13 independent reviews for Antarctic Peninsula Cruises
Reviews for Antarctic Peninsula Cruises
Ray Donegan review 28 Mar 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Being surrounded by feeding humpback whales2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Take every opportunity available to experience as much as possible including talking to your fellow travelers3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
There were lots of informative presentations on many issues connected with Antarctica4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Overall it was amazingPeter Cyffka review 28 Mar 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Penguins, seals and whales!2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
We were the last sailing of the season. That meant fewer penguins left in each colony, but we saw lots of whales and seals.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
No local people in Antarctica!!! A point made was that those who have been to Antarctica become ambassadors for the continent4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Very good!Clare Morris review 21 Mar 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The incredible wildlife, stunning scenery and great people!2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Embrace every moment. There is nothing else quite like it. Listen carefully to the guides, they know what they are doing. (Remember to put down the camera occasionally.)3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The guides gave us instructions of what to do and what not to do. On the way there we all had to clean our outdoor gear to make sure we would not contaminate the areas we were going to. Whilst we were out on excursions they were there leading us round, so that we could see and get as close to the wildlife as we could without disturbing them. The guides had a great respect for the area and they made sure we followed one path round instead of wandering in any direction. As a group we made sure we left nothing behind, but footprints, which will be gone by the time I write this.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
The trip of a lifetime! Worth every penny. I hope one day I will get the chance to do it again.Serena Ward review 19 Dec 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Absolutely amazing trip from start to finish. Staff and crew first class, itinerary fabulous, bed comfortable and cabin cleaned twice per day, food 5* but essentially.... animal sightings were amazing, scientific lectures brilliant, zodiac trips twice per day were very professional, penguins were absolutely adorable, weather perfect, and even the Drake Passage was calm! Worth every penny and highly recommended trip!2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Take loads of film, loads of sunscreen, travel light and enjoy every minute of this fabulous trip!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The only environmental impact is actually getting to Ushuaia, but probably offset by the fact that all tourists leaving the antarctic become huge supporters of the conservation of this extraordinary region. Personally I did quite a bit to the local economy during my 5 days in Ushuaia, going to restaurants, bars, supermarkets, hairdresser, arts and crafts stalls and staying in an AirBnb.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Well up in my Top 5 vacations, fabulous once in a lifetime experienceJulie Grosso review 17 Dec 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Seeing whales and enjoying the most beautiful landscape in the world.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
I didn't need my binoculars.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes and no. I think tourism is causing changes to the quality of the land and where the penguins will live in the future.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
This is the best trip I have ever had. I feel fortunate to see Antarctica before it changes even more.Jacqueline Bishop review 10 Dec 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Being right in amongst the penguins on our landings, the overall stunning scenery, the Polar Plunge.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Rubber boots and parka jacket are supplied - but definitely a snood to protect chin/lower face, especially on the exposed Zodiac cruising, if not an actual balaclava. Ski gloves, but also thinsulate gloves with phone sensor finger tips. We travelled early in the season, and in storms for part of the time - so layers are essential. And swimming costume/shorts if you want to do the Polar Plunge! Binoculars and a camera with a reasonable close up lens - even the best iPhone can't get close enough for whale watching purposes. Seasickness tablets, particularly for Drake Passage - Stugeron worked very well for us.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
There are no 'local people' in Antarctica! However, the trip focussed very carefully on a wide range of environmental and conservation issues, which were made known to the passengers, and reinforced throughout the trip. Although we obviously cause considerable impact through our presence, I felt that every effort was made to minimise or mitigate this through the type of ship, and the various processes and protocols that we followed or were told about. I would highly commend all those involved in this particular trip (ship, expedition team) for this aspect.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
10 out of 10 - absolutely amazing, a truly special trip. Impossible to put into words quite how much we enjoyed it. Huge thanks to the operators - I would certainly recommend both organisations to anyone planning a trip to Antarctica.Caroline Tower review 8 Dec 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Kayaking among the ice bergs with whales and penguins was the most awesome and unforgettable experience.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Immerse yourself and go to all the lectures. I learnt so much.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, the Citizen Science programme was so interesting4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
10 out of 10, a once in a lifetime moment.Ravindra Singh review 24 Feb 2020
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The entire experience was memorable. It is difficult to point at greatness in excitement when it was evident almost throughout. However, to be concise. The feeling of being in a pristine region and ice and the marine life stand out.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
