe setting foot on the continent and seeing 1,000's of penguins, several species of birds, elephant and weddell seals and icebergs off in the distance. I have no expectations when I travel, therefore, I will never be disappointed! This has always been my philosophy.

Nigel was the best because I am not a bird enthusiast but he was just so excited to talk about birds! The vast untouched wilderness inspired me to take this trip and the most memorable place was Neko Harbour.

One of our guides is like this Antarctica superhero that was always happy to share his knowledge and experience and I learned so much from him. All of the presentations were so well prepared and we thoroughly enjoyed them. Oh, the doctor was pretty fantastic to. What a hard job - you're always on call!  I absolutely loved hearing the captain’s voice on the intercom every morning, what a riot!  The captain was so kind; I'll miss his morning wake up calls. And our expedition leader is yet another superhero and we were so lucky to have him on the trip. As you can tell, I could go on and on. Everyone on the ship was just fantastic.

I was inspired to take this trip from pictures in a travel magazine. The most memorable part of the expedition was the roughness of the Drake Passage, followed by the incredibly beautiful sunset we saw while cruising around in the zodiacs one evening.

I have always been fascinated by Antarctica and the most memorable part for me was the scenery and the wildlife. The trip exceeded all of my expectations.

The expedition staff onboard the Orlova deserve congratulations in every respect and without exception, from the leader of the expedition team to the room staff. They worked hard all of the time and they were there for your service any time.

Everything was so well organized, ran smoothly and seemed easy - like a ballet performance when you never see how much endeavor is really needed. Everything deserves to be mentioned. We were really lucky to have had several beautiful sunsets: at Cierva Cove at Pleneau Bay, at Lameire Channel and at Melchior Island. At sunset, Antarctica transforms from "The Great White Continent" into "The Great Red-Rose-Orange-Gold Continent".

You do not need to improve anything. Keep the level you have reached - this is often more difficult than making improvements. Of course, I wish the voyage along the Peninsula was a few days longer.

Many people on the trip were jealous of our cute, ExpeditionTrip hats!!

The staff, guides and crew went WAY above and beyond our expectations. They were fabulous and nice people to begin with but, as I mentioned, we got married and they did so many special things that were amazing. I can't speak highly enough of them! They made the trip!

My partner, Jason, and I were taking a journey around the world. Antarctica was our last of the seven continents to visit. We also thought it would be a wacky adventure to get married on our final continent ('End of one journey...Beginning of another'). We got married on the continent!

If something blocked a planned landing, they found another. They took a zodiac transfer from land to the ship and made it into an adventure in photographing a leopard seal that was playing around the pontoons. And, they were able to get ALL of the zodiacs in the water on two occasions so that the entire group could do the channels at water level.

The team was, to me, a group of people who kept time, weather and safety in mind and THEN did everything they could to make this the best experience it could be. I have always wanted to go to Antarctica and the most memorable part was the Zodiac cruise down the LeMaire Channel. Antarctica completely met my expectations - the only improvement I could see was using time to go a little further south or getting to see the Emperors.

The expedition staff and crew were excellent - very professional, but also very friendly. Their knowledge of the area and its history and wildlife was amazing, and they made every effort to maximize our time there.

I like traveling to different places and doing different things, and had wanted to go to Antarctica for a long time. It's hard to say what was most memorable because every day was different and excellent - penguins, seals, whales, icebergs, exploring on land and by zodiac..... it was all fantastic. Even experiencing seven meter swells and a force eight gale crossing the Drake Passage was an experience I will treasure!!

The crew took very good care of some of the passengers when they were ill, and also did everything in their power to make landings possible every day. I was impressed with the ship, the food, the staff, and the fun people that I met. A wonderful adventure!

I had always wanted to go to Antarctica and visit all seven continents. The most memorable part was the exquisite beauty of the continent, and the trip met and exceeded my expectations. Calmer waters on the Drake Passage (ho, ho!) would be the only thing that could have been better. The trip was one of the best of my life. Many times I had 'thank God' moments with the majesty of the colors and sights. I feel that if Antarctica had an indigenous people, they would have over 40 words for the hues of blue that we saw, like the Inuit people have so many different words for snow.

I think the most exciting thing was watching my 13 year old son do the polar plunge. The trip met all my expectations and beyond! We had a wonderful expedition team and ship. My son is very allergic to all soy and the ship's hotel coordinator was wonderful. She checked with the kitchen and showed me the can of oil they use. I would have liked more information on cameras. Although we took lots of batteries, I had to keep warming them up and did not know the cold would zap them so much.

