The staff, guides and crew was outstanding: very knowledgeable, educated in the area of expertise and very, very helpful if anyone had questions or needed further explanations. All guides were helpful if anyone needed help walking in difficult areas such as down the mountains and in and out of the zodiac. We did the Polar Plunge which was a hoot and, can you believe, we actually landed on Elephant Island. It was a very small area and a bit slippery but we set foot on the island. That we will never forget. Of course, we had very good weather and did 27 landings which apparently was above what the leaders expected. We did not expect to do hiking trips over the mountains where the ship picked us up at the end of the trail, and several hikes over glaciers where we sledded down on our bottoms—what fun! I’m not sure you can really explain to anyone all the experiences unless someone has been there.

So many king penguins, albatross, and whales! South Georgia was the main reason we chose the longer trip rather than the short trip to just Antarctica. We would have liked to have experienced Stanley on Falkland Islands--just a taste maybe for a short visit--not even a full half day. The area around Paradise Bay was spectacular and our weather was much better than it could have been.

I am still trying to process all I saw and did and I have been home for a week.

The staff and crew on the Explorer are outstanding. The ship's crew is friendly, helpful and hard working. Having the bridge accessible is a real treat and I loved being up there watching the waves break over the bow the day we had heavy seas. The naturalists are incredibly knowledgeable and eager to share their knowledge. The talks they gave were helpful and interesting. Any questions I had were always answered quickly. They showed us where to look and what to look for while on a landing and kept us safe from territorial fur and elephant seals.

Having been to Antarctica before, I anticipated this trip being similar, just longer. Other than that, I had no preconceived ideas about the additional places: the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. The Falklands visit was pleasant and interesting, especially the Black-Browed Albatross/Rockhopper penguin colony. But South Georgia took my breath away. I had no idea of what to expect and was blown away by the sheer volume of life on those beaches and the beauty of the landscape. While I knew of the elephant and fur seals, I never anticipated what the staff called "moments" with the weaner elephant seals. It is hard to imagine anything that weighs several hundred pounds as being cute, but they are. They are adorable with big hopeful eyes and they crawled all over me searching for a meal. I followed the rules with difficulty and did not touch them, just took photos. That was my very unexpected memorable moment of the trip.

The trip exceeded our expectations in that it had more inspiring and "take your breath away" moments than expected, many of them indescribable. I don't know if it can be improved because I think we were on the Cadillac of trips to Antarctica. We cannot say anything remotely negative or even neutral about the service and staff. Everyone was spectacular in knowledge, service, and attention to detail. The Expedition Leader was always accessible and, along with the Captain, planned our journey to maximize calm seas and good weather. The ship's open bridge policy was an added bonus.  Because of the open-bridge policy, the captain was available and willing to answer questions. The first officer showed my husband how to read charts and navigate our ship to the point that my husband thought he could have navigated in an emergency.

There were so many memorable moments that it is hard to choose one that stands out the most. The ability of the ship to land in fast ice was one of the attractions of the Explorer over other ships and fortunately we had the chance to do that.  It was truly one of the most memorable days of our traveling lives.  We would gladly go back to the White Continent except for the cost. Seeing Orca Type B Killer Whales swimming right next to our Zodiac and trying to dislodge a leopard seal from an ice floe was pretty exhilarating. The naturalists said it was rare to see this kind of feeding strategy up close and personal. An overall memorable part of the trip was the education received from the naturalists on the history, geology, and wildlife of all places visited. 

expedition companies and to thoroughly understand the booking terms and conditions.

The trip exceeded expectations. I was very interested in the Antarctic explorers and we were able to follow in Shackelton’s footsteps in South Georgia (a highlight!) and have a Zodiac cruise at Elephant Island.

The staff—from the restaurant staff to people who maintained the rooms to expedition staff—were superior. I felt our safety was in good hands even in such a remote area. The food was first-class and served quickly.

ExpeditionTrips excelled at the speed and level of detail of responses and pleasantness and friendless (all by email!). I felt that even if I had a small, silly question it was totally okay to ask it, and that I'd get a good response. When my flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia was delayed, the response from ExpeditionTrips was both calming, prompt and exactly what I needed. I couldn't be more positive about my experience of dealing with ExpeditionTrips, which will be my first stop for any future trips I take - and this is from someone half-way across the world from ExpeditionTrips!

The trip exceeded my expectations.  I'm not sure how it could be improved. The Expedition staff was excellent - knowledgeable, experienced, interested and interesting.  Our naturalist seemed to know everything about every bird we saw. Everyone was happy to answer questions, at any stage. Both ExpeditionTrips and the staff on the ship at all times seemed to have a genuine interest in ensuring that I had a great experience.

The most memorable parts of the trip were standing on the Antarctic Peninsula itself after wanting to do so for so long, and visiting South Georgia, which was a very impressive, inspiring, beautiful and wildlife-packed place to visit.

Our expedition leader is one of the outstanding polar adventurers in the world with many accomplishments and honors. He chose our landings well. The rest of the guides were just the best we could hope for in their level of expertise as well as their personalities which made the trip great fun. The chef planned food that was well-prepared and creative. The hotel manager made sure the ship was well supplied and knew how to care for the food. We were astounded that salads were as fresh and crisp on the 18th day as they were on the first. The waiters and waitresses, crew and housekeepers seemed always to smile and enjoy their work. The staff that cleaned the rooms did a great job. And we were secure in our belief that all were completely trustworthy and we never had to think about the security of our cameras, laptops, etc.

The bridge was open and the guys up there were gracious and polite, even when we got loud.

I loved South Georgia with the king penguins, the most fabulous animal in the world. They are elegant and drop dead gorgeous as an adult, comical as a baby and foolishly inquisitive as a juvenile. I also liked leaning against the stern wall of the bridge deck, holding on for dear life as the ship bucked and tilted and the wave water shot from left to right across the deck in front of me as I watched the albatrosses and petrels dip and soar in the raging gale - all serene as they would just touch the wave with the tip of their enormous wings. And then the expedition leader would get on the intercom and tell us all to come in and they were locking the outer doors because of the gale. Darn!

