Aurora Expeditions

Does anyone have any experience with Aurora Expeditions? I am considering them for a Falkland Islands, South Georgia, Antarctic Peninsula trip in January 2014. The ship will be the Polar Pioneer, chosen because it carries a maximum of 54 passengers. This will be a very expensive trip, therefore any info before I commit would be greatly appreciated.

Variety of last minute trips?

For those of you who were looking at booking a last minute trip by email this year, I just want to know if there was a variety of trips available to you at a discount, or were they mainly the "Classic" type of trip? I'm looking at going in January 2014 but want to do the Falklands/South Georgia/Peninsula option, and it doesn't even seem like that one's scheduled very often for next year so I wondered if it'd be as available at a discount.

Obviously things might change from one year to the next, but I'm just trying to get an idea of what my options are.

Thanks!

Jenny

Which one to Choose?

I have two options with Quark Expeditions

1.Nov 4-13 Twin Window based on a double share. The rate is $6895 and with 15% off, for at $5860.75.
ship -Sea Adventurer .Only 122 guests.

2.Dec 1-11 a triple for $4995.00 Ship- Ocean Diamond with 189 passengers.

It is really difficult for me to choose.
Please help me .
Thanks a million in advance
Regards
Raj

Anyone in Ushuaia Now? Are Last Minute Deals Available?

My girlfriend and I are arriving in Ushuaia on January 24. We're hoping to pick up a deal on a last minute cruise to Antarctica while there.

We're quite happy to wait around for a while (weeks if necessary) to get a good deal, but are curious to see what's happening on the ground. Is there any sign of last minute spots on cruises on offer in Ushuaia right now?

We've found some pseudo-last minute deals online, but they aren't really THAT great. So we're debating whether we should book one of these before leaving, thus gaining some certainty, OR head down there and try to find a (lower priced) trip once we arrive.

Any advice anyone can offer would be most welcome.

Thanks!

Classic Antarctica or Weddell Sea Explorer - which one recommended

Hi,
In the midst of planning an Antarctic Expedition in Feb - March 2014.
Till now, have zeroed down on the following:

a) Classic Antarctica - on board USHUAIA - February 3, 2014 - February 13, 2014 (10 nights/ 11 days)
b) Classic Antarctica - on board USHUAIA - February 13, 2014 - February 22, 2014 (9 nights/ 10 days)
c) Weddell Sea Explorer - on board POLAR PIONEER - February 28, 2014 - March 11, 2014 (11 nights/ 12 day

Will end February - early March be a better time to view whales in Antarctica? If I go in March, then I am hoping that the chances of catching an Aurora Australis will be high (given solar winds are at their peak during 2013-14) - but then will March mean less wild life viewing as well?

I am confused & don't know how to optimise my once-in-a-lifetime Antarctic tour. It's way beyond my budget and I can be there only now - so please advice me which itine... more »

Antarctic Circle Crossing - tour operator reputation

I am evaluating multiple tour operators for Antarctic Circle Crossing, in particular, Antarpply, Gap Adventures, and Oceanwide Expeditions. Any input on pro's and con's of each? (I am most concerned with Safety and Quality of the expedition guides.)

Also I notice on each company's website, they list slightly different sites to land and they all have a caveat that the itinerary is a guide only, actual landings depend on the weather condition. I understand they don't have any control of the weather, but I am wondering if weather permitting, do different operators have different preferred locations/islands for landing?

Thanks!

turismo Ushuaia

I´ll be in Ushuaia during three days. And I would like to make the reservations before arriving there.

• Which youth hostels do you recomend?
• Whichs tours or excursions are worthwhile and I shouldn´t miss? Where it´s better, to make the reservation? (I´ll visit the N.P. Tierra de Fuego during 4 hours, and I love the nature: fauna and flora).
• Do you recomend to travel to Rio Grande and see anything? Is it nice the round trip?
• I´ll take the ship to the Antartica, the next december. Do you have any recomendations for the trip to the Antartica?

how to decide on which Antarctica trip to book?

Hello!

Maybe anyone can help me.

I am trying to compare itineraries and vessel that go to Antarctica.
Though, even all the sites write a lot about these vessels, I find it very hard to see which vessel would be best for me, very hard to compare. And also the itineraries tell where they go but not so much what they are going to do: how often will there be landings, trips with kayaks or zodiacs etc.

Could you advise me on how I should make my decision?

Thanks and regards, Paul