Cruise Routes Reviews 

We recently returned from the most amazing expedition cruise to Antarctica (Feb/March 2022) with Albatros Expeditions. This was a magical experience to the world’s last true wilderness. The expedition surpassed all our expectations, visiting South Shetlands, Antarctic Peninsula, South Orkneys, South Georgia and the Falklands. The in-depth knowledge of our Expedition Leader/ Guides ensured that at all times on ship, in the Zodiacs and on the landings we were safe and fully briefed on the environment, wildlife and history of the area.

Our expedition was organised through Polar Routes Tour Specialist, Lucy, who provided an exceptional level of service.
Her infectious enthusiasm and personal knowledge of Antarctica ensured that we selected an expedition cruise that met all our wish lists, at the right price.
Due to the pandemic our original departure date in 2021 had to be cancelled but we were kept fully informed of the changes / various health requirements and supported throughout the whole process. All our many questions were answered promptly, with great patience and good humour.
When we finally got to travel to Antarctica all the arrangements put in place for our outbound and return journeys worked like clockwork.

I highly recommend Polar Routes and Albatros Expeditions to future travellers to Antarctica and wouldn’t hesitate to use them again.

Polar Routes support from my initial enquiry to my Antarctica experience was excellent. The trip recommendation exceeded my requirements however due to the Pandemic my plans were delayed and disrupted but Polar Routes were there for me keeping me up to date with challenges, options and revised plans. My Antarctica experience with Albatros Expeditions commenced February 2022 and from departure to arriving home was planned to perfection. The actual expedition was truly outstanding visiting the Peninsula, South Orkneys, South Georgia and the Falkland's. We had excellent support from the expedition leaders ensuring our safety when landing at the many wildlife sights. They had an in-depth knowledge of the environment, history and wildlife.
I have travelled all over the world visiting some great places however this trip stands out as the most remote and amazing place I have ever had the privilege to visit. When I next plan to visit either pole I will be using Polar Routes and Albatros again.

Booked over 2 years ago to travel to Antarctica in 2021 but trip cancelled due to Covid. James kept us informed with everything and responded to any query we had quickly. James himself had recently been to Antarctica and gave us some really good tips and information that we would benefit by on our trip. An excellent service and would not hesitate to use them again.

Polar Routes provides an excellent all-round service for South America. Its staff are available, knowledgable and friendly. They go out of their way to provide a bespoke service and are always very interested in your trip. They are travellers themselves and genuinely like what they do.! I

James at Polar Routes was very knowledgeable, and helpful from discussing our ideas and options for a trip to Antarctica through to managing all the changes and requirements imposed by the pandemic. He responded to queries quickly, and throughout seemed motivated to ensure we had a memorable holiday.

Fantastic experience dealing with Lucy at Polar Routes in order to book a trip to Antarctica. Not only was she very knowledgeable, she was also infectiously enthusiastic, having been there herself! She could subsequently pass on some really useful tips to boot. Overall, the whole booking process with Lucy was friendly and efficient and we had all the correspondence we needed sent through very quickly. Lucy responded quickly to some further requests and nothing was too much trouble. Overall, I was really impressed with Lucy/Polar Routes, will definitely use them again and I’ve already recommended them to others. It also speaks volumes when an employee of the expedition ship knew of, and rated, Lucy too- says it all. Thanks again for the most amazing holiday. We’ll be back!!

After over two years of trying to get to Antarctica, Polar Routes rescued me. Despite many cancellations and postponements, they sorted out my arrangements. Lucy gave me balanced and measured advice on my options with the benefit of her own experience. She was a great help in dealing with the ship's formalities and I valued the service.

Bogus company. Read the small print. They don't take you to Antarctica

Booking a lifetime ambition cruise to Antarctica the month before COVID struck seemed like a doomed enterprise, but the Polar Routes experts kept trying and offering cost effective options until at last it was achieved. Every detail was meticulously planned and went like clockwork. It was the ultimate travel and wildlife experience and I would have no hesitation in recommending the company for a highly individual and expert service. Happy travels.

Where to start !!! We finally made it to Antarctica thanks to the hard work of James at Polar Routes. Booked way back and meant to happen last season this holiday was cancelled twice due to the pandemic. At every stage James kept us fully informed about our options and worked incredibly hard to get us some phenomenal upgrades. Supporting us with ever changing medical requirements, changing our flights , swapping cabins a week before departure , even contacting us on his day off to ensure that we had information promptly we can’t praise our experience highly enough.
Hurtigruten was also great for people who want a real taste of exploring. The trips onto land via the zodiacs are great !!
Overall the trip of a lifetime which met all our expectations and more.
Thank you James and Polar Routes

This trip was taken during a time of fairly strict Covid regulations world wide. However , the restrictions were not too invasive and we felt safe and protected at all times
The time on board the Greg Mortimer was good. The crew and expedition staff were very approachable and informative . There were trips from the ship twice per day and we had the fantastic experience of viewing spectacular icebergs, wildlife such as three types of penguins , at least four makes of seals - Wedell, Fur, Leopard and Crabeaters [although no crabs !!]
Regarding the trip organisation , it was managed by Polar Routes very confidently , calmly and reassuringly despite all the Covid bureaucracy .The staff were always available and very communicable and supportive.

