Antarctica's White Wilderness (2012)

I came back from Antarctica a couple months ago. The trip was terrific; it is quite expensive but it is worth every penny. I learned as much as possible before the trip, but never expecting this, it was so wonderful.
It is like being on another planet. My husband, children and I traveled a lot but now I am finishing the world which is 98%, this trip is entirely different than any other trips we had taken.
We had a very smooth Drake Passage both ways and the excursions were calm.
This voyage was during austral summer with twenty hours of light, as I am a light sleeper I took advantage of it. The few hours of the night the sky was full of stars as the air was so pure.
The guide Christian Vera is very knowledgeable, funny and does everything to please everyone. The expedition Team was very well educated, had a lot of experience and want to preserve the Antarctica, the lectures were very informative and humorous. The guide and the expedition staff did everything to please the passengers including the safety, it was a great success. We had ten shore excursions, all different, very well executed. The Zodiac crew was superb for their skills to bring us ashore and back to the boat, went around the icebergs which are so gorgeous and massifs with beautiful forms and blue color. The beauty of the icebergs falling with the thunder of fall of ice was terrific.
The penguins were not afraid of human, they have a special voice, the smell is unforgettable and so the seabirds, seals lying around without any worry.
The Corinthian II has a fabulous and delicate European cuisine with wine and beer; we had BBQ outside on the deck which is very rare as the water was calm. All the crew either in the dining room, lounge, or in the boat were excellent, pleasing everyone and remember passengers’ names. We were always busy if we wanted to be.
Antarctica has such a beauty that is unbelievable, it is beyond word and unique in this earth. It is an experience I will never forget; it was fabulous in every aspect.
I am glad I could go and enjoying every facets of this great journey. I will recommend to anyone who can do this trip to go, it is splendid, superb and unique, I do not have any regret, but each expedition is different, you cannot predict the weather on the Drake Passage.
Thank you again very much Christian Vera, all the Expedition staff, The Corianthian II crew and the Captain for this spectacular, unforgettable trip.

Traveler: Nicole Marjanowicz from Daytona Beach, FL traveled on December 28, 2011

As everyone has said before this is an outstanding trip and I heartily agree. Not only is it the 7th continent but the most magnificent and the most pristine, having not changed for hundreds of years. They shared a quote on the ship which best sums up how I felt about Antarctica.
“There is, I feel sure, no region in the world more grand in scenery than the Antarctic, and no place more transcendent in its beauty. It is a vast wonderland laid out on a giant scale, in which littleness has no place; but it's very vastness, no less than its beauty, while it quickens the traveler's daily wonder and deepens his reverence, forces him to feel that it is a world he can never conquer, a world in which the forces of nature are too tremendous to overcome, and must resignedly be bowed before in hope that they will suffer him to come and pass again unscathed.”

Written by a member of the Scottish Antarctic Expedition, 1903 – 1904

That pretty much says it all as things haven’t changed much since then.

A couple of side notes about the trip
• I thought he Tango show in Buenos Aries was the highlight of the Buenos Aires events. The music, dance and food were all excellent.
• Water proof pants are a requirement not a nice to have.
• We were on the last trip of the season and didn’t feel we missed anything. Actually we were told we saw more variety than is usually viewed. We also had very calm seas (Drake Lake) on all four days of our crossing to and from Antarctica. So time of year doesn’t seem to be an issue.
• I was the most impressed with the expedition staff. Having made numerous OAT trips I am familiar with the local guide concept. However, the seven expedition staff members were far above my expectations. They were basically scientists with knowledge from biology to geology and from photography to history. Their daily “discovery and learning” sessions were professional power point presentations that provided a wealth of knowledge about what we were experiencing. The trip would not have been as impressive without this ever present knowledge transfer both on the ship and ashore.
• The ship’s crew and staff are fantastic. They take every chance to make sure you are treated like royalty. The dining room staff entertainingly dubbed me as Sir John and treated me as if I was nobility. The food was also excellent including the never ending plate of cookies.
• The water bottles on the Ship are liter bottles so if you want to take water ashore you need to bring an appropriate container.

This is a trip to take in the near future as one of the things we learned is that global warming is effecting the Antarctic environment so that in 30 years thinks may be drastically different.

John Stewart

Traveler: John Stewart from Newport Beach, CA traveled on February 20, 2012

Where to begin?

First off, this was my first OAT trip and it will NOT be the last! Everything is first rate. Rather than telling you about all of the great things that you will see and can read in many other reviews, I will mention some of the OAT personal highlights and some suggestions.

We had to stay in Ushuaia an extra day due to a governmental fuel problem. Because of this, OAT refunded everyone a pro-rated amount for something that was NOT their fault! Who else would do this?

The ship was luxurious and the staff and food were exceptional. The group leaders and expedition staff were very helpful and knowledgeable. I wouldn't change a thing and I would go again in a heartbeat.

