The Day Things Didn't Go To Plan In Antarctica!

What is a typical day on an Antarctica cruise? In this vlog I set out to show a typical day but things during the day as plan after plan unravelled and things did not end up as I had expected. Though it does show what to really expect when you go on an Antarctica cruise, where things frequently do not go as expected or planned.
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[@peterjaro6804]

What a FANTASTIC report. It was filmed and edited like if you had a full film crew with you. Even the ambient music was perfect. I know you were a good KZbinr, but you are at the TOP OF YOUR GAME!!! Entertaining, informitative AND mind blowing fotage... I am lost for words. You should be the KZbinr of the year!!!!

[@pamelas1002]

I second that!

[@breadyegg]

Thirded.

[@dianelipson5420]

It’s seriously true

[@samuelcollins1331]

Peter Jaro says it all very eloquently: this may be Gary’s best video EVER!!!

[@anthonywilliams9852]

Fantastic report

[@mattcolver1]

Your comment about taking time to just look around and listen is so true. I went to Antarctica in December 2019. Going through my photos I saw one I took at a nesting colony of penguins. The thing that amazed me about the photo was how spectacular the background looked. I didn't remember that. At the time I was so focused getting photos of the penguins I never really looked around to see how spectacular the views were. The nesting area was probably at least 100-200 meters up a steep ridge. Going up was a tough slog due to constant post-holing into the snow and ice and pulling one leg out after another. When I finally reached the nesting area my focus was just on the prize, nesting penguins. I should have also taken the time to see the magnificent views from up there.

[@morningwaves]

This is the same idea about experiencing solar eclipses. Don’t worry about taking so many pics, take in the experience

[@anthonywilliams9852]

Fantastic report.

[@RusteyGuy]

While I enjoy all your content, I really loved this format and would love to see more videos of this style. It really feels like this experience was something special.

[@news1m]

I had been a gold member with my late husband on Seaborne. As lovely as these videos appear, the cruise director makes little effort in doing anything realistic to make the cruise more enjoyable. Excursions used to be a very big problem. They were limited in ridiculously low numbers. I just saw the prices on the upcoming cruises , and $45,000 a person is a lot of money. I much rather take other types of vacations where u aren’t stuck onboard if a port won’t let you off or if a port won’t accept you. This ship is getting a lot of attention, but most of your time will be spent onboard, boredom leads to eating & weight gain, and everything you would normally opt for onland is 3-4 times the regular price.

[@KarynHill]

This was documentary quality. There were several times I had to remind myself I was watching a KZbin cruise channel and not a professional documentary on Magellan.

[@kalo0806]

This video means so much to me. I'm truly getting emotional at all the glacier footage. It's my absolute dream to get down there. Please never stop filming your travels. You are an incredible story teller.

[@callyendys8678]

I was really moved by this video. It actually brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for this video. I will never be able to go on a trip like this and you brought it to life for me. thank you so much!

[@oldmanc2]

I was getting upset too! I work for an Airline but with Covid it's near impossible to travel and explore

[@jimbond8927]

Gary, I have seen many of your videos. All have merit, but this one is in a league of its own. Beautifully done. Exotic material. A nice balance between a nature film and a travel report. Thank you for this!

[@enjoyslearningandtravel7957]

That’s a good point you made about not just filming and getting caught up in doing videos but also enjoying the moment in real life looking at things. Once, when I was on a cruise ship near Norway I asked a couple that was filming whales if they had seen the whales outside their camera lens and they laughed and said no.

[@MadeNCda]

I am hooked on your channel Gary. I find myself watching your videos and it soothes me. I was just diagnosed w breast cancer and start chemo on Jan 5th. Lots of thoughts going through my mind but watching this (and all your videos) makes me feel calm. Like it's a respite. Thank you so much for sharing your excursions and for creating this channel. This cruise sure looks phenomenal. And I agree, putting the camera away and just listening and soaking the wonder in would be my style too 😊 Stay well ✌🏻

[@chriswilliams6568]

Good wishes for your complete recovery. I survived breast cancer since 2008. Stage 2. Wishes from Vancouver BC

[@herenasaavedra9234]

Good luck to you, I hope you are recovering well.

[@MadeNCda]

@@herenasaavedra9234 thank you Harena! I am still in treatment and giving thanks for every victory ✌️ Stay blessed 🙌🏻

[@Hawkeye2001]

Oh My Goodness, I loved this. Running the ship up onto the ice was amazing. The videos and photos with that perspective are a treasure. I was there in 2018 and would love to go back again. The Zodiac rides were the coldest points for me. Overheating was a problem. Too many layers, and hiking generate heat. I had unzipped multiple layers, and one of the guides came up to make sure I was okay. One symptom of hypo-thermia is a false sense of warmth, and she was making sure I hadn't gotten cold and confused. I would go again in a minute, and completely agree that I took too many photos and didn't take enough time just soaking in the moment. Thanks for this update. It was amazing.

