We are planning on escorting a trip to South Georgia and Antarctica on the Silver Explorer January 2016. This will be our sixth trip to Antarctica and we are looking forward to it as it has been a few years since we have been. I want a penguin in my lap again!

Expect the date to be around January 15 - 25, 2016 starting in that time frame. This is the time to go not any earlier or any later the date for 2015 was January 19th. That is the best time for combination South Georgia/Antarctica trips. This is a trip that sells out as soon as it is released. There is space on the regular Antarctica trips but the itineraries including South Georgia sell quickly. Going to Antarctica without going to South Georgia will probably mean you will want to go back again to visit South Georgia. That is where they have thousands of the KING penguins that are so amazing.

Last time I did this I had a waitlist in place at Silversea to make bookings the day that Silversea opened up the cruise for sale . They will NOT take waitlists ahead of time now so it is imperative that I am "ready to go" with my staff on the phone to call the second this opens.

I am anticipating this opening sometime in August, 2014. This is an expensive trip we cannot see pricing now for 2015 as it is all sold out. I anticipate in the $25,000 price range per person for the 18 day expedition.

Here is a link to the landing reports on the BK Website and you can link to a lot of information from there.

http://www.brownandkeenetravel.com/2014_Antarctica_Silver_Explorer_Landings.htm

You can look at the itinerary on the 2015 Antarctica/South Georgia itinerary on the Silversea site at http://www.silversea.com/expeditions/destinations/plan-expedition/?voyage=7502&year=2015 /

I have a list of some people already. If you have an interest you need to post here OR email me or your Brown and Keene consultant and tell me what type of cabin you want.

This was a fantastic trip in 2012; I recommend that anyone that is even contemplating the desire to see Antarctica to book this trip. Actually, South Georgia was probably the highlight; well, actually maybe Elephant Island; no, the Adelies when we reached Antarctica; or maybe just yelling "Number 7" when we first set foot on the continent.

Anyway, it is a fantastic trip on a fantastic ship with fantastic escorts.

Jerry and I are interested. We absolutely loved our trip to Antarctica. You are so right,Ngaire, we did not go to South Georgia but feel a need to get there!
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Helen

Helen, that would be great really love the thought of all these future upcoming adventures with you two. South Georgia = King penguin heaven! Cannot be missed. You are on the list!

I emailed you too Ngaire.

I am being asked about cabins here is a report on the cabins. The upcharges shown are for a 10 night trip. This will probably be an 18 night trip so those upcharges will be higher.

Cabin Details
http://www.brownandkeenetravel.com/2014_Arctic_Silver_Explorer_Cabin_Details.htm

Deck Plans
http://www.silversea.com/expeditions/silver-explorer/deck-plans/

Kens Ship Pictures
http://ngaire.smugmug.com/Cruise-Lines/Silversea

I was fortunate enough to cruise with Ngaire in 2012. My favorite morning was waking up to expedition leader, Robin's voice saying that we were near Salisbury Plain with 250,000 pairs of King Penguins in front of us. That was one fabulous day. As much as I loved the penguins, the elephant seals at Gold Harbor were my favorite animals. Loved stepping foot on Elephant Island as well. The entire trip was magical. We were so fortunate, though, with the weather and the seas. We had Ngaire's juju with us!

Here is a link to my blog. http://beths-world-travels.blogspot.com/2011/11/packing-for-antarctica.html

It all sounds so exciting to me. Beth, I enjoyed reading your shopping blog. Yikes, we don't own ANY of this (SoCa)...maybe I can borrow from you or someone who has been.

It is really not a lot of stuff Marcie. Key thing is true water proof pants, some long undies and warm socks. Ken wears blue jeans and I wear a light fleece pant under our waterproof pants. Top just a long sleeve shirt sometimes a light fleece. Those parkas they give you are SO WARM you end up peeling them off. They supply the boots. You have to have warm gloves and a warm hat that covers your ears and you are "good to go"

Marcie, I was leary about buying all that gear myself. I used and liked most of them. As a seasoned Antarctic traveler, Ngaire is right in what she suggested. You will need hot weather clothes for your day or two in Buenos Aires pre cruise.

After seeing Donna Hull's packing video, I purchased the Eagle Creek packing folder and cubes today. These should help with my packing from now on.

You should have George and me on your list, but if not, add us please!

You are on the list Rachel, decide what kind of cabin you want this time and email me.

I've e-mailed Ngaire and added us to the list. We are really looking forward to this trip!

Hi Ngaire, I emailed LInda that my sister Barbara wants on the list. Alex would definitely not enjoy this so she will take her 2 daughters.

Wonderful! Barbara and I can find the time to play some cards on this trip!

We won't even think about Antarctica until I'm retired nest year. That rules out the 1/16 trip, which will be sold out by then. Meanwhile, we received an email today from Hurtigruten announcing several Antarctic cruises for the winter (Southern summer) of 2015-16, including at least 3 itineraries that include South Georgia. I wonder how the Hurtigruten Fram compares to the Silversea Explorer. If the H ship is good enough, that might be worthwhile for B & K to explore.

The Hurtigruten ships are the ferries that run up and down the Norwegian coast. They do not travel much in ice filled waters as the coast line of Norway has a warm current. There are many ships in Antarctica even the old "Song of Flower" and that ship should not be in those waters.

At this time the Silver Explorer I believe is the best ship down there with a stunningly good expedition staff. I have been on four different ships to Antarctica and the others did not compare to the Silver Explorer. A first rate product and I always try and select the best offered, particularly in a region like this. On our last trip we had perfect weather when we were at Elephant Island and we actually landed. A huge feat for the expedition staff. A lot of other ships were there but none of them attempted to do that and it was sensational.

That was one spectacular trip all the way around. Elephant Island was the icing on the cake!! How fortunate we were. The staff and crew made it very special for all of us. Ngaire would tell you that going to Antarctica in mid-January affords you the opportunity to see the penguin chicks at their cutest!

OK - how much greener do you want me to go? What a wonderful experience for y'all!

UPDATE: Silversea is opening Antarctica on September 16. I have all the waitlists, cabin requests and details ready to go so expect to hear from us sometime on the 16th hopefully we will have good news for everyone!

So glad I am in town for the opening I was so afraid I would be away!!

Antarctica opened yesterday and we got all the cabins we wanted on the January 3, 2016 Antarctica/South Georgia itinerary. So that was fantastic. As always with a wait list some will decide not to go. If anyone else is interested contact brown and Keene to pick up any cancelled cabins. The most popular category vista is already sold out.

This will be our seventh Antarctica voyage and we are really looking forward to it. We are in penguin withdrawal.

For those who are going,wishing you the brochure trip we were on. What a once (or 7 if you are Ngaire) lifetime trip. Warning, do not stand behind penguins,projectile pooping is a sight to see.