I agree with Ngaire that you won't be roughing it. I thought the service was certainly up to Radisson par, the rooms were comparable in size to the Paul Gauguin although not as well decorated. The common rooms were quite nice. It is a totally casual ship which was very comfortable. The guest lecturers were excellent and the evening recap and briefings very interesting. The internet worked better than many other ships I have been on. One of the things we enjoyed was the small group of only 200 passengers. The daily zodiac landings, dinners, and nightly meetings really created a lot of comradery.

On our cruise there was a 91 year old woman that went on every landing and a woman that was paralyzed from the waist down who made most landings. Our expedition leader (Geoff Green, a Canadian) went out of his way to have crew members carry her down the gangway and secure her in a zodiac for her ride to the shore. Then two crew members carried her strapped into her wheel chair to the shore. I was amazed how they could stand in water up to their knees with crashing waves and balance carrying her to shore and she was not a small woman. Now I call that service above and beyond! Her husband had a special wheel chair that had big wheeled tires so that it could roll over the rocks. She was brave to attempt this as I am not so sure how stable this all was, but she managed. I am not sure I would have the courage and strength to endure what she did. What a trooper!

We struggled for things to shop for and finally settled on sending postcards with very ornate postmarks from a Ukranian research station. It took approximately one year to the date to arrive, but everyone truly enjoyed them albeit a bit late.

Well I finished the booklet on the Hanseatic cruise and will print it all this weekend and get it out to everyone on Monday. It is about 70 pages long so lots of bedtime reading. All the wildlife and scenery pictures you see in the booklet are ones that Ken took on our trip. I had to use some of Hapag Lloyds for the scenes on the ship as I did not have any of those. When we took our Hanseatic trip Ken's pictures were not digital so we HAVE to go back so he can take more pictures. As I put this together, it made me relive the experience it really is something really special. I hope you all enjoy it.

I am very interested!!! Looking at 07 or 08--my 50th. It's just really hard to take off for 3 weeks---even 2 is tough.

Cardow I will send you the information.

I just received & opened Ngaire's booklet, Antarctica & South Georgia on the MS Hanseatic January 2007. What a beautifully prepared document! Ken's photos are terrific. (Love the one with Ngaire & a penguin plus many other surprises.) The data is so informative. Brings fond memories back to me from my days in oceanography classes. I can't wait to curl up & read David Fletcher's logbook from Ngaire's trip in 2001, included in the booklet. (Marc, you're going to love this.) If anyone is interested in going, this is how. Ngaire, you've done a spectacular job in telling the story. This is a winner of a trip! - Michele

Thanks Michelle hope you enjoy reading all that. Most of you will get these in the next few days. If you want to go dont delay though. It really is a full ship and I was told by Hapag Lloyd today they will not hold any cabins. I even offered to deposit them myself to hold some but it must be a bona fide booking on the passengers credit card. Just to make sure you all know there is an immediate cancel fee of 50 Euros per person if you book and cancel.

Category 2,4 and 7 are sold out. A few spaces in Category 3 (hopefully still there) and best availability in Category 5.

I just sent out this email to those I knew were seriously interested for this trip in 2007. The people who were already booked I FED EX their books but others I just mailed. I had NO IDEA that this would fill up so quickly. If you are now VERY SERIOUS let me know today and I will overnight you another booklet so you can make a decision.

I think you know we are not the "pushy" type travel agents.

However, I would be amiss if I did not let you know that I found out today that there are only FIVE cabins left on the Hanseatic to Antarctica to book. They only have 2 cabins in cat 3 and 3 cabins in category 5. I put a hold on these cabins but wont be able to hold them for long.

Of course down the road they could get cancellations BUT you never know. If it is too soon for you to commit I understand but I would hate to hear from you in a week and have to say "sorry" nothing left.

There is a 50 EUROS cancel fee PER PERSON if you book this and then cancel.

I hope you have received your booklets by now. If you know you want to go or you want to hold a space with the knowledge if you change your mind you lose 50 Euros per person then let me know as soon as possible.

Ngaire