Our trip across the Drake was rather exciting and the piano WAS bolted to the floor, as well as the front leg being tied to a support post. That leg stayed in place and ripped loose from the piano. Do not FEAR the Drake!

Some suggestions;
1. Take a pair of Crocs or clogs to wear from your room to the boot changing area as well as some felt liners for inside the boots (Add an additional size to the boot when ordering because of these liners).
2. Take walking sticks.
3. Take liner gloves andor mittens with flaps. I personally never wore my mittens or heavy gloves. I only wore the liners alone on the Zodiac.
4. Compression bags are great.
5. Take less clothing than you think you need. I never zipped up my jacket except when on board while being outside while the ship was moving at top speed. I live in the northeast and was colder when I got home, even though the temperature in PA was higher. Definitely wear layered clothing so that you can remove some layers.

If you love great scenery and animals in their natural habitat with no fear of man - this is the trip for you!

Traveler: Richard Ziegler from Lebanon, PA traveled on February 11, 2012

I've spent many years traveling solo around the world and normally don't like to travel on group trips. This trip with OAT was OUTSTANDING! The rooms on the ship, the crew, the meals and the expedition staff were over the top. I read the reviews and won't repeat what's already been said. We were kept so busy with landings, lectures, movies, games and watching the wildlife I had rarely had time to write in my journal. We had a blessed journey from day one as you know if you read the other reviews. If you haven't gone on this OAT trip it is a must even if the conditions may not be as wonderful as ours. The wildlife will astound you and you will be in awe of the landscape. I never knew that a black and white landscape with varying shades of blue from the ice bergs could be so beautiful!

Traveler: Lori Anne Cahill from Tucson, AZ traveled on February 20, 2012

This was the kind of trip where travellers kept saying how lucky we were to be there. The only drawback is that this trip raised the bar so high, it will be almost impossible to go on a comparable trip again. Everything went right for us and we knew it.

We had a "Drake Lake" outbound and inbound. Most passengers didn't need to use any kind of seasickness treatment. We were able to go on every planned landing, as well as an extra landing because we had arrived in Antarctica quicker than normal due to the great crossing. We saw thousands of penguins, many kinds of seals, including a leopard seal capturing and killing a penguin, calving icebergs, glaciers that went on for miles, more than a dozen killer whales, humpback whales, numerous kinds of birds, and more. We were able to stop and have a tour of the U.S. base at Palmer Station (complete with brownies, most ships are not allowed to stop there), as well as the British base at Port Lockroy.

The OAT trip leaders and the Expedition staff were outstanding. Expedition staff members were from South Africa (weather and birds specialist), Britain (two had overwintered at the primary British Antarctica base and had fantastic stories and experience, another was an under-ice diver and photography specialist, and a 4th was an ornithologist and geologist), and Brazil (Antarctic specialists). Their knowledge, excitement about their subjects, and helpfulness was exceptional (and I've taken many, many tours around the world so I know what I'm talking about).

Something was always going on aboard ship. During the crossings, the Expedition staff would hold programs 4 times a day. While in Antarctica, we made landings every morning and afternoon, had a wrapup and planning session with the Expedition Staff about 6:45 pm each day, and the OAT Trip Leaders sponsored entertaining games and programs each night about 9:45 pm. In between, we had three excellent meals with unlimited beer and wine at lunches and dinners, hot drinks when we returned from excursions ( with a free shot of rum or other liquor if we wanted in the afternoon), watched for whales, birds and icebergs from the decks, drank the ever present flavored teas and coffee with homemade cookies, stopped for happy hour (or welcome and farewell cocktail parties) with appetizers, played games, talked to other passengers, visited the Bridge, used the exercise equipment, read the NY Times summary printed on board each day, or watched the documentaries on TV. I heard people say they didn't have much free time, but no one said they were bored.

I'm usually ready to go home after a couple of weeks of travelling, but by the end of this trip, I was ready to start the trip all over again. Everyone was initially nervous about getting into and out of the Zodiacs, but there were no problems. We were old pros after the first time and plenty of staff were around to held us in and out of the Zodiacs, and on and off with our boots.

I brought a walking staff and I would definitely recommend that everyone do so. It was a great help in walking up snowy hills and penguin manure slick spots. It made me feel much more confident. Also, definitely bring gloves with a mitten flap that can easily be flipped back to temporarily expose fingers for photography. You step into freezing water when getting in and out of the Zodiacs at the shore so waterproof and windproof pants are essential--you won't realistically be able to land without them. A waterproof covering for your camera is also essential--the spray when sailing along in the Zodiacs will quickly fry a digital camera that lacks a waterproof covering. A good quality ziplock bag that covers your equipment will suffice. Batteries burn out much faster in the cold. Bring extra rechargeable batteries and a charger (the ship had 110 volt outlets so you don't even need a converter).