[@iowa_don]

2019 Antarctica was our best cruise ever!! Even though it was Holland America and we were too big to land it was completely AWESOME! Seals basking on ice floes, whales, Adélie penguins porpoising through the water, rockhopper penguins (in the Falkland islands), unbelievable ice bergs nothing disappointed. Our weather could not have been better.

[@macolulu]

Through your camera, traveling in Antarctica looks not hard but the experience feels surreal! It's absolutely amazing travelers can explore what only the professional adventurers can in the old days. I appreciate your videos taking us to travel along. I would definitely take Antarctica cruises in future.

[@chapman1569]

I will never go to Antartica on a cruise or on a plane , it is out of my reach. But it felt like I was travelling too. Your shots were beautiful. Thanks to help me dream. I will watch again.

[@loumello8813]

Fantastic video, Gary, I absolutely loved the ship plowing into the ice shelf and letting everyone off to explore a bit, especially the fun that the crew was having as well.

[@tipsfortravellers]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@havehatwilltravel9183]

Love the documentary style. Truly breathtaking footage.

[@kvom01]

I did a trip in 2017 on a smaller ship. Quite similar but in February so later in the season. The apart about unpredictability came true for us as bad weather was predicted in the Drake channel for our return, so captain elected to turn back a day early and pedal to the metal to avoid the worst.

[@winklepicking3202]

Gosh Gary, you’re so lucky, I’d have loved to have done this, unfortunately I became a paraplegic when I was 29, definitely not feasible in a chair, Thanks for letting me see this from afar.

[@melissalentz32]

Mr. Bembridge, this is one of my favorite videos of yours! It was a wonderful blend of the visual with explanations of activities and experiences. But a lovely addition was your choice of music - it added a mystical quality that made the scenery that much more magical. I would LOVE to take this cruise.

[@realcdcruze3558]

Can’t wait until we sail to Antarctica. Just a sail through because expedition is beyond our budget but will still be magical.

[@jimcammie8330]

So glad you posted this video. Cammie and I would really like to do an expedition cruise to Antarctic. You really told the story in this video well. The flow, editing and quality of the video really stepped up to a superb level. Job well done. Look forward to more.

[@terrifromm5085]

I am speechless. This is priority on my bucket list! Magnificent.

[@MichaelBielski]

OMG this is by far the best video you have ever put out! I never thought that I would be one to think about going on an expedition cruise but seeing this I think it may be possible. Thank you so much for this!

[@john10klakes]

Gary, I absolutely loved the style of this video. I enjoy your regular tips for travellers, but this was like a travelogue and I loved every moment of it.

[@leanneneville2431]

That was truly amazing👏👏👏👏👏👏👏. Having not travelled for over two years being stuck in Victoria, Australia, I actually broke down and cried after seeing this. I realised how much I miss travelling to the corners of the globe, and having something to look forward to and wondering if I’ll ever get to go anywhere again. I hope this year I can go somewhere, can’t face another year of planning and canceling😔. So glad that you can do it for those of us who can’t, it is really appreciated more than you know.🇦🇺

[@alnewby]

Wow - Wow - Wow! What a wonderful and unexpected change of pace from the construction of your usual videos. This was by far my favorite cruise video -- of any channel -- any location -- at any time. Gary, you nailed it. Congratulations on your art and expertise. Thank you for continuing to share.--Al

[@peterjones7673]

We were in two minds about going to Antarctica but after seeing this Gary, you have made our mind up to do for it. This was a great insight thank you so much.

[@sparkydogsparky2992]

You've certainly given us important cruising information over the course of your many videos, but this one was very, very special. Thank you!!

[@eah8185]

We just returned from our Silversea Antarctic expedition sailing … very similar experiences - including the ice shelf. Remarkable memorable experience!! As to “not according to plan” - that’s everyday in Antarctica … a highly proactive Expedition Leader is the key, one who has a Plan B, C, D, E, F in his/her hopper when Plan A fails to pan out. Looks like both of us had excellent Leaders who kept our experience “stocked” with plenty of “incredible”!!

[@williamwilliam728]

Greatest advice, less pictures and more listening, seeing, touching and breathing in the environmant. Most of those pictures will mean something, but ,those sensory experiences will last a lifetime. You will suddenly have a flashback of one of those moments due to a sensory rewakening. We are a compilation of memories, so allow those to happen, less chatter and more being at one with the environment.

