Fram Review

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Smaller ships are better.

Review for Antarctica Cruise on Fram
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Woofbite
10+ Cruises • Age 80s

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Sail Date: Nov 2015

Buenos Aires to The Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica. Long distances between landings makes for a very expensive cruise for not much time on shore. The cruise part was sub-par for food and service compared to "cruise" lines. The "expedition " part really focused on very expensive extra price options such as hikes, kayaking and polar boat cruising rather than free field trips to view wildlife or historical sites led by experts as previous trips to Antarctica have been.

The large group of people to manage (216) compared to smaller ships, created its own problems with trying to get everyone suited up and on shore each landing. Expedition leaders gave a lecture or two on board during the cruise and led extra price trips on shore or policed passengers to be sure no one got near wildlife. (except penguins which wandered in and out of the water nearby and were impossible to control).

Landings were usually at least a mile round-trip or more from major bird colonies. (five miles in one instance). One stop in the Falklands had transportation for the old and lame which was nice. All land excursions and activities were almost outrageously overpriced as was internet service which probably shouldn't even be offered except for emergency use. Note that it is charged by the hour, not by use. Simple emails could easily take half an hour to download or send. Food pretty plain and some of the meat was low quality and some "fishy" tasting fish - absolutely unacceptable from a Norwegian outfit. Lots of raw dried meat, smoked fish, slimy sea thing starters and they must have gotten a whale of a bargain on orange sherbet which seemed to be an ice cream choice practically every day.

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