The Question I Get Asked Most After 2 Million Miles Answered
After traveling more than two million miles, visiting all seven continents, and experiencing destinations from polar regions to remote archipelagos, I’m asked one question more than any other:
“What’s your favorite place you’ve ever been?”
For years, I struggled to answer. Not because there weren’t extraordinary places — but because context, timing, and expectations always mattered. That changed after Antarctica.
This reflection explores why Antarctica ultimately became my answer, what surprised me most about the experience, and why details often overlooked — such as ship design, expedition leadership, and time ashore — shape the journey more than glossy brochures suggest.
As an avid traveler and tour operator with over two million air miles and visits to all seven continents, I’m often asked: "What's your favorite destination?” That’s not an easy question to answer.
My answer usually is, "It depends. Are you drawn to Culture, Food, Nature, History, or Pure Beauty?"
But I just returned from a visit to a place that's changed my answer forever.
Here's what surprises me most:
What makes it so extraordinary is that, on paper, it seems so simple—almost minimal. A limited color palette of white, blue, and black. A sparse variety of wildlife. No cities. No crowds. And yet, it may be the most visually powerful and emotionally moving place on Earth. A place that I was utterly humbled by.
It proves that Mother Nature is a master artist. That less truly can be more.
You're probably guessing what I'm talking about—it's Antarctica.
Rick & Tracey on the mainland of the seventh continent.
I’ve just returned from my second journey there, and once again I was completely humbled.
People ask me to describe Antarctica, and I struggle. It's not just what you see—it's what you feel. The sheer enormity. The profound silence. The humbling realization that you're one of the few people on an entire continent and being completely removed from the rest of the world is unlike anything else.
Why Antarctica Changed My Answer
The wildlife encounters are unmatched. Humpback whales surfacing mere feet from our Zodiac. Orcas are swimming alongside the ship. Curious penguins waddling right up to investigate us. Bubble-net feeding whales captivating us for over an hour. Towering glaciers calving into pristine waters. Fjords that dwarf anything I've seen elsewhere.
Photo taken by Rick
One of my favorite moments is opening those blackout curtains each morning, with absolutely no idea what's waiting outside. Will it be a towering glacier? A pristine fjord? Snow-capped mountains surrounding a tranquil bay?
Yes, you may have experienced glaciers in Alaska or fjords in Norway. But Antarctica operates on an entirely different scale—both physically and emotionally. It is something you have to experience.
Antarctica is not simply another destination to check off a list. It is a place that recalibrates how you view scale, silence, and humanity’s place in the natural world. For many travelers considering expedition cruises — especially those familiar with luxury small-ship experiences in the Arctic, South America, or remote regions — Antarctica represents a different category altogether.
Understanding that difference before you go is the key to appreciating why so many travelers return changed.
"But What About the Drake Passage?"
I hear this concern often, and it's valid. Here's my honest experience after four Drake crossings:
The Scenic Eclipse is one of the few ships to feature advanced, oversized stabilization technology that transforms the experience. Combined with a simple motion sickness patch, I watched even the most anxious travelers who are typically very sensitive to motion—including Tracey and me (we're both very prone to seasickness)—handle towering waves without issue. Not a single person with the patch became ill during my four crossings, of which three would be labeled the “Drake Shake.”
Some suggest flying to avoid the Drake, but weather-related cancellations and delays are far too common at both ends, disrupting your entire journey. That is not to mention the considerable extra expense.
"But Won't I Freeze?"
Another common concern, and here's the reality: temperatures during the Antarctic summer typically average in the 30s. With quality gear, no one really complains about being cold. In fact, I have seen people regularly remove layers during land excursions.
The only time I was genuinely cold? When I took the polar plunge into the Antarctic sea, I was wearing nothing but my bathing suit. And yes, I highly recommend it—but that's entirely optional!