And then the one time I was alone astern at my favorite place and out of the wake came a pod of orcas! They first showed just their fins and I could hardly believe my eyes as they burst from the wave, huge, powerful and black and white and they did it again and again and I was the one to call the alert and the intercom came on "Orcas astern, orcas astern" and everyone piled out with their cameras and from then on they were "Spence's orcas" because I had seen them and reported them. Exciting! And a great way to win friends and influence people... 

And one of the best parts was all the Aussies on the boat. We all were kindred spirits, loving to travel, physically fit, no complaining… Just great new friends and travel companions.

I was inspired to take this trip because when I was 14, I saw a little ad in the back of the NYTimes magazine with an iceberg and tiny ship. I asked my folks to let me drop out of high school and go. They said no. So I had to wait 58 years, saving my pennies and reducing my carbon footprint.

I wanted to pay for the best wildlife experience and not for fine dining or other such refinements, and that is exactly what I experienced. But the accommodations were very comfortable, clean and well set up for gear. The food was fab - fresh, yummy, lots and well cooked - and the chefs were definite characters. The boat, trip and landings were fabulously worked out and passengers had free run of most of the boat. Everyone - the staff, crew, captain, stewardesses and kayak leader - was helpful, friendly, kind and accepting of all the (often odd) passengers. The crew has left a strong impression on me for their delight in the history, scenery, flora and fauna - it isn't just a boring old job to many of them. And the older passengers kayaking were given a helping arm where necessary (e.g. climbing back up on to the boat—not easy at times).

I think the most memorable moment of the trip is slowly cruising around after a pod of whales in the Polar Pioneer and watching some passengers go completely nuts because they didn't know which way to look - we were surrounded! AND watching another boat just cruise straight past, totally missing this wonderful moment.

We had several questions and concerns and were always able to contact you and get an answer quickly. Thank you, April and Emily, for a job well done!

The service on the ship was better than expected. It was truly phenomenal. We were not sure how we would like being on a ship with 100 other people, but that uncertainty went away quickly. It was a very pleasant experience with a great captain (I visited the bridge almost every day of the 18) and crew. The expedition leader was exceptional, making sure we landed as often as possible, and when we couldn't he set up Zodiac tours. All lecturers/guides were terrific. I know this is their living, but even in social situations - in the hall, in the lounge, or at meals - they would answer any and all questions. They were almost on call 24/7. The most memorable moments of the trip for me were the stark but beautiful landscape of the continent - the glaciers, the seawater itself, the icebergs, and the land, the delight in seeing and strolling among different wildlife species in their natural habitats, and walking in the footsteps of Sir Ernest Shackleton on South Georgia Island.

Both of these folks have been available when needed, responsive, and seemingly un-fazed by my endless questions. My wife and I have been so satisfied with Shelley and Emily that we will be using them to help us plan a similar trip for our son, Ryan, who will be graduating from college next December. Shelley and Emily have done everything for us that we could have asked for. From my perspective as a client, I believe that they are great assets to your organization [ExpeditionTrips].

We decided on Antarctica, including the Falklands and South Georgia, in mid-2009. We were looking for something truly special, and we found it. For Kathy, kayaking was the most memorable, and specifically paddling among the ice near the continent. I think for me, it was the people. And, by that I mean the staff, the crew, and the customers. It just all came together, and it was a great group--and an unselfish group. The trip exceeded both of our expectations. We had perfect weather, and near perfect sea conditions. I really don't know how it could have been better.

We also did a stop in the South Orkney's and one of the Expedition guides had actually been the British Antarctica Station commander there in the 80s, so he knew all about the place and his excitement about returning was palpable.

A Peninsula trip vs. a South Georgia plus Peninsula trip? Hands down always do the longer trip. For sheer beauty and spectacle, South Georgia is unsurpassed. Sublime. One of the guides quipped that God created South Georgia, so he would have someplace to go on vacation. Perfect description. One rarely uses the words awesome or awestruck in the proper context. Awe means an overwhelming feeling of amazement. South Georgia provides the awe. There were so many times that all 105 of us (Guides and Passengers) stood in perfect, utter silence almost with our mouths agape as we observed the environment. I don't recall tears running down my face, but I'm thinking they probably were. They are now as I write this. Awe inspiring, awesome and awestruck. Finally an appropriate use of the words.

The captain even hiked up to the top of the volcano on Deception Island to marry us. In addition, he wrote very personal vows for us after meeting with us only a couple of times. The chef made us a 3 tiered wedding cake at no charge which made a great surprise. They provided a video and a private geologist on our hike...amazing. And they made sure we didn't miss the polar plunge later that day! They honored and surpassed our dreams for our wedding.

They both did an outstanding job and were very patient with all my questions.

The 'Le Boreal' ship is beautiful, comfortable, clean and everything you can possibly wish for. The cabin was much more spacious than I expected and the ship's staff was extremely friendly. The cruise director was A+. I loved his sense of humor and the fact that he was always available for the guests. The hotel manager was especially wonderful. She often stopped by each table during meals to see how all the guests were doing and she was always available for a chat and always had a big smile for you. She made you feel welcome and comfortable. The naturalists also exceeded my expectations by far and I learned so much from them. I was also very pleasantly surprised that we had a photo expert on board, who gave us very valuable hints on taking photos. Another thing that exceeded my expectations was the food. It was incredible the variety of dishes that were presented at each meal and how the kitchen was able to give us fresh fruit until the very last day. The boot rental was also very convenient and I loved that service.

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.

The captain laid the bow basically on the beach to give us a sheltered landing. Another time, he replaced a Zodiac ride on Willis Island by setting the bow of the ship in the narrow cove to give us a great photo platform.

I can't say enough about the first-class way the return flight to Miami was handled - keeping the ship in Ushuaia to house and feed us, the excursions arranged to entertain us, the open bar, and most of all the people behind the scenes arranging the charter flight and working the Argentine problem. You learn so much more about a company, when they have to deal with problems. I really appreciated your stepping up and working the return flight issue from Miami to Seattle. We were one of the few couples who actually knew our flight home before we left Ushuaia, which relieved us of the added worry on the flight to Miami.

