Before You Book

Medical Documentation

Once you have booked your voyage to the Polar Regions, you will be required to complete a Medical Information Form. This form must be completed, signed and returned to us no later than 90 days prior to departure.

Seasickness

Sea conditions can be unpredictable. Rough waters are not uncommon particularly through the Drake Passage. You will be safe and comfortable aboard with your experienced crew in control of our ship, but you may suffer the effects of motion sickness, unless you have taken precautions. We recommend visiting your doctor prior to departure for medication that can help you avoid this easily treated condition.

Budgeting

It is a good idea to bring along some $US cash. There are some onboard expenses such as those incurred at the bar, in our gift shop, and for satellite communication, as well as several souvenir shopping opportunities throughout the voyage including at some of the research stations in the Antarctic Peninsula. Mail can sometimes be posted from these stations as well.

Gratuities

We suggest you allow the equivalent of $US10/15 a day for gratuities for the crew and expedition staff. This is usually collected just prior to the end of the cruise. If you wish, you can add the amount to your Visa or MasterCard.

Clothes

We do not need to tell you it is cold in Antarctica. So make sure you come prepared with clothes that will adequately protect you from the weather and wet conditions (sea spray is common onboard Zodiacs). Expensive specialty gear is not required, but you should have warm, waterproof clothing. If you don’t wish to buy and carry clothes you will never wear again, we also have foul weather gear for rent or purchase on board the ship. You should prearrange the rental of this gear should you require it. Clothing etiquette while onboard the vessel is casual, but bare in mind to have proper deck shoes.

Sea Kayaking

If you have some experience sea kayaking and would like to do this activity during the expedition, you will need to book this option prior to departure from home. We cannot book this activity once onboard.

Polar Camping

If conditions are suitable and you choose to camp on the continent, we will provide all the required gear such as tents, bivy sacs and sleeping bags. This excursion is managed with strict environmental regulations. A portable toilet is used and absolutely everything is transported back to the ship afterwards.

Embarkation Protocol

Due to new International Security Regulations, you will not be able to come to the ship on your own. Guests arrive with the rest of the group accompanied by our ground agent. Full details of embarkation/disembarkation procedures will be supplied with your final documentation. Once onboard, you will be participating in an obligatory lifeboat drill. We will also conduct important briefings on landing procedures and Zodiac operations.

Passport

Well before travelling, please ensure you have a current passport, valid for at least six months after your scheduled return flight home.

Visas

For voyages to Antarctica, our ship departs from the port of Ushuaia, Argentina. You should check visa requirements with your travel agent or relevant consular authority well before travelling. If your flight to Ushuaia is via Santiago de Chile, tourist visas may be required for Chile for some nationalities. If you plan any side trips to other countries you will need to investigate visa requirements, as it is your responsibility to ensure you have all required visas for your trip.

For voyages to the Arctic, our ship may visit different countries during the same expedition. For the Canadian High Arctic and Greenland, you will be visiting Canada, Greenland (Denmark) and return to Canada, so a double entry visa may be required for Canada for some nationalities.

Insurance

On all our voyages, you must have comprehensive travel insurance. Your own domestic government medical insurance and private health care plans will not cover you in most overseas countries. Your travel agent can recommend a policy designed to cover participants on these cruises. Your policy must provide coverage for your medical costs in case of hospitalization, emergency travel and repatriation. We require that you obtain adequate insurance before joining the voyage. Cancellation insurance is also recommended.

Please check the terms of your policy carefully, particularly with regard to limits of cover (i.e. replacement of photographic equipment, baggage loss, claims procedure, costs due to airline delays etc). Also ensure you are familiar with the procedure for making claims (for example, most policies stipulate that claims must be made within a certain time after completion of your journey). Once you have paid your deposit or full payment, certain fees will apply if you have to cancel your holiday (see the cancellation provisions in our terms and conditions). For this reason you should take out insurance at the time of paying your deposit, which should then protect you in such a situation.

The information provided here is given in good faith and has been compiled with all reasonable care. However, some of the information may become out of date. Please keep this in mind and check with us if you want to be sure about anything. The document was correct at time of printing but you can check online for the most up to date version. If you have any queries, please contact us. We are here to help you!