Wow, thanks a million, I really appreciate that! It truly was the stuff of dreams.

@@cristeab1 Thank you! How exciting to be looking forward to and planning a trip for December 2025, I think we all book a long time in advance!! I hope you have an amazing trip.

It’s the worst, I’m paranoid about it to this day!! 😂

Hi Anne, that’s great to hear, are you planning a trip? No, drones are strictly prohibited in Antarctica. I did use a 360 camera on a long selfie stick to get a drone-type effect for a few shots.

@@BarryKenny Hi Barry, yes! I am but it won't be for a couple of years, I want to treat myself on my 60th birthday. I haven't traveled solo much, and I am a little shy so I was apprehensive. Last time I was solo I went to Florence and I didn't love it, I wanted to share it with someone! I rented an apartment so that might have been a little too isolating for me, but I am not crazy about normal cruises either. That's a little too crowded. I can understand why drones are banned, even though the footage would be epic! It would take away from the serene atmosphere having those things buzzing overhead all the time, wouldn't it. Thanks for your reply and happy, safe travels!

@annespellberg7173 I was the same, I had been saving for 3 years, then I booked it on my 50th birthday, and travelled 20 months later. On Ultramarine, you can book twin sharing, two of my friends on the trip did that and got on really well (of course I did too and didn’t have a person sharing, so that can happen). The difference is on the ship is that you’ll be meeting people for all the different activities. Enjoy the planning and I hope you have a wonderful experience when you go.

@@BarryKenny Thank you very much! I can't wait, it is a very exciting trip!

Haha, I’m told it’s an acquired taste!!

Thank you Jason! I had a 70-200mm lens, but some photographers would have more. You do get very close to the penguins though - or rather they get close to you!

@@michellehuynh8451 we were very lucky! Yes, I went with Tromso Outdoor for the cross-country skiing, I was one of three in a small organised group. The trail is on Tromsoya Island, I think it’s Charlottenlund Recreation Park which is a free park if you are just going yourself, and has a range of trails including many perfect for those learning.

@@jameswright8695 that’s a very kind comment James, thank you. I know I’m fortunate to have been able to go, and hope that as well as experiencing destinations through YT videos, you do get the opportunity to travel to at least some of the places that inspire you.

@@serenity8145 yes, I’ve been told that a few times… well, I was a beginner! 😆

@@JackMcClendon thanks very much Jack!

Thanks again!

Hi Doris, many thanks, I’m delighted you enjoyed the video! I went in January 2024, for 10 days / 9 nights. Yes, we had good weather when we were on the ice (all through the trip really), calm and mostly overcast, with one day of amazing sunshine. The trip was along the Antarctic peninsula.

@@alicefromwonderland1677 Thank you, you’re welcome ☺️ 🇺🇦

Thank you very much! Glad to be of some help, enjoy the planning and the trip, it’s such an amazing experience.

@@Groenespecht Thank you, great to hear you enjoyed the video! You must be so excited for your visit to be so soon, hope it’s an amazing experience for you!

I'm going in December!! What ship are you going on?

@@MickeyMishra great point, it really is amazingly cheap! I tell everyone I know it’s the cheapest place in Europe, I think my total spending money for two weeks was €550, eating out all the time!

@@zerowaste_reka Thanks so much - lucky you, have a great time!!

Hi Marcus, I was on the starboard / right hand side of the ship… and to be honest, I never thought about whether I was on the best side until you asked the question!! I don’t think it makes a huge difference as the scenery is so spectacular throughout. Also, the trip is busy, so I spent a very little time in the cabin looking out from the balcony. So sorry I don’t have a firmer view on this, but for the purposes of this trip, it’s all good!

No worries. I appreciate the reply.

@@hotkopipeng Thanks so much, I’d love to be back at that point, anticipating it and counting down the months and weeks!! Trip of a lifetime, I hope you enjoy it.

Wow ! Lucky you !! And how fortunate. I’m a Postal Worker so I’ll probably never be able to go. Maybe someday I’ll see my Orcas tho. Enjoy

@leanneadams2549 yes, I am mindful that I’m very fortunate. I put a saving fund together and paid into it for about four years to cover the costs. I think for most people who do it, it’ll be the most expensive trip they’ll ever take.