If the guides didn't know the answer to a question, they would do research and inform us later. The guides were experienced and very knowledgeable. One of the guides is an established photographer and shared his skills throughout the journey. What an unexpected bonus! The most memorable part of the expedition was the close proximity to a large variety of penguins plus the incredible landscape.

The guides onboard the Clipper Adventurer were personable and knowledgeable. The interaction of groups of penguins, seals, and other birds was mesmerizing. There was so much going on I didn't know what to photograph first!

We were inspired to go to Antarctica by seeing a show on South Georgia by Art Wolfe the photographer, but nothing can prepare you for the awesome scope, sounds and smells of the wildlife on the beaches. The trip exceeded our expectations for wildlife and scenery. We had very good weather and I would have liked to kayak in some of the protected bays, but it wasn't offered on this departure. We enjoyed getting to know the ship's guides and crew and swapped stories of our previous adventures. Martin, the expedition leader, went out of his way to maximize the number of landings and our time on-shore. He did a superb job. The dining room staff was as good as you would find in any nice restaurant.

We really enjoyed working with ExpeditionTrips and would book with you again in the future. In fact, I wish I were back in South Georgia right now! I also appreciated having you schedule the additional hotel time in Ushuaia and booking our flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia for us. Thank you again!

Our Polish marine biologist helped me down a steep tussock grass hill when I decided it was too severe for me. The waiters all knew my dietary restrictions and the kitchen provided substitutes willingly and quickly. Everyone catered to all age levels, interests, languages and abilities. I was tremendously impressed.

A real unexpected plus was the opportunity to land on Elephant Island. Making this possible was the superb weather we had every day of the trip.

I have always been attracted to the idea of going to Antarctica. Two things encouraged me to take this trip now: several of my storytelling friends have excited me with the Shackleton story and this trip went to South Georgia; I'm getting older and frailer, so the now or never factor was part of my response. I would still like to get below the Antarctic Circle. My interest in birds also contributed, as well as the encouragement of one of my birding friends.

The crew was wonderful and attentive and gave as much personal service as one could possibly expect. Everyone seemed to know your name before you boarded....amazing. Only one small complaint: very small forward deck area which could be very crowded and no access to the bow.

The trip surpassed our expectations.The ship’s staff, guides and crew were all very professional and took very good care of us. We take this opportunity to thank them and congratulate the entire team.

I can't speak highly enough of all the expedition staff and ship's crew. The Captain allowed us on the bridge at any time and the guides, including Scotty, were so enthusiastic when they gave educational sessions they made it come alive; almost felt you were there, re-living Shackleton's experience!

Neil, in particular, had an interest in the history of Shackleton and had always wanted to go to the Antarctic.

The expedition exceeded all our expectations. The lectures were all very well presented, though some of them lasted 1 1/2 hours, which seemed a bit too long, in my opinion. Jill Baxter really made the trip for us, she was so accommodating and enthusiastic and made the most of every moment she could for us. She obviously had the respect of everyone from the guides to the staff and crew and had an excellent rapport with the Captain, hence a very happy atmosphere. We just could not fault anyone!

We were surprised that the accommodations onboard the Polar Pioneer were as comfortable and spacious as they were, and the superb quality of the food was really surprising. We especially appreciated having bowlfuls of fresh fruit always out in the galley. The lecturers were always good and sometimes splendid, though we did wish that they had a more accommodating venue as the lecture hall was a bit cramped. A primary example of the excellent care we received onboard by the ship's staff is when I (Carol) broke my wrist. The doctor was immediately summoned and spent much of the morning with me, examining, icing my wrist and applying a cast, all the while, monitoring constantly my pain level.

I thought the information you put together was very comprehensive and useful - I did a lot of research before I went. We were particularly lucky with the weather on this trip; I did not wear all the warm things I bought especially!! Onboard, the whole organization was first class. The guides were extremely knowledgeable so I learned a lot. Laurie was an exceptional leader and every lecture made the whole trip so much more interesting and a great learning experience.

Although what he (Laurie) considered a walk was pretty much more a major hike! I thought the food was excellent - in variety and taste. The homemade rolls were to die for!!

I had been to the Patagonian ice fields previously, and wanted to go further south - also I have been interested in the Polar explorers for a long time and I love looking at the wildlife. The most memorable part of this trip was watching the albatross and petrels glide behind the ship and the penguins of course, especially the gentoo babies who were SO friendly.

Even though we never met face to face, I feel I was treated with 'professionalism with a personal touch' and believe me, such treatment is certainly a rarity these days.

Everyone onboard the Clipper Adventurer was great. I was particularly proud of the fact the majority of the expedition team was Canadian (given that I'm a Canuck) and as it turns out, I had every right to be proud. I cannot sing enough praises about Laurie Dexter and all the others.

I have always been interested in the polar regions, Antarctica in particular and the trip exceeded my expectations. I loved each and every minute of it (well, maybe not the getting seasick part - but hey, it was all part of the experience). One of the many highlights was to encounter penguins up close and personal; I never got tired of spending time with them. The only bad part was having to leave them behind!

The sights were more incredible than I could have imagined - the blue color of the icebergs, the clear skies, the wildlife. I only wish I could have spent more time there!

This was a life-time dream to travel to the 'South Pole'--I love the sense of adventure and doing what others would feel impossible. The most memorable was seeing the mass of 500,000 king penguins and fluffy big babies. Plus, the fact that we felt we had the southern ocean to ourselves and that we were the first people to make the landings. I had feared lots of cruise ships docking off shore awaiting their turn. But it was wonderful to have the Robinson Crusoe feeling.

The crew was also excellent; I speak Russian and so they were very kind in letting me practice with them. They had long days and often stormy conditions to work in, and yet they always had time to talk and smile; putting up with us wandering around the bridge and no request or question was ever too much for them. I have a very happy feeling about the whole trip--when I forget the terrible seas that we had; I discovered that I will never make a sailor. The whole set up from travel arrangements, information packets, accommodations, to those cozy, huge warm jackets was great and much appreciated!

