Reviews

This trip far exceeded my every expectation. We picked this company for the access to adventure activities (we got to do them all, with a combination of good luck with weather and the tireless work of the expedition leader Sara and her entire staff to maximize everyone's experiences with the locations/weather available to us on a day by day basis) and cost, and was so pleasantly surprised to find that the entire ship was operated with a priority placed on safety, wildlife, education, conservation, and fun! Guides for every activity (especially Zet - kayaking, Chris/Owain - mountaineering) were clear in instructions for safety, monitored guest compliance closely, and gave real-time feedback. I really enjoyed the celebratory BBQ and dance out on the helipad at the end of the trip - truly a magical night. Every staff member was sure to prioritize safety of guests and fellow staff, as well as animals during landings and zodiac cruises (which I had not realized, prior to going on the trip, occur whenever you are not scheduled to do an excursion -- meaning almost all day every day you are out in the water or on land in Antarctica!). A lot of my pre-trip reading on Antarctica in general mentioned limitations on time spent on land to accommodate all guests, but on a smaller ship like this, guests could always maximize time off-ship, sometimes with hours on land and timed in such a way that it was the right time to return to the ship for food/water/bathroom anyways. In between activities and while at sea, there were a plethora of targeted talks and structured question-answering, which was highly educational and informative (a sampling of the lectures include life on the sea floor, history of women in Antarctica, talks on the specific wildlife we saw, discussion of tracking whales through happywhale.com, the background of specific sites we went to, krill fishing, and the effects of plastics/microplastics on Antarctica among many more!). The whole staff is so impressive and everyone was clearly an expert in their field and loved being out there. I only missed one lecture (accidentally), that's how good they were! Captain Per also had a 24/7 open bridge policy which was fascinating and added an additional layer of education to my experience... his skillful navigation and calm hand made the entire ship a delight for all passengers (it was also a great place to watch for wildlife, which seemed to be never-ending). By the end of the trip, I did feel like I had a new appreciation for Antarctica and our planet, as well as a new eye for the damage that we do both as tourists and as consumers in the wider world. Some suggestions for the company to really ensure that the learning and messaging from this perfect trip are in line with the company's practices and all guests' day to day... 1) Minimize or get rid of daily plastic garbage bags in all the rooms - likely not worth it or necessary, and would reduce so much waste. 2) Consider meatless Mondays, minimizing availability of salmon - it would reduce our footprint considerably and possibly cost, while opening the door for more conversation on how acting in moderation can allow us to still consume while making a big conservation impact on the beautiful world we are living in and admiring during this trip. It is clear that conservation is a big part of Oceanwide's mission, and it would be great if the daily life on ship felt a little more in line with that.

We are so happy about that trip. The chef and the food was excellent. We had every day 3 meals lunch and dinner also has 3 course. The staff is every time friendly and helpful. You can ask everything. The leader try to find the best spots for weather conditions. So it's not always the same way. We had 2 landings or zodiac rides every day and every stop was between 2 and 3 house. It was worth every cent.

Now a few weeks back home and I still look back on this fantastic trip with a big smile on my face. The entire crew from below the waterline to above....thank you for the wonderful experience. With passion and love for the area, you have sought a balance between tourism and respect for the vulnerability of nature. Thank you.

A fantastic trip! A wake up to the beauty of Antartica. The rawness to get there, the serenity when you arrive. It showed me how important the present moment is and how beauty can be overwhelming and unable to catch by a camera. The love, knowledge and respect the leaders are equipped with is fantastic to see.

Breathtaking beauty, unreal experience, attentive crew, knowledgeable staff, well-planned, well-fed, all on a journey like no other

Everyone was really nice and kind most of all professional! Thanks to all the staffs and I could make happy experience.

Absolutely awesome holiday and journey! Inspiring staff, incredible people, lifelong friends, and empowering experiences ❤️ sadly came to an end although I feel these experiences and bonds formed will last forever and this educational hands on expedition has enriched me in appreciating our amazing earth even more for which we are caretakers for 🥰❤️

We had an exceptional Basecamp expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula with the Oceanwide team of experienced guides. The whole trip, from the activities, to the lectures, to the food and fellow travelers was a highlight. Continuously changing weather meant the daily plans and schedules had to be fluid and flexible, which the team did with grace and ease under the expert leadership of Sara and Captain Per. Expedition leaders were knowledgeable experts in their fields and were always happy to share and impart their knowledge. The food was outstanding, and the staff were just incredible - nothing was too much trouble and everything was done with a smile. I would unreservedly recommend this trip - it was a great balance between being on the boat, Zodiac cruising looking for wildlife, activities on land and sea, and loads of fun and laughs. Truly the experience of a lifetime.

Amazing staff and amazing adventure.

Impresif

Words have not been invented to describe the beauty and perfection of Antarctica, to also get to do the activities there was fabulous, Kayaking with penguins, Zodiacing with Orcas, camping with seals - all beyond belief - the staff on the ship (not boat - I have learnt my lesson) were fabulous - above and beyond on every level - I could spend hours telling you how fab the crew were and it still wouldn't touch the sides. This is a very expensive trip but the staff make sure it's worth every penny and more. I thought my travel company were crazy when they told me the suggested tip was £140, by the end of the first day they'd totally earned that and by the end of the trip I literally gave them all the cash I had - happily. If you want to push yourself, learn something new and meet fabulous new people, there's no better way to do it - if there's any way you can get the money together, just do it - you can't be disappointed.

The trip I never knew I needed until I heard it exists, a place I didn't know would capture my heart until I came home and realized how much I missed it. Originally planned as a once in a life time trip, I've accepted there's no way I can only visit once in a lifetime. This is the ultimate way to disconnect with the transactional world we live in today and reconnect with nature, science, discovery and the human spirit.

A birding excursion organized by the crew would be nice. You can akways ask things but some extra help detecting and direct knowing which bird is great to have. What dies OE do with sustainability? Think about the food. And offering more healthy food (less sugar, less salt) would be good. Let people bring their own water bottle and only give a bottle if they don’t have.

Absolutely fantastic voyage on the Ortelius led by Sara and Captain Per! Sara did a wonderful job finding sites with lots of varied wildlife over the course of the trip, throughout predictably unpredictable weather (even the days too stormy for landings offered great views and were well worth the adventure). Her expedition staff – Jens, Koen, Bill with his hilarious cartoons, and many others – were not only helpful and informative, but also a joy to spend time with and learn from. Finally, I was blown away by the ship's crew; everybody was super kind, and the dining staff even went out of their way to remember personal preferences (plus the food itself was delicious). Since returning, I keep dreaming about this trip and thinking about when/how I can go back...!

This was the most incredible trip of my life - Antarctica and the surrounding waters cannot be summed up in words. I had just the best time, and I cannot sing more praises about the crew and staff of Ortelius. If you want to get off the boat, see animals, and appreciate the natural beauty of the area, this is the company for you. If you want a luxurious cruise (not to say the food and service wasn't great!), with a gym, or a pool, look elsewhere. I would come back in a heartbeat.