Extra large compression bags are sold at Dollar Tree for only $1 that are invaluable when packing your parka and heavy clothing. Cold weather clothing and gear can also be purchased from Camp-mor.com and other online sources for much less than sold at local sporting goods stores. Someone mentioned shopping at a Goodwill Store for used cold weather clothing but my local store had nothing of use. Some equipment can be purchased in Ushuaia just before you board but the prices in Ushuaia are much higher than in the U.S.

Although many persons participated in the polar plunge at Deception Island, the volcano no longer appreciably heats the water. The water was 38 degrees, and you need to remember that you enter the water from the beach, and then need to dry off, dress in the wind, and get into a moving Zodiac before you get back to the warm ship. Leave your swim gear at home if you don't think you'll want to go through that.

Traveler: Kathy from MD traveled on February 20, 2012

I've read all the reviews already posted here about this fabulous trip, so all that I've wanted to say has already been said many times.
It WAS the best trip ever. It was my 13th with OATGCT. The only hard part was the very long return from Ushuaia to Buenos Aires to Atlanta, GA to San Francisco. An overnight in Buenos Aires could have made it better. I was relieved to learn that the very early flight from BA to Ushuaia had been changed. We left around noon.
The ship was gorgeous, it was not hot, the staterooms deluxe, the food fabulous and all the crew and our expedition leaders and OAT leaders outstanding. There was plenty to do on board ship. I never had time to read all that I'd brought along.
I like rough seas and the Drake going down was a real thrill. Our grand piano was not bolted to the floor and it did a turn in the air and landed upside down. When we reached the islands and peninsula the sea was calm and the sun shone brightly.
We made 8 landings in 3 days (we'd been delayed in Ushuaia because of a tax dispute between Argentina and the oil company, so could not get our fuel on time). The extra day in port was a delight: we walked along the Beagle Channel with our naturalists, then drove into the Andes on the beginning of Hwy 1 to see the sights. Some went for a hike, then a swim in a cold mountain lake. We passed some ski resorts. We felt we'd had a bonus.
I hope OAT continues to offer this trip on Corinthian II. It is the finest ship I've ever sailed on, with the very best crew and food. This was one wonderful experience!

Traveler: Dorothy Kennedy from Portola Valley, CA traveled on February 11, 2012

I am a 10-time OATGCT traveler. I was totally WOWED! There will probably never be a review that really does justice to this trip. It was so much more than I ever expected.

Quick mention of Buenos Aires.....the time there went fast. Much to see. Would highly recommend the optional Tango Show. Not to be missed! About 22 dancers, 10 piece orchestra including two tango accordians, beautiful costumes and music. Steak dinner was great. Well worth the money. It was not a touristy gimmicky show. I never realized how many versions of the tango there are....from slow and sweet to fast and athletic. Also, I took the English speaking tour of the Colon Theatre (great opportunity...wish I could have caught a performance. Unbelievable acoustics).

Time is Ushuaia is very limited. If you want souvenirs, you really have to figure out a way to make that happen and shop fast.

Antarctica....where to begin. We got very lucky and had smooth crossings both ways (the crew said they hadn't seen that in years.) I brought books and magazines, but never had a chance to crack them open. The Expeditiion Staff gave lectures whenever time permitted. I didn't really realize the impact the Expedition Staff would have on this trip.....they were the true "Leaders". But both the OAT Trip Leaders and the International Team of Expedition Leaders worked really hard to make this trip work. The help they all gave in getting us in and out of the Zodiacs was over the top. We even had a kind man helping us put on our boots.

I have never seen such a boat crew either. They were mainly a Phillipino crew and within one day all of the wait staff knew everybody's name. I couldn't believe it. This was truly luxury cruising. (For fun you should check out the website of the Corinthian II and see what they charge if you book directly with them for this trip not including airfare. It will make you love OAT.) The waitstaff all have college degrees as a minimum requirement to work on this ship.

Food and service was outstanding. Service of our rooms was first-rate.

We were told that the average number of landings on this trip is five. Due to great weather, we did much better than this. I was worried about taking the last trip of the season, but don't let that scare you off. We saw things that hadn't been seen all summer (such as a pod of Orcas). It's true you won't see the baby penguins, but we saw the adults molting. I think anytime you can go is a good time.

A few things I would recommend:

Take many more batteries than you might imagine for your camera. They may only last for 15 minutes.

Hotel rooms are luxurious. If you are prone to seasickness, try and book a room in the middle and not the ends of the boat so it doesn't rock and roll as much.

The ship internal temperature was just right. Other reviews said it was too hot. If I guessed I would say it was about 70 degrees. Somedays I kept a couple of layers on. The rooms have adjustable thermostats so you can make it cool for sleeping if you want.

The OAT literature did not really mention tipping for the Expedition Team. This is an international team of seven scientists, scholars, Antarctic researchers and photographers. Their knowledge base was astounding. Our OAT leader suggested tipping them $40 per person. I thought they were worth 2-3 times that easily. They made this an "Adventure & Educational Trip".

