Hi Anne,
It was an excursion from the Mariner from Punta Arenas. There were about 30 passengers and 10 escorts from the ship..more than usual! Terry Breen, Scott (Travel Manager), and other crew got to go as well. We shared the flight with passengers from Holland America Princendam who was in most ports with us. Regent got the front seats and Princedam got the back seats! They put two people in a row to share a window. Luckily Fred and I had a row that had two windows and he would never let me move out of the window seat so I really got great views. I just have a small Olympus point and shoot but I am often amazed at the quality of pictures it takes.

We were very fortunate that we got to make the flight as it is more often canceled and not. It was a regular Lan Chile Airbus 319 on charter. I asked one of the flight attendants how often they did the flight and she said that for this cabin crew it was the first time. They were as excited as we were! The pilots kept in contact with several of the Antarticia bases so they knew what the weather was over the sites. We did miss the last site as clouds and wind moved in, but what we did see was magnificant!

I highly recommend this excursion even if it is pretty expensive. You definitely have to book it early as there was a very long waiting list. If you do get to make the flight, it is worth ever penny!

Jan