I had heard good things about the shipping company and the Orlova, but this was better than I imagined possible.

The ship was great, the staff was amazing, the food was delicious, the fellow passengers were wonderful, and the excursions were memorable. When I got off of the boat I couldn't think of a single complaint! As a young person it was not easy to afford this trip. But I never once thought about the price during the cruise... I got even more than my money's worth out of this trip! It was worth every penny.

The guides were truly experts in their field. They brought so much enthusiasm to every lecture and every landing. Our expedition leader was energetic and well organized. She was flexible and always kept our interests in mind. The staff was very personable and they would hang out with us in the bar late into the evenings. They were so much fun to be around and I have a tremendous amount of respect for them.

I was inspired to take this trip due to a burning desire to see the continent. I'd already seen every other corner of the globe and Antarctica has always been an intriguing place for me. The most memorable part of the expedition was admiring the continent at sunrise alone on the top deck one morning. It was so peaceful. I couldn't imagine how anything in the world could be more beautiful.

The service was outstanding: From the cabin cleaning people, to the dinner service, to the staff who taught us all kinds of things about Antarctica and helped us get to land as many times as possible--it was awesome!!

I had heard great things about Antarctica and I have a goal of getting to all seven continents! The most memorable part of the trip was the BBQ we had on the deck of the ship Christmas Eve. It was sunny and we were surrounded by the most amazing scenery (mountains, icebergs, water) I have ever seen!! It was beautiful!

An example is that when the geologist was too sea sick to present, our expedition leader stepped in and presented on his expedition to the North Pole, which was one of the best presentations of the trip for me. This trip far exceeded my highest possible expectations. The expedition staff were incredible, the boat was superb and very comfortable, the food was delicious, the weather was perfect, the number and quality of the landings was beyond what I could have imagined and the whole thing was very efficiently organized!

I had three free weeks in December in South America and where else could be more amazing than Antarctica? The whole thing was incredible, but I think my landing at Brown Bluff where I not only got to set foot on the continent of Antarctica, but also got to walk on my very first glacier was the most memorable.

The only thing I would change was the very first day when we went on a tour of the national park. I would have rather spent the day on my own.

Traveling to Antarctica helped us towards completion of our goal of visiting all the continents and appealed to our sense of adventure. We consider it the best value for the money of any trip we have taken. And, our experience with ExpeditionTrips was positive!

The staff, crew, and guides provided a very high level of service, from the cheerful wake-up call every morning, to the informative lectures, and above all, the general level of enthusiasm and expertise of the guides.

We were unusually lucky with the weather we had; weather in Antarctica is highly variable and our experience was probably not typical. So, take warning about weather variability. The crew and guides will do everything in their power to provide the best quality experience of Antarctica possible, but they can't control the weather.

I appreciated their care when I was seasick and the cleanliness of the facilities.

Being a chilly, crusty Englishman, I am not given to effusive hyperbole, but I have not got the words to express how fantastic it was. Irritating though this may be, I have nothing to offer in the way of constructive criticism. Absolutely seamless.

The crew was exceptional. They perfectly trod the line between informality and effortless professionalism. Laurie needs no praise - he is a walking legend. I thought Rob Knight deserves singling out for particular praise - unassumingly diligent, friendly, and exceptionally good at his job, and top bloke to boot. I could not think of a better bunch of people with whom to work and I fully intend to worm my way in over the next couple of years!

It had been a childhood dream to go to Antarctica. In England you are brought to believe in the Scott Mythology and this fueled my desire from an early age. I took the plunge, got a loan from the bank and went for it.

The staff onboard was great! They did everything possible to get the best out of everything. Our days were action packed; the lecturers were very informative and they were always in the mood for chat. Their experience and enthusiasm was truly amazing.

I have always wanted to see and experience Antarctica as well as the other remote places of the earth. I found you on the internet and your very informative website and the fact that I could go on an expedition not a cruise was exactly want I wanted. That was the best part of it being on an expedition.

Staff/Guides/Crew: All the safety checks appeared to be thoroughly realized. For example, checking that we had signed in/out for the zodiac landings and making sure that we had not forgotten our life jackets and that they were properly secured (i.e. not back to front, twisted or loose).

We wanted to visit Antarctica to do something different, something new to discover and experience. The wilderness aspect was particularly enticing. The zodiac landings were good fun, allowing you to get up close and personal to the icebergs and the wildlife. In our case, some of our group enjoyed the philandering of a particularly territorial leopard seal!

