I just got back from the December Antarctica trip with Lindblad. Our trip was simply amazing!!

If you're looking for adventure, this is the cruise for you. Antarctica has amazing wildlife and landscapes. This is not for someone who wants to hang out and relax on a cruise line. Although there is a sauna, there is no casino, live entertainment, or an outdoor pool. But if you want to learn from experts on the wildlife, or get personal tips from Nat Geo photographers, you will have the best time.

There are only about 150 passengers on board. In a few days you will recognize everyone. And there are lots of ways to socialize and meet people. The crew is also very friendly and is there to make sure you have the best experience. You can go up to the bridge at any time and hang out with the captain as he navigates the ship through iceberg filled waters. The crew love what they do and you can feel their excitement everytime there is a spotting of killer whales, leopard seals, emperor penguins, what have you.

For us, the expedition from the start was amazing. On the second day of our voyage, we encountered about a 100 emperor penguins as they popped out of the sea to make their way back home. This was an unexpected encounter which no one on the ship including the crew had ever encountered. The penguins were so close we could almost touch them.

We also got to see humpback whales as they fed on krill while we were out kayaking. There were probably a dozen whales feeding at the bay that day, and the whales got so close they could have easily bumped us off our kayaks into the freezing antarctic waters.

As for the food, it was great. The vegetables were always fresh, there were always at least 3 choices for a main dish, and the soups which changed every night were amazing. The only thing was that it was like eating in a fancy restaurant for 10 days straight. Sometimes you just wanted to eat pizza for dinner and not a 3-course meal. Of course, I bring up the pizza because they did a special movie night for the kids and they were served pizza!

All in all, we had an experience of a lifetime. I would recommend Lindblad Expeditions to everyone. I can't wait to go on another trip with them in the future.