I think two walking sticks were very helpful. Glad I took them.

Take a couple of gallon plastic bags with you. They make a very good cover over your camera (the crew will explain).

Take less clothes than you think. You are in and out of your expedition clothes twice a day and you only wear them for a couple of hours each time. Your clothes will last a long time.

Seasickness meds: several people had trouble with the "patch" (got sick) and had to remove it and switch to pills. The boat supplies a dramamine type pill, but it only lasts 4 hours. I brought a Costco OTC motion sickness pill that lasted 24 hours....worked great. Check with your doc.

Weather most days was about 30-34 degrees. Not much variance because we were on the water the whole time. It snowed an inch or two a couple of times and then melted later in the morning.

Bring a swimsuit if you want to do the "Polar Plunge".

Best advice from the Expedition Team was to not obsess about taking photos. Instead, just sit quietly and watch the penguins. They are not afraid of us and will come right up to you. Just being quiet and still and listening and watching is the best way to enjoy the wildlife on the landings.

ENJOY! I am grateful I had this opportunity. Thank you OAT.

Traveler: Brook Shumway from Tucson, AZ traveled on February 20, 2012

Is this the right trip for you?
Do you love seeing wildlife up close and personal? Do you like traveling with less than 100 people that enjoy the same thing? Can you tolerate 30 degree F weather? Can you tolerate a rough day or two in Drake's Passage?
If you answer is yes to all, this trip is for you. It is not a trip for shoppers. Around 1/3 of the people on my voyage were visiting their 7th continent.
The Corinthian II is a luxury ship. Every cabin is the size of a suite, complete with a couch, many shelves and large closets. The dining staff is exceptional. The food is above average.
The Expedition Staff are your true trip leaders. Their knowledge and ability to share it, through lectures and private conversations add another dimension to the trip.
Note the lack of mention of Buenos Aires. It was just a way to start the adventure.
In all, another great OAT trip.

Traveler: Mel Katz from Chicago, IL traveled on February 11, 2012

The first iceberg I saw literally took my breath away. If you can possibly take this cruise with OAT, sign up. Yes, parts of the voyage can b challenging yet any time I felt uncertain, a crew member was close at hand to help...even negotiating getting to a table during the Drake crossing. My only suggestion to the expedition crew is to offer instructional sessions in smaller groups. While the lectures were good, most of us don't learn through lecture alone. The crew has so much more knowledge than we could access through large group auditorium style lectures. And there truly is so much to learn
about our earth's unique treasure.

Traveler: Marilyn Lane from Gearhart, OR traveled on January 24, 2012

Before I went to Antarctica people would ask "Why are you going there?" and I did not know how to answer them other than it was a dream.
Now that I have been ther to see the grandure and Wildelife it is hard to get me to stop. I must say honestly it is #1 on my list and my pictures do not do it justace.
I was also blowen away by the luxury, staff and quality of food on the Corinthien II .

Traveler: Michael Mccutcheon from Poway, CA traveled on January 29, 2012

Fantastic Adventure, beautiful experience on ship and land for this 77 year old traveler.
Very professional ship crew and great expertiese of all Naturalist.
Best experience: sitting and watching the social interaction of the penguins, so much fun!
Recommend: if you have any foot problems, buy your own boots, expedition boots give you no arch support. And, it is a very LOOOOONG flight back to the states, recommend staying over in B.A. then heading home

Traveler: Marlene Beard from Escondido, CA traveled on December 28, 2011

http:www.youtube.comwatch?v=PRCxl-JXymI&feature=youtu.be

Traveler: Barbara Paquette from Denver, CO traveled on January 24, 2012

Traveling to Antarctica was a dream come true for me. OAT did not disappoint. The trip was flawless from start to finish. The ship was comfortable and exceptionally well run. Experiencing Antarctica and its pristine wilderness untouched by man simply renders one speechless. The wildlife viewing was spectacur. For the true adventure traveler, this trip should not be missed. While going through the Drake Passage may be the most challenging part of the trip, it is worth every minute to be a part of the incredible beauty of Antarctica. The Trip Leaders and Expedition Staff were top notch and worked tirelessly to assure everyone enjoyed every minute.

Traveler: Susan Gauger from Urbandale, IA traveled on January 06, 2012

The ship and staff plus having 4 trip leaders means there is always someone to help you and answer any question you may have. To say the ship was great is an understatement. Great windows, walk in closet, wow. Now the safety belts across the bed should give you a clue how rough the Drake can be. And brass rods to secure the drawers?

As others have said: Take treking poles!!! My wife would have never made it over the rocks and ice without one. Two might be better.

Most people take pictures. The gloves with liners that OAT suggested may keep you warm, but you cant take pictures with them. Before you leave home, put on your parka and all the gear. Now try to take a picture without putting anything on the ground and with your gloves on. Trust me you will not put your pack on the ground. [poo] Look into the mits that can be raised to expose your finger tips.

