Antarctica – General Information and Travel Tips
Reservation and Deposit
Air Transportation
Group Bookings
What clothes should I bring?
Do I need special clothing for PolarCirkel boat landings and excursions?
Any tips regarding items to bring?
Are there laundry facilities on board?
What are the cabins like?
What if I prefer a single cabin?
Do you have triples?
Are there cabins for physically-challenged passengers?
Is smoking permitted on board?
Is there a doctor on board?
Are there tour guides on board?
What will the climate be like?
How demanding is the tour?
What should I know about the environment?
What is the tipping policy?
How about transfers and luggage handling?
Is the on-board voltage 110 or 220?
What types of meals are served on board?
What documents are required?
What inoculations do I need?
What currency is accepted?
How do I reach Canada on board?
What about travel insurance?
Are there any helpful travel guides I can read before my trip?
Reservation and Deposit
To confirm your reservation, a deposit of $650 per person is required. An additional $600 per person is required when including international air in our package. In cases where air tickets need to be issued immediately, full payment of the air is required upon confirming the booking. Deposit is required within 24 hours of booking. Booking information must include passenger’s full name, nationality, date of birth, and gender. Final payment is due 70 days prior to departure. Cheques, money orders, American Express, Visa, and MasterCard are accepted as forms of payment. ... back to the top
Air Transportation
Travel is in Economy Class via IATA carriers, according to the route of the published itinerary. All airfares are subject to change without notice. LAN Airlines, Air Canada or other IATA carriers are responsible only for the air travel portion of the program in accordance with the terms and conditions of the airline ticket.
Group Bookings
Group bookings are welcome. Special booking conditions apply. Please inquire with our reservations department for further details. ... back to the top
What clothes should I bring?
The dress code aboard the ship is casual. You should pack comfortable walking shoes, waterproof and windproof pants, warm sweaters, a pair of waterproof gloves, inner-gloves (we recommend wool), a warm hat, two sets of long underwear, a warm woolen sweater, and warm socks. In addition, we suggest two to three changes of indoor clothing, a pair of regular shoes or sneakers to wear on board the ship, and a warm jacket. We recomend you wear several layers instead of one thick piece
of clothing. ... back to the top
Do I need special clothing for PolarCirkel boat landings and excursions?
All passengers will receive a wind and waterproof jacket to keep. A sweater or fleece jacket is required to wear underneath. You will also be lent one pair of boots to wear over woolen socks during landings in Antarctica. Wind and waterproof clothing is a necessity at sea and on excursions in Antarctica.
Any tips regarding items to bring?
A small waterproof backpack for shore excursions and trips ashore is recommended. We strongly recommend that you bring a high UV-factor sunblock and a pair of good-quality sunglasses since the reflections from the Antarctic sunlight and from the ice are sometimes very strong. Since there are limited goods in the gift store on board, you should bring whatever toiletries you might need during the voyage, as well as a supply of any medications you take. Remember to bring sufficient medication to last through any unforeseen delays. Seasickness pills are available on board. If you are prone to seasickness, please bring pills you are familiar with. We strongly recommend you bring binoculars and a camera. We advise you to bring extra batteries for your camera, video films, and any special brands of film. (A limited supply of film is sold on board). ... back to the top
Are there laundry facilities on board?
Yes, the ship has laundry facilities. ... back to the top
What are the cabins like?
Cabins are comfortable and cozy, with private bathrooms with hair dryers. Each is fitted with air conditioning, heating, and a smoke alarm. All cabins have two lower berths with private facilities. There are a variety of elegant suites and junior suites, which are very high in demand and should be booked in advance. ... back to the top
What if I prefer a single cabin?
A limited selection of double cabins are available for single occupancy. ... back to the top
Do you have triples?
A limited selection of triple cabins are available. ... back to the top
Are there cabins for physically-challenged passengers?
The ship has two cabins for physically-challenged guests. ... back to the top
Is smoking permitted on board?
Smoking is only permitted out on deck. ... back to the top
Is there a doctor on board?
There is an English-speaking doctor, as well as a nurse, on board at all times. The ships have a small medical facility with the necessary equipment and drugs to handle emergencies. In serious emergencies, the nearest hospital will be contacted.
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Are there tour guides on board?
The ships have expert lecturers with in-depth knowledge of Chile, Argentina, and Antarctica. They conduct the lectures covering various topics during the cruise. All information on board is given in English, German, and Spanish. Our experienced expedition leaders will inform you about the daily program and take you ashore.
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