Antarctica21

Wonderful expedition and professional crews.I booked a 10 days classic Antarctica cruise through an agent of Ocean nova.Impressive views of Antarctica and really delicious food during the whole trip.Also thanks again for all crews, you made my 26th birthday becoming the special one.

La mejor experiencia

We were on the Hebridean Sky from Dec 19-23 which was one day shortened due to weather as explained by Antarctica21 in previous review. My complains are about their handling of the situation. On Dec 23, We returned to ship at 12:30pm after a zodiac cruise. The ship was anchored and we had our lunch. At 1:40pm, expedition leader request everybody attending the urgent meeting right away. Then he told us that we need departure one day early from the ship, flying back to Punta Arenas this afternoon. He told us that ship is going to Frei Station now, we need pack our luggage and take them out at 2:15pm and at mean time to go close our account. So my husband hurried to pay bills and tips. I went packing while our ship was in speed through the bad weather. I just had full lunch because I was seasick in the morning and skip the breakfast. Then I was running between bathroom throwing up and packing our luggage in cabin where I cannot stand still. I had to lay down and waiting for my husband came back packing. Later I heard several passengers complained they got hard time similar as me. But when we departed from the ship, we didn't get any apology for the terrible ending. Expedition team leader was not seeing anywhere. We were herded off the ship in such terrible manor.I should say that we are very happy to Antarctica21 hospitality team in Punta Arenas. Due to bad weather, our flight arrived Punta Arenas more than 24 hours delayed. Antarctica21 Hospitality Team picked us from airport and briefing us in hotel lobby and sent boots to our room. We thought our rough beginning was over, we will have a smooth sailing. Unfortunately it didn't end as we expected.Antarctica21 did arrange properly our hotel, meals after we back to Punta Arenas. They even arranged a 3 hour round trip bus tour to see condors. But how can it make up for elephant seal in Antarctic?Antarctic cruise is a very special trip to almost every passenger. For us it was once a life experience. But Antarctica21 may think that just was an usual daily business.I came back to add some more information about Antarctica 21. We have been exchanging emails for last 3 weeks. They are very open and transparent to all my questions. I summarized as following,1. The flight between Punta Arenas and King George Island depends on the unpredictable weather of Antarctica. Antarctica 21 has contingency plan for early and delay departures in their brochures, but travel agent may not mention it before your booking. According to the data from Antarctica 21, the chance of shortened trip is above 10%. There is no refund for any shortened days, but only when the whole trip is cancelled. So if you book 8 days fly-cruise trip, you will be in Antarctica for 4 days, you may end of with a much short cruise in Antarctica.2. Antarctica 21 explained why they didn't give advance notice about early departure. They want to wait till the last minute to ensure the plane is on its way to King George Island. I heard that plane reached King George Island and cannot land on Jan 11, 2020 due to heavy fog, then plane went back and all passengers and their luggages had to back to the ship again. But I still think it is a better customer service if they give advance warning to the passengers.3. The main reason for me to chose fly-cruise Antarctica tour is to avoid 4 day Drake Passage crossing. I still consider fly-cruise is a better choice for ones with seasickness. To beat the odds, you may need consider a longer cruise tour. Because of bad weather, in our 3 day cruise, we did 3 zodiac landing and 3 zodiac cruise, instead of 8 activities in 4 days. No snow shoe hiking, no polar dumping and missed chance to see some of polar animals. For once a lifetime trip, it is worth to spend little more time and money.

Todo perfecto. La gente que trabaja ahí es muy amable

Extraordinary experience.The sites visited are really wonderful.The hotel and gastronomy service, and the attention both on board and in Punta Arenas is excellent.The relationship that is generated with the passengers is a plus that made this trip fabulous and a lot of fun for me. I thank the staff of Antartica 21 and the crew for the permanent support received.Very good job guys.Thanks again and I hope to return to Antarctica in the near future.My Regards.

I had high expectations and they blew them away! Absolute phenomenal experience. These are my photos but the pro had amazing photos. All of the staff was so professional. Food was great! Wine was better! And the boat was super clean and well designed. We couldn't have asked for a better experience. They even called in amazing weather!

La mejor empresa para su viaje al continente Antártico... con muy buenos expertos y profesionales al servicio del pasajero y una excelente atención.

You can tell a lot about a company by how they handle it when things go wrong. Antarctica 21 COMPLETELY dropped the ball and did an awful job. When weather canceled our long (9 months) planned (and very expensive, $50,000) Antarctica trip AFTER we were already committed to a) the plane flights to Chile (also expensive) b) expensive 'evacuation insurance' (that hey require you to get) c) specialized rental gear, etc. (ALL of which were of course a complete loss for us), Antarctica 21 essentially ghosted us. They SHOULD have said its awful weather ruined your trip but 1) here are some alternatives we could help you with (and have very specific examples and plans to suggest) 2) we value your business and we would like to offer you XXX for an Antarctica trip in the future, etc. But instead, we had to contact them to get detailed information (which at best from them were very wishy-washy), and all the onus was on us to scramble for a plan (since we were stranded in Chile with no back up plan for our now-canceled Antarctica trip). They also should be more transparent about this possibly happening (when pushed they admitted 15% of the time the travel dates to and/or from St George Island are changed due to weather, and the trip had been completely canceled in the past, as was ours now). Bottom line, although the weather was of course not their fault, the transparency of this (trip being canceled) happening, and the lack of support for us once this did happen, were done very poorly.

Una excelente empresa para un viaje al continente Antártico. El servicio fue excelente y cumplió con las expectativas. La comida fue muy rica y la habitación muy cómoda. Los guías y personas que trabajan ahí tienen una excelente formación y calidad humana. El ambiente a bordo es increíble, así como las distintas experiencias que vives en las excursiones. La comunicación con la empresa es muy buena y responden todas tus dudas. Totalmente recomendado

Excelente servicio