Go on shore with as little as possible. You wont be on shore more than 2 hours. Plan to cover your camera on the zodiac and if you get a little snow.

We were there in mid Jan and 32F is the coldest we saw, but remember the wind can be strong.

This was one of our best trips ever. Do it sooner than later.

Traveler: Wesley Michael from Avondale, PA traveled on January 15, 2012

We were not sure what to expect, but were very delighted with the trip. The ship was great, offering anything one could possible want. The food was exceptional & the crew was outstanding.
One thing that OAT should require is for every traveler to have a walking stick. The snow & rocks are slippery & a walking stick would have offered some stability. When walking up the side of the crator on Deception Island the loose rocks slid out from under your feet. The people with walking sticks were at an advantage.
Also the water resistant outerwear pants that I had were not acceptable & I had to run around Ushuaia & purchase new ones. It should have been a little clearer that these pants should have a lining that tucks into the boots & the nylon shell of the pants that go on the outside of the boots. The ones I brought had the lining sewed to the legs & they were not wind proof. The boots that are offered are just fine so no need to bring other ones.
The Drake Crossing is rough & you should be prepared for that. The penguins were delightful to watch. Be prepared that they smell really bad. All in all it was a great experience.
Emajean Westphal

Traveler: James Westphal from Rosendale, WI traveled on January 06, 2012

The trip was absolutely amazing. The scenery beyond description. The penguins amusing and entertaining. If you go too late in the season, you will not see many penguins. If you go too early in the season you will not see many whales.
The Drake is as bad as the literature describes. Several people sustained minor injuries. A porthole and a window were broken from the force of a wave which were sometimes over 20 ft high. However, I would not prevent the Drake from taking the trip. It is well worth it.
The crew was absolutely the BEST. They helped me with my parka, my lifejacket, and my boots. They assisted us wandering around the ship when the waves were rough.
For a number of very important reasons, the crew would rather be paid in CASH, rather than wait from a credit card to pay. Some of them leave the ship and never recieve their tips.
The EXPEDITION TEAM make the trip. They are the ones who man the Zodiacs, help you in and out of the Zodiacs, give the lectures, and help make the decisions re landings. They deserve a big tip.
When we got to Ushuaia our trip leader mentioned we should have waterproof gloves. That was not mentioned in the literature from OAT. Several of us just had woolen gloves (and liners). Waves can splash unto the Zodaic and gloves can get wet, which can make for a miserable landing. We all purchased more gloves in Ushuaia.
One other comment. When the beds are separated to accommodate single travelers, they become unbolted from the floor. The bed that is unbolted moves across the floor. It the waves are really bad the bed can unend and the passenger can be wedged between the bed and the vanity. This happened to several people on the trip. And wear the seatbelt that is on the bed.
The landings do not have white sand. There are rocks on many of the landings. Some people brought walking sticks and found them helpful.
Finally if you have not been to Igauzzu Falls, they are almost as beautiful as is Antarctica and well worth the extra time and money. I think they are the prettiest falls I have seen. The sovenirs on the Brazilian side are better than on the Argentinian side.
There are gifts to be had in Ushuaia that state Antarctica but they are hard to find. The only place to buy gifts in Antarctica is Port Lockroy, a British post. It is also the only place to mail letters. The problem is sometimes it is not possible to land because of pack ice. You will not have time to buy gifts on your return to Ushuaia.
Why go people asked me. It is still pretty much untouched by humans and is very peaceful and uplifting. Take some time to meditate and just enjoy the surroundings. I am glad I visited there. It is quite possibly the best place I have visited.

Traveler: Ellen Powell from Waukegan, IL traveled on December 19, 2011

Third time was a charm! I was one of those booked 3 years ago who experienced trip cancellations 2 years in a row, but the wait was well worthwhile. What a magical trip!
The deluxe Corinthian, exceptional staff and crew, spacious cabin, luxury dining—and of course the penguins and blue ice that I really went to see! Plus, nature treated us to seals, whales, albatrosses, petrels, and skuas. It was all magic. Pictures cannot do justice to this continent. You must see it yourself.
OAT and trip leaders do a marvelous job of providing thorough pretrip information and packing lists. Read and heed. I don’t need to reiterate itinerary details, but I will note a few things I found helpful. Above all, remember each trip is different, and everything is weather-dependent, so be flexible.
1. Souvenir shoppers who may want Antarctic-labeled gear, plan ahead. There’s no store aboard the Corinthian, and we made only one landing at a station with a store. Sweats and T-shirts are expensive there; I did not buy, thinking I’d have another chance. Not true, so I never got an authentic Antarctic shirt. Bite the bullet if you want that gorgeous red $75 sweatshirt! Clothing is plentiful in Ushuaia, but it says Ushuaia or Argentina—not Antarctica!
2. Waterproof outer pants that go outside the high boots are on the packing list. I found a very light pair at a discount store for a few dollars. They were perfect, and I tossed them in the end because they developed little pick-holes from wear. Don’t wait to buy these pants in Ushuaia, where they can be extremely expensive.
3. Slip-on shoes large enough to accommodate all your socks are helpful, because you will wear them to and from the boot locker. I donned socks and neoprene liners along with the boots (because they didn’t fit in my shoes). Was I ever grateful to the boot aide stationed on deck to help us pull it all on and later take it off, plus tuck the right layers inside the boots. He earned an extra tip!
4. Don’t forget a bathing suit—you don’t want to miss the Deception Bay dip.
5. Pack bulky snow pants and your parka in compression bags (dollar-store cheapies work just fine).
6. Thin liner-type gloves are great for photographers and may provide all the warmth you need.