The trip exceeded my expectations; all of the expedition staff and ship's crew aboard the Shokalskiy were outstanding! I loved that the ship, due to its size, was able to go to more places. Also, before this trip, I did not know very much about South Georgia and sitting with the baby King Penguins was an incredible experience! The only recommendation I would make would be to clarify how the side excursions work as I didn't realize that, once there, we would have to choose between a shore excursion or kayaking.

I wanted to set foot on all 7 continents...Antarctica was the last one. The most memorable part of this trip, for me, would have to be camping on Antarctica. To go to sleep while hearing the silence, with minimal sounds of water, wind and snow hitting the tent, was truly something I will never forget!

I especially liked the fact that the ExpeditionTrips’ staff had all been on an Antarctic expedition and could speak from personal experience about what to expect.

The trip was awesome! The staff, guides and crew went out of their way to please the passengers. The hotel manager went out of his way to make sure that passengers’ questions and needs were addressed even when the request was outside of his area of expertise, making sure that the passenger was connected to the proper staff. The expedition leader and captain used their vast experience to provide exciting landing sites in spite of wind and pack ice. We did not expect the option to take 3-6 km hikes in the Falklands and South Georgia, but they were an unexpected extra that we enjoyed. The refurbishing of the Ocean Nova was excellent. Our cabin had more room and storage than I ever expected. The panorama lounge and aft saloon were spacious and generous with the viewing windows. The food was great and the staff was experienced and aimed to please.

There were numerous highlights of the trip, but the most memorable part of the expedition was the hour and a half that I sat on the rocks at Godthul South Georgia and was surrounded by multiple curious Gentoo penguins that checked me out by pecking at my day-pack, boots, arm, and fingers. It was an awesome encounter!!! The rockhopper penguins, the King penguins, walking on water (i.e. the pack ice) and visiting Shackleton's gravesite were also highlights.

The service onboard was beyond exceptional. The expedition guides had such a depth of knowledge. Just one example of many great experiences is that the geologist, who did some seminal work on Antarctic geology in the past, seemed excited to share his knowledge with us, loved to answer questions and showed how they figured out that there had been a volcanic explosion under an icecap with rocks found in Antarctica. In fact, that is the characteristic that impressed me the most: how enthusiastic all expedition members were about sharing their love of the Polar Regions. As our expedition leader said, "you're only old when you've lost your marvels."

The trip exceeded my expectations in every way: the itinerary, the commitment of the crew to do everything possible to ensure every possible listed activity/site would be achieved, outstanding communication regarding happenings/activities, accommodations and food. My fellow passengers were congenial, flexible and interesting. Spending 20 days with congenial and interesting people from around the world was a great experience in itself.

The expedition staff, galley crew and all others gave 120% every day. There were so many times I saw them go far beyond what should have been expected to meet a passenger request, give extra assistance in loading the zodiacs, research a source to provide an answer to a passenger question, etc. During the entire expedition, I did not see one crew member do anything except act in a very positive manner, and always with a smile. The shipping company definitely gets an A+ for the crew they put together for this expedition. One example of this is on Christmas Eve (and for most of Christmas Day) we were told to stay in our cabins and not to be up and moving about due to strong winds and very rough waters. No doubt, like many of the passengers, crew members must have also been suffering from seasickness. I don't know how they did it, but they still managed to make sandwiches for breakfast and again at lunch, and deliver them along with a drink to all passengers. Despite the rough waters continuing until around 4 PM, a great holiday dinner (along with birthday cakes for 2 of us celebrating birthdays) and an evening of holiday celebration was put together for the passengers. This level of commitment was reflective of what I observed throughout the entire trip.

One of the most memorable parts of the trip was sharing the experience of visiting Point Wild on Elephant Island with a son of one of Shackleton's 22 men left on this island, who were eventually rescued. It was so emotional and moving when this fellow passenger shared his relationship with Shackleton, and made a presentation with photos.  As we made our landing on Elephant Island, I tried to imagine what emotions this gentleman must be feeling: a moment I will never forget. Later, as he spoke to the group and tried to put into words what the landing meant to him, along with other moving comments, he stated "I have been waiting for this all my life". There were not many dry eyes in the group.  

The level of service provided by the staff was super. Every day we had lectures, which at first we thought might be boring; however, we found ourselves getting to the main lounge early for a good seat. A couple of times we watched the lectures from our cabin when we were trying to regroup from so many landings. The expedition staff was first rate and shared historical facts with humor and scientific details. Patricia, the ornithologist, had an infectious love of penguins and had us all laughing at her penguin walks. We had experts on history, birds, whales, fisheries, Antarctic research projects, the earth's plates, sea currents, global warming, photography and more! They all were very passionate about what they did.

The weather was terrific and we went out in the zodiacs seven times in South Georgia landing at Salisbury Plain, Stromness, Grytviken, St. Andrew's Bay, Gold Harbor (a 3:30 AM wake-up call) and zodiac cruising through Esenhul and Cumberland Bay. The sun shone daily in South Georgia.

I was inspired to take this trip by my partner's exuberance with Shackleton's voyage in an open boat from Elephant Island to South Georgia. From the time we started dating, nearly four years ago, he said going to Antarctica and South Georgia was a dream for him. I started looking into what this would be about and discovered a whole continent and area I had paid little attention to in the past. This led us to research trips with the help of Joy who was very helpful and patient.

The NH Florida Hotel in Buenos Aires was ok, except for people going through garbage in the street outside of the hotel every night. Later, at the Claridge, they had a Tango Show (free) in their bar.

The most memorable part was the wildlife on South Georgia, although so many things were absolutely marvelous. It really isn't fair to put it down to one moment. For Neil it was Stromness and Grytviken culminating with Shackleton's grave.

The fellow passengers came from all over the world and most were very well traveled. The crew seemed to know how to get us to do what they wanted to remain safe without bossing us around. We came to know some very fine people.

Shaun was the tour leader and he was outstanding and very helpful. Akos and Jamie were also outstanding, wonderful photographers.

The Orlova was nice and the Russian crew very efficient; really enjoyed the young dining room servers and the food was very good. So, just want you to know we're two very satisfied customers! Thank you for a trip we'll never forget!

