Antarctica - Orion Ross Sea Jan 2011

Anyone else on this trip leaving from Hobart? It's expensive and long but a great leader and crew on a comfortable ship.

I'm already booked.

Looks like a spectacular trip! Looking forward to the report.

I travelled on Orion on the Ross Sea trip in 2006. It left then from New Zealand and finished at Hobart.

The ship, the expedition leaders and staff were great. It was a good way to get to the Antarctic in some luxury. Only issue we had was that it wasn't that adept at getting through ice congestion as an icebreaker. We had a fantastic trip but didn't get to McMurdo or Scotts Hut for example. I think they have only got that far in half the years they've operated the trip so be flexible and enjoy whatever you manage to do.

After the trip many of the passengers had a discussion with the cruise line about the way they promoted the trip so I think they are more realistic in setting expectations than the way they were with us.

Enjoy your trip.

After the trip many of the passengers had a discussion with the cruise line about the way they promoted the trip so I think they are more realistic in setting expectations than the way they were with us..
Its a classic problem.. Make the brochure sound too vague and nobody books the trip, or say you (might) see a lot of nice things and everyone is interested. The critical words are "might", "subject to weather", "variable", "alternate", "best attempt" etc etc. Why don't they just add FT jargon: YMMV?

Have just arrived home from the Orion cruise to Mawson's Hut.We fortunately did get in there and in fact spent 2 days there as the 3 other possible destinations on the continent were iced in.The ice reports were that the Ross Sea was not accessible-it will be better in 2 weeks but I doubt you will be able to access all their suggested stops.
We also missed the Snares island and landing on campbell Island because of the seas-just remember this cruise is in the roaring 40's and furious 50's.On one day the swell was 10M+.A couple of waves broke over our window-we were on Deck 5.So do be prepared for sea sickness.fortunately Mrsdrron and I were not affected.
However this is expedition cruising and therefore itineraries are never set in stone.however for anyone considering doing an Antarctic cruise in luxury the Orion is the go if you are interested in Anglo/Australian history.If it is just to see Antarctica and wildlife then I would reccomend the PA11 out of Ushuaia-the ship,staff,meals etc are virtually the same but the PA11 is far cheaper,alcohol is included,a bit better organised,less sea days to get to the Peninsula and the Peninsula has been more affected by global warming therefore more likely to get to all destinations.

One thing-make sure you talk to the Ice Master-Bob from Christchurch and ask him about his experiences in antarctica-he is one of natures gentlemen.