“I booked on the Shackleton's Antarctica trip in March 2018, intended to go to the Antarctic islands and mainland, South Georgia and the Falklands. The time at sea (about 16 days) would only have been adequate if everything had gone perfectly. However, a combination of rough weather in the landing sites on South Georgia and a medical emergency meant we lost S. Georgia completely. I would only recommend this trip if it is extended to at least 18 days. On the other hand the ship and the levels of service were immaculate, and the arrangements for meeting me at airports and the standard of the hotels booked were entirely satisfactory. There were plenty of landings at the places we did reach and the expedition staff were friendly and knowledgeable.”
“Firstly, let me express that what we did achieve for the most part was an incredible experience. Antarctica is truly an amazing place. The Sea Spirit and her crew, the hotel staff, and food where incredible, and more than met my expectations. The expedition team were very knowledgeable, and presented well planned and interesting lectures, and were always approachable to answer questions. However, the huge disappointment was with the omission of the key part of this expedition for me, which was the visit to South Georgia; 'The Galapagos of the South'. Trying to get a last minute cruise place booked, this was the deciding factor for me, and it was a huge disappointment to all travelers that we didn't go there, and that the possibility of actually going there was in fact highly unlikely/impossible from the start due to the allocated time, distances involved, ship speed, and local conditions at this time of year. From the point at which it was dictated to us that we weren't going, my excitement levels significantly reduced, and the alternative landings were somewhat disappointing due to the high expectations I had for South Georgia. I also opted for what I now believe is an overpriced Kayak option. Whilst a number of the excursions where incredible experiences, in particular the morning of the Antarctic peninsula landings, I also feel that I missed out on some very immersive wildlife encounters as a result (notably the first landing when none kayakers had up close and personal interactions with inquisitive Gentoo penguins, and also the already noted Antarctic peninsula morning, when the zodiac cruisers came within meters of the feeding humpbacks). When the itinerary went to pot, I think some of the excursions lacked any plan, and were much of a directionless paddle. I was particularly disappointed to miss the Kayak Group Photo, on the one occasion when I decided to not kayak, since the taking of the group photo was not announced in advance (that I heard anyway). I would have at least donned my kayak gear to be included in the photo, whether I actually kayaked or not. As such I am not even included in the photo on my own certificate! My overall memory of the cruise (my first ever) is a mix of incredible joy at some things I witnessed, but unfortunately overshadowed by the huge cloud of disappointment I feel at the omission of the key part of the expedition. It pains me that when friends and family ask how the trip was, that I can't be bursting with excitement about the amazing experience. It was a huge amount of money for me to part with and I feel short changed by the events that occurred.”
“The whole trip was amazing without any problems Staff were friendly and worked together well to make the expedition experience very enjoyable and safe for all of us”
“Just returned from an amazing trip with Chimu to Antarctica and the Falkland Islands. We were due to visit South Georgia however with some bad luck for one of our fellow passengers and some bad weather to boot we did miss this part sadly. We saw an incredible array of wildlife, and I feel the trip was well handled. We had some wonderful weather and the guides onboard the sea spirit were first class. The mood on board did turn a bit sour when it was seen that we would miss South Georgia, but our trip leader Chad Carey (a Chimu director) handled it wonderfully. The trip was billed as expedition and indeed it was from the outset! I have travelled enough to know things don’t always go your way, and I will travel with you again anytime! See you in the Arctic next year!”
“The Antarctic is a must go to destination sometime in one's life. The Scenery and the Wildlife just incredible. The ship; the hospitality crew and the expedition professionals could not be faulted. Unfortunately the weather played havoc with our planned destinations and key elements were scrapped (but others added). Unfortunately the published marketing material from Chimu was nothing like what the expedition team (Poseidon) was trying to execute against.”
“Unfortunately all the disappointments cloud the highlights of the trip for us. The major disappointment was the cancelling of South Georgia, which was the main reason we went on this trip. Our time in the Antarctica peninsula and Falklands were wonderful. We were grateful that the lost days at South Georgia did allow for more wildlife days in the Falklands. There was great concern among many of the passengers about this trip only having 17 days at sea to cover all three areas. For those in future -- definitely seek out a 22 day itinerary for the large loop to Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands to allow for any lost days due to weather. The Sea Spirit was an excellent ship and there were great talks. Staff and food were very nice. We would have felt that Chimu and Poseidon Expeditions did not realize the magnitude at the loss of the South Georgia experience on its passengers and that was upsetting. Many of the passengers were elderly and would not have the opportunity to come back and try to experience it. Grateful for a beautiful continental landing day. Grateful for all the penguins and the Falkland Island settlements.”
“Very disappointed that we couldn't get to South Georgia, however alternate arrangements ere well organised and partially compensated for missing South Georgia”
