Antarctica with Polar Cruises

My brother has invited me on a trip to the Falklands, South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula on the Polar Star, operated by Polar Cruises. It's an 18 day trip, 22 Nov 10 - 10 Dec 10.

Anyone have experience with Polar Cruises or the Polar Star? Or Antarctica in late November/early December? I'm most after birds (no surprise to most of you, I suspect.) It's a lot of money and I'd like to get it right...

Thanks in advance.

Hey Jim,

I can't help you with the ship or tour operator, but the timing is familiar to me. We went last November 17 to December 10 to Falklands, SGI, and the Peninsula. The timing is spring, so you'll see different aspects of the birds than if you went in summer (Dec - Jan). We saw a lot of courting, mating, and nesting - no chicks except for young King Penguins from last year's breeding cycle. Being early in the season there is more snow on the ground so the scenery is better (less mud) and the birds typically are cleaner than later in the season. Our weather overall was excellent, but spring can be colder and stormy. Landing on shore is always dependent on weather and sea conditions.

We went on the M/V Ushuaia on a Joe van Os Photo Safari. This meant that everyone on board had the same goal - nature photography. Some trips have different goals, so be sure that you will get lots of time on shore with time to do photography.

Feel free to ask more questions or email me.

Thanks, Bob. Very helpful. It turns out that the M/V Ushuaia is owned by the same company that owns M/V Polar Star. You've persuaded me that the timing is decent (it wasn't very hard). So I've opted in and we'll see if the weather cooperates. Maybe I'll even come back with 13,000 images.

I may be back to you for some tips on protecting gear while riding in a Zodiac... Thanks again. I really appreciate the help.

Just make sure you share your shots Jim so we can live vicariously through you!