If you read my review, then you know we went with Quark and had a terrific time. We also considered Lindblad, but they weren't doing the itinerary we wanted until March, and we did not want to go in March.

Weather in Antarctica is variable to say the least, so it's hard to say how it might be from one year to another. I have read reports of great weather in November-December, and I have read reports of really bad weather (lots of overcast, snow) and rough seas. So it's luck of the draw. We opted to go in January to increase our chances of better weather, although, again, there would have been no guarantees. We lucked out with really great weather except for two days where our landings were impacted.

Kayaking was not offered on our expedition, so I cannot speak to that. But this link will take you to an experience on Lindblad
http://www.cruisecritic.com/virtual/virtual.cfm?ID=29.

Also, if you search the Antarctica and South America Boards at CruiseCritic.com you'll find some more information. I believe there is at least one thread about Ocean Nova.

Thank you for the information and insight. I did read your trip report and it was fantastic!

Thank you for writing this wonderful trip report. My husband and I are taking an Antarctic cruise in December, and I found your report to be so informative (and fun to read as well!)

We went to Africa two years ago and, like you, thought that was our "trip of a lifetime". We loved Africa and hope to go back someday. We are so excited to read that you consider Antarctica to be another "trip of a lifetime"!

How difficult is getting on and off the Zodiacs? That is the only part of the trip that is making me a bit nervous!

Again, thanks for the terrific trip report.

Glad you enjoyed my review. I still dream of returning to Antarctica one day ... it was such a spectacular voyage and experience. You are going to have a spectacular time.

Which ship are you sailing on?

I didn't think it was that difficult to get in and out of the zodiacs. When getting on and off at the gangway, there were seamen to help as well as the zodiac driver. The key was to have hands free of any encumbrances in order to use the seaman's grip (they will demonstrate on the ship) and to time your step to the movement of the zodiac. Don't try to hurry the process.

On shore, it was a bit more of a challenge sometimes if the zodiac was not completely beached. (I have short legs, so swinging my leg up and over the pontoon to get back into the boat was the issue for me at times.) Still, I managed with little difficulty and again there were expedition staff to help.

Have a wonderful voyage and do post a review of your experience. Those of us who aren't going will be living vicariously through the experiences of those who are going this year.

Thank you for the reassurance about the Zodiacs! If I can't keep up once ashore, I'm pretty good at amusing myself, but I don't want to miss the excursion.

How did you manage with the camera equipment - especially the tripod/monopod? I've decided to bring both my DSLR and a good compact camera, but am afraid that bringing my tripod will turn me into an annoyingly unwelcome passenger on the Zodiac.

We're celebrating two events with this cruise - a landmark birthday for me and our 40 anniversary. My husband and I are both so excited. I'm already having trouble sleeping at night in anticipation!!

We're sailing with Silversea on the Prince Albert II.

Cheers!

I have mild arthritis in my hips which can be pain but I managed OK.

Basically, as Eenusa says, you walk down the gangway steps, make sure any bags can be carried on your back so arms are both free.

When you get to the bottom you're going to be stepping onto the raised side of the zodiac not INTO it. You'll reach one arm out and the crew member will grip it, you'll grip his and safely gripped you will step onto the zodiac. Where this is slightly tricky is if there is a lot of motion in the sea and the zodiac bobs up and down differently to the ship. So you can take your time and get your mind in tune with that motion and then step over and then down into the boat.

The crew member will direct you which side to sit and you sit straight down.

On shore, as said, it can be difficult but as long as you're not too proud you basically can roll/ haul/ fling yourself unceremoniously in!

There were just one or two landings to rocks rather than beach which I found hard but not impossible.

We had an 83 years old on board and he was fine!

I brought my monopod and hubby had his tripod. Getting in and out of the zodiacs, it's easiest to just hand it to someone who is alredy in the zodiac and then lay it on the floor behind your legs until you reach land/ship. Don't worry - you will not be the only one with a tripod/monopod.

I found out quickly that unless the ship was in calm waters the tripod/monopod was useless - not enough flexibility to keep the camera focused on the subject when the ship was bobbing up and down or swaying from one side to the other. On land, always used the monopod ... it even served as a trekking pole on occasion.

Nevermind -- I meant to include my congrats on the special occasions you are celebrating. The trip was a belated 25th anniversary gift to ourselves and hubby did celebrate a milestone birthday just before we left the peninsula. It's a birthday that he will always recall.

Kavey and eenusa -- thank you for the reassurances. Two years ago Fodorites helped me have the confidence to go to Africa after I tore my ACL and had surgery 2 months before our scheduled trip. I had posted about my disappointment and so many people told me not to give up. The result was that I left for Africa the day after I finished up with physical therapy and had such a marvelous trip.

My knee is still pretty pesky, thus my concern about the zodiacs. I'm feeling much more assured after reading what you have to say!

eenusa - thanks for the congratulations. Aren't we so lucky to be able to celebrate in such grand fashion!

Now... back to my packing list...

I think you'll do just be fine...
:)

I happened across this incredibly helpful thread while planning our upcoming Falklands/South Georgia/Antarctica trip (also with Quark, we will be on the Orlova leaving Ushuaia January 15).

