We had a lovely experience in Antarctica & Patagonia with Lindblad National Geographic Endurance & Frontiers! The itinerary with Lindblad was Journey to Antarctica: The White Continent on the Endurance. This ship was built specifically for the Arctic & Antarctica – fully stabilized vessel of the highest ice class (PC5 Category A) – very important if sailing in Nov – lots of icebergs! We were in Cat 7 cabin #705 – spacious with lots of storage.
What we liked:
The Endurance was easy to navigate and took the Drake Passage (9 foot waves) quite well
Bridge was open and accessible 24/7
Staff were gracious, fun and anticipated every request
Fitness studio was spacious and open 25/7
Food and beverage were excellent
Shore excursions accessible via Zodiac (wet landings) and one day ice walk right from the ship
Penguins – Gentoo, Chinstrap, Adelie and Emperor – so cute!
Daily lectures from guest speakers and naturalists on board
Macduff Everton National Geographic photographer https://www.macduffeverton.com/
Menson Bound – discovered Shackleton’s Endurance
Ice Lounge – state of the art media for lectures
Sleeping in the Igloo on the top deck
Parkas provided in the room to take home
Ability to rent water proof pants and boots that were delivered to the cabin
Basecamp lockers on the Expedition deck where we stored our gear
The Polar Plunge!
Not many challenges:
There was a Yoga studio but no yoga – just stretching
Some people required patches or drugs to get through the Drake Passage – but that’s part of the experience
We booked the Patagonia fly-fishing lodge with Frontiers Travel https://www.frontierstravel.com/home They were excellent to work with and have recommended them to Signature as a preferred supplier. Our lodge was amazing: https://www.tipiliuke.com/the-lodge/ The lodge offers may activities in addition to fly-fishing and we did them all!
What we liked:
Activities fly-fishing, hiking, horseback riding
All-inclusive fishing arrangements and fishing gear provided – guides were excellent
Staff at the lodge were friendly and fun
Food and beverage were amazing
Patagonia is an amazing destination – can’t wait to go back!
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