There are trips that you take to see new places, and then there are trips you take to make memories that will last a lifetime. This Mom & Son adventure was definitely the latter.

Our journey began in the historic city of Boston, where we spent time exploring before boarding the beautiful Holland America Line Zuiderdam. From the moment we stepped onboard, we knew we were in for an incredible adventure as we sailed through New England and Eastern Canada, ending in the charming city of Quebec City.

Exploring New England & Canada

Each port offered something unique and gave us the opportunity to experience the history, culture, and natural beauty of the region.

In Boston, we enjoyed a hop-on, hop-off trolley tour, visited the famous Cheers neighborhood, walked through beautiful Beacon Hill, toured the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, and watched the city from the harbor before beginning our cruise.



Our first port was Portland, Maine, where we visited the iconic Portland Head Light. Seeing one of the most photographed lighthouses in America overlooking the rocky coastline was the perfect introduction to New England.





As we continued north, we were fortunate enough to spot whales and even dolphins from the ship—a reminder that sometimes the best moments happen when you least expect them.

Halifax, Nova Scotia welcomed us with its waterfront charm, historic sites, and local shops, while Sydney, Nova Scotia introduced us to Cape Breton’s rich history and the famous World’s Largest Fiddle.



One of my favorite stops was Prince Edward Island. Even though the weather included a little “liquid sunshine,” it didn’t dampen our spirits. We explored the island’s breathtaking coastline, visited Green Gables Heritage Place, learned about Acadian history, admired the island’s famous red cliffs, and of course enjoyed some delicious COWS Ice Cream.



Relaxing at Sea

Sea days quickly became some of our favorites. They gave us the chance to slow down and simply enjoy being together.

We spent time swimming, relaxing on the Lido Deck, enjoying afternoon tea, reading in the Crow’s Nest, participating in onboard activities, watching for whales, and even treating ourselves to a massage. One of the most unforgettable moments came during our final sea day as we sailed up the beautiful St. Lawrence River. We were lucky enough to spot a beluga whale—a memory we’ll both cherish for years to come.



Our Final Stop: Quebec City

Our cruise concluded in one of North America’s most beautiful cities—Quebec City.

Before flying home, we took a tour through the historic streets of Old Quebec, admired centuries-old architecture, and visited the breathtaking Montmorency Falls. Of course, every great adventure seems to need one unexpected story. Our tour bus blew a tire before reaching the iconic Fairmont Château Frontenac! Determined not to miss our chance for one last photo, we quickly grabbed an Uber, made it to the hotel, snapped our pictures, and then headed to the airport.



Looking back now, that little detour just became another fun memory to add to the trip.

More Than Just a Vacation

As a travel advisor, I’m fortunate to visit incredible destinations around the world. But this trip reminded me that travel isn’t just about checking places off a bucket list. It’s about slowing down, spending quality time with the people you love, sharing new experiences, and creating memories that will last forever.

Watching whales together, exploring historic cities, laughing through unexpected travel hiccups, and simply enjoying uninterrupted time together made this trip incredibly special.

These are the moments that matter.

Thank you to everyone who followed along on our journey. I hope our adventure inspires you to create meaningful travel memories with the people you love.

Until the next adventure…

Have Passport, Let’s Travel!

— Johnnie Herring
Travel Advisor, Vincent Vacations

Some journeys live quietly on your calendar.

Others change you forever.

This one began long before I ever saw ice

Before the Ice: Anticipation in the South

The adventure started in rainy, charming Buenos Aires, where I allowed myself to slow down—good food, quiet moments, and the kind of anticipation that hums beneath the surface when something extraordinary is just ahead. From there, I traveled to Ushuaia, the end of the world, where excitement and gratitude met as I stepped aboard the MS Fridtjof Nansen.

My seventh continent was no longer a dream. It was becoming real.





