Antarctic Explorer

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

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  Kath Morgan

  ANTARCTIC EXPLORER

  

  Written January 2011

  I was expecting something special but nothing could prepare me for the absolutely breathtaking landscapes, turquoise icebergs and such marvellous encounters with penguins, whales and seals. I was, and still am, overwhelmed by the beauty and remoteness of Antarctica! 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  This was my first ever trip where i have travelled alone and the sense of personal achievement was enormous.

  Watching a glacier calve

  The captain of the Vavilov turning around to extend a whale watching encounter

  The stillness and beauty after climbing a mountain ridge for phenomenal views...quite humbling!

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Absolutely fantastic. Demonstrated a professional but relaxed manner with all guests and always striving to maximise the experience with flexible itinaries

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  I had some "wobbles" before i went re- travelling alone mostly, but i would say to anyone who is hesitating to go for it. The comradeship between passengers is heartwarming and there is nowhere on earth quite like it. I would go back in a heartbeat. By far the most stunning place on earth i have ever seen!

  The ship is warm and comfortable so take some light clothing for the evenings. I almost overheated in my thermal gear ;-)

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Thankyou to exodus. The support i had from the team in the booking office was invaluable. I almost missed out on this trip through self doubt but all my questions were answered honestly and gave me enough reassurance to go ahead. Because of this i look forward to my next adventure with them.

   
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  alison eales

  ANTARCTIC EXPLORER

  

  Written February 2010

  Fantastic holiday. The numbers of penguins and seals were just what I'd hoped for but the large number of Whales were an added bonus. I cannot begin to describe the atmosphere and the surreal experiance of cruising in the Zodiacs through the giant icebergs. Sharing this with a great group of people from all over the world made it a dream holiday 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Difficult to choose, and I thought it would be being close to the penguins or the seals but infact just sitting on deck taking in the quiet, stillness and sheer size of the scenary is the moment I will cherish.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Our group leader was good, keeping us fully informed of our plans with regular updates. The whole team were great and so knowledgeable with an obvious love of their topic and antarctica. The information lectures were delivered at just the right pitch for interest and entertainment especially Mickalow's.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  The fleece lined parka provided on this trip is great so don't take up room packing your own thick fleece or waterproof. Thin layers are best and I didn't find it too cold even on the zodiacs, 2 base layes and a thin fleece enough and inside the ship it is warm so you can soon thaw out if you do get cold.

  Sea sickness was not mentioned in any reviews I read but it is a big problem for a lot of people. We were lucky with an apparently smooth sail across the drake passage, but many were ill. Hyocine patches worked well for most of us, but put them on a few hours before you set sail so they start to take effect

   Check out the Quark website as this is who you will be travelling with and they have more information on there

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I pondered this trip too long and was repeatedly asked why go there?

  If it somewhere you would like to go then just do it. You will not be disappointed.

   
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  Christine Shaw

  ANTARCTIC EXPLORER

  

  Written December 2008

  A totally professional Expedition Team, a superbly run ship, a destination that more than lived up to my expectations. This holiday was great, from initial contact with Exodus through to the very last minute. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Landing on Cuverville Island, struggling up the icy bank to find myself on a small peninsula. In front of me, the bay where we SHOULD have landed, but couldn't; completely blocked by ice of all shapes and sizes in a wonderful range of colours from white through pale turquoise to deepest blue. Huge flakes of snow started to fall. Thousand of penguins were moving inland, black backs towards me, and thousands more white 'tummies' headed my way. If I listened carefully in the stillness, I could hear the gentle 'slap, slap' of their feet. That was the lump in the throat moment when Antarctica's beauty hit home. 

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Woody, the Expedition Team Leader, was enthusiastic and totally professional. His commitment to our safety was obvious and reassuring, his knowledge extensive. He headed a team that it would be impossible to fault.   

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Go prepared for the cold and hire the Wetskins available on board at modest extra cost. They are well worth it - and you can leave the smell of penguin poo behind when you come home! Take seasick prevention measures BEFORE you leave Ushuaia. Don't wait to see what the Drake throws at you; by then, it's too late. The ship (AKADEMIK SERGEY VAVILOV) supplied white towelling bath robes - an unexpected 'extra' which was very welcome.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  This is an expensive trip, but don't count the cost. It is the experience of a life time. Bring on the Arctic .....

   
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  Sophia Rex

  ANTARCTIC EXPLORER

  

  Written January 2008

  We really enjoyed our Antarctica holiday - What an amazing trip! The service within Ushuaia and on the ship was exceptional. The Peregrine staff were superb.  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Seeing Antarctica for the first time when the fog cleared. Was amazing.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  EXtremely knowledgable

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Trip of a lifetime, kick yourself if you don't do it!

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I have already provided this to Vanessa Fowler and heard nothing back: We would like to provide you with some feedback, though, for future travellers:

  ** Dietary requirements **
  As stated on the Exodus medical, Mike has to follow a gluten-free diet. He will be very ill if eats gluten. I do not know if Exodus informed the airline, but there was no reference on our booking and therefore he was unable to eat on the flight.

  ** Buenos Aires to Ushuaia **
  Please can you include into the travelling instructions that travellers have to collect bags at BA International and then take them to the domestic terminal within the same airport. I spoke to the check-in staff and followed those instructions, but so many others were all over the place that it would have been easier to say "this is what my agent said on our instructions"…

  ** Buenos Aires **
  The support on our return to BA was appalling:
  * Taxi drivers met us at the airport. No rep.
  * Had envelope at hotel with scant details
  >Taxi voucher for trip that we had just taken (luckily driver did not expect payment)
  >Hotel voucher
  >Taxi voucher for trip to airport AT THE WRONG TIME
  >No details about what to do in BA
  
  * The agents:
  Prompted by the wrong time for the taxi, I called the agent. They had not confirmed the flights and for some reason had the original flight details from a month or so ago and not the 13:00 ones. I asked them to confirm flights and ring me back. I heard nothing and then rang them again to be told that the flight was now to be 11 hours later and they would arrange a car. The next morning Grace rang the agent, she was informed that the flight had now changed back to 13:00 and cars were arranged for Mike and myself; and Grace but not Andrew. If the agent were actually going to call us to inform us of the change of flight times, I do not know.
  
  Mike and I were meant to be collected from our hotel at 9.30am to be taken to the airport. At 10.15 we had to hail a taxi on the street as their car never turned up. This cost me US$30, I would like to be reimbursed for this. Also, phone calls came to about US$7.
  
  The end of the trip was saddening considering the wonderful trip that we had, I have no faith in the agents within BA and would recommend that you review their involvement.

   
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  David Oates

  ANTARCTIC EXPLORER

  

  Written January 2008

  My 2nd trip to Antarctica. Utterly wonderful. The only holiday of my life that I have ever repeated. Go there and understand why! 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Sitting among the Chinstrap Penguins at Baily Head and the Gentoos on Cuverville Island.

  Humpback whales breaching.

  And of course, the ice, the blue ice. 

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Woody? He is always great. And so is his wife, Annie - adorable. Great people, great company and so professional.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Take some USD if you go ashore at Vernadsky Station for the illicit vodka and souvenirs.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Aerolineas Argentinas are abysmal, utterly abysmal. Always late or cancelling on both my trips. Strangely, their partners, Austral and Air Comet are fine.

  Do try the barbeque lamb in Ushuaia. It is truly 'melt in the mouth.'

  Do go to the bookshop, 'boutique del libro' on 25 de Mayo, just off Av San Martin (pier side) before you sail. It has books, guides, maps and pictures on Antarctica and Patagonia, the like of which I have never seen.

   

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