Photo taken by Rick without telephoto lens
The Phrase "Trip of a Lifetime" Gets Overused
But for Antarctica? It genuinely applies. Antarctica isn’t just another destination—it’s an experience that stays with you long after you return home.
Why I Choose Scenic for Antarctica (And Why It Matters)
Here's a number that transforms your entire Antarctic experience: 200 guests maximum.
Let me explain why this changes everything.
Antarctic regulations allow only 100 guests ashore at any location, typically for a maximum of five hours. Do the math on most expedition ships carrying 400 guests: you're looking at four rotations. That means extended waiting times and, realistically, only one one-hour landing per day.
With Scenic's 200-guest capacity? You'll often experience two landings daily with significantly more time to explore each stop. When you've traveled this far, every additional hour on the continent is precious.
Space Actually Matters in Antarctica
Here's something most people don't consider: Antarctica gear is bulky. Parkas, insulated pants, waterproof layers—they consume serious space.
Scenic's cabins start at 350 square feet—what many ships call a suite. This isn't about luxury for luxury's sake. It's practical. You need room to organize and dry your expedition gear between landings.
The spacious verandahs matter too. When the ship's announcement crackles over the speaker—"Orcas off the starboard side of your cabin!"—you'll be grateful for the room for you both to step outside quickly with your camera.
And the quality of Scenic's provided equipment is unmatched. Their expedition jackets, boots, and life vests are genuinely high-end and designed for comfort, not just compliance. Trust me, when you're standing among thousands of penguins for hours, that superior fit and insulation makes a real difference between discomfort and total immersion in the experience.
The True Value of All-Inclusive
Yes, Antarctica is a significant investment. But here's what many don't realize about Scenic:
Everything is genuinely included. Every shore excursion. All lectures from up to 20 Discovery Destination Experts. Unlimited wifi. Premium drinks. Port charges. Even your gratuities. It is of the highest caliber, for example, Viking’s polar plunge is in one of their hot tubs, Scenic, you get the full experience of jumping in. Scenic provides the extras to ensure you have the best experience. You have the option of seeing the vastness on one of the two ships, helicopters, or visiting the depths in the ship's sub.
Rick & Tracey at the eight-person included a 7-Course dinner at Night Markets Restaurant
With a maximum of only 200 guests, you have access to nine high-end restaurants—all included. Many of our travelers disembark without seeing a single additional charge beyond their initial investment.
It's not just about luxury. It's about maximizing every moment in the most remote place on Earth, without the distractions of budgeting, waiting, or compromise.
If Antarctica has ever been on your “someday” list, I can tell you firsthand: it is worth it. And I would love to help you experience it in a way that is comfortable, enriching, and unforgettable, at a price unmatched by our exclusive group discounts, plus free home pickup!
For travelers who feel Antarctica quietly calling to them — even once — this reflection is meant to provide clarity, perspective, and reassurance. Not about whether Antarctica is worth it, but why it stays with you long after you return, and how thoughtful planning ensures the experience lives up to its promise.
Antarctica Questions I’m Asked Most Often
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For many travelers, yes—because the value isn’t just what you see, it’s how the experience stays with you. Antarctica feels fundamentally different from other destinations because it’s raw, remote, and largely untouched. If you’re drawn to nature, scale, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences, it often exceeds expectations.
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Absolutely. In Antarctica, the ship is more than transportation—it shapes how much time you spend exploring, the quality of expedition leadership, and the overall flow of landings and Zodiac operations. The right ship and team can elevate the experience from “amazing” to truly transformational.
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Those destinations are spectacular, but they still have towns, roads, and everyday life nearby. Antarctica has no permanent population and no infrastructure for tourism beyond what expedition ships bring. That absence creates a rare sense of purity, silence, and scale.
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Many people go once and feel completely fulfilled—but a surprising number return, including myself. Different itineraries, weather conditions, wildlife moments, and landing opportunities can make each voyage feel distinct. For some, the first trip feels like an introduction, and the second feels deeper.