My most memorable experiences were the Falklands 'Trek' which was a fabulous hike through red back hawks and megallanic penguins, South Georgia - EVERYWHERE - this is THE PLACE IN THE WORLD!, and Paradise Bay with the ice smoothed reflections. The trip was beyond expectations once we reached Ushuaia.

Everything went like clockwork: The agency you use in Buenos Aires was a pleasure to work with and absolutely reliable and on time. The city tour and all the connections were great. The cruise was also a once in a lifetime experience--exceptional service and we'd happily sail with them again. South Georgia was without doubt the most memorable part of out expedition. The wildlife, scenery, remoteness all combined to make it an unforgettable experience. In fact, the Antarctic itself was somewhat anti-climactic after that. If it were available I would heartily recommend people consider visiting South Georgia in preference to the Antarctic.

The Expedition Staff was phenomenal. The caliber of all of the lecturers/guides was extraordinarily high - both 'on paper' and in their personalities and willing to share with the passengers. It would be hard to pick specific examples.

The Russian crew and catering staff were also wonderful. Despite any language barriers they were invariably friendly and helpful. The seamen, in particular, were very patient - some of the passengers were only marginally able to meet the physical demands of the Zodiacs and the crew virtually lifted them in and out of the boats. And never an exasperated word or look.

Gador Viajes in Buenos Aires provided exemplary service - every transfer was on time, courteous, clean cars. The private tour was wonderful - both the driver and guide went out of their way to provide us with the tour we wanted. Please pass on to them how pleased we were with all their arrangements. Both the NH Hotel Florida and Hotel Reconquista Gardens were great - again the staff were very helpful.

We have wanted to go to the Antarctic ever since we took a trip through the Canadian Arctic and on to Greenland many years ago on a similar Expedition Style ship (Marine Expeditions which is now defunct!)

We thoroughly enjoyed the Explorer II, as you anticipated, and we never ever felt that the ship size restricted the trip in any way. The shore-based zodiac experiences gave plenty of time to enjoy the scenery and wildlife.

The ships' crew were great, the food great [and very fattening], the lecturers extremely good and the Captain, Oliver Kruess, deserves the highest praise--a real professional, very approachable, a sense of humor, a wildlife enthusiast who gave time to everyone and his crew. He took the ship up to pods of killer whales to fin whales and many others. In all, we saw some 9 different types of whales, including several blue and a Southern bottle nosed whale; the best trip the crew could remember! He also took us to the face of a glacier up Drygalski Fjord.

We also want to say another great big thank you to you, Joy, for the surprise present brought to our cabin on the second night, the bottle of Chablis. It was completely out of the blue and greatly appreciated; especially the thought behind it, even more than the contents which were highly enjoyable. We saved it until we hit the Antarctic Peninsula itself and savored it as the sun set after a glorious day. On the last day, we finished our trip with a barbecue at Neko Harbor.

Thank you for your very thoughtful and generous gifts ... the bottles of wine, the hats, and especially the DVD of the trip. Wait until you see it. Kevin Freeney did a spectacular job and we were so grateful to have it in our hands when we left the ship. How he completed it so quickly, we'll never understand. Our kids & grandkids have already watched it twice and we're not even home 24 hours! Cannot sing Kevin's praises too highly... a VERY talented young man.

We went with very high expectations for the National Geographic Endeavour and in every case our expectations were exceeded. The Expedition Staff was amazing... so much experience, so much knowledge, and such friendly 'good people' ... they really blew us away with their presentations and their quality time whenever they were with us. We expected 3, maybe 4 good folks and had 14 (lost count?) professionals, each one superb in his or her specialty.

The sites visited were stunning... we thought we'd seen natural beauty when cruising on our own sailboat, but Antarctica and South Georgia just left us speechless. And of course the experience of meeting and greeting the vast quantities of penguins, seals, whales, birds, etc. was something we shall never forget. We truly feel we've communicated with a whole new set of friends just as curious about us as we were about them.

The ship was perfect for our low key style. Again the hotel staff was so friendly, so accommodating -- words fail to describe how welcome we felt. The dining experience was way beyond what we expected from a small ship... it will be very hard not to enjoy 4-star meals any time we want. But our waistlines will be grateful for the change back to normal eating. And the Filipino staff are a very special group of people -- we will always remember their loving serenade for our anniversary celebration together with our six best friends who shared this trip with us.

We could carry on for hours with praises for everyone and everything we did, but I think you get the point. We just had to pass along our gratitude for steering us in the right direction.

Our expedition team was great. Many of them were experiencing South Georgia for the first time as well. Kara Weller, our expedition leader, worked hard every day to give us the best possible experience. To her credit we were able to add many unscheduled landings including Coronation Island in the South Orkney's and Neko Harbour on the Antarctic Peninsula. The knowledge and commitment of the expedition team was inspiring.

Visiting the grave of Ernest Shackleton and having a toast to the 'Boss' put me in touch with the spirit that has caused people from everywhere to journey here. The rest just made the experience all the richer.

She stands out with the word 'Quality' in spades. NEVER lose her. She stands out of the crowd.

Most magnificent, impressive, enchanting trip of my life...and far beyond my expectations, and I've lived in 6 countries and traveled most of Europe and know South and Central America well. This was a trip to a different planet. God was with us providing blue skies, gentle oceans and the Drake Passage was a 'piece of cake'. It was beyond my wildest dreams start to finish.

And I cannot think of any way to improve the trip. I continue to be in awe of the quality of Owners, staff, guides, crew (cleaning staff, dining room staff - CHEF, Dining room Hostess) and God knows!!! - the lecturers. Not sure how the company managed to accumulate all this talent, but frankly, I believe they're the world's best!

Your on-board representative was constantly offering her help for her Expedition group. She hosted a most gracious pre-dinner gathering and was there at the call for any assistance she could offer. You should be very proud of her.

My shipmate, old school friend, asked me to think about taking the trip with her. As I'd read so many books about the history, discovery of the pole, etc, I realized I should go.

We travel widely, but have never been south of Ushuaia. Antarctica sounded fascinating and the combination of the Falklands and South Georgia was a bonus. The most memorable was Antarctica--the most inhospitable and most beautiful continent.

