And Then There Were Two

I've crunched the numbers and The Decision Matrix has surfaced one very clear winner. Of course, my heart is telling me not to rule out Option 2 because visiting the Weddell Sea is super compelling. So, as expected, quantified-decision-making can never be the only way. 

Anyway, here we are the final two:

Option 1: Antarctic Explorer

• Decision Matrix Score: 28
• Shorter Itinerary (12 Days)
• Less Expensive
• Better Ship & Crew Quality
• Twin Cabin
• Highly Recommended
• Visits all the other spots for gorgeous ice on the West Side of the Peninsula. It's the "classic" version. 

Option 2:  Antarctica and the Weddell Sea

• Decision Matrix Score: 25
• Longer Itinerary (15 Days)
• More Expensive 
• OK Ship & Crew Quality
• Quad Cabin 
• Ship not as favorably recommended
• Visits the East Side of the Peninsula and the Weddell Sea — Home of huge, tabular icebergs.

The Decision Matrix

The Decision Matrix is one of too many planning spreadsheets I've got going for this trip and it works a little something like this:

First, I broke down all of the micro components of the trip (things like ship size, comfort, cost, ideal dates, duration, etc.). Then, threw in any bonus items that might make an option sweeter (things like extra nights in Ushuaia, internet access, etc.) - they all get listed on the sheet.

Each time I get a plan from an operator, I assign a ranking of 0-3 for each of the line items. Add 'em up and out comes a total score. The highest score is the winning plan! 

Maybe, this takes some of the romance out of it all, but since they’re all similar anyway, it might not be so bad to make this huge and awesome decision based on a numerical value.  

At least in theory.

The Decision Matrix

The Decision Matrix now available for download!

Snorkeling... No Go

I've tried everything possible to hustle my way on a ship that offers snorkeling. I've emailed a bunch of operators and talked to a bunch of people with depressing news: This season is all booked up. There's only a select few journeys that offer it, so it's not surprising that there's no space for me. It was never a deal breaker, but it was always awesome. 

Too bad.

Antarctica Planning is Hard

Planning a trip to Antarctica is complicated. They say that when you're presented with so many different options, the harder a decision becomes. That's pretty much how it's going for me right now.

The options seem vast and diverse: itineraries, prices, tour companies, ships, leaders, when to go, where to go, how long to be there, what is better for this? for that? excursions? extras? etc, so on and so forth.

Luckily, the more I talk to people who have been, research and uncover, the more the little pieces come together.  I'm still in the process of sorting all of this out, keeping detailed spreadsheets, notes and references to help guide the decision making process. My goal is to pick a trip by mid August. But it's also really hard to wait. I'm getting so close to just booking something. Anything. Just to get it done.

Thankfully, I met up with an old friend for coffee today whose guidance and wisdom was just was I needed. She's putting me in touch with some of her friends and guides from her own Antarctic adventure to help make this trip happen in the best way for me.

Time to keep up the research and planning with a renewed sense of purpose and patience! 

Snorkeling in Antarctica?

Ladies and Gentleman - You can snorkel there.

*MIND BLOWN*

One of the tour companies I’ve been eyeing offers snorkeling. Snorkeling in Antarctica! Maybe you know this, maybe you don’t, but I love being underwater. I love taking pictures underwater. I am obsessed with the idea of being underwater taking pictures in Antarctica. Adding it to the list. 

Incredible.

Photo by K.Hinchliffe

I'm going to Antarctica!

A few months ago, I bought a book called A Portrait of Ice by Caleb Cain Marcus. I was blown away. I set my sights on taking my own pictures of ice.  

A few weeks ago, I decided that my journey in ice photography would happen in the Polar South. Antarctica. I targeted a February 2016 expedition. 

A few days ago, after full-on research, reading and looking at other people's Antarctica pictures, I decided that I just can't wait! So here we go. Time to figure out how to make it happen in 2014-2015.

Photo by Lisa Mclean via Quark Expeditions