Final Posting - Thoughts on Antarctic Voyage

Before my final thoughts on the subject of the Antarctic trip, here is a photo of two of the four lifeboats on the National Geographic Explorer. I am showing this because the current pirate episode off Somalia has the 4 pirates and the captain in a lifeboat such as this. The boats are capable of getting 34 adults in side each, which actually doesn't cover all the passengers (if the ship is full), crew and staff. Hopefully my numbers are incorrect, but it would be really tight is 34 or more individuals had to get in one of these.















I have been asked whether the trip was worth it, and what did it cost.

Yes, it was worth it - the half price made it feasible for me. Yes, I was horribly sick for 2 full days, and not feeling great (no throwing up) for 2 others. Fortunately those 4 days were all at sea, and I really didn't miss much. I met some really nice people, had really good food most of he time (all the diet coke I could handle!), and the staff was very knowledgeable, the crew did a great job (especially those helping to get us in and out of the zodiacs). The only complaint I had with the ship was the VERY SLOW and COSTLY Internet service. One hundred dollars ($ 100) for 4 hours of connectivity was very expensive and excessive.

From what I have gathered, there were many favorable things about the voyage that might not be available on other like trips. I can't imagine getting into zodiacs in heavy seas by walking down a gangplank and then into a bobbing zodiac. There is no way it could be done with the assistance provided to us. I have heard that this is the way the Russian icebreakers get their passengers into zodiacs. There ships were not built for this kind of exiting, as wall the NG Explorer. Having stabilizers on the ship also, for me, helped a great deal. Who knows what I would have been like without them (even if they are not applicable when anchored). It was also very nice not having a roommate. And the entire ship, not just our rooms, were kept immaculate, and the staff was always friendly.

I would say a 'normal' trip to Antarctica would be of shorter length (since it wouldn't end up at Cape Town, would skip Tristan da Cunha, but would include the Falkland Islands) would cost in the neighborhood of $ 18,000 to $ 20,000 with all the flights and fees, etc. And that would assume the smallest cabin, as mine was on the ship.

The trip is a once in a lifetime, and worth doing if one like ice, penguins, whales, birds and seals.
And, of course, can handle the seas.

This is the end of my blogging. Thanks to those who have kept up with my pictures and text.