It was educationally strong, offered adventures (sea kayaking, hikes), and took advantage of all the possibilities -- spontaneous extra zodiac cruise to get closer to whales, and there was a Christmas service at the whalers chapel at Gritviken). I am an inveterate traveler and this has always been my dream.

The ship was clean, comfortable, secure and well maintained. The staff and crew were wonderful. They did a great job tending to all of our needs and thereby providing a comfortable stay. And, the naturalists were very knowledgeable and helpful.

It is extremely difficult to pick one favorite part of this trip. I remember thinking that as each experience passed, how would the next adventure surpass it. However, each and every day there was a new adventure than rivaled that of the day before. I did, however, find the sea kayaking exhilarating. The kayaks provided a unique perspective among the icebergs. It was amazing to paddle with the activity of the seals and squealing penguins in the quiet sea, and to listen to the crackle of the ice!

Without reservation, I would recommend this trip to others. They'd have to experience it themselves in order to understand and believe the tales I've told. It really was extraordinary!

The ship was more than I expected. It was small and cozy and created a warm atmosphere for all of us on the boat. But, at the same time I could find nooks and crannies to hide away when I needed to be alone. Also, I really felt a part of the voyage since the boat was small and I could feel the engine and sea.

Of course, I got to know the crew and expedition staff very well and always felt at home. The crew saw to our every need and were very efficient and prompt when things went awry, like replacing light bulbs and desks that upended during bad weather. I especially liked the hominess of the dining room where coffee, tea, and snacks were always available. The food was excellent - the cooks did an outstanding job!

I did not realize that the other passengers were so traveled and adventurous -- I learned a lot from them and the expedition staff. I especially enjoyed the lectures from people who had actually been to these wild places.

When the guys came back from the traverse on South Georgia Island (Fortuna Bay) and we could see their lights on the side of the glacier, the captain shone a bright light on the side of the glacier to show them the way down. And the next day we all hiked the last 5 miles to Stromness Bay.

The book, Endurance, by Alfred Lansing was what inspired me to take this trip. To be where Shackleton had been had been a dream of mine and it finally came true. As an aside, I believe I was meant to take this trip.

The expedition leader was a master storyteller-- I wish I could convey the magic of his evocative description of Shackleton and his men as we stood off of Wilde Point at Elephant Island one misty evening.

But the most outstanding aspect of the trip was the quality of the expedition staff. The principals, the expedition leader, the guest lecturers, the Zodiac drivers, and everyone else were superlative. Where else can you hike with a man who has skied across Antarctica? Or listen to a lecture from a woman who has personally gone down in a submersible to study deep-sea vents? Or share a dedicated naturalist's enthusiasm for an albatross, a king penguin, or a Patagonian skunk?

The most memorable moment: rebounding the ship in 30-knot winds and 10-foot seas at Elsehul Bay. Some of my favorite moments were seeing the thousands of penguins on South Georgia Island, and a Zodiac cruise among the icebergs at Booth Island.

The Adventurer exceeded our expectations. The food was outstanding. The executive chef approached me the first night and volunteered to make me a sugar-free desert each evening--and followed through. The Captain was a real prince- he didn't object to 20 people on the bridge.

Booth Island icebergs and Deception Island climb were unforgettable. You were right about the program, the lecturers and the expedition staff- the expedition leader was a particular highlight. The whole staff and crew were exceptionally thoughtful and helpful. We are very happy we made the trip.

My every expectation was exceeded, beginning with your absolute desire to make this trip a truly memorable and personalized experience for me. What struck me as extraordinary was that, without exception, every single one of 'Ashton's Antarctic Adventurers' (as we began calling ourselves) on board the ship, had nothing but praise and considerable appreciation for your superb all-round professionalism and fantastic service in planning, executing, delivering and following up on the trip. Antarctica is a land which inspires superlatives, but no words can really do justice to what, in essence, has been an amazing realization of a lifetime's dream and for this I owe you many, many thanks.

The captain deserved the standing ovation he received from us all at the end of the trip and the expedition staff was exceptionally led by Tom Ritchie - his staff was knowledgeable, gifted, enthusiastic, committed, approachable and great fun! We marveled and gasped with them at the awesome natural and wildlife wonders we encountered along the way. On many occasions we laughed and sang with the staff too.

The trip was truly spectacular! I could use every superlative in the book and it still wouldn't suffice! All in all, it was an expedition never to be forgotten. The expedition staff and crew also felt it was a special trip. We were incredibly lucky with the weather (it rained just one day in the Falklands), otherwise we had bright, sunny, crisp days...every day!! We did experience a katabatic wind for a short time, but it added to the experience! We couldn't get onto the east side of the Antarctic Peninsula because it was still iced in, so we used the time to venture south and crossed the Antarctic Circle instead. And right there, on an ice floe, we spotted a lone Emperor Penguin beckoning us into his icy world.

We gasped collectively at the awesome majesty of the icebergs; the sheer immenseness of the nesting albatross colonies and penguin rookeries was overwhelming; the dolphins came out to play and several species of whales appeared and lingered as if to remind us of the true inhabitants of the oceans. Nature abounded everywhere around us and the enthusiasm and expertise of our very gifted expedition leader and his talented naturalist staff inspired us to spend every waking moment immersing ourselves in the Antarctic experience. And when we slept, the experience continued in our dreams...

It was all so fantastic! I loved kayaking Yankee Harbor and Paradise Bay. The Tabular Icebergs took my breath away and the penguins were so much fun to observe. The underwater filming brought another amazing perspective to the experience. I think I will recall and re-live a different piece of the adventure every day for many, many weeks to come!

Each day brought with it wonderful surprises and novel experiences, all contributing to Pandora's box of unique memories. Ice fever or the polar bug - whatever they call it, I've got it! I can't wait to go back to Antarctica again. However, given that this was as perfect a trip in every respect as could possibly be imagined, it will be very difficult to match, let alone top this experience.

Others on our trip were amazed to learn of the great service we had gotten from 'our' travel agency.

