Pamela W.
Google
Antarctica Cruise review
Thank you for organising my ‘Trip of a Lifetime’ to Antarctica and Patagonia.
I had always wanted to go to Antarctica – such a completely different area to experience and have such incredible memories of. It was a life changing adventure to visit the southernmost continent.
Nico from the travel company,’ Antarctica Cruise and South America Tours’, organised a great trip beginning with a full day tour of Buenos Aries before flying to Ushuaia to board the cruise ship to Antarctica.
The cruise aboard the Atlas World Navigator, was amazing. From the first class ship itself, my comfortable, compact cabin (veranda stateroom) and the staff from Captain Sousa down - the support crew, the food, the specialists - everyone was incredible. Amazing, friendly, happy, smiling and caring and going out of their way to make sure you were satisfied and enjoying every moment. Nuno, the GM, and Cruise Director Daniel made sure everyone was well taken care of.
Each day there was a recap of the day’s events and information on the next day’s events by the Expedition Leader Johnathan in the auditorium, which also hosted many interesting lectures by the staff specialists.
A daily newsletter was delivered to cabins each evening outlining the next day’s events -the landings, harbours, islands - what to see and timing. The mud room attendants were extremely helpful with all the layering up to go out till I could get into a routine. All the zodiac personnel were helpful and knowledgeable about the areas visited.
I saw different varieties of penguins, seals, birds, whales and dolphins. The scenery was magnificent with huge snow-covered mountains and icebergs of every size, shape and description.
The food was plentiful and very good with smorgasbord/menu items for breakfast, smorgasbord for lunch and alacarte for dinner. The bartenders and dining room stewards were excellent. There was evening entertainment and numerous movies to view in your cabin.
Patagonia was an added treat. After returning to Ushuaia, Nico organised a holiday in Patagonia where I joined group tours for sightseeing each day. In Argentinian Patagonia I visited Los Glaciares National Park to see one of the largest glaciers in the world - the Perito Moreno Glacier - from land and by a cruise. And then to a cattle ranch visit to see Gaucho skills. The next day saw a long bus trip across the Andes to Puerto Natales in Patagonian Chile.
From this base there was a whole day bus tour of the Torres Del Paine National Park and the next day there was an interesting cruise along a fiord to view 2 glaciers including a hanging glacier and condors and sea lions.
The tour to Valparaiso and Vina del Mar was interesting, especially the walk downhill in Valparaiso to see all the skilfully painted walls and houses.
All the hotels were good and well located for the town centres. The transfers were always on time and the drivers cheerful and helpful.
I spent my last day in Santiago visiting some museums, my favourite being the Museo Chileano de Arte Precolombino. All were within walking distance of the hotel which overlooked the Parc Forestal, and close to the lane with street stalls and restaurants.
The trip notes that were supplied were extremely thorough and well organised so that any information was easily located.
Thank You again Nico, for organising my 'Trip of a Lifetime'.
And a special thankyou to Raysa for her organisation, information and being available for any questions.