A couple alternatives for anyone who may have done the Buenos Aires city tour previously: an opera house tour and a ferry trip to Uruguay. Plan ahead to get in on an English-language tour of Teatro Colon; it’s famous worldwide for its beauty and acoustics. Some of us arranged that tour the day we arrived, and then the next day we headed to Uruguay. We found an English-speaking tour (including lunch) through Buquebus to picturesque little Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay. We boarded a fast ferry at a pier within walking distance of one of the hotels used by OAT, then had bus and walking tours of the village. Portuguese Colonia has wonderfully preserved architecture, cobblestone streets, a colorful old city, and flowers everywhere—a photographer’s paradise

Traveler: Jane Lehr from Shingle Springs, CA traveled on December 01, 2011

This trip was by far my favorite - of all the trips I have ever taken! The only negative comment : the ship was HOT. I recommend you bring a pair of shorts, sandals and some Tshirts for the time onboard. There are no words to express how spectacular the scenery was. The wildlife is like none I have ever seen. The crew on the Corinthian II was amazing. The food, outstanding. And Marta, our OAT guide made the trip even more special. I highly recommend this trip. You will not regret it!

Traveler: Bonnie Wheeler from Cumberland, RI traveled on December 28, 2011

If you are considering this trip I don't need to tell you that you will see amazing and awesome scenery. I can confirm, however, that for me this was the ultimate "you have to see it with your own eyes" experience. What made it especially scenic was that we had sunshine and calm seas for 3 out of the 4 days we cruised the Peninsula. (they said that normally you only have sunshine about 10% of the time)

We made all our landings and at times on shore it was so warm that people were in shirt sleeves! John Frick and his expedition staff and the four trip leaders were all excellent in providing guidance and information.

But what really made this trip exceptional was the crew on the Corinthian II. We paid for our good weather and seas while on the Peninsula with very rough crossings of the Drake Passage, most of both ways! The way down was the worst with 15 to 20 foot seas and 40 knot winds.

I have to commend the restaurant and food service crew for their excellent work under these very difficult conditions. They helped us to our tables and were able to serve us with a limited amount of spills and breakage. Not only were they quite skillful and efficient, but they were the most friendly and fun staff I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. They even knew almost all 110 passenger by name by the end of the cruise!

I know that the boats and crews will change for future trips, but these folks were great!

Traveler: Steve W. from San Jose, CA traveled on December 19, 2011

We recently returned from a trip on the Corinthian II. It was our third try to get to Antarctica (due to previous ship problems)so we were thrilled to have finally made it. We went on the Patagonian pre-trip which was a lot of fun and very interesting. The hotel in Buenos Aires was very nice and conveniently located as was the one in Ushuaia. The Antaractic ship was first class including the cabins, crew and expedition staff. We made seven landings. Everything was done very efficently. I would advise people to bring some portable board games as there was a lot of time on the ship in between all of the lectures and excursions. Also slippers or very large shoes to wear when going to the deck to put your boots on. All in all it was a great trip. We went to two research stations and it wasn't really that cold there. Most of the time we didn't even wear gloves as it is hard to handle a camera with gloves. Great trip!

Traveler: Franklin Koslow from Randolph, NJ traveled on December 06, 2011

My husband and I just returned from the December 1 trip to Antarctica. I think this was one of the best trips I have ever taken.
The Buenos Aires portion was well-planned, hotel was fine and conveniently located, and we enjoyed the city very much.
The flight to Ushuaia was at 5:00 AM. We took a bus tour of the city upon arrival and had free time to explore on our own. The following day we walked through Tierra del Fuego National Park and boarded our ship.
We were well-prepared for everything. Our clothing was checked many times and we knew what to expect.
The ship was terrific. I certainly didn't expect such luxuary on an expedition ship. The rooms, staff, and expedition team were all great.
We made 8 landings, each different, but each wonderful. The scenery and wildlife were fabulous, and our guide, Berenice, was also great.
This is not an easy trip to organize, and I think OAT did a wonderful job.

Traveler: Helen Smith from Ringwood, NJ traveled on December 01, 2011

We took, as did so many others, as it was our 7th continent. Our trip started in Buenos Aires with a lovely hotel close to everything so we could walk about. The tour guides were great and we were split into 4 different groups sof 25 each all at different hotels and didn't meet up with each other until the ship.

