Polar Reviews

If you’re wondering if it will be worth it…the answer is YESSSS 1000%.

Upgrade to the Albatross hotel for last night. The other hotel and the unfriendly staff was a disappointment after such an amazing time .

Definitely check out this company – they are worthy of their reputation. I would highly recommend paying more and going to South Georgia – was so beautiful with so much wildlife. If you get seasick – go for a cabin lower down in teh middle of the ship. My husband usually gets sick and we chose level 4 – once up from the porthole cabins (and my hubby did not get sick at all)..

My wife and I are passionate, repeat travellers to the polar regions. Over many years we have visited the High Arctic as well as Antarctica and South Georgia multiple times. Our last three Antarctic expeditions – each lasting more than 20 days – included the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, the South Orkney Islands, the Weddell Sea and the Antarctic Peninsula with the South Shetland Islands. We therefore know exactly what a high-quality polar expedition should look like. Looking for something special this time, we chose Aurora Expeditions and the 24-day voyage “South Georgia & Antarctic Odyssey featuring the South Sandwich Islands”. The company advertised the advantages of a smaller, purpose-built expedition ship with exceptional design and a reinforced bow, promising an authentic, in-depth polar experience with new destinations such as the South Sandwich Islands and an extended stay in South Georgia. We were thrilled – this seemed to be the perfect match for us. What we actually experienced was something completely different. Instead of the promised adventurous itinerary we endured days of endless rolling in rough seas between Ushuaia, the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia and the Falklands. We were given only two days of activities on the Antarctic Peninsula and one day with two landings in the South Shetland Islands. When we headed towards the South Sandwich Islands, the expedition leader began to dramatically warn us about “enormous winds and waves” ahead. Shortly afterwards the decision was made to abandon the South Sandwich Islands entirely and head straight to South Georgia instead – with the promise of a longer stay there. The weather conditions during the entire voyage were nothing unusual for the region; we had experienced similar or even worse conditions on previous trips. Nevertheless, we sailed past Elephant Island and the South Orkney Islands without a single landing or even a close approach. South Georgia itself – the highlight we had been looking forward to – was limited to just two days with a total of only four activities. On the evening of the second day we were suddenly called to the lecture room and informed that an unspecified medical emergency required us to leave immediately for the Falkland Islands. No discussion, no alternatives, no explanation. We turned around and sailed straight into the next “storm” we had already been warned about – which turned out to be a perfectly normal crossing with strong winds and swell, nothing exceptional. Instead of the promised extended South Georgia experience we were offered a few standard excursions on the Falklands – most of which we had already done on previous trips with other operators. Then, once again, we were warned of an impending “terrible weather system” that supposedly made an immediate return to Ushuaia unavoidable. We sailed back (in actually moderate conditions, as confirmed by our own weather data) and arrived in Ushuaia two full days earlier than scheduled. There we were offered two rather boring standard sightseeing tours: a four-hour bus trip to Tierra del Fuego National Park and a six-hour excursion to a farm with a simple lunch. After the voyage, 42 out of the 60 paying guests filed a joint complaint. Aurora Expeditions responded with an offer of a discount voucher for a future trip. We have declined this offer. Having read numerous similar reports about recent voyages on both of Aurora’s sister ships, we would never take the risk of another disappointing experience. This journey felt more like my time as a ship’s doctor on a German navy vessel many years ago – long, boring days at sea with very little actual expedition content. Our time is far too precious to waste in this way. We therefore strongly advise anyone considering an Antarctic cruise to choose their operator very carefully. Aurora Expeditions did not deliver what they promised – not even close. Would we travel with Aurora Expeditions again? Never.