No Landing on the Antarctic Peninsula
par Natalia Seriakova
Départ en January 2025
par Natalia Seriakova
Départ en January 2025
Région: Antarctique
Destinations: Îles Shetland du Sud, Îles Malouines, Géorgie du Sud
Navire: m/v Plancius
I booked the expedition to the Flaklands islands, South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula. There were also Orkney islands in the itinerary, they were skipped. The expedition fulfilled just 2 points from the promised 3 main itinerary points. The peninsula was completely skipped without any official explanation or apology. They were bringing us to The Shetland islands instead. On exactly same days I had friends who were on the Antarctic peninsula with the other company. The weather could not be a reason. Most probably they didn't book the necessary slots for the peninsula landings. This was very disappointing as it is a very expensive trip which you can do only once in your life, it requires also a lot of time. I chose this itinerary as all 3 points were covered in it and especially to set the foot on the 7th continent. There must be at least partial refund for not doing the peninsula landings. In fact we had only 1 chance actually to see the continent and it happened at 3 a.m. It was not properly explained that it was the only chance at least to see the continent. The ship passed by the Brown Bluff at 3 a.m., why didn't it stop there? Even I read in the previous group log that they made a landing in Brown Bluff but actually were supposed to have full peninsula itinerary for 3-4 full days. On the Drake passage the ship was extremely slow as we could come to Ushuaia 1 day earlier if it went normal speed. They did quite well on South Georgia but Antarctic experience was an absolute disappointment. Other down sides: very old cabins, very little space in the restaurant and the bar. You barely can find any seat when you come 5 minutes later. In general, everything is very basic. No entertainment, just lectures and security briefings. Comparing my experience with the videos from the other companies I got even more disappointed. I paid a huge amount of money for the basic single cabin and I don't feel that I got what I paid. But everything would be not so important if the program would be fulfilled and we would step on the Antarctic continent. From the positive: very attentive excellent crew, most of the expedition guides were good and knowledgeable. Very long landings on the islands where we could go around and observe the wildlife not in a hurry. I expect at least the partial refund and explanation why the peninsula was in the program and why it was not fulfilled. The weather conditions can't be a reason as there were plenty of ships on these days there and even my friends were enjoying the daily landings on the exact same days.
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Commentaire de Oceanwide Expeditions
Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback regarding your recent expedition to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and Antarctica. We sincerely appreciate your insights and understand how important this journey was to you.
We are truly sorry that your experience did not fully meet your expectations, particularly regarding the Antarctic Peninsula landings. As with any expedition to such remote and unpredictable regions, our itinerary is always subject to change due to weather, ice conditions, and logistical constraints, including IAATO regulations and slot availability. Every effort was made by our experienced expedition team to maximize your experience while prioritizing safety and operational feasibility.
Regarding the Antarctic Peninsula, we understand that a continental landing was an important part of your expectations. Our expedition team carefully evaluated all possible landing opportunities based on real-time weather, ice conditions, and logistical considerations. Given the challenges presented during our time in the region, including shifting ice and safety constraints, we made adjustments to the itinerary to provide the best possible experience for all guests. Every effort was made to maximize landings and activities while ensuring safe and meaningful exploration of Antarctica’s unique landscapes and wildlife.
While we understand your disappointment, we do hope that you were able to appreciate the incredible wildlife encounters, extended landings on the islands, and the expertise of our expedition team, which many guests found to be highlights of the journey. The Antarctic Sound, with its stunning ice formations, abundant wildlife, and unique landscapes, remains an exceptional and immersive experience of Antarctica.
With respect to the ship’s speed and arrival in Ushuaia, our sailing schedule takes into account various operational factors, including weather forecasts, safety protocols, and environmental regulations such as whale slow-down zones, which require reducing speed to minimize impact on marine life.
While we regret that certain aspects of the voyage did not meet your expectations, we hope that, upon reflection, you will cherish the many extraordinary moments from this expedition. Exploring these remote and pristine destinations is always an adventure, and every voyage is unique.
Thank you again for your valuable feedback. Should you have any further questions or require clarification, please do not hesitate to reach out.