Fortunately our crusing on the Drake passage was fairly smooth although many people did get sick on the crossing. The food was terrific, cabins superb and the staff was wonderful. The tour expedition leaders are the best you could hope for on any trip...knowledgable, informative, witty and helpful. On one of my trips back from a landing I was fortunate enough to see a sea lion kill a penguin...the expedition leader on the zodiac says you don't see that often ...in fact many only once per season - so I consider myself fortunate.

The downside to the trip for both of us was that there wasn't enough to do on the ship itself. Yes, there were lectures but other than that it was the same old movies on TV over and over. No classes of any kind, now I know you are on a ship but you could teach a tango dance to people, have a yoga class, or something to do other than eat and sit or take more and more pictures. You couldn't even walk around the ship as the bridge area was closed....and the weather was nice enough out to walk about. So, in my opinion, I'd lile to have a little more activity on board ... not just lectures....other than this the trip was excellent and the overall experience a trip of a lifetime.

Traveler: Patricia Pitt from The Villages, FL traveled on January 21, 2011

I waited a long time to finally add my 7th continent, and I loved it. The Clelia II was a fabulous ship, and it has been fully restored since the rogue wave hit it in November. We heard the ship had been sold to new owners so it will not be used for next winter’s season, but I’m sure OAT will find a great replacement. The brochure does a great job of describing the trip, so I won’t say much about the itinerary. Instead I’d like to caution you to pay attention to advice not to wear jewelry and to keep an eye on all your belonging while in Buenos Aires (this includes watching someone physically put your suitcase(s)andor hand luggage on the bus). One couple in our group lost their carry-on in the transfer from the domestic airport to the international airport on the last day. Another lady lost all of her electronics (camera, laptop, cell phone, GPS, etc.) when their group went to a hotel between transfers and the group leader volunteered to watch everyone’s hand luggage while they stretched their legs before the long flight home. On our two days in the city, 2 people were mugged—a lady who had green stuff sprayed on her to distract her and a man who was knocked down by some boys dressed as soccer players (he was wearing either a Rolex or a knock off). DO NOT wear ANY jewelry unless you are all together in a single group. A side note, cabins 430 and 431 on the ship are not adequately labeled—they should be in the green or pink category as they have only 215 square feet, not the 235 that all the other blue cabins have.

On a more positive note, the Expedition Team was fabulous! Each person had a different expertise, lots of hands-on experience, and a friendly, humorous style. Several different countries were represented. The crew daily posts a map of your route and sells a map for $20 that helps fund one of the research stations there. You can have the ship’s captain and staff from the various countries’ bases affix their official stamps to it for a nice souvenir. Cheaper is the $5 smaller souvenir postermap from the Chilean station, but of course, there is no guarantee you will stop there.

One of the jobs of the Expedition Team leader is to coordinate the ship’s landings with the other 25-35 small ships that are in the area too—all dependent on the weather! We missed only 1 of our landings, and 1 other was quite the adventure with choppy seas splashing us with sea water and challenging us to get in and out of the zodiac without accidentally taking a polar plunge (which has happened!).

The daily lectures during both crossings of the Drake Passage were very enlightening (Drake never crossed the Drake Passage, Magellan never went through the straits, crab eater seals don’t eat crabs, etc.), and you should pay attention, lest you end up in the staff’s book of stupid questions—like “when can I see a polar bear?” or “what is the altitude here on the ship?”

Here are some practical tips about the ship and the trip that you may find useful before you finish packing. The indoor temperature was WAY too warm. I needed more t-shirts and light weight pants and fewer turtle necks, sweaters, and flannel lined jeans. I’d also brought flannel sleepwear, but ended up using a t-shirt as the cabin was quite warm. If you spend much time on the decks looking at icebergs or wildlife, you will get salt spray on camera and binocular lenses so some kind of cleaner (perhaps like you would use for glasses) is necessary. My soft cleaning cloth was not enough to get rid of the spots. I also found it helpful to have fingerless gloves when it was time to use the tiny buttons on my camera. I used these for my “liner” gloves and then put waterproof mittens over them during zodiac transfers or while on deck during cruising.
Instead of the recommended scarf (which blew into people’s faces), I bought a velcro closure face mask for windy times. I used 2 different hats: one that tied on (Russian bear hat style) for use on deck or zodiacs and one that pulled on for other times. I also used my fleece jacket that has a hoodie.

When it is your turn to go ashore, you will go to the outside rear deck to exchange your shoes for the landing boots you will store in a locker. It is very helpful to have oversized shoes that just slip off (like crocs or short snow boots) and that can accommodate all the pairs of sox that you plan to wear inside your landing boots. You don’t have time or space to be pulling on extra pairs of sox or other gear. I also brought some wool felt liners for the boots—a great idea since they took up some of the extra space (boots fit very loose) and they provided a layer of insulation and warmth which was appreciated when we were walking over snow, ice, cold rocks or in the freezing water.

