Inside Stacey’s Expedition Cruise in Antarctica

For some travelers, the dream of reaching Antarctica takes years to ripen. For Stacey and Marty Moyers, it took over a decade of patience, planning, and the right travel partner to finally make it happen.

Stacey Moyers and her husband Marty always dreamed of going to Antarctica one day. When their dear friends returned from an Antarctica21 expedition in 2011, they knew they'd found the right journey. After hearing their stories from the trip, Stacey and Marty made a decision: they'd travel with Antarctica21 to the Seventh Continent, and the journey quickly became a goal on the horizon.

Logistics, however, required patience. As a teacher in the United States, Marty's schedule leaves little room for extended travel, with only a narrow window of seven to ten days around the Christmas and New Year's holidays. Most Antarctic expeditions simply don't fit that frame, but with Antarctica21's air-cruise format, which eliminates the lengthy Drake Passage crossing, the Moyers found their solution. “We needed an option to get us there most efficiently, and Antarctica21 perfectly suited our needs.”

“For years, we waited for the exact right time, when Marty’s school break was long enough and perfectly positioned to align with an Antarctica21 voyage. Looking ahead at his school schedule a few years out, we set our sights on December 2024. And the rest is history! Our visit to Antarctica completed our quest to visit all seven continents!” Stacey said.

The People Made the Journey

Ask Stacey about what stood out most about the expedition, and her answer is an easy one: the people. Self-described non-adventurers with no kayaking, hiking, or boating in their usual repertoire, Stacey and Marty might have felt out of place among more seasoned travelers. Instead, the expedition team ensured they felt fully included, making sure, as Stacey puts it, they “had all the experiences we wanted.” On board, the ship’s staff delivered first-class service, greeting passengers with genuine enthusiasm each day.

But beyond the crew, it was the camaraderie among fellow guests that left the deepest impression. “We had so much fun with each of them, especially the bartender, Joel, and the other travelers. It was a tight-knit group, all on the voyage to make a dream come true! It was a ‘bucket list’ trip for many and so everyone on board was so grateful to be there. This past summer, we even visited a couple we met on the ship in their hometown in Croatia! Lifelong friends thanks to Antarctica21.”

Arriving in Antarctica also reshaped Stacey’s view of the continent. Standing amid its vast, untouched expanse, she found herself filled with admiration for the early explorers who had charted these lands under terrifying conditions. “It’s fascinating that such a large place exists without all the machinations of humanity. It was quiet and peaceful. Yet, I was also reminded how unrelenting Mother Nature can be. You are at the mercy of the weather, from rough seas, to cold, to fog.”

A Whale of a Moment

Of all the memories from the trip, one stands above the rest: “We were on a Zodiac cruise, taking in the majestic glaciers. We had completely let our guard down, we were all relaxed, taking it in, with cameras in hand. Suddenly, we all sensed a giant whale was pretty close by. It happened so fast! The traveler next to me, whom I perceived to be well traveled, tough, and very aware of his surroundings, tensed up and turned around slowly, pulling his camera to safety and that quickly, our Zodiac captain crouched down. It was silent. That whale was 5 feet away from us, and luckily, decided to stay under water and not flip the Zodiac. It is a moment I will never forget.”

Stacey and Marty’s story is a reminder that visiting Antarctica doesn’t require weeks away from home. If you’re short on time and want a big adventure, check out our air-cruises: You can save valuable time on the journey by flying directly to Antarctica.