JezzaMac of Macclesfield, United Kingdom travelled with their grandson on Oceanwide's Plancius for a Basecamp itinerary over the 2022 Christmas - New Year period.
Trip report in post 12 of this thread.
www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowTopic-g1-i12337-k14208575-o10-Oceanwide-Antarctic_Adventures.html#12 of 12 ·
My grandson (15) and I (70) travelled with them on Plancius on the Basecamp trip - 12 days to the South Shetland iIslands and the Antarctic peninsula over Christmas and New Year, both celebrated on board. We had the cheapest cabin available and not was comfortable clean and as we didn't't spend much time there, except to sleep, quite enough for our needs. There's a bar, and a pleasant lounge, spacious dining room and the food was very good. Plancius is a former Dutch Navy research vessel so it's not a luxury cruise ship - and all the better for that! You feel like an intrepid explorer! . With only 100 or so passengers taking part in all the activities is pretty much guaranteed even if you hit a patch of bad weather. (Zodiacs can be used in winds over 40 knots). The experts knew their stuff and were very approachable, so too the ship's captain and crew.
In the Basecamp trip all activities are included a reasonable level of day to day fitness is needed but don't stress about it. The only activity of concern is the mountaineering and the guides will check and assign you to a group based on ability and experience. Again don't stress about or the boots requirement. My group claimed to about 350m (just over 1150ft) above sea level. It was a steady uphill walk in snowshoes - RIGID climbing boots were NOT essential as the Muck Boots supplied by the company were quite acceptable for use with snowshoes. Only one very small group needed specialist footwear. (I hired a pair in UK before travel but needn't have bothered) Nor did we need Polar down jackets, but the weather was good. I wore a Merino base layer, mid-layer fleece and Goretex shell jacket and that was more than enough most days. On a sunny day the air temp was around 12º as long as there was little wind. On windy days it was colder but the shell jacket prevents its worst effects. The muck boots provided onboard are well insulated but I wore Merino socks too and my feet were never cold.
Remember to bring swimming trunks for the optional Polar Plunge! Always good for bragging rights! Most rush in, submerge, jump up gasping and screaming and rush out. Be brave walk in as deep as you dare and swim back. So much more impressive. The doctor and zodiacs are on hand so no worries. As they say "we bring the towels, you bring the courage".
When camping on the ice remember to bring an eye-shade as it's light all the time (and a pee bottle if you're a chap. I'm not sure what advice to give to women who wake up in the night, except there is a portaloo but it usually mens a walk!)
Kayaking is in highly stable twin kayaks - novices can be paired up with someone more experienced. Don't stress about it. Our leader was a really cool guy who made everyone feel confident.
The daily landings/activities are always wind/sea state dependent, but they work like this: First group are put ashore, second group tour the area in zodiacs, after allotted time, swap over then return to ship.
If you have a barbecue on board (I think each trip has one) my advice is to take very little hot food. Eat it and return for more - otherwise you'll be eating cold cuts by the time you are halfway through your meal !!
I have no experience of other trip providers, but I am full of praise for Plancius her captain and crew and the expedition staff. Our passengers were a particularly gregarious group - though I suppose most people on such voyages have a lot in common.
We were very fortunate in seeing orca twice - the second time attacking a humpbacked whale which was both shocking and exhilarating. We realised you can never ever see too many penguins - they are so cute and funny and will always cheer you up!
The Basecamp trip on Plancius went beyond what I was expecting and I'd have happily stowed away for the return.
* Do use a scopolamine patch (anti seasickness) for the Drake Passage. Prevention is far better than taking a chance!!!)