We wanted to visit Antarctica because of the feeling it is so fragile and changing, and we wanted to see as much of it as possible as soon as we could...before it's irreparably changed. As wonderful as I imagined it might be, it was still better. A spectacular trip! The scenery and animals were amazing! And the staff added so much to the experience-- they knew where to look, what to show us and what to anticipate.

The Endeavour was excellent. Incredibly well-kept and immaculate, even the handrails disinfected three times a day for cold/flu prevention. The rooms have a great deal of storage space, beds are comfortable, bathrooms are well-designed and the ship is remarkably stable. The ship staff and crew were superb: eager to help, knowledgeable, available.

I can't imagine how it could have been improved, except to make it even longer...I wanted so much to stay!

Also, the destinations of this particular trip were most enticing. There is no one special moment in a trip of this kind. There is only the cumulative wonder. As a photographer working in black and white the moment comes with a sense of beginning to see.

The ship was as presented, and provided no raised eyebrows. The ship, however, reflects its staff, and the word here is exemplary. The staff was responsive without being intrusive. The small things were the most important. (i.e. the coffee urn was always full!), and the operational crew was unstinting in their hospitality and willingness to welcome us into their domain.

The cruise lived up to its brochure description giving the passenger a greater opportunity to pursue their adventure.

I had never been on a cruise before but I could not imagine a friendlier, more eager to please, better trained, more immaculately attired or more knowledgeable crew. The ship was well appointed, clean and well maintained. The Endeavour had ample zodiacs, lifeboats, kayaks, evacuation drills, well marked exits and a highly experienced crew. I felt safe at all times!

The trip met our expectations 1000% and then some. We were certainly blessed with good weather which made for a lot more comfort, cheer and certainly more interesting photos. The naturalists were not only knowledgeable but available and eager to impart that knowledge whenever asked. The on-ship presentations on the flora and fauna of the regions were very edifying. We were fortunate to have two world-class photographers on board which made the photography that much more intriguing. The diving videos and demonstration of the equipment and remove vehicle were excellent and the informational announcements over the intercom were well done and timely. Having the library and gym gave the early birds a place to read and exercise.

The landings were wonderful-- quite like walking the savanna in Africa-- as was the kayaking. It would have been nice if killer whales and emperor penguins would have made themselves available for photo shoots-- I'm kidding! Actually I feel like I am part penguin, elephant seal or a combination of both. I can't think of anything that would have made the trip better. It was OUTSTANDING!

We had 7 expedition staff, all well educated and experienced in their fields and with many previous expeditions. One was a wildlife photographer and videographer and had filmed programs for Nature, another had done cross-country skiing across trips of hundreds of miles in the arctic while others were noted naturalists and geologists. All were what I would consider world-class adventurers. Our group included Americans, Australians, British, Canadians, South Africans, and a charming man from Ireland.

We flew from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, Argentina, the southern-most city in the world, which is nestled in a valley of the Andes Mountains. Just flying in there is an experience of its own. Upon arriving, we immediately hit a snowstorm that left the mountains with a fresh coat of snow. It was like a fairyland.

We arrived in the Falkland Islands, where we made several zodiac landings into beaches covered with tussock grass mounds, seals, and colonies of little rock-hopper penguins. There are some strict guidelines you must follow on these trips, to be sure you do not disturb the wildlife or pollute the pristine environment. We made 2-4 zodiac landings per day, and each time we returned to the ship, we went through a line where our boots were washed and disinfected by a crew member. And naturally, we had to follow orders on where we could walk and how close we could come to the animals -- we were told to stay 15 feet away, but if the animals approached us closer, that was ok. There were no souvenirs taken, and every effort was made to protect the environment, with only 100 passengers permitted on a given landing.

A highlight was South Georgia Island, reported to have more wildlife than any place on earth. I had thought Kenya had a lot, but it did not compare with South Georgia. The landing sites were stacked so thick with seals that it was difficult to make your way through them to get to the gentoo penguin rookeries. The large elephant seal beach masters are up to 20 feet long, and weigh 4 tons. Fortunately, they are not aggressive and totally unafraid of humans-- we could walk right up to them, and I took some fabulous photos. However, there were also fur seals mixed in, and they would come after you if you came too close -- several chased me, but I fought them off. The nesting penguins were in the many thousands, and were along the beaches and surrounding mountains as far as the eye could see. They were quite friendly and would come right up to us if we sat still. We also visited an area of nesting wandering albatrosses, the largest winged bird, with a wingspan up to 12 feet. Another favorite were the beautiful and friendly king penguins by the thousands, about 3 feet tall with a flaming yellow patch on their head and chest. My photos from this island are magnificent.

We traveled for a day and a half through some very heavy ice fields, until we arrived at Deception Island in the Shetland Islands, just off the coast of the Antarctic peninsula. We sailed through a narrow passage into the deep crater of a volcano. There we dug a large piin the sand which then filled with warm water, and I don't know the percentage of seal and penguin guano dissolved in the sand, but several of the crazy ones (including yours truly) shed our heavy clothes and jumped in. After a few pictures we jumped into the icy water of the bay. The whole experience took your breath away, but it was worth it!

Included in our many landings were visits to old abandoned whaling and sealing stations. These operations almost wiped out the entire population of wildlife for the oil, including whales, seals and penguins. Fortunately, treaties have been signed since, and all of this is only a sad memory of man's lack of respect for nature. Most of the old tanks and cookers remain, rusting away.

We finally were able to make a difficult landing on the Antarctic continent, thanks to the efforts of the captain and the zodiac drivers. The surf was extremely heavy and our only possible landing site-packed with icebergs. We only stayed on shore for a couple minutes, but a number of the passengers took the trip so they could say they had stood on the Antarctic continent. We spent the next two days crossing the infamous Drake Passage, around Cape Horn, back to Ushuaia. This passage is known to be the roughest 600 mile crossing in all the world, and it lived up to its reputation. Our small ship seemed even smaller in this sea. We were able to visit with the crew at any time on the bridge, which was really interesting, and something you cannot do on larger ships.

I feel I have been truly privileged and blessed to go to the Antarctic.

The ship probably exceeded our expectations. The food was very good. The staff was very knowledgeable and helpful. It was wonderful to be able to go to the bridge at any time.

