The Cruise That Completed Our Seven Continents

Cruising Through Retirement: Terri and Dave Feil’s Cruise Journey

When North Dakota retirees Terri and Dave Feil set sail aboard Celebrity Apex for Antarctica, they weren't just checking off another cruise. They were completing a lifelong dream of visiting all seven continents Their journey is a powerful reminder that retirement isn't the end of adventure—it's the beginning of the freedom to pursue the dreams we've always imagined. Here's their unforgettable adventure to the White Continent. 

Where silence becomes the soundtrack

Antarctica's towering peaks, pristine glaciers, and mirror-like waters remind us that the world's last great wilderness is best experienced in awe.

Evelyn’s Take: Some adventures seem almost too ambitious to imagine—until someone does them.

Terri & Dave Feil (North Dakota)

My husband and I cruised to Antarctica aboard Celebrity Apex in February, which is summertime in the Southern Hemisphere. The weather was incredible, and we were fortunate to learn that our ship was the only one that season to reach an area where we truly experienced Antarctica as it's meant to be seen.

People often ask what it was like, and honestly, the only word that comes close is phenomenal. Photos simply can't capture the scale, beauty, and raw wilderness. Whales surfaced around us, penguins dotted the shoreline, and seals rested on the ice—it felt like stepping into another world.

Bucket List Completed

Terri Feil soaks in the breathtaking beauty of Antarctica from the deck of Celebrity Apex, celebrating the completion of a lifelong dream—visiting all seven continents, and proving that retirement is the perfect time to chase the world's biggest adventures.

Just Do It

This journey also marked a major personal milestone: Antarctica became our seventh continent, making this the perfect way to complete one of our biggest bucket-list goals. We tell family, friends, and fellow cruisers that if they ever have the opportunity to go, they should absolutely take it.

It's impossible to choose a single favorite stop because every destination was unforgettable. And if there's one memory that has stayed with us most, it's the overwhelming feeling of wanting to experience the entire journey all over again. Given the chance, we'd book this cruise again in a heartbeat.

Travel Tip for First-Time Cruisers

For first-time cruisers, though, we'd recommend starting with a shorter voyage—perhaps five to seven days—to see if cruising is the right fit before committing to a two-week expedition like this one. But for us, this Antarctic adventure was truly the trip of a lifetime.

Here's to adventures worth waiting for

Dave Feil enjoys a quiet moment, raises a glass to Antarctica, where soaring mountains, shimmering glaciers, and peaceful waters made this bucket-list voyage an unforgettable experience.

The Journey Continues

I encourage you to join Terri and Dave in sharing with us your “cruising through retirement” perspectives and experiences. Until the next journey—there are always more horizons ahead. Submit your stories and photos here.