King Penguins was simply stunning, with penguins perched atop the floating ice. Captain McBain thoughtfully slowed the ship to allow us a close-up view, as humpback whales swam by. Deception Island, an active volcano, bears the scars of a recent eruption that destroyed research stations.
My budget-friendly approach didn’ t mean sacrificing comfort. The cruise ship offered fine dining, entertainment, spacious cabins, and a surprisingly smooth journey. Crucially, the ship had an onboard ice pilot and a team of knowledgeable naturalists and historians who enriched the experience with insightful commentary. The larger ship also meant a smaller per-person carbon footprint than that of many smaller vessels.
From Antarctica, we sailed to the Falkland Islands. During my previous visit, shortly after the Falklands War, remaining landmines restricted our access to many beaches. The islands have changed dramatically since then, and there is even a supermarket in the town of Stanley. A hop-on – hop-off tour to Yorke Bay delivered on its promise: I spotted four majestic king penguins huddled together against the wind, along with numerous gentoo penguins and their chicks on the beautiful white-sand beach. Reluctantly, we left the Falklands to celebrate New Year’ s Eve onboard.
Magellanic Penguins
While we didn’ t have opportunities for polar plunges or shore landings, the onboard experience was exceptional. The friendly and diverse community of passengers and staff fostered a welcoming atmosphere. I had the distinct honour of meeting our Canadian captain, Todd McBain( originally from Edmonton and still an Oilers fan), and naturalist Rob Raincock( from Red Deer).
A highlight was dining with Dr. Philip Kyle, a renowned scientist and fifty-year veteran of Antarctic research, who even appeared on the BBC’ s Planet Earth. While Antarctic weather is notoriously unpredictable, we enjoyed remarkably calm seas and clear skies, a testament to Captain McBain’ s skillful navigation.
This cruise allowed me to capture breathtaking landscape and wildlife photographs. The flexibility of booking a standard cruise, as well as its lower cost, also meant I could enhance my trip with pre- and post-cruise excursions, including visits to Penguin Island in Chile, the Beagle Channel in Argentina, and the Falkland Islands for even more diverse penguin encounters. My experience proves that Antarctica is accessible on a budget, and I wholeheartedly recommend this approach for those seeking an unforgettable adventure without breaking the bank. I hope to return to this pristine part of the world someday, health permitting.
John Hui retired in 2014 after more than twentyfive years as a medical toxicologist in Edmonton. Since then, he’ s worked as an independent travel agent, exploring over forty-five countries and experiencing diverse cultures. Next year marks John and Julia’ s forty-fifth wedding anniversary; they are proud parents of two and grandparents to a wonderful 1.5-year-old.
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