[@g.belanger8302]

Just WOW!! This video is on a whole new level, Gary. I thank you soo much for putting this out. Incredible!

[@Hawkeye2001]

One of his best videos

[@callioscope]

So interesting! Thought it was wonderful how the penguins just went about their business among the humans. One question, though. What was the red stuff churning in the ice-water as you pushed through the ice shelf? Honestly, it looked like blood but I doubt that would have been the case.

[@margaret6527]

That was most likely red algae. Antarctica has red and green algae blooms beginning in the summer months.

[@zanti4132]

Researching this, life forms do live in the ice shelves, although they aren't the red-blooded types. Even so, I have to wonder if having the ship cut into the ice shelf does damage to the Antarctic ecosystem.

[@claudiaroedel1368]

It is algae that grows under the ice, from which the krill feeds. But a small correction: that is sea ice (sea water that freezes during winter. In this case, it's fast ice (because it's attached to land) and covered in snow. It is not an ice shelf - those are formed when glaciers advance over the sea in big bays, and Ice shelves are made of glacial ice, freshwater ice, because they're made up of snow that has accumulated over the centuries. So, to the person who asked about environmental impact - it's almost negligible because sea ice will melt anyway as summer advances (this trip was filmed rather early in the season).

[@LibbyRal]

I've only just watched the opening seconds. Things may not have gone as planned but already you have stunning video

[@Warriorbox]

Wow, amazing Gary. Thank you for taking the trouble to share this with us.

[@larryhessmusic]

Fantastic video Gary! Very well produced, and the content is just wonderful. I've told you I'm booked to be a guest speaker on an Antarctica itinerary in February. I have so many questions, and you are providing so many answers! You do a great job sir!

[@tipsfortravellers]

Thanks for watching and great to hear. I’m envious you heading there. I’d love to be going back in Feb 😀😀😀

[@carolemckibbon4586]

WOW, what gorgeous scenery. Really enjoyed this video, sir. I was delighted to see a place that I would never consider visiting but have been curious about. TOO cold for me.

[@victoriasmith1897]

Thanks so much for doing this in this way Gary. I will never go to Antartica but on this video it felt as though we were with you. I really get why you loved it so much! I also loved the music.

[@jimboland4161]

My idea of a cruise is to go to the Caribbean and sit in the hot Tub while thinking of what I’m going to have for dinner.

[@ginacota9724]

That expedition cruise looks amazing! Definitely on my bucket list

[@graycat10001]

Love this format. Awesome trip. Think this type of trip is on my bucket list as a count down to my retirement in 5 years. 👍🏾

[@standrewpics]

Lovely to see the ship hitting the ice , and the crew enjoying themselves. Must have been quite an experience.

[@Hawkeye2001]

I suspect that this was one of the rare opportunities that the crew ever got to set foot on the ice.

[@IngridBlackburn]

What an incredible experience Gary! I've always wanted to go on one of these. Loved following along your vlog. That ice shelf was insane! So true about people not soaking it all in. What an experience. Great story and edit! 😍😘❄️🥶

[@stevebartley628]

I love the pictures of pulling the ship. Reminds me of when I supported the Leaning Tower of Pisa !

[@juanitafurtado8805]

Fantastic. Much respect for this incredible video. Now I get it why this experience is so unforgettable. Thank you

[@roger92020]

Gary, thank you for sharing this incredible journey. This was truly amazing.

[@drj6418]

SENSATIONAL video. Much different presentation compared with all the other cruise sites. Thank you so much!

[@Amanda-pw5ik]

I loved this video footage, thank you for taking the time to share your wonderful trip with us.

[@dianelee2050]

I go in January 2023 - same ship too. I love how Gary said to stop and look at your surroundings....enjoy what your eyes see. Don't just walk around with an iPhone or camera attached to your face. So excited.

[@kevmack101]

I WOULD BE TO SCARED TO WALK ON THAT ICE GRAT VIDEO

[@lindakauppi6785]

Gary, thank you so much for sharing this amazing adventure. What an incredibly beautiful area of this incredible world to visit.

[@rickn501s]

This is one of your best videos. Absolutely amazing! Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@ericwiggle1957]

Gary, I love your balanced matter-of-fact approach to cruise descriptions

[@abp1400]

Gary, this is one of your most interesting videos! Please do more videos like this, esp of the more exotic, lesser traveled destinations!

[@wellbeingandhealth6094]

Magnificent experience! I enjoyed this video so much. Thank you!