There is nothing to add to the trip. Maybe people can look at spending sometime in Patagonia after they come back as an addition to the trip. However, it is a personal question of time available.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I am not sure if it classifies as helping the locals as there are no locals except the penguins. Did we reduce the environmental impact of humans. Well we did our best. The best thing would be to leave the place alone but then we wouldn’t be writing this. It was amongst the next best thing we could do while enjoying the environs in most responsible manner. Did we support conservation, yes and the guides were pretty particular about it. They explained the steps being taken and rationale behind to everyone and I guess most people understood it clearly.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent, Mesmerising and SurrealSarianne Siirila review 26 Jan 2020
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Wildlife encounters, the untouched nature and learning new things about Antarctica, environmental impacts and the animals.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Bring watershoes for polar plunge, currently only the swimsuit is mentioned but the beach is very rocky.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I don't think it reduced environmental impact, but it did hopefully educate people onboard. I would still hope for more supervision onshore, as many people were disobeying the rules set for us for example with distance to be maintained to wildlife and allowing them to pass with priority. One man was even walking right after a poor penguin that had to scramble away in panic.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Overall an amazing experience!David Massey review 17 Dec 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
First sightings of icebergs on board ship was very exciting. Kayaking amongst the ice and icebergs was amazing and well worth doing as an extra. I also enjoyed walking with sticks on the snow and seeing an Amundsen replica tent together with the Norwegian flag in the distance, set up by the expedition team. As I approached it, it gave me a sense of what Scott and his men must have thought. I even tried on a replica Amundsen coat. We also saw lots of wildlife including an enormous number of humpback whales and orcas.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Remember your sunglasses and sun protection! American dollars are useful for Argentina.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The staff were very professional and did everything by the book to preserve Antarctica. We enjoyed our brief trips in Ushuaia and Buenos Aires and spent money in shops and restaurants.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Best vacation ever! Expensive as expected on this sort of trip but got good value for money for what we saw and experienced.Bruce Denwood review 26 Mar 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Day one zodiac outing. We were so lucky, ten minutes after leaving the ship we had three humpbacks surface right next to our zodiac, they stayed for about 10 minutes and put on a great show.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Don't book the Ortelius, the lounge/bar has no external view to speak of. There are not enough seats for the number of passengers and during briefings a number of people had to stand; poor!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The team were very environmentally focussed and ensured we were conscious of not overly disturbing the wildlife4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Trip of a lifetime.Michael Dunkley review 17 Feb 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Everything.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Not really.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Great.Read the operator's response here:
It was lovely to hear you had a great trip with us. Below is just a sample of actions to protect and conserve the environment by choosing this departure with us:
We contribute to rainforest rehabilitation and purchase when you book with us. Funds committed so far have helped to create 10,000 acres of protected forest within a new 5.9 m acres of national park, national reserve and 57 community territories in Amazonian Peru; 1,000 acres of Madagascan rainforest, plus new forest reserves in western Ecuador.
Other financial contribution/support include Seabird Habitat Restoration – South Georgia Heritage Trust &Save The Albatross-BirdLife International
Supporting science –Scripps Marine Mammal and King Penguin population / vocalization data collection ,NASA – Cloud Observer and Pelagic Bird Survey, Stonybrooke University
Onboard education: lecturers, display boards and flyers on climate change, habitat and wildlife preservation, environmental hazards.
Your ship reduces single use plastics in food preparation and presentation, uses watermakers /provides water bottles, supports sustainable co-operative coffee, offers beach clean up days, has management beyond IMO guidelines, and sources 90% sustainable seafood..
Very best wishes for now
Charlotte
Polar guide/Marine Scientist
Gillian Mason review 24 Dec 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Crossing the Drake Passage on our return home in a force 10 Gale. So exciting. Plus all our Zodiac trips.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
You need to be reasonably agile to walk up and down the steps to board the Zodiacs and to climb in. Take along a sense of humour and adventure.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Everyone was advised to make as little impact as possible when we landed. To leave no trace on land or animals.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
My trip was one of the best trips I've had. The organisation, excursions, staff and crew, food and fellow passengers were amazing. I loved every minute. There was never a dull moment but you could find a quiet space in the library if needed.Holiday Reviews
You can trust Responsible Travel reviews because, unlike many other schemes, reviews can ONLY be written by people who we have verified have been on the holidays. In addition, we don't run these holidays ourselves - our only interest is giving you the best independent advice.
