As I walked away from the South America and Antarctica pre-tour meeting I wonder, will the journey live up to the expectations we have all voiced in the room.  Having travelled to Antarctica previously I was bubbling with enthusiasm as we discussed what to pack and what we might experience.
 
The reality exceeded our wildest dreams.
 
From the streets of Santiago where we were treated to delightful commentary from Joachinm our guide, ascending the St Cristobel by cable car, tasting the unique local drink, and strolling the evening restaurant district to our eclectic dining experience, we were primed for adventure.
 
Into the comfort of the ms Zaandam, we explored, got lost on the decks and corridors, and found our way again as we noted landmark onboard, and enjoyed the promenade.
 
Our adventure began with shore excursions to exotically named ports;  Puerto Montt, Castro and Chacabuco, before we entered the famed and beautiful Chilean Fjords. Witnessing massive glaciers fronting the waterline or hanging from mountains hundreds of metres above. Water gushing forth from one glacier like a downward geyser of molten glacial ice.
 
To the southern most town in the world - Ushuaia, the prelude to sailing the Beagle Channel to the famed Cape Horn, and a fond (and somewhat ambivalent) farewell to land as we know it.
 
Our brilliant Captain and his team planned a route whereby we outrun the storm coming in from the west, which threatened 8-10 metres swells and high winds.  Instead we had a relatively calm journey, (some of us taking motion medication to ensure a comfortable night).
 
And. Then. Our FIRST iceberg on the horizon.  An audible gasp of excitement resonates around the beautiful formal dining room from passengers and crew alike.  From this moment the magic continues to bedazzle as, as the icebergs, mountains, ice floes, whales, penguins, albatross and seals beguile all.
 
On sea days we are challenged by team trivia, spectacular shows, BBC World documentaries and wonderfully laden buffets and dining room feasts.  Thousands of images, shutters snapping and eyes dampened by the sheer enormity and beauty that is the Antarctic peninsula.
 
There are no words, no photograph that can encapsulate what the heart and mind will take from this journey.

Dee



You too can experience this incredible journey to South America and Antarctica in 2019.  Click here for the full itinerary.