James was great at working through our options for our trip, seemingly available to answer any questions when you'd expect and when our trip was cancelled due to COVID, he helped us immensely in figuring out our best option on how to proceed. Honest and very trustworthy. Would use again!

Delighted with the first class service we received from Polar Routes, notably the assistance we received from James Townsend. When our Antarctic cruise was cancelled due to covid the day before embarkation, James managed to find an alternative cruise within hours with an almost identical itinerary. He is unflappable, flexible and friendly. Just as important, he is always accessible which was much appreciated as we were on the other side of the world when our plans fell through. Thanks to James and his promptness and efficiency, we had an unforgettable Antarctic experience instead of heading home early and disappointed. We cannot recommend James or Polar Routes more highly.

Polar Routes is the best travel agency I have ever used. They are extremely professional and have a very can-do attitude. My wife and I had a disaster trying to board our flight at Heathrow airport for a cruise to Antarctica as our PCR tests would have been invalid by the time we boarded the connecting flight in Madrid. Lucy and James sorted out a whole new itinerary within a few hours and we were on our way. We did not miss the cruise. They took all the stress and worked flat out to make all the connections work.

I could not sing praises higher enough for the effort that James put into organising my trip. Lots of clarity, always getting back, constantly checking in, happy to repeat what he’d already told me on multiple occasions. At the last minute my trip was cancelled and literally within a day he’d organised me another on one of the few ships left - I haven’t been so excited about the next day agenda for years. If you’ve got the means do it it’s awe inspiring. Personal note fewer people equals a personal experience- it’s worth it.
Thanks James I might even work again so i can repeat 😂😂😂😂😂

I have worked with Polar Routes in my last trip to Antarctica and my experience was excellent. James Townsend was always available to support, advise and clarify my doubts. While traveling everything went smoothly and the trip went exactly as it what was agreed with Polar Routes.

Oh my gosh...the best trip ever! I have been to many countries...but this one is a once in a lifetime experience that was above expectations.

The Ponant ship also included 5 course French meals for lunch and dinner (I didn't go to breakfast). Just amazing hospitality and food!

Of course with Covid protocols, we left 23 hours late, but were ALL tested every 3 days.

We had 4 continent landings which we were told never happens. Couldn't thank Lucy, Polar Routes and Ponant and their staff and crew more. Exceptional!

Holiday of a Lifetime.... November 2017.
Just returned from my holiday of a lifetime!
I contacted Martin at Latin / Polar Routes back in January to book an Antarctic cruise as part of my 65th birthday celebrations. Martin talked my friend and I through the various options and we settled on the
G Adventures "Classic in Depth" cruise departing from Ushuaia to South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. Martin has been on this cruise and was able to answer all our questions enthusiastically and reassure us we would be able to cope with everything G Adventures would offer us, in the way of shore landings etc. We were very lucky with the weather and had two shore landings every day, glorious photo opportunities.
As we had not been to Buenos Aires before, Martin helped us choose some activities whilst there and we booked a morning cycle tour with a guide, which was a perfect way to see the city. We went to Carlos Gardel Tango Show one evening and were picked up from our hotel and returned afterwards. All the agents used by Latin / Polar routes in Argintina provided a first class service. The guide who met us at BA Airport spoke perfect English, and gave us a brilliant insight into life in BA during our private taxi ride to our hotel. She also provided us with all the details we needed for our stay in BA and ensured everything was in order at our hotel before saying her goodbyes. All other transfers were punctual and polite.
I have no hesitation in recommending Latin / Polar Routes to anyone wishing to take a tailor made holiday to South America or Antarctica. Thank you so much Martin, I will be back again soon.
Mary Spooner PRDR100992

Martin and his team Lucy and James are excellent. they are extremely helpful and knowledgeable. We planned a special trip to Chile, Easter Island, Patagonia and ending up in Antarctica. It was a trip of a lifetime. The places Martin recommended were superb. We had a sea view on Easter island, and could see two statues which we passed as we walked into town. As it was my birthday there, Martin arranged a surprise bottle of champagne and a lovely birthday cake for me - totally unexpected, but much appreciated. We loved Estancia Cristina - in fact we had the place to ourselves. Real VIP treatment from the moment we stepped onto the boat! Antarctica was great. it was our second trip - the first time was with Hurtigruten, this one with Quark. Quark is more expensive - but is better value. No hanging about waiting to go ashore. (Numbers are strictly limited.) With Quark, instead of waiting on the ship, we went out in the RIBs - so it was action packed and we saw much more. We even ended up off Elephant Island, seeing where Shackleton's men sheltered while he went off to arrange their rescue. Amazing! I can thoroughly recommend Polar Routes and Quark. two weeks after we came back we booked the next one to Franz Josef Land. we haven't done it yet because of covid, but Lucy has been great with the arrangements and re-arrangements we've made.

We received great service and they couldn't have been more helpful. Would definitely use them again.