You need to leave your hands free for walking around the ship (be prepared to be tossed around a bit unless you are lucky to have a "Drake lake" during the crossing), getting in and out of zodiacs, and navigating steep stairs so it is helpful to have either a small waterproof backpack or waterproof bags (with a clip to attach them to your red jacket) for cameras, sunglasses, lip balm and anything else you might want with you. I put my small camera on a lanyard and tucked it inside my red jacket so it would be protected against spray but would be handy whenever I needed it quickly (wildlife comes and goes in a split second). Make sure your eye glasses have a HARD case. I had only a soft neoprene case and my glasses broke early in the trip. Because the air is so dry there (Antarctica is the world’s largest desert!), I found it very useful to bring a saline nasal spray, eye drops, and skin moisturizer (which I never use on my oily skin). DO bring a swim suit as you will probably have a chance to do a “polar plunge.” Even if you think you won’t, you might. Several people got caught up in the moment, and some went in the water in their long underwear.

Since ski pants, that darn red parka, and other necessary clothes are VERY bulky, I used compression bags. I bought 2 expensive ones from REI and then found some for $1 at the Dollar Tree that worked almost as well. Do not use the kind that seal with a vacuum cleaner as you may not be able to reseal them for the trip home; the kind I used sealed like a ziplock bag--then I rolled them to squeeze the air out the bottom end. Very effective and saves a lot of suitcase space. If you don’t want your red parka (or any other gear) at the end of the trip, you can donate it to the crew or give it to your trip leader who will see that someone gets good use from it. If you want to keep it, have someone show you how to fold it into a compact basketball shape that stuffs into the hood.

At the end of the trip, you get a list with your group’s email addresses, but I wish I’d had some business cards to give to members outside our group and to those I felt closest to in our group. I’d brought pictures from home as was suggested on the packing list, but never used them. Most people were more interested in where you have traveled than where you live.

If I were going again, I would not do the optional tango show (even though I've enthusiastically done all the other optional tours on my many OAT trips). I love dance and the food was great, but $95 was too expensive for what we got. There was a lot of singing and not enough dancing, particularly flashy moves, and the performance was not very long, so I was somewhat disappointed. Several others in our group agreed.

For the shopaholics on the trip, the best available shopping is along Florida street (the street vendors are cheaper, but the quality is usually not as goodas an indoor store), at the flea market near the pink palace, in Camenito (part of your city tour—take money!) and in Ushuaia. Be sure to ask for your free charm if you visit any H. Stern jewelry store (each city has a different charm--collect them all!). The ship had a very small selection of goods, mostly hats, scarves, shirts and gloves.

In spite of the problems a few people experienced, I would go again in a heartbeat. How can you explain to folks back home the feeling of being face to face with vocal inquisitive penguins that regard you as a curiosity rather than a threat or the look of the night sky filled with billions of stars since there is no light pollution or the pungent smell of slick gobs of penguin poo or the sight of enormous icebergs that dwarf your ship or the lack of sound in a vast landscape with no human interference? No photo can do justice to the landscape or wildlife that you will experience. You have to see it to believe it, and even then ....

Traveler: Margaret Whitt from Murphy, TX traveled on January 21, 2011

In early January 2009 we took OAT’s Antarctica White Wilderness trip as well as the pre- and post-trips. During the pre-trip in the Patagonia area we took a boat ride to see sea lions and to Peninsula Valdes to see elephant seals, both in their natural habitat, the only time we saw those animals. We enjoyed our time in Buenos Aires and were ready to get to Antarctica. Spending a bit of time in Ushuaia and taking a hike in Tierra del Fuego National Park was extremely helpful to understand the entire area. We were pleasantly surprised with the upscale details on our ship Andrea including the well-trained staff. The food was excellent and there was a wide selection, including fresh fruits and vegetables, at every meal. During both crossings of the Drake Passage there were talks several times a day given by the on-board, well-educated and extremely knowledgeable exploration crew. Many of the crew have dedicated their careers to understanding and preserving the Antarctica area and its natural inhabitants and they welcome any and all questions. Electrical outlets for charging camera batteries are in each cabin. The temperature on the ship was quite comfortable so you don’t need to bundle up while on board. Because of the bulky clothes we had to pack we used “space saver” bags which worked out extremely well. We packed our parkas, gloves, hats, etc. in one big bag, squished out the air and put it on the bottom of our luggage until we needed it. We packed all our other clothes in space saver bags. We were able to get everything in our bag easily and kept our “warm” clothes and “cold” clothes separate. We found penguins are friendly and not afraid of humans. The beauty of the Antarctica is indescribable, the crew always kept us safe and well informed of all “sightings” in the air, water or on the land. What a great experience!

Traveler: Robert and Suzy from Asheville, NC traveled on January 04, 2009