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Just returned from a lifetime experience. We cruised to Antarctica with
Overseas Adventure Travel on the Corinthian II for 9 days. The cruise generally takes 2 days from Ushuaia, Argentina to the Antarctic Peninsula, then 5 days of cruising and landings and 2 days back.
For us the infamous Drake Passage was calm both ways but a number of passengers did get seasick.
All but one landing was wet and sometimes pretty tricky. We made 8 landings in all on both the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula including Port Lockroy a seasonally operating British Post Office and Museum.
The Corinthian II is an outstanding vessel for these treacherous waters. Well appointed and equipped with all the modern cruising technology allowing close in cruising, rapid Zodiac deployment and retrieval, and an excellent cruise speed to get from one landing site to another. Speed is especially important when one landing site is ice blocked and an alternate site is required. Little valuable time is wasted.
The crew, whether dining room, cruise, or expedition staff was unilaterally the finest ship's complement we have ever experienced. The food was outstanding. Fresh, varied, plentiful and artistically presented. Something for every palet.
We were blessed with one day of snow, wind and freezing cold and four days of bright sunshine with calm winds and calm seas. What a contrast! But that's Antarctica.
There were penguins everywhere as well as seals, a myriad of bird species, Humpback and Minke Whales and scenery that defies a camera's ability to capture.
We've been to over 50 countries on land and sea, Antarctica is now in the top 5.
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