​@leanneadams2549 oh, please, you can go if you do what you have to do. First thing change the way you think! Peace! ☺️

@@photographerlostintimber Yes, very much!

@@AshleyandChristian Hi Ashley and Christian, thanks so much, delighted you enjoyed it! Yes, the helicopter excursion is included for all passengers. There is also an extra you can pay for, heli-hiking, where you land inland a bit and get to trek. I had booked to do this, but the diversion for the medical emergency for the crew member meant it wasn’t possible: the expedition leader felt (correctly, i think) that it was better for everyone to get the helicopter trip included rather than a small number of people getting to do the optional extra.

Thanks Diemer, hopefully see you there again!

Many thanks, appreciate that, and sorry you’re not in there - it was early November? If you inexplicably ended up on the cutting room floor, there’ll have to be a Director’s Cut!! 😉

Thanks Savannah, yes, we had quite a few of them and it always felt surreal in somewhere that should be just normal, elegant European cities.

@@Terp99 героям слава! 🫡

@@anthonywilliams9852 Gosh, what an odd thing to take from the video… I think I’d have been perfectly happy as it happens - it wasn’t a big part of the trip.

@@YvetteCrabtree Thanks Yvette!

I love Chile too! ❤

Haha, no they didn’t - to be fair, pumping is simple, it was the pump operator that was the problem!! A great board, still going strong.

Thanks Mairead, glad you enjoyed it and that the craic came across in the video, it really was great fun as well as awe-inspiring!

Thanks so much, delighted you enjoyed it!

дякую Валерія - слава Україні 💙💛

Thank you, I only wish I was able to spend more time there. 🇺🇦 ❤️

That’s great, with Refugee Support Europe, you can apply to volunteer at this link: www.refugeesupporteu.com/volunteer-with-us/ Best of luck, I hope you get to do it!

Thanks so much, delighted that you enjoyed watching! There’s no TV channels as such, but there is a good selection of movies and TV programmes to “stream” as it were - I was too busy and didn’t watch any, so can’t remember what they have, but I remember thinking it was a good selection. Within that, there are of course Antarctic-themed shows and movies too. However, the in-room screen is mainly focused on ship activities and excursions. They had a live feed from the Ambassador theatre so you could rest and watch lectures from your room. The daily schedule was there as was an updating map showing the ship’s position. You could also check your bill for onboard purchases on the screen, learn more about the ship, check out spa services, and read info about the expedition team.

@@BarryKenny Thank you!!

Hi Judy, no I booked the balcony twin share, so it wasn’t an upgrade, just that no other male booked the twin share, so I had it all to myself. I hope you have a great trip, when are you going?

@@BarryKenny Nov 16! Thanks for response. I read that weight for luggage was about 44 lb but online someone said 35 lb. Big difference! Do you remember weight limit. I'm thinking of doing a large wheeled duffel instead of suitcase.

Hi Judy, that’s very close, you must be so excited! Similarly for me there was conflicting advice on weight limits before I travelled which was a little stressful. When I booked, they said 23kg was the limit, but then a few weeks before I left their emails said it was 18kg, and they reiterated this in the days leading up to it. I was somewhere in between so wasn’t sure how strict they would be, but the morning I turned up to register they said it was 23kg. I think you’d be reasonably safe at 20kg / 44lb and a wheeled duffle would definitely help you I suppose.

@@BarryKenny Thanks so much, Barry. Wish I could have been on your triip...you were a hoot!!! I'll go with the 23Kg which is what the info said. Thanks again. I am so excited...been "packing" for 6 months!!!!

Isn’t it just! The manual pump was a great way to find out the limits of my fitness though… 🙈

Thanks so much for such a generous comment, I really appreciate it! I hope you’ll get to book soon and meet some great people on your adventure.

Thanks so much Andres, that’s such a kind comment. Enjoy the research and your own Antarctic adventure!

Thanks Teddy - I can certainly recommend Ultramarine, but there are so many great choices! Enjoy the planning: I was like you, I booked in April 2022 for a January 2024 trip.

@@BarryKenny planning in advance is the key.

Thanks so much, glad it was of help to you! I remember that myself, trying to decide which ship and weighing up all the options. Needless to say, very happy with my choice!! Best of luck with your own visit.

and none of us reacting to help, all focused on the whale!!