Views on Endeavour in Antarctica Feb 2024

[Clutj]

We just did a 15 day cruise on the Endeavour from St. George, Antartica (flying from Punta Arenas over the Drake Passahe) to South Georgia to Falklands to Punta Arenas, and can recommend it without reservation.  It obviously costs more, but including South Georgia was a huge plus, and the Falklands added a couple key things as well.  The ship was amazing, the expedition teams were top notch, loading and unloading zodiacs (including along ice-clogged shores) was awe-inspiring, the expedition leader (Marika, sp?) was a true force of nature, the bays we visited were stunning, the settings and wildlife mind-blowing to experience. The clothing they provided, the room layout, size of shower, bedding, butler and room attendant, dining staff, food, a tour of the bridge … everything was 5 stars.

 

If you just do the shorter 7 days with fly over the Drake both ways, be aware that bad weather could lose you some days.  If you do the longer combined flyover just one way with a Chile port on one end, I’d recommend sailing from Chile with Antarctica and the flight back at the end, so if there are weather flight delays, your trip runs longer rather than shorter.  We were delayed flying into Antarctica and lost a couple days there; SS can make up 1 day, but there is only so much flexibility.  They did take us by the awesomely huge A23a iceberg half way to South Georgia, a very rare sail-by that few will ever experience.  If you sail in and out of Chile, you risk bad seas but you are unlikely to lose any days.  Just be aware that you are taking risk and have little basis to complain because you aren’t an expert in flying in bad weather!!!