I debated long and hard whether to book a cruise to Antarctica on a ship holding over 400 passengers. Everyone I knew who had been to Antarctica strongly suggested I go on an "exploration" ship. I checked into these and realized how small and old they were. Yes, they may make two landings a day compared to Seabourn's one landing a day, but the ship accomodations on the exploration type ships are rudimentary at best. I didn't regret my decision one little bit. Since the ship can only land 100 people a time in Antarctica, the landings must be done in shifts. However, the expedition team on the ship handles this in such an efficient manner, it is no problem at all. In addition, they sometimes add a Zodiac tour around the bay or cove the ship is in which is as good as or even better than the landings. This is the way to get up close to whales and seals. Then the glory of the Quest is that you come back to the impeccable service of a six star hotel. I can't say enough good things about the food and service aboard the Quest. You will not be lacking for anything. I can't begin to even imagine how many cases of champagne and wine they go through on a 21 day cruise, but it is ample indeed. The food is excellent in all the restaurants. They even operated the Patio Grill on most days despite temperatures in the 30's. They have infrared heaters operating at the Patio Grill as well as on the rear outside deck where you can watch for animals with the expedition team members. There are dozens of enrichment lectures on board, and each day there is a summary of the day's activities held just before normal dinner hours. The nightly entertainment and shows were all excellent with great entertainers on board the entire cruise. Antarctica itself is beyond words. The number of huge icebergs is beyond counting. The scenery is absolutely gorgeous. The Penquins are a riot, even if they are a bit dirty, noisy and smelly. The humpbacks and orcas are in abundance and are beautiful. Big pods of Orcas are swimming down there. Even the dreaded Drake Passage cooperated and became the Drake "Lake" both going and returning. One of the best things about this cruise is that in addition to the six days in Antarctica plus the four days coming and going that you usually get on an "exploration type" cruise orginating in Ushuaia, you get another 12 days cruising to various Chilean ports and the Falkland Islands. In summary, if you want to see Antarctica in style, book this cruise for next year, you won't be sorry. Another plus for the Quest is that should the Drake Passage be rough, you are on a ship which is far more stable than those small ones leaving Ushuaia.