Crossing the Drake: A Passage Into Another World

The Drake Passage, legendary for its unpredictability, greeted us gently. Albatross glided beside the ship with wings stretched wide, petrels danced across the waves, and whales surfaced in the distance, their breaths rising like punctuation marks on the sea.

Even the fog and shifting forecasts felt meaningful—like a rite of passage, signaling that we were leaving the familiar behind and entering a different realm altogether.





First Sight of Antarctica: A Sacred Arrival

Then came the moment I will carry with me forever.

I opened my balcony curtains at dawn and there it was—Antarctica.

Snow-draped mountains rose from the sea. Icebergs drifted silently past the ship. A soft sunrise cast golden light across a frozen world that felt untouched and ancient. It didn’t feel like arriving somewhere new; it felt like being invited into something sacred.

I stood there quietly, knowing this was a moment that would never fully fit into words.





Days of Wonder: Ice, Wildlife, and Stillness

Each day unfolded with a sense of quiet awe.

Zodiac cruises carried us through glassy bays where the ice shimmered in shades of blue that barely seemed real. At Charlotte Bay, snow fell gently, turning the landscape into a living watercolor. Whales surfaced nearby—powerful yet calm—moving through the water as if time itself slowed in their presence.

And then there were the penguins.

Gentoo, adelie, and chinstrap—awkward and comical on land, astonishingly graceful in the water. Watching them waddle across snowy paths, tend their nests, and launch themselves into the sea felt like witnessing joy in its purest form.







When Nature Leads the Way

Antarctica has its own rhythm—and its own rules.

Sailing through the narrow Lemaire Channel, known affectionately as Kodak Crack, felt like threading a needle between towering walls of ice and rock. When an iceberg drifted into our path, our plans changed without hesitation. Down here, nature always leads. We simply follow, humbled and grateful for the experience.





A Final Farewell: Port Lockroy & Damoy Point

Our final day was a gift.

Sunshine warmed the frozen landscape. The air was still. Time felt suspended.

At Port Lockroy, the world’s southernmost operational post office, human history felt small yet meaningful in a place shaped mostly by wind, wildlife, and ice. Later, at Damoy Point, the world grew quiet in the most profound way—the distant crack of shifting ice, the soft calls of nesting gentoo penguins, and long stretches of perfect silence.

I watched male gentoos gather pebbles and carefully deliver them to their partners—tiny gestures of devotion in a vast white world. In that moment, something inside me shifted. Sometimes it’s the smallest scenes that leave the deepest imprint.





Leaving Changed

Now, as we begin the journey back across the Drake Passage, I feel full—grateful, humbled, and changed.

Antarctica wasn’t just my seventh continent.

It was a reminder of how breathtakingly beautiful and fragile our planet is.

A place where silence speaks, where nature reigns, and where wonder comes easily.

This wasn’t just a trip.

It was a gift—

one of stillness, awe, perspective, and deep appreciation.

A chapter etched permanently on my heart, long after the ice fades into the horizon.

Adventure Awaits: Our Family Journey Through Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands

Embarking on an Adventures by Disney expedition to Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands was a dream come true for our family. Over the course of nine days, we explored breathtaking landscapes, uncovered the secrets of volcanic islands, and immersed ourselves in the incredible wildlife that inspired Charles Darwin. Come along as we share the highlights of this unforgettable journey!

Day 1: Arrival in Quito, Ecuador

Day 2: Off to the Galápagos – Baltra & Mosquera Islet

Day 3: Santiago Island & Rábida Island

Day 4: Isabela Island

Day 5: Fernandina Island & Isabela Island

Day 6: Santa Cruz Island

Day 7: Bartolomé Island & Santiago Island

Day 8: San Cristóbal Island

Day 9: Goodbye to the Galápagos

Tips for Future Travelers

• Pack light, with quick-dry clothing for island excursions.


• Bring water-resistant hiking shoes for the volcanic terrain.


• Don’t forget sunscreen and a hat—the Galápagos sun is intense!


• A waterproof camera and binoculars are a must for capturing all the incredible wildlife.