03/18/2026
Hi everyone. I apologize that this post is delayed. I was originally going to write a lengthy review of our last cruise. I just didn't have the energy, so today's abbreviated review is what I'll give you.
Should you go to Antarctica? Yes, yes, absolutely YES!!!! Very few people have experienced this magnificent land and we have been so blessed to have been there twice (and we're looking to book a third trip once the itineraries are released). No matter how good it is, no photograph or video can do justice to the breathtaking grandeur of this place. You truly MUST experience it for yourself! Please understand that, while you are unquestionably in Antarctica, you're only scratching the surface of this amazing continent as you will only be at the very top of the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland (and/or possibly the South Georgia) Islands without going south of the Antarctic Circle.
Our first visit was in the early summer and we saw thousands and thousands of birds, but almost no whales. This visit was approaching the end of summer and, while the birds were there, we saw very few. Whales were another story this trip and we saw lots and lots of them (even on those occasions when it was only the blow).
Should you get a balcony? YES!!!!! Usually, I respond indifferently and that it's a matter of personal preference. If you have a balcony, it will give you added opportunity for amazing photographs. You won't have many days lounging on your balcony soaking in the sun!
Which cruise line should you use? That's a little tougher. If you're physically able to embark/disembark Zodiacs and if your budget can handle higher prices, I recommend a small expedition ship (200 guests or fewer). Ships over 200 guests can't land you. Otherwise, use your favourite cruise line if they go down there.
We went with Oceania this time and they're a very good cruise line. They hype themselves as the "finest cuisine at sea" and in the specialty dining venues (included in your fare), they absolutely lived up to this reputation. In the main dining room, they were good, but to my mind they didn't live up to their self-proclaimed excellence.
We were in a Penthouse Suite, which was beautiful and our room attendants (stewards) were absolutely spectacular. They were wonderful and helped make the trip so much fun!
Comparing the Penthouse Suite experience on Oceania with the Neptune Suite experience on Holland America Line, we actually prefer the HAL experience. The concierge available to suite guests on HAL did far more for us than the butler did on Oceania. We didn't know how to use his services and he was of no help in sorting that out, so effectively, he was functionally useless.
While the ship is beautiful, for someone using a walker, I would give it a C+ or B- for accessibility in public areas - they've tried, but I wish they were a little better. Most of the public venues were an obstacle course to negotiate the walker through. The public washrooms had no automatic door openers so if pushing a door open, it was more difficult to negotiate alone, even though every public washroom had a wheelchair accessible toilet.
Our first Oceania cruise was unbelievably impressive and had us longing to return. Nothing about this cruise had us strongly wanting to go back to Oceania, but I wouldn't rule them out either. I suspect we were jaded by our less than stellar suite experience.
Our embarkation port for Santiago was San Antonio and our disembarkation port was Buenos Aires. Neither port is particularly well designed for cruise ships as they are both heavily industrial ports. The port authorities do their best to make the cruise passenger experience flow smoothly, please allow for a few extra steps (like a bus ride between the terminal and the ship). The process isn't as smooth as you'll find in ports with purpose-designed cruise ship terminals.
Oceania is good and I'm glad we experienced them for this cruise. I think I would be more impressed if I wasn't in a suite. As it stands, we're quite happy to be returning to our Neptune Suite on HAL for our upcoming three cruises. When we are able to book Antarctica again, I'm expecting to book an aft corner Neptune Suite on a HAL ship (the 2028/2029 itineraries won't likely be released until December or January).
You may have noticed that the posts to this page have almost stopped. This post will be one of my last ones. As I wind down my travel business, I will no longer use this as a vehicle to market myself. I am seeing through bookings that I've already made, but I am no longer accepting new bookings.
I will leave this page active for a while, but will soon take steps to shut it down. Whether you've been with me since the beginning, or if you've joined me somewhere along the way, I thank you for your loyalty and for joining me on this wonderful journey. It's been a blast!
My body is slowing me down before I'm ready to, but nature is nature and I have to listen to the signals my body is sending me.
