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4.84
Overall rating based on 1,297 votes
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What an incredible trip, a beautiful route, many discoveries and all under the guidance of a TOP crew. The incredible beauty, the weather, the activities and the enthusiastic team made dt an unforgettable adventure for me
This was an amazing expedition! The Antarctic is a special and unique area of the earth, for sure. The environment both sea and land was wonderful, and the Plancius crew and Oceanwide staff were experts at providing the guests the ultimate experience this fantastic place! The closeness of the wildlife was a wonder, and never failed to amaze - it was truly life changing! The crew and staff were incredibly skilled and knowledgeable in the ways of the sea and the magic of the Antarctic peninsula. The skill with which the crew and staff guided the guests through this thoroughly unique and magical place cannot be praised enough! This was an adventure that is almost beyond words to explain! My highest compliment is that this was my second expedition on the Plancius, and will not be my last! I look forward to my next adventure! Possibly on one of the Plancius expeditions in the northern hemisphere!
Embarking on an Oceanwide Expeditions journey to the Antarctic Circle is nothing short of a transformative experience. The pristine beauty of the icy realm is matched only by the warmth and expertise of the Oceanwide crew, who ensure every moment is filled with awe and education. From the majestic icebergs rising like sculptures to the playful wildlife that greets you at every turn, the expedition feels like a true exploration into the last great wilderness on Earth.
The ship, a comfortable and sturdy vessel, becomes a home away from home, where every meal is a delight and every cabin a cozy retreat after days filled with adventure. The guides are not just knowledgeable; they are passionate storytellers who bring the history and science of this remote place to life. Whether it’s witnessing a humpback whale breaching beside the ship or hiking to a vantage point for a breathtaking panorama, the memories made here are indelible.
Oceanwide Expeditions doesn’t just take you to Antarctica; they immerse you in it, offering a once-in-a-lifetime trip that’s as educational as it is exhilarating. It’s a journey that changes you forever.
I took a Deep South (Antarctic Circle) Expedition with Oceanwide earlier this year and the experience could not have been better!
Not only did we have a dream trip in terms of weather, activities and wildlife spotting - making numerous stops and zodiac trips every day and meeting all of our trip objectives thanks to the amazing work of the Captain and Expedition Team, who continually altered our plans to make sure the ship was in the best position to take advantage of the conditions - but the entire atmosphere and energy on the boat was amazingly welcoming and fun.
I just have to highlight how incredible the entire Oceanwide staff/crew is. Not only are they super knowledgeable, they are incredibly friendly. Everyone, from the guides to the bridge team to the housekeeping and galley staff, is happy to welcome you on board and into the Plancius/Oceanwide family. The kitchen staff knew all of our names by day 2! And they were amazing at dealing with dietary restrictions and preferences. The guides and bridge staff were likewise happy to mingle, chat and answer any questions (even ones for which they had to look up the answers)!
A wonderful experience overall!
My 11-day Antarctic expedition was outstanding from start to finish. The staff were knowledgeable, friendly, enthusiastic, and professional. The food was delicious. The M/V Plancius was quiet, well-appointed, and just the right size. The crew did an amazing job making sure we experienced as much as possible whenever possible, and I would absolutely take this trip again and again. My only regret is that I'm not an expert in Antarctic/Arctic wildlife or climate so I can't get a job with Oceanwide as an expedition staff member ;)
This sums everything up: on the last day, I went to take a picture with the captain. He then asked me how much I liked the trip and out of nowhere I started crying!! That was all the answer I could give him... tears of joy! it was absolutely amazing!!!
The perfect ship (Plancius!) The perfect staff and crew! Service was excellent, the crew's commitment to safety measures cannot be over emphasized, commitment to keeping Antarctica pristine is beyond admirable. There several options for Antarctic cruises, but the Basecamp tour was perfection. This was no drive-by cruise! Opportunities twice a day for landings, Zodiac cruises, kayaking, snowshoeing, mountaineering and even overnight camping! Wildlife abounds! Humpback whales that visit the ship! Penguins diving off icebergs! Leopard seals yawing in your face! It is an understatement to say that this was the trip of a lifetime.
This trip far exceeded my expectations and I had an incredible experience! The crew's passion and excellent service truly stood out, and their commitment to safety reassured me throughout the journey. Highly recommend this adventure!
It was a amazing voyage
I wasn't sure what the experience would be like, but I'm so glad I booked with Oceanwide. The trip felt like a real exploration of the scenery and wildlife in Antarctica, and the crew helped make it an exciting and informative adventure. An incredible trip of a lifetime!
The trip when perfectly well, I was a bit afraid of the Drake Passage but with the medicine I had + the one you provided it was fine, mountaineering and kayaking activities were awesome, conferences and photo workshop were very interesting, the food was very good, staff was great, thank you for everything!!
This was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Everything was so well run. The crew and staff worked so hard to make this experience so special. I will never forget it.
Highly recommend this 13 day Basecamp trip. We saw such a variety of wildlife, got to do every available activity (camping, kayaking, mountaineering, showshoeing, landings, zodiacs, onboard lectures regarding wildlife, Antarctic safety, photography lectures, history of antarctica and more
Amazing trip on Plancius with a highly professionnal team wether we consider the captain, the cleaning lady, the guides, the cooks and hotel staff in a remote and stunning environnement. Landscapes, weather/ambiance as it changes fast, wildlife...The whole combination is unique !
This was a dream trip for me and the wildlife, scenery, and remote stark beauty did not disappoint. The Expedition leader and guides were incredible! They shared so freely their great gifts of knowledge and respect for the earth and beings of it. Eduardo, you are the bomb. Thank you, Regis, Koen, Ilke, Helene, Koen, Michael, Tom! I most enjoyed that I felt so fully immersed in the magical, pristine, awe-inspiring places of Antarctica and the remote southern ocean islands we visited. The wildlife was fantastic, the penguin breeding colony numbers staggering, the seabirds so cool. The other birders I met on the trip were so nice and what fun seeing what new would show up each day. We were also lucky to have very good weather! This was a hugely expensive venture for me but it was a once in a lifetime trip, not to be missed. If you do this trip, go with few expectations, an open mind and heart, and just be in it. I like getting lost in a good book, but this was the real deal for 3 weeks. I am changed, upgraded, in the best ways.