[@ruthmcsweeney179]

Gary, this is by far my favourite video of yours. You managed to capture the beauty of nature but also your own subtle excitement at the different unique experiences 😁 One question, did you get your photo taken pretending to pull the ship? What a wonderful moment that must have been!

[@enjoyslearningandtravel7957]

Wow!! Just absolutely beautiful thanks for sharing it with us.

[@tipsfortravellers]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jennifermckeithen1498]

Those penguins are too cute!!

[@sahnie82]

That was amazing! Thanks for sharing your experience with us!

[@Marshal_Dunnik]

The coldest temperature on Earth was recorded at Vostok Station in Antarctica - something like minus 72 Celsius. But cruises there go in summer, where it’s quite mild by comparison. So, don‘t let the cold, or packing for the cold, deter you.

[@JoeTourist]

OK, now you've piqued my interest in an Antarctic expedition cruise - expensive, but looks like a fantastic opportunity for a wonderful experience! Of course being Canadian, I live much closer to the Arctic, so I'll look for an expedition cruise closer to home first. Thanks for a wonderful glimpse into the luxury expedition cruise sector.

[@monarusch4087]

the Antarctic expedition cruise I did was by far the BEST trip I've ever taken

[@andreatuckman1084]

Can you explain what the red stuff was floating on the water near the ice shelf?

[@LS-yj7be]

Wow! I have a new favorite video from this channel. 😍 Lovely footage and great commentary. Thank you for taking us along!

[@RLMARMEN]

-7 c isnt that cold for us who live in Ottawa Canada. It can get down to -39 c at times but is usually between - 10 to-32 during the deepest part of winter, January February. When the temperatures hit above -10 like the - 7 its practically balmy out. If there is a wind chill then that can be a bit different.

[@BrigitofBergental]

The title and the music had me scared something bad was going to happen. I thought there was going to have to be a cold water rescue or something.

[@KMA66]

You have captured the beauty and the feeling of being there. Fantastic video, Gary.

[@tesswood3471]

Such a beautiful video, the music, the editing, I was close to tears. This is definitely going on my bucket list now, life is too short.

[@runarandersen878]

I felt happy for the crew in the end :)

[@tipsfortravellers]

It was joyful seeing what a great time they had!

[@robertm.4916]

Never thought of putting the Antarctic on my bucket list. Too cold. After seeing this one word, SOLD!!

[@MovieBuff60]

This was one of your best videos yet Gary. Not just the destination, but also the style in which you presented it, it seemed much more as if I was there talking with you. Anyway, this doesn't look like your Silver Seas trip, so I'm guessing that you enjoyed Antarctica so much that you went there a second time, albeit on a different cruise/expedition line. Perhaps one day you'll show us a comparison of the 2 expeditions. After watching your Silver Seas expedition video last year, I did contact them to get a brochure, some prices and itinerary options, etc. One of the things that they told us is that ALL outerwear (parka, outside water resistant pants, boots, gloves, etc.) are provided by Silver Seas. Maybe I misunderstood, by I thought that you had said in the Silver Seas video that only the parka was included? Anyway, we having more research to do over the next year as we try to save up for this, so I guess we'll find out soon enough! Thank you for your videos, but thank you in particular for your Antarctica videos, as without them, I probably would have just booked a Princess Cruise that sails around the bottom of South America and right past Antarctica without actually being able to get off the ship and go on to the ice.

[@blatherskite9601]

-7C isn't cold. - 30 is cold. I live in Norway, BTW!

[@cctesta]

Stunning video. Best one yet. Well done, Gary x

[@peterd5241]

Thanks for this interesting and beautiful video. I noticed when the ship went into the ice shelf there appeared to be blood in the snow. I hope an animal was not injured.

[@tipsfortravellers]

Thanks! It was paint off the hull. I wondered too at first

[@yogibearstie]

Your most amazing video has me jealous. Tough sale to get my wife interested in spending a fortune to go to the cold. This is an adventure.

[@eirabish7980]

We did a Ponant expedition cruise to the sub antarctic islands, which was very much like what you described. We headed south and had a few rough days but no one was sea sick, we all felt a sens e of comaraderie. The crew are amazing, hard working and helped every cruiser on and off the zodiacs, we even had our captain helping. One thing that you didnt mention, there are gala nights, captains cocktail party so you do need some reasonable clothes for such, going in your boots and outer clothing would not look good. We had been told by our cruise agent we wouldnt need any decent clothes as there were no 'formals' so as a woman I was devestated when we had to go to three evening events which required smart casual clothes. Ponant being a French company does expect its cruisers to look good at such events. The food is brilliant too, we just loved all of the cruise, the expedition specialists were so informative and always willing to chat. Would go to Antarctica but not sure the budge could afford the $20,000 each!!

