Beyond Antarctica: South Shetlands, South Georgia & the Falklands

My trip with Road Scholar to Antarctica was the most incredible thing I've ever done, seeing icebergs, the mountains and glaciers of South Georgia and spending days "At Sea" viewing right from my cabin dolphins, albatross, & even swimming penguins! Beaching in Zodiacs and learning the Sailor's Handshake all made for the memories of a lifetime, cliche, but so true.

So much to learn, see, and experience in Antarctica, South Georgia, and the Falklands! I also appreciated a taste of Argentina. I loved the ice of Antarctica, learning the Shackleton story, exploring South Georgia, and the Falklands were a pleasant surprise. So many birds and animals, and yes - all of those amazing penguins! The expedition team did a great job of providing new and unique locales. I feel so blessed to have experienced these little-seen places!

My "Beyond Antarctica" trip with Road Scholar turned out to be the trip of a lifetime for me! I'm a nature geek and was thrilled with the variety of what I learned, saw, and experienced on this trip. The animals were plentiful and beautiful, the lectures were interesting and professional, the Zodiac rides and field excursions were varied and well-chosen and the people I met were great! I could not have asked for anything more

RS customer service is outstanding. The trip overall is outstanding. The travel department is incompetent, I would recommend do not use them!

This was an amazing trip. Our Road Scholar guide, Nicole Flores Jara, was wonderful. The Ocean Victory was a lovely ship. The expedition staff on the ship were first rate. I can't say enough good things about them. The programming was very informative too. I would highly recommend that if you are thinking of going to Antarctica with Road Scholar you take the trip that has you spend 18 days on the boat and also goes to South Georgia and the Falklands. Only downside was the travel division of Road Scholar which needs a lot of improvement. Their service is not up to par.

Although the trip was long, it would have been less enjoyable if South Georgia were not included. I can't imagine the trip without South Georgia.

This program was unique in so many ways that it will be hard to duplicate. Even our Lead Expedition guide extolled this experience as the one he had always dreamed of leading. Not only were we able to land on Elephant Island, where most expeditions are stymied by the nearly ever present katabatic winds that roil a heavy surge, but also we were in the Weddell Sea the same time as a South African research team was searching for Shackleton's ship, Endurance. Their success and the photo of the ship in 10,000 feet of water captured via submersible were published throughout our ship the morning after we had been on Elephant Island, learning about the 127 days Shackleton's men spent there awaiting rescue. This fillip added to our already high excitement at seeing such a wealth of wildlife in the Southern Ocean, not to mention the extraordinary ice sculptures and tabular icebergs we cruised among during our time aboard the Ocean Victory, a brand new ship whose crew was so impressed with its efficiency and stability that they added a whole new destination to our itinerary, the South Orkney Islands, en route to South Georgia Island, where we toasted Shackleton in his grave. At our final destination, the Falkland Islands, we found a culture celebrating the 130th anniversary of their Anglican cathedraf, and making preparations for the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the Falklands war. We also found there two more species of penguins to add to the five we had already seen on the cruise. In short, the only part of the program not worthy of duplicating was the nearly daily Covid testing administered before breakfast. But even that inconveniece does not dampen the lasting and brilliant memories of a true "trip of a lifetime."

An outstanding program in all respects. I encourage you to take it at your earliest opportunity. You will not be disappointed.

This was a "dream come true" adventure! Thanks so much, Road Scholar, for this incredible expedition on the Ocean Victory, & including the South Shetlands, South Georgia and the Falklands.