Ocean Endeavor Antarctica Review — A Reader Shares Details on Her 10-Night Expedition

Ocean Endeavor Antarctica Review

Reviewer

Uma Veras from USA.

Cruise Line

Intrepid Travel.

Ship

Ocean Endeavor.

Destination

Antarctica.

# of Nights

10.

Departure Port

Ushuaia, Argentina.

Date of Cruise

Dec 18, 2024.

Ratings

(5=excellent, 4=very good, 3=good, 2=poor, 1=terrible)

-Overall Experience Rating: 5

-Food Rating: 5

-Service/Crew Rating: 5

-Cabin Rating: 5

-Itinerary Rating: 5

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The 200-pax Ocean Endeavor. * Photo: Uma Veras

Ocean Endeavor Antarctica Review

At Christmas 2023 I had the opportunity to visit Neruda’s land and I went for the first time to the end of the World on a fascinating trip to Puerto Williams in the Chilean Patagonia, sailing in the Strait of Magellan and the Beagle Channel, where I enjoyed some of the most beautiful scenery on the planet.

I was left so impressed that in August 2024 I did not hesitate to book an unforgettable trip to spend Christmas 2024 in Antarctica with the Intrepid Travel team aboard the Ocean Endeavor expedition cruise ship.

The Ocean Endeavor was built in 1981. Its first name was Konstantin Simonov. It’s been remodeled and renamed several times. In 2014 it became an expedition ship and changed its name for the current name, Ocean Endeavor.

It has a maximum passenger capacity of 200 and 124 crew members. It has one restaurant, two lounges, two clubs, a polar boutique, swimming pool, jacuzzi, gym, sauna, lobby, outdoor terrace, open bridge, zodiac landing area among others all in very good condition, designed to guarantee a pleasant and super rewarding experience.

Our adventure started in Ushuaia, Argentina where we enjoyed a pre-departure welcoming in the Wyndham Garden Ushuaia Hotel del Glacier. The day when we were prepared to set sail, a flock of birds surprised us by approaching our ship, giving us a wish of good luck on our adventure, and from then on, everything was magic…

The Drake passage felt quite like a Drake lake, but during our return we experienced the Drake shake. Nevertheless it was an amazing journey.

RELATED: We share a list of the world’s 8 roughest bodies of water.

The crew on this voyage was very attentive and organized, from the Captain to the utilities guys. Because we had to get ready to get out twice a day, we’d made a bit of a mess in our cabin, but when we returned we found the clothes folded, the cabin clean, and everything organized. They exceeded our expectations. They were committed to giving us an unforgettable experience.

The food was plenty and excellent, buffet style, and most of the time à la carte dinner. Snacks 24 hours a day.

Among the multiple activities we had: Zodiac, Kayak, Paddled boarding, Snowshoeing, Hiking, Camping and Polar Plunge.

A Zodiac excursion on an Ocean Endeavor Antarctica expedition. * Photo: Uma Veras

The variety of activities in the program inside the ship included: Cloud observer, Yoga, Sauna stretch, Games, Live Music, Fundraising auction, Watercolors, Knot tying, intuitive tarot cards, etc.

Every night recap meeting showing slide shows of pictures for the activities of the day. We’re allowed to go over the bridge (Captain’s place). Our captain and his team of professionals of different nationalities, was very concerned about everyone’s comfort and safety.

Although everyone who ventures on this type of trip is aware of having respect for ecosystems, the crew encourages us, with great care, to respect wildlife. How much they care for the beautiful flightless birds of the Earth!

Only 100 people can disembark at a time. No one is allowed to sit or bend down in this pristine landscape, home of the Penguins. We had the opportunity to see Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adelle penguins, Whales, Sea Lions, Albatross.

Penguins! * Photo: Uma Veras

One of the differences in the expedition with a traditional cruise is that the excursions and incursions were not rigidly determined, but were changed according to the weather conditions, which were very variable.

On a regular day, two shore trips were made, although sometimes only one or none at all, but the amenities offered by the Ocean Endeavor do not leave room for boredom, at all times some activities were going on.

The sky never darkened, but each Sunrise, each Sunset, were impressive and majestic, as if they were all different, but at the same time, they revived in each nuance, the same feeling of peace and well-being in each experience. The glacial winds, the icy blizzards, the frozen masses, the dense fogs, the snow-capped mountains, the icy jumps, alternated on our journey, with the unique fauna of the environment, in the sea, in the land, which seemed to want to show itself to its visitors, inviting us to observe them, but, at the same time, requesting our respect for its habitat, to keep it intact since its creation.

It is very difficult to convey into words the feelings and emotions that we perceived every day, it’s as if being in contact with the icy landscape, the soul returns to peace and perfect communication with ourselves, the creation and with the creator.

In conclusion, I recommend to all nature lovers to sail to Antarctica, so they can contemplate and enjoy the only virgin continent that we have left on our immense blue planet.

I enjoyed being part of the story of Ocean Endeavour in its final season to Antarctica 2024/2025. Intrepid Travel doesn’t know what will be the destiny of Ocean Endeavor.

Breathtaking Antarctica. * Photo: Uma Veras

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