We wanted to let you know that every single day of the trip got better! How did that happen? Even the gale on the open seas was worth the experience (and the seasickness pills). Actually, we had exceptionally good weather for most of the trip; we even crossed Cape Horn in sunshine! Whales, penguins, seals, icebergs, seabirds, glaciers... The sheer numbers of animals, the generosity of nature when allowed; the spectacular desolation, the ice, the sky, the clouds, the colors.... We loved it all!

Regarding the ship in particular: We were happy with the size, service, and were pleased with the warmth of the crew and staff. The room was kept clean, the food was great, the service was personable -- we were expecting the distance you get in hotels. We felt included. We felt more like guests rather than customers.

Some of our favorite moments: A cow and calf humpback whale playing and breaching off the port bow; An Adelie chick so intent on running after it's parent that it bounced off my knee and just kept going; The iceberg graveyard disappearing into the distance looking like a Martian City; The sun bouncing off of a pristine glacier; The sound of thunder at a calving; The noise a quarter million penguins can make; Beating the ship's doctor in a game of killer scrabble; Not being seasick!

Also, wanted to let you know that the side trip to Bariloche worked out very well! It's well catered to tourists, even English-speaking-only ones. The hotel was excellent (great 'continental' breakfast) and great location. The parks were easily accessed by the public bus system, so we had lots of freedom at a low cost. The scenery was great, and the weather was great! The CONDORS were little black dots on photos, but were great in person. The wildflowers were in bloom as we rode through them on horseback! The chocolate was too readily accessible and the food was fantastic! We will send you some photos, but we can recommend it highly to anyone who wants to try it. It sure beats having spent the extra time in Buenos Aires (which was OK but was a big city - with all its usual big city contradictions). We did go to a fun tango show as a complementary offering from the tour company when they forgot to pick us up at the airport on our first arrival at Buenos Aires (worked out fine, and they were otherwise excellent).

This trip was way beyond anything we had imagined. We were especially impressed with the smoothness of the logistics as well as the enthusiasm of the staff to make changes as opportunities arose to please us.

You can feel free to put us on the list of satisfied (grinning) customers for references to future travelers. If you ever come through Miami (a layover at the airport perhaps), please contact us! We'd love to meet you and put a face with the voice! Ta, ta for now!

Again, many thanks for your help in planning and arranging such a terrific trip. And as I'm sure Gerry mentioned, we loved Antarctica, as well as South Georgia Island and the Falklands. The boat was comfortable (great food!), the expedition guides were very knowledgeable, and of course the wildlife was amazing and the scenery magnificent!

I'm glad we also decided to go to Iguazu: the falls were truly spectacular. We also enjoyed Buenos Aires and were glad to have the extra few days in a warm climate. The people who did the transfers in there were great -- not only were they prompt and efficient, but they were interesting, friendly and generally helpful in all kinds of ways. It was truly the trip of a lifetime!

The Antarctic trip more than lived up to my expectations. Aside from the fact that the places we visited (the Falklands, South Georgia, Antarctic peninsula) are all fascinating and breathtakingly beautiful, the lectures by the expedition staff added immeasurably to our knowledge of the wildlife, the geology and the history of each place. It was also fun to be on a trip with people from so many different countries -- we enjoyed the opportunity to make the acquaintance of folks from England, France, Brazil, Israel and Australia as well as people from all over the United States. I can't think of anything that would have made the trip any better than it was.

The ship definitely met our expectations. Although it was not luxurious, it was very comfortable and the food was extremely good. The 'hotel' staff (the waitresses, the people who cleaned and made up the rooms, etc.) was efficient and unfailingly courteous. The ship's crew was also really nice; I only wished I could speak Russian so that I could have communicated more with them. The Captain and the officers on the bridge were great and never complained when we crowded up there to become 'backseat sailors' when seas were rough or when we were navigating narrow channels, etc. The expedition staff was wonderful: knowledgeable, informative, interesting, helpful, fun and amazingly patient with us. The only complaint I have is that the area that was used for the lectures was designed as a lounge/bar/dance hall and the seating.

The most memorable part was probably the time that we had made a Zodiac landing in good weather, but had to return quickly to the ship when the weather changed very suddenly. The trip back in the Zodiac was very hair-raising, as the seas had become extremely rough. What should have been a 12-minute ride took 35 minutes. Thanks to the skill of the Zodiac drivers, we made it, but it was a bit more adventurous than I had wished for! My favorite part of the trip (hard to choose, there are so many highlights) was our hour-long Zodiac cruise in a channel filled with icebergs, all sculpted by the wind and the water into weird and exquisite shapes. It was really like being on another planet.

My husband and I have long shared an interest in Antarctica because of what we'd read, videos we'd seen, etc. about the wildlife and the scenery. In addition, I had been intrigued by the Shackleton story, since I read his book about twenty years ago. I don't think it occurred to us until relatively recently that it was possible to visit Antarctica as tourists, but once we realized that tours are available, we decided that it was a trip we'd want to make.

I would most definitely recommend this trip to others, although I think one has to be both somewhat adventuresome and in at least decent physical shape to get the most enjoyment from it.

At any time that we should find ourselves able to plan a similar kind of trip, I would certainly contact ExpeditionTrips.com as my first choice!

We were blessed with zero winds (yes zero) sunny skies and mild temps the entire time that we were on the Peninsula. Indeed, it got up to 50F at Port Lockney. The crossing of The Drake likewise was fairly benign. We did have about a day and half of rough seas on the way from the Falklands to South Georgia, catabolic winds which caused the cancellation of our first stop in South Georgia, and lots of wind in Patagonia, but that was all. The guides were all great!

Having returned from a similar trip on the Hanseatic that was outstanding just two years earlier, I never thought that the Endeavour trip would come close; however, this expedition far surpassed my first encounter with penguins, whales, land and sea birds and icebergs - the Endeavour blew the other one away!

The staff was exceptionally knowledgeable and their passion for the region and the wildlife was contagious. The spirit of adventure lives! I will be in touch with you as future trips are planned. Can't wait to get going again (once my laundry is done!). Thanks again for all you did to make this wonderful experience a reality. I am glad I did not wait!