Fantastic activities, rough food/safety
by David Y
Departure in December 2023
Region: Antarctica
Destinations: Antarctic Peninsula
Ship: m/v Ortelius
Highlights: Photo Workshop, Snowshoeing, Mountaineering, Antarctic Camping, Kayaking, Adelie Penguin, Gentoo Penguin, Humpback Whale
This was the trip of a lifetime. We got to participate in so many outdoor activities with a phenomenal crew. Kayaking, mountaineering, camping, and snowshoeing... this is the way to see Antarctica! The crew really tried with providing vegan food options, but even with 7 vegans on board, there was an issue with providing enough calories given the food, limited dining times and lack of vegan snacks/desserts when others had them. There were almost no vegan proteins on board and the kitchen did not seem equipped with providing enough calories or finding another solution, despite repeated questioning. This made the cruise hard for us. Also, when one of us was injured on a Zodiac, we realized there was really no medicine or medical supplies on board. This is probably pretty standard for smaller Antarctica cruises though, so if something goes wrong, you're pretty much stuck (unless it's so bad that you need an evacuation). The doctor mentioned being able to tape some things together for a bad break and similar. Overall, this really was the best way to do this trip with so many activities and so much wildlife, including whales, penguins, and birds. Everyone on board was phenomenal. Enjoy!
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Comment from Oceanwide Expeditions
Thank you for taking the time to provide such detailed feedback.
With regard to vegan options on board, we try to supply products that provide vegans with sufficient nutrition for their daily needs. This includes protein-rich options like lentils as well as nutritious frozen vegetables and fruits. But depending on the length of a voyage, certain foods may run out. We are continually learning and coaching our galley crew in being creative, especially concerning vegetarian and vegan food.
As for the medical resources on board, we always recruit a doctor to operate a simple medical facility on our vessels. This has always been enough to address the minor injuries we sometimes encounter during our voyages, though as you mentioned, evacuation may be necessary in certain rare and serious cases.
We're happy to hear you enjoyed your voyage despite the food limitations, and we thank you again for your thorough review.