Antarctica Luxury Cruises

Accommodations Review

The hotel before boarding was great and the ship accommodations were the best we have ever experienced.

Meals Review

Unbelievable food options and service. It was like being at a 5-star restaurant every meal.

Crew & Guides Review

Every guide and support person was the very best. Safety was excellent, the guides were amazing and they love their job!!

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

All questions were answered and Leslie helped us with our planning. 5 stars for getting us all the activities. Amazing job!!! Everything was well coordinated and we had all the information. We never felt confused or out of touch. Class act in every way.

Itinerary Review

This was the best vacation we have ever had. Everything was perfect and we could not have dreamed of a better cruise. We felt like royalty. It was unbelievable, from the zodiac raft shore excursions to the helicopter flights.

Traveler Advice

Do not overpack. The parka Quark will give you is insulated and waterproof with a hood. Do not take any other jackets. The boots Quark provides are excellent. Do not take any other shoes except for something to walk around the ship in. Everything is casual. The weather will dictate what you will be able to do and what cannot be done. Some activities may not happen but the crew will do everything possible to get you the best experience. Stay flexible once you are onboard. Make sure you have a dry bag for any cameras. You will get wet on the zodiac rides. Make sure you have waterproof pants. The cabins are amazing and have plenty of space and storage. Bathroom and shower floors are heated!!! Do the Polar Plunge!! It is amazing. They have a doctor on board who helps with everything. 

Accommodations Review

The Magellan Explorer was a magnificent Expedition ship and the triple cabin outstanding. First rate luxury that still invited casualness.

Meals Review

Great variety and welcomed the buffet style breakfast and lunch.  Complimentary wine at lunch and dinner a plus.

Crew & Guides Review

All leaders had great personalities, knowledgeable and sincere care that we get the most out of our experience.

Itinerary Review

When visiting Antarctica, the experience is greater than the sum of the places individually visited. The sheer excitement of stepping foot on the continent is a highlight along with walking beside penguins in their natural habitat. If I were to isolate one highlight activity it would be the kayaking amongst the glaciers, icebergs, whales and seals.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Our adventure specialist, Arielle Lightcap, was exceptional in every way. She kept in constant touch to make sure we had all the required preparation paperwork, quickly answered all of our questions and addressed any concerns in a reassuring way.  She reached out to us once we arrived at our destination to make sure all went well and if we were in need of anything.  And of course, checked in with us once we arrived back home.

As holds true for many, visiting Antarctica was a definite bucket list travel destination. I researched many agencies before reaching out to AdventureSmith. Arielle Lightcap responded to my email inquiry with a thorough knowledge of the trip and invested in the time and patience to review all the various options available for a trip of this magnitude for my family. No detail was too small to discuss and finding the perfect ship, travel date and accommodations took a great deal of time to research, explain and finalize, for which I am most appreciative. The variety and quality of travel adventures offered by AdventureSmith is exceptional.

Traveler Advice

Be prepared for weather challenges and changes in itinerary when traveling to and exploring Antarctica.

Accommodations Review

This was the first voyage with paying passengers (as opposed to crew only and crew/crew family).  Everything was brand new. The cabins were very comfortable and having a “patio” not only made the room airier, but also made it possible to take photos from the cabin. The views from the cabin and the observation deck were stupendous, as were the vistas visible from the Zodiaks. The spa, the detox bar and the indoor swimming pool added even more luxury to the cruise. There were no cabin amenities for “green” reasons, and that’s understandable; however, body lotion would have been a nice amenity. Most of us carry our own face cream, but in the Antarctic climate body cream is a necessity.

Meals Review

There was teatime daily, each day with a different theme. My favorite was the Russian, complete with vodka, but I also enjoyed the wine tasting and the cart of French pastries in the observatory lounge for a Belgian waffle teatime. Personnel at the various bars made an effort to learn your tastes. Often, I had my morning post-breakfast expresso in the observatory lounge and my diet coke in the 5^th floor lounge. I tasted alcohol-based concoctions that were new to me and had great wine with dinner and sometimes lunch. All beverages were included except for a few brands of very premium alcohol. Snacks and beverages were available throughout the day and evening.

Crew & Guides Review

Two staff members, Emma and Capucine, added to our enjoyment. Emma put a notice in the daily journal for people who were interested in celebrating Chanukah to let her know. She somehow found a battery-operated menorah and the pastry chef made us donuts (a traditional fried food for the holiday) each night. On the last night, we had latkes, French-style. There were 7 of us, a French couple and 5 Americans. Capucine ran game time and directed host of other activities.

Several of the staff, including my original cabin steward, had trouble understanding either English or French. In addition, several of the staff, including my original cabin steward, wore their Covid masks under, not covering, their noses. When I requested in both languages that the cabin steward cover his nose with the mask before entering the room, he did not understand me and just continued pushing into my room to show me things. Uncomfortable, I asked to have my cabin steward changed and was accommodated.