First I have to thank eenusa for such a thorough, informative and interesting trip report. This is one of the best trip reports I have ever seen anywhere for any destination and was incredibly helpful to me.

eenusa and kavey -- can I ask a couple of photography questions? Here is what I am definitely planning to take (this is for me and my wife, we both will be shooting on this trip):

Bodies: 1D Mark III, 40D
Wide angles: 10-22, 24-105
Telephotos: 100-400, 300/2.8 + extenders
Flash: 580ExII and Better Beamer
CF monopod, Manfrotto 3232 head, RRS clamp (for the 300/2.8)
Storage: Two Hyperdrives, one 500GB, one 250GB, plus spare 100GB
Point & shoot: Canon A720IS with underwater housing

My primary question relates to lens focal lengths. Should we also take our 70-200/2.8? I am thinking of leaving it at home because we have that focal length range covered with other lenses, but I wonder if I will regret it. When photographing wildlife in these places, does it make sense for one of us to use the 100-400 and the other the 300 with or without an extender, or will we both want the flexibility of a zoom?

Second question (also lens related) is whether you think a 500/4 is needed, desirable, or even workable on a trip like this. I would have to buy or rent one (although I am planning to buy one next year anyway), but my main concern is traveling with it and then carrying it around. Thoughts on that?

Any other photography tips based on the situations and conditions you encountered would really be appreciated. And if anyone has online galleries of their pics from the Falklands, SGI or Antarctica, I would love to see them!

Chris
www.pbase.com/cwillis

Wow, that's a lot of kit to be carrying!
It's really hard to know whether or not you'll regret not taking the 70-200 when you already have that range covered. I'm assuming you're wanting it for the extra sharpness or were you thinking more for the wider aperture?
One comment would be that, one thing is for sure, you'll get lots of light for long, long hours if that helps at all.
Also, keep in mind you need to have everything in a good, strong backpack that allows you to easily manoevre down the gangplank and onto/ into the zodiacs. Either a waterproof one or buy a waterproof sac to place it into for the zodiac journey as splashes do make it into the boat and onto bags.
If you have space, better to take it and not need it than other way around!
I'm probably going to take my body (a week 400D as I like small bodies better), a 100-300 lens, my 70-200 f.28 with 2x extender and then one or other wider zoom. Not sure which.
Husband will take his 10-22, maybe the 50mm, or one of his wide zoom plus his 400mm prime. And we'll have an older body as backup.

Thanks for the response. The 70-200 is nice in low light and is a bit sharper than our 100-400, plus it does allow for a norrower depth of field if you open the aperture up. What I worry about is both me and my wife wanting to have zooms at the same time versus the one zoom, one prime arrangement I was considering.

In terms of backpacks, for the flights we will split everything between a Lowepro DryZone 200 and a Lowepro Photo Trekker Classic, then when we do the zodiac rides and shore excursions from the cruise I figured I would put what we anticipated using in the Dryzone 200 and leave the rest on the ship. I wouldn't expect to carry everything on every shore visit.

If the light is good most of the time, that takes away one of the major reasons to take the 70-200. So thanks for that piece of information.

Chris

Chris ... few comments to add to what Kavey posted.

I found myself using my 18-200 most of the time - in many cases because the wildlife was just too close for the 100-400. I definitely would not worry about a 500.

I used my monopod all the time when we made landings - wouldn't go without it.

I've made a note of your photo site - will be checking out your galleries ... I am especially interested in your Peru photos since we're heading there in April.

If you have not seen my online galleries - they are at: http://eenusa.smugmug.com/Antarctica.

Have a fantastic voyage and adventure. And do come back and tell us all about it. Looking forward to seeing your photos.

Thanks for the advice and thank you again for all the packing and clothing suggestions in your trip report. If there is anything I can help you with in terms of Peru, feel free to email me -- chrisgts(at)gmail(dot)com.

Chris

Dryzone is a great bag, it's what we took on same trip. We had less equipment then so we could fit everything we needed in that one bag. I'm still trying to work out whether we'll need a second one for this trip or not.
Good news is that we found we could leave the bag by all the lifejackets on the beach rather than carrying it around and come back and change lenses when we wanted, which worked well for those beaches where we weren't wandering far...

Kavey, that is good to know. I actually don't like the Dryzone for everyday use because it seems harder to get into and out of than our Photo Trekker, but of course it is waterproof and that is the key for a trip like this!

EE -- I have only looked at a part of your pictures so far, but they are really spectacular. You should be really proud of them.

Chris

Chris, thanks but actually I look at my photos and realise that I knew NOTHING about digital processing back then (having just made the switch from film) and really ought to redo them!

Dryzone, agree, it's a pain to get into. We only bothered sealing the inner seal when travelling in the zodiac. When ashore, we'd just use the outer zipper only.

PS This is my favourite photo from the trip, for some reason I didn't put it onto flickr:
http://www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=133126

Chris - thanks for the email info. Working out arrangements re: Peru ... got all hotels, airfare, etc. completed. Will get in touch with questions as I proceed with the details of our daily plans.