In February 2025, our CEO Ted Dziadkiewicz headed off on a trip to Antarctica with Aurora Expeditions, aboard the new ship, Sylvia Earle. As with all expeditions, there were highlights and unexpected challenges, but Ted believes that the Aurora crew and ship handled all of these well. Here follows some of his thoughts and suggestions if you are considering your own Antarctic voyage in the future.
Ted says, “I’ve been to Antarctica before, in 2017, on an older Russian ice breaker, so the experience aboard Sylvia Earle was really incomparable. Back then we saw lots of whales and had beautiful weather – something that lifts any travel experience, no matter where you go. The Sylvia Earle is a very new vessel, purpose built for this environment, and so spacious and stylish inside.”
I was very impressed with the Expedition Team – a bunch of young people who were full of amazing information, knowledge and more. They covered off topics like Antarctica’s history, weather, whales and environment – what amazing lectures!
TED’S ANTARCTICA WITH AURORA EXPEDITIONS RATINGS:
Antarctica with Aurora Expeditions
STAFF
Overall, I was impressed the crew onboard the Sylvia Earl – the Expedition Team and onboard hotel staff.
SHIP
The designed of the ship known as X-BOW, plus stabilizers made the sailing experience through Drake passage achievable in bad weather and also more comfortable for those onboard. In her own right, this is a beautifully appointed ship with quality staterooms and public spaces.
EXPERTISE
From the crew, we learned all about the history dating back to the first pioneer explorer. From Piotr, we learned that Antarctica has two tides running around the continent. Neil talked about “citizen Science“ activities that passengers could sign up for onboard. Other topics included the Happy Whale project, Clouds, Geology, plate Tectonics, and of course whales, birds, krill and fur seals…
DESTINATION
As we approached the continent of Antarctica, we were taken aback by the beauty, first of the icebergs, and then the glaciers hanging on the side of the mountains, the colours were something else.
WILDLIFE
We saw lots of humpback whales, one school of Orca, lots of different types of seals, penguins and the magnificent albatross. Antarctica with Aurora Expeditions, really makes wildlife a priority.
The sights and sounds – and stillness – when sailing through the narrow Lemaire Channel, and realizing the sheer size of this continent is a very unique experience.
Images by Aurora Expeditions