Itinerary Review

For those who wanted it, there was a daily Fitness and Well-being activity. There was entertainment almost every night. A variety of excursions ashore included hiking, kayaking and walking on snowshoes. The daily journal was an outstanding form of communication.  Captain Garcia kept in touch frequently and spoke from the stage several times.

Since I was able to attend the French as well as the English lectures, I had the advantage of hearing both of the well-known personalities who gave lectures only in French or in English. Most of the other scientists on board gave their talks in both languages. The groups were split and the lecture repeated for each language group. The scientists were young, enthusiastic and expert in their fields.  I learned a lot and what I learned enhanced my experiences ashore among the penguins.

Transportation Review

The Latam internal flight does not allow “batons” (walking sticks) as hand luggage. AdventureSmith Explorations wisely advised us to only carry luggage we could handle ourselves, so I took a 25” suitcase. My folding walking sticks would not fit, so I left them home rather than risk their being confiscated at the Santiago airport Latam security line. Of course, the Expedition Coordinator refused to lend me a pair, even when I told her that the ones for sale in the Ponant’s ILLU shop were too tall for me. Fortunately, another Ponant staff member was kind enough to lend me a pair.

Accommodations Review

The quality of service and accommodations on the Ultramarine were first class. We were fortunate to be upgraded to a Penthouse Suite but any cabin would have been great on the Ultramarine.

Meals Review

If there is any room for improvement, I would say the food. We would have liked better beef and more shellfish seafood options. The food and wine selections were very good but not as first class as the accommodations. 

Itinerary Review

[We most enjoyed]...Kayaking in Wilhelmina Bay. The bay was calm and beautiful. We saw some Minke Wales. Also saw King penguins on South Georgia island and our zodiac venture in the twilight and the snow. [We least enjoyed]...a charity auction the last evening on the ship that was executed pretty poorly. We could have done without that. 

Crew & Guides Review

The expedition staff were genuinely interested in making sure the guests had the best experience possible. Ali was a terrific expedition leader. She really cared about her guests and her staff. Some notable other members were Jomi (birding guide), Derek (marine biologist) and the whole helicopter team.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Andrew did a great job of making sure we were taken care of and advocating on our behalf with Quark to make sure we got the best value for our money. I have done two trips with AdventureSmith Explorations and both have been absolutely wonderful.

Traveler Advice

Include South Georgia in your Antarctica itinerary. Its more summer like there so you see green grass and not as much ice and the king penguins are so beautiful. Antarctica is so spectacular you won't believe it!

Accommodations Review

Comfortable 3 person cabin. Very clean.

Meals Review

Buffet style breakfast, lunch. Dinner served, 3 choices.

Crew & Guides Review

All staff on the boat were friendly, knowledgable, and helpful. All the other passengers were interesting and polite. Great fun!

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Good advice was well presented. Any questions were answered promptly.

Accommodations Review

The NG Endurance is very comfortable, in rough seas we felt safe and were surprised how stable and comfortable it was. Well done to Lindblad on a great design. All areas were very clean and well presented. Always kept in top condition. Excellent library and great to see pics in the Science Hub.

Meals Review

Food quality was outstanding and I couldn’t believe we had lettuce for 4 weeks! The attention they went to was outstanding. Amazing friendly staff serving us, knew every detail and our names very quickly. Always going the extra mile to service the guests.

Itinerary Review

Have always wanted to go to Antarctica so when we saw the itinerary with remote areas and the Ross Ice Shelf, we decided on this one. Ross Island - amazing ice, penguins everywhere, and found a protected bay in the ice for kayaking. Cape Adare - rare to get a landing in at that location and was a perfect day weather wise. Macquarie Island - king penguins all around the ship and zodiac excursions.

Crew & Guides Review

All of the crew and expedition staff were absolutely amazing, attentive to detail, friendly, knowledgeable and made everyone feel special and important. Nick Brown ran the Global Explorers program for my son and did a great job. Kitchen staff went above and beyond, including Chef Bogdan. The cleaning staff on level 7 made an amazing dinosaur display for my son's birthday. Brent, expedition leader, had a tough job on such a long trip with lots of factors to consider, and did his best fitting in the activities he could with the conditions and time we had.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Lauren was amazing. So very professional, efficient, and clear with all information and communications. Super impressed.

Traveler Advice

The complimentary parka is excellent and includes an internal puffer jacket. No need to bring heaps of extra jackets. A thermal, fleece and the expedition jacket was sufficient in all the weather conditions we had. Make sure you take clothes that are comfortable to wear on the boat, where it is quite warm. People were even wearing shorts and t shirts.