[@DiagonAlleyKat]

Excellent video! Thanks so much for sharing your experience. I was fortunate to be able to go to Antarctica in 2013. The daily briefings were really great and added a whole other layer to the cruise. Expect the unexpected was the theme. I’d love to hear how you survived the Drake Passage. We had a severe storm and the swells/waves were up to 25’.

[@normahird9059]

I do love your vlogs. Please make many more. Thank you

[@joannbanks9963]

Thank you for this! We will never be able to do one of these Expedition cruises, but I love seeing what you saw! My husband doesn't have the balance. Alaska & Norway are the closest we can get to icebergs!

[@Mariazellerbahn]

Fantastic but I'd be a bit nervous on the inflatables as I can't swim. Although, even if I could swim, I doubt I'd last long in the water.

[@nancysadewater964]

Thank you so much for sharing this as I would not be able to do an expedition cruise due to long term health issues and it is something I would love to see and really appreciate it.

[@leriquematthee1952]

I have watched almost all of your videos.And this one is the most beautiful one.Man what a treat this was to watch .Wish I could one day just say thank you in person .Thanks you for the videos

[@itaobyrneokeeffe7908]

Fantastic video the feeling of walking on the ice must have been “magic “.The Captain’s a very talented man.

[@Scott__C]

Gary, wonderful video and description of the experience. Thanks for taking us along.

[@craigswagerty1155]

Very cool. Like people are saying, good editing and format. You’ve got me curious and more interested in the polar cruises. I’m curious if you have any info on Northwest Passage cruises. Been to Alaska twice but never to the northwest passage, I know only 2 or 3 lines do them though.

[@dawna4185]

I really enjoyed this informative, well put together video!! What an experience that must have been!! Thank you and Happy Holidays!

[@MLou812]

We're going in Feb. Can't wait!!! Thanks for the heads up!

[@scottslotterbeck3796]

I went to the Falkland, South Georgia Islands, and the Antarctic peninsula. 22 days, out of Buenos Aires. It was wonderful. We were lucky, it was not really cold, put the passage from the Falklands to the South Georgia Island. The seas were so, so, so rough. 30' seas.

[@gigiskitties499]

What beautiful footage!! Looks like everyone had a fantastic time!!

[@skqq3250]

You are brave Gary. I shall stick to warmer climatic cruises. But thanks to you I’ve seen the cold! Wow.

[@evelynhillier2877]

Gary, thank you for an amazing vlog! Stunning.

[@fifthof1795]

It's the only place on the planet that I'm actually envious of people who get there. Been to loads of countries , but for much of my life this has been my ultimate destination wish.

[@southcompass5380]

Beautiful, but what were those red things in the ice???

[@juliezamora5508]

Spectacular scenes. Thanks for sharing your trip

[@fredmatteson7346]

Just got back from a similar cruise -Ponant L’Austral you certainly captured the spirit of the adventure. Good advice on not taking too many pictures. No photo can capture the grandeur and scale. I’m still breathless thinking about it. Thank you for sharing

[@donaldslone6113]

By far the best cruise video I have ever seen how much would a cruise like this cost per person thank you for letting to see this it was a treat outstanding

[@Lordrocky24]

I gotta say, absolutely stunning sights aside, that ship is gorgeous.

[@halliebass]

Really glad to see your review of an Antarctic cruise. It is something I would love to do. I do have a neighbour who has worked in the cruise industry, in that region, as expedition staff. I do have to laugh at the pic over snappers! I was in a bird blind on am excursion with two lovely people who click, click, clicked for the whole time. It was somewhat annoying but my friend and I were polite. They were nice young people and did ask if we minded. What are you going to say? We just had iPhones and watched the puffins do their thing. The clickers were so intent on getting thousands of pics that they did not really watch the “big picture”. I am sure they did have a great bunch of pics, but we had to tune out the constant noise. We still had a good trip but……sometimes the hardcore photo crowd can be a bit crazy! Your cruise looked like a wonderful experience!

[@cherylfankhauser6963]

Can only say Wow! This needs to go back on to my bucket list. Thanks for a great review.

[@darrenragoonath5798]

This video is just plain AMAZING! It was like watching National Geographic. Great content and video/editing.

[@dinodesantis2976]

you are soo lucky to be able to experience these adventures.

[@timpullin9601]

The cover for this video did not do justice to the content. Top work Gary. Thank you!