Prior to our departure, we did stay at the Los Nires Hotel in Ushuaia, which I thought was rather remote from the atmosphere of the area and did not provide particularly nice views to make it worthwhile. And, I thought it rather petty that they charge for Internet access, in this day and age.

I had wanted to do this for several years--this also makes me a seven continent member!

Several factors inspired me to take this trip: A fascination for the polar regions, the animals living in these harsh conditions, seeing 'the last frontier,' visiting my seventh Continent. Most memorable for me were the icebergs, penguins, the colors and light.

The most memorable part of the trip was the Zodiac excursions which took us up close to amazing wildlife and beautiful landscape; particularly the cruise in Paradise Bay. The Zodiac rides really brought the expedition experience down to the human level and helped me connect with the magic of Antarctica!

The expedition staff was extremely knowledgeable in their areas and generally friendly and helpful. While the lectures were informative it would have been more convenient if some of them were repeated. Again, this made the schedule too rigorous and if you weren't willing to go the entire day without private time, you lost out. Also, the lectures were held in the forward lounge which was too small for the size of the group and very uncomfortable. More frequent, smaller lectures would have ameliorated this problem. The staff was not receptive to any suggestions such as these and were very rigid in their plans.

I would suggest a less rigorous dining room schedule. Some people do not want to eat during the narrow windows of time provided. But as there is no other opportunity to eat otherwise, we were forced to line up and eat when food was available. This ended up being very disruptive to my digestive system and dogged me the entire trip.

They would alter the itinerary or stop in the middle of a Zodiac excursion for picture taking, etc. and in general allow everyone to have an opportunity to do what they wanted whether it be simple observing, photography, etc. I always like to travel to places that are still pristine and not so affected yet by human contact. The Antarctic is one of these. The timing of this trip coupled with the opportunity to go SCUBA diving were big pluses for choosing this time and this expedition.

The crew was very knowledgeable and helpful and most things were well explained so I had some idea what I might expect. For example, we were informed that the seas might be rough in crossing the Drake Passage so we could be prepared for it if necessary. Fortunately for us we had beautiful weather and only a moderately rough sea on the way back. Knowing in advance that the sea might be rough is important so as not to discover this while you are being tossed about.

I was provided very accurate information by ExpeditionTrips.com, but other passengers stated that I had more information than they did prior to the trip. This is not my complaint but that of others, i.e. the non-uniformity of the information provided to people from the different sources who promote and market the expedition. In my case, I was fully informed and have no personal complaint but I can understand the mild dissatisfaction of others who felt they were not accorded the same information as I was.

Probably the highlight of the trip was the kayaking -- that was simply beyond words. It cannot be described; it really has to be experienced.

In every way, the trip exceeded expectations. I feel I got my money's worth and more. Perhaps it could have been improved by spending 6 days in Antarctica rather than just 4.

The shipping company did a great job, the people were all wonderful, the food was great, the ship was exactly what I was looking for, and even the Drake Passage wasn't as bad as I was expecting. The ship was exactly what I was looking for. I didn't want a typical luxury cruise ship, I wanted a smaller ship more geared toward adventure. The staff exceeded my expectations - they were all wonderful, knowledgeable and enthusiastic.

I think the kayaking was the highlight. It really gave a different perspective. Sitting in the water amongst the icebergs and bergy bits in silence was almost a spiritual experience. Paddling through the brash ice was simply amazing. Another amazing highlight was when we were out in the 10-man Zodiac boats and a Minke whale swam directly at us, so close we could touch her, and then she effortlessly glided under the boat. It was breathtaking. She even playfully nudged one of the other zodiacs a bit.

The staff onboard the ship catered to your every whim, fed us like kings, and tried to do as many things as possible on our journey. Kind, caring, fun, smart, excited, excellent staff all the way around.

Examples:
- I'm a strict vegetarian and was never left out at meal times. Especially prepared foods!!!
- Chocolate on pillows at night
- Sharing clothes and gear when our luggage was lost
- Being told about everything so we wouldn't miss anything
- Taking one last zodiac tour to see whales even though we were all packed up and headed north again (saw a humpback at arms length!!)

The only improvement would be to eliminate all airline travel in Argentina. But, since we can't do that, my suggestion is that you REALLY REALLY prepare travelers for the chaos that is Argentinean airlines. I can't tell you how insane that whole system is. Ugh. Your customers need to know this so they can be ready to leave 4 hours late; stop to refuel on a 3 hour flight; land in a different airport than you are supposed to etc.

This has been a dream of mine since I was 13 years old...and 25 years later it finally came true. Plus I had the added bonus of taking my mom and making some great memories. Would be hard to pick the most memorable moment...there are soooooo many, among them: Setting foot on the continent for the first time; penguins, whales, seals, birds all within arms reach; 'butt sliding' down a hill in ANTARCTICA; Christmas dinner on the bow of the ship enjoying a BBQ; the scenery...sigh. So much to tell.

The extras ExpeditionTrips.com provided made other passengers (that did not use your service) feel that they were left out on some nice extras. Keep up the good work as I will need to use your service again!

This trip far exceeded my expectations and I would not know how to improve such a great trip. The entire staff, crew, and guides constantly worked to improve the expedition as we went along. If there was time and the weather permitted the staff made every effort to do the most we could. On one day we made five Zodiac landings (including a swim) with one landing at 0500 hrs!

There were so many memorable moments� setting foot on the continent on our first landing, having New Year�s Eve in Paradise Bay Antarctica, and the constant visual wonder that was before me.

That by itself tells a lot about a great company! As the company cares about its employees, so it does about its customers. Your staff did more than anyone could ask for. My many thanks especially to Joy!

The entire journey was a true adventure. The most memorable part was the 'Antarctic Polar Plunge'. I did it twice since the first time a friend was unable to take a picture. I did not want to leave ANYTHING out of this trip. I did participate in everything, at least outdoors, and spent very little time in the nicely kept cabin. And I love the animals. Yes, there are many penguins; however, one can never get to see enough of them. Like little children, we were sliding down one steep high hill on the snow (I did it twice).

The trip EXCEEDED in every aspect my expectations. I had to overcome many true fears: to be for the first time at high sea crossing the notorious Drake Sea waters, and being about 650 miles away from civilization. I quickly overcame every fear, and enjoyed every moment.

How could you improve: Simple, people need to get the message that this is a trip of a life time! Nothing to be afraid of.

One comment I heard from some passengers: They did not like the suggestion for leaving a tip. I did not have a problem with that at all, other than finding it necessary that one must leave an equal amount of tip to both 'classes' of employees. All were part of the entire crew, and in my view it did not make a difference if they were sailors, cooks, maids, or expedition personnel. All contributed to making this trip an unforgettable adventure.

Suggestion: Please INCLUDE the expected tip in the fare. I left $200, and in comparison to the cost of the journey, it was a small amount. The passengers that were skeptical about the tip request made the very same suggestion.

In short: The expedition EXCEEDED my expectations in every aspect. The ENTIRE staff also exceeded my expectations. They service was considerably better than what I had expected, considering that this was an 'ExpeditionTrip'.

The staff was experienced. They showed and exercised concern about safety. They showed care and consideration for every passenger. Nobody was 'rushed' into the Zodiacs. Before any landing, the crew took a Zodiac and checked out if it was safe to land. There was never even a close call to an accident!

Of course, everyone wants to know about the food. Every meal served was excellent, and 'home-cooked'. Food was never the same, and always delicious.

There was never a boring moment. Any free time was filled with excellent lectures about the Antarctica (wildlife, geography, climate changes, etc.).

Note: The ship had a nice bar. There was never any excessive drinking, or passengers getting 'out of control' due to alcohol consumption. It is important to point out to FUTURE passengers that on a journey like this we meet people of interests similar to our own. We have a lot in common among most passengers! That makes it easy to make friends, even for a shy person.

There were lots of special touches that made the trip more memorable. I wanted to set foot on all 7 continents and Antarctica was the last one on my list. I expected it to be awesome, and it was!

The expedition exceeded my expectations. I only wish I had booked a longer voyage. The meals were very well prepared with sufficient variety and the service was good. The expedition staff was brilliant. They never showed signs of boredom and shared lots of information. The high level of professionalism of the hotel staff was pleasing.

The ship was much nicer than we expected and the staff was really helpful, pleasant and VERY knowledgeable.

The staff on the ship was more than helpful. If you had a question which they could not answer off the cuff they looked it up on the Internet and got back to you with the answer ASAP. Really 100% effort all around and an impressive group of experts. They worked so well together as a team and everything ran like clock work. You never felt bored or like you were waiting or that you missed something. It was a very exciting trip and we will never forget it!

Our only suggestion, and it is really a small one, would be to install more hooks in the cabins. The more the better, with all the heavy garb, coats, wet pants etc. Hooks are so handy and surprisingly they had only two in our cabin (Amundsen Suite).

Broadway Suites was just right. Good location, comfortable and affordable. Staff very helpful. The transfer was a really good idea; I'm glad you encouraged me. Alexander was delightful in welcoming us to Buenos Aires and giving us some tips on making the most of our 24 hours there.

We loved the ship/crew/expedition leader (Anna)/passengers and our total Antarctica experience. (My head is still questioning if it was 'real'!) Our 1st crossing of the Drake was pretty calm. The staff and crew were GREAT! Yes-our expectations were met-and exceeded; who could imagine what it would really be like? Thank you for all your help. A 'by the way'--we enjoyed our visit to Iguazu also and it was a good 'decompression' chamber before returning to our regular environment! We saw toucans and monkeys in the wild! Thanks again.

They draw on personal experience to give me advice and answer questions. That was much more helpful than any website, brochure, or travel book could ever be. Throughout the course of planning, I had many follow-up questions. Ashton was always very responsive both in terms of the personal, detailed answers they provided as well as the speed with which they responded.

I didn't expect or want a luxury liner. I wanted to feel as though I was on an expedition but without being uncomfortable. In that sense, the ship was perfect. The meals were very good. The staff was always hospitable and helpful. The crew was always friendly but largely stayed out of the way.

The trip exceeded my expectations in the steps taken to protect the environment. This, to me, was the most important. Although I wanted to see Antarctica, I certainly didn't want to leave any lasting effects of my visit. The staff was very clear about what we could and could not do and very vigilant about enforcing these restrictions without ever being overbearing.

I 'bonded' more with the other passengers than I expected. Since there were four days spent sailing, it was great to have an almost immediate group of friends with whom I could spend time. Finally, the sights exceeded my expectations. The scenery was more beautiful, the wildlife more fun to watch, the weather more comfortable than anything I imagined. It was all so unbelievable, so impressive.

I thought it would have been the whales or the seals that were most memorable, but it really was just as much all the great people from all over the world.

The ship was big enough to handle some waves but small enough still so we could feel them, make plenty of landings and have a great sense of community. The staff was all very friendly and knowledgeable. It couldn't have been better. It exceeded my expectations in every way and I can't put it into words how so because there aren't any.

My experience -- planning, getting my questions answered, making arrangements -- was excellent! Planning the trip makes it a success or a bust. Given that, while I have a good amount of time that I can travel, I do not have as much time as I would like to plan things. Having a pro help solved that problem.

The trip was marvelous! I have traveled to all of central Europe, China, India, Russia (a few times), United Kingdom, South Africa, and a few other places, but this trip was, by far, the most exciting, unique, and delightful experience. Barring the expense, I would go again and again. (I probably will go at least once more before old age sets in!). Rating my travels on a scale of one to ten, this was a ten! Which is a first for me!

The staff and crew were absolutely marvelous! They never failed to be organized above and beyond my expectations. They were patient with questions, and other less-than-fun habits that passengers might do. They were friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. They had a great way of watching out for our safety without it being too imposing. They never missed an opportunity to point out something of interest. They had a great sense of humor. The information on land was good (before we sailed, and upon return for transfers and such), but not with the same style of organization and helpfulness that I experienced on the ship.

The trip truly exceeded my expectations! And I have some pretty high expectations! We did twelve landings! We exceeded the time I expected to be on land. The food was marvelous! The ship was clean. Everyone on staff was most conscientious about cleanliness and service.

I reviewed many trip logs and webs sites that travelers put up on the web, and the ones that seemed to be most exciting, the recommended vendor, was overwhelmingly ExpeditionTrips.com and Quark. I love to travel. I am not foolish, I value my health and well-being, and I do not do things that some would call 'adventure travel' but this trip appeared to be geared toward safety, and giving the passengers the full experience without too much risk. It appeared organized because of the breadth and depth of coverage of the materials that I reviewed.

Setting foot on the continent was most exciting! Seeing my first penguin �or my first five thousand penguins-the last five thousand was just as exciting. The opportunity to go off from the group and sit quietly (although within site of the others) was marvelous. One penguin sneaked up on me and pecked the back of my jacket. Another time, one stood pecking at my boot! I think that one would have actually got up in my lap if two other passengers hadn�t come over to that spot!

and the many opportunities we had to explore the wildlife, yet preserve the land. I just wish that the staff didn't let us wander as freely as they did because some passengers overstepped their boundaries and in turn could have affected the natural habitats. There were so many memorable moments... the people were just amazing. The Zodiac cruises were just great. We were lucky enough to see a leopard seal very close up in the water as well as a minke whale.

For those who make the Antarctic their first big adventure, they are in for the trip of a lifetime. I don't believe anything else can really match this.

Travel on the ship was super. Unlike the large luxury cruise liners, who have fortifications barring entrance to just about everywhere of interest, on the Orlova you could access the bridge, the very bow of the boat (a bit like the Titanic, but with the knowledge of a happy ending in this case), and as such, you were able to get at least a little feel of what it is like to sail in these waters. With regard to the service, nothing asked for was neglected, the dining room staff were exemplary, and the were rooms maintained well (even with the nicety of the night time chocolate). Full marks to all the Russian and Quark employed staff.

When traveling to parts of the world where the outcomes can be a bit 'iffy', such as when the weather can be cantankerous and unpredictable, one does not set the expectation level too high. However, on this trip, mother nature provided us with her best (in terms of rough seas and magnificent sunshine). To have both ends of the spectrum actually made the trip more exciting, with something to boast about. The weather in the Lemaire Channel was perfect. The reflections of the mountains, snow and icebergs in the water made this a scene to rival any other wonder of the world. It surpasses Niagara or the Grand Canyon. Actually swimming in Anatarctic waters also has to rate as one of the highlights.

However, with regards to what you hope the trip to be, nothing can match the actual events that took place. You hear of penguins, icebergs, glaciers and stunning scenery, but in reality, what you get is a 12 out of 10 experience when even an 8 or 9 would be just fantastic.

The staff were all experts in their fields and very well informed about all aspects of the trip. I didn't miss one presentation and they were all excellent. The cruise director deserved special kudos. The food was excellent--better than on most large cruise ships on which I've traveled--and the staff and crew were excellent. I was fortunate that I had only one roommate in a triple cabin. Three in a small cabin would have been very crowded.

Most memorable was the pristine scenery and close experiences with the wildlife. The passengers consisted of people from 13 different countries, which was an experience in itself. I was also pleased and amazed with the number of young people traveling. I am accustomed to traveling with many seniors--this was a very enjoyable change!

The trip was fantastic!! Seeing minke whales swim directly under our Zodiac several times was a definite highlight. The staff is what made the trip truly exceptional. They provided a great personal touch by having a story of some kind to go along with everything that we saw. [The staff's] expertise was incredible. They also had great personalities and made the lectures and excursions lots of fun. You can really tell that they LOVE what they do. The additional facts and tidbits of information they provided really made the trip more interesting.

At first, I thought the ship was a little small, but then I realized that it enabled me to get to know my fellow passengers and expedition crew easier. In addition, it made the trip more like an 'expedition', than a 'cruise'.

The meals were freshly prepared and nicely presented. And, the Russian crewmembers and wait staff all aimed to please. We were very satisfied with the service onboard. I took over 800 pictures and some film clips on my digital camera. Again, thanks a lot for all your help!

Thanks to your arrangements, we had no problems at all in Chile. TravelArt did an excellent job in getting all the necessary vouchers to us and we enjoyed meeting all our English-speaking guides. We had some rainy days in Purto Varas, but enough sunny days to enjoy hiking, bike riding and rafting.

I would certainly recommend this trip to others and have already, if fact, even if they are not interested in going. There were people on my trip who went because their spouses went and they ended up really enjoying themselves! The ship was excellent and just the right size.

This trip exceeded whatever expectations I had and I cannot think of a way to have improved it. The following are my �favorites� from the trip: Penguins, Zodiac rides, sitting on the warm and comfortable bridge, lectures, the people, Happy Hour and peanuts, and everything else about this trip. The most memorable part was the peace and quiet and harmony that exists in this glorious, unique part of our planet.

As there were only 44 passengers and I was in the 'shared' facilities area, this was great as we had 6 bathrooms and 4 showers and never had to wait. On cold days, of which there were few, the sight of the warm Prof. M. waiting was wonderful. It was very clean and well run. The crew was fine; being allowed on the bridge at any time was a perk, and the Captain was very friendly.

I met a man on a flight years ago who was going to Antarctica for the eighth time. He had traveled a lot, but he took one trip to the 7th continent and was hooked. After that, he never went anywhere else! I figured there must be something to his obsession and now I understand!

The trip itself was perfect, but to have excellent weather and such good traveling companions was the frosting on the iceberg! Thanks, again, for all your help!

I would definitely book future trips with ExpeditionTrips. Everything was arranged for me and went in order according to plan. The only thing I had to worry about was making sure the funds and myself were in the right spot-- all the other worrying was left up to my Program Manager who did a magnificent job orchestrating everything, from the trip, to the flight, to the transfer, to getting me all the information I needed. It was a very pleasurable experience, and was so nice to be able to call and actually get a hold of her so easily without the hassle you can get with some agents.

The trip in general went beyond my expectations. We got to see and do so much, from taking a polar plunge to visiting 160,000 pairs of nesting Chinstrap Penguins, to having the penguins walk up to less than a foot away from you. This was a life-alternating experience; one full of adventure, excitement, education, friendship, and above all appreciation. Antarctica was made so much more memorable by the quality of the staff, the information gained in lectures, on deck and sitting at the dinner table with the staff, to just being out and experiencing Antarctica and realizing just how small we really are. This trip truly made my perspective change on life!

The ship met and surpassed my expectations -- I was expecting a small ship with limited commodities. Though, in outward appearance it seemed small, it was in fact quite large once you got up close and had a look around. There are lots of decks for observing wildlife or just getting a breath of fresh air. Plus, it had many commodities I wasn't expecting -- a TV/VCR for viewing provided movies/documentaries by the company, as well as for viewing our own recordings, adjustable air vents in our rooms, nice clean showers, a library full of fun reading and Antarctica guides.

The staff and crew went beyond what I expected. The Expedition Leader, Jonas, was truly amazing in regard to his knowledge, approachability and desire for us to get a true perspective on Antarctica. He safely took us through 17 landings and quite a few zodiac rides (some unscheduled as we headed back to the ship just so that we could have a greater appreciation for how big and impressive the icebergs were). Safety was another factor that Jonas had a huge role in. He made sure that we had plenty of landings, but made certain that they were safe as well. Also, even from afar, he watched where people wandered making sure that they did not put themselves, or the wildlife in any risk.

Trevor, a naturalist, who led us on many vigorous hikes up glaciers and mountains, was also full of energy and information. He had retraced Shackleton's journey in the James Caird and knew so much about Shackleton's history, it was incredible -- almost like a walking book, though much more entertaining! I was truly impressed with the stories he was able to tell of his many journeys to Antarctica and his way of telling them. He was also very cautious on the hikes he took us on, making sure that the ground was always solid and taking care not to disturb any nesting birds.

The Russian crew was very incredible -- they were very friendly and polite towards us, helped to figure out our route, and took us on amazing zodiac rides. They got us up close to many seals and icebergs, which gave us yet another perspective on the grandness of this continent. The wait staff was incredible, and the hotel manager made sure that the catering staff put nothing but the appropriate dietary dishes in front of those with limitations. Not to mention that they knew our likes and dislikes right away, so if you had a preference for a specific drink, it was brought to you pretty much on eye contact alone. It truly was wonderful to have such an attentive staff watching over us, making sure that our trip was the very best that it could be.

A couple stories�
One adventure included venturing out by Zodiac to the nesting site of more that 160,000 pairs of nesting chinstraps. I want to call it a Penguin Metropolis -- it pretty much functioned as a little city where the Chinstraps formed two lines: one coming in from the water and one going out to the ocean. So much more organized than other rookeries! This was where many of us got our first contact with penguins � they came within a foot to us, and some of the lucky few got a few pecks on the shoe, jacket, camera or gloved hand. That in itself was truly incredible! But, if that wasn't enough to knock your socks off, you could keep passing the curves in the mountains and would find many more penguins, even when we got to the very last place we could safely walk without disturbing the nesting penguins, there were still many penguins as far as the eye could see -- it was just phenomenal!

Another adventure, on a somewhat different note, was sliding down a gigantic glacier without a board or sled. It was so rejuvenating and energizing after the hike up the mountain. I don't think I've heard so many laughs, giggles and hilarious comments, not to mention people mentioning it felt like they were ten again. It was just amazing coming down the hill overlooking the reflection of the glacier in the water, with the snow flying up above you as you whizzed down the hill.

I would definitely recommend this trip � whether you're 10 or 80, it doesn't matter because you set your own pace and are free to do as you like. Also, whether you�re interested in just photography or having a one on one interaction with a penguin, it is truly amazing the different shots you can get and how close the wildlife ventures toward you. Also, it doesn't matter if you like landscapes or animals, there is enough of both to truly make a great impression on you. It is a spectacular place, and I believe that no matter what your interests, there is a plethora of things out there waiting for you to discover.

It was, of course, a stupendous trip! We were lucky and had five sunny days, at the right time, and a smooth Drake Passage. No words or photos can adequately describe that stunning and serene place. And we had such FUN, which was an unexpected bonus. I feel so privileged to have been able to go there. I will go back some day...

The staff delivered interesting programs, great landing sites, (excellent weather, although we understand that is not usual), and a fun time for all ages. Our family of four shared a wonderful once-in-a-lifetime experience, seeing icebergs, seals, seabirds, whales, and penguins in huge numbers in an unspoiled environment.

From visiting penguin rookeries with hundreds of thousands of penguins, to cruising in Zodiacs around hundreds of icebergs, to enjoying an outdoor barbecue floating in Paradise Harbor, to visiting scientific bases of several countries...it combined into an unforgettable experience.

The Orlova seemed unusually comfortable compared to some of the other small Antarctic vessels (icebreakers) available; it reportedly rolled much less in the heavy seas. While not luxurious at all, it certainly met our needs. The Russian crew (sailors, waitresses, and chambermaids) and the European hotel staff (chefs, managers) provided a level of service far beyond what we'd expect on an expedition. The food was excellent, for example. All the staff was super-friendly and accommodating, especially to our sons (ages 14 and 17).

The expedition ship staff was excellent. They focused on the most important things first: safety of the passengers and preservation of the Antarctic environment. They brought enthusiasm, expertise, and energy to the experience, and enriched us all.

Not all kids would enjoy the trip. It's mostly adults, and there aren't many 'kid'-specific activities (except for 'bum-sliding' down snow-slopes, which all ages enjoyed). Our 14- and 17-year-old sons both enjoyed it, although the other 14-year-old on the trip did not seem to. Seasickness in the Drake Passage was a definite impediment to many people's experience, but that was confined to the first two and last two days. If kids are at all interested in nature, outdoor recreation, or polar history/science, they'll like this trip. There is no 'children's menu.'

We flew the unofficial flag of Antarctica (designed by a Briton in 1996) over the White Continent for the first time, and presented it to commanders at Ukranian, Brazilian and British bases, as well as to the ship itself. That will be the subject of our lecture at the next international congress of flag studies in Stockholm in July 2003.

Our 14-year-old summarized the attraction to some of our fellow passengers: 'bragging rights'--many were 'bagging their 7th continent'. One need not be tremendously agile or active to participate in everything offered. The staff does a wonderful job of educating, orienting, and guiding the passengers. And the small size of the vessel--we had 92 passengers--means that we got to know each other quite well (there is an extensive e-mail correspondence going on now among us). The wildlife and vistas were incredible; I highly recommend a digital camera and a lot of storage capacity.

Ten short days of enjoyment, certainly unforgettable memories even for those who had some eating difficulties on the Drake crossing! 

Thanks, again, for getting everything organized in such a short time and all our best wishes for a very happy 2002. We safely arrived home 2 days ago after finishing our Antarctica Trip with visiting Buenos Aires and Paraguay...needless to say it was nothing exceptional like our cruise on the Professor Mulchanov... we actually missed the ship, all the beautiful scenery... icebergs, pristine waters, wildlife etc.... I loved the packed ice and I fell in love with the penguins... they were the best!!

We miss very much the people on board. We had a very international and fun group and many young people, which we didn't expect; so, that was refreshing. We made wonderful friends and we felt like a family. The boat was very relaxed and comfortable and made us feel very much at home. The Russian staff and others were very pleasant and efficient, and the food on board was very good. The 2 Swedish Chefs really worked hard to make the meals pleasing to the eyes. The lecturers, Kirsten Lemar and Barrie McKelvey, were in a league of their own -- excellent. And, last but not least, our expedition leader, Stewart Campbell. We felt very blessed having him as our leader. He was absolutely adorable, enthusiastic, experienced, very relaxed, unassuming, and everything went very smoothly from beginning to end. He made the adventure exceptionally enjoyable!!!

We will certainly recommend you and the expedition! Thanks also for the lovely hand-made welcome home card - a nice surprise and it will be added to our Antarctica Adventure Booklet... as a grand finale!! Best of everything for 2002. We are dreaming of our next adventure to Antarctica... but when?? Eric was thrilled to have celebrated his 50th birthday over there and was even more delighted to have seen Philos, the sailboat that he had originally wanted to sail on. But, for me, thank God it was Molchanov!!! The only down side of the trip was, of course, the famous Drake Passage!! Just to haunt us they showed ENDURANCE on the plane trip Buenos Aires to Gatwick. I watched it 3 times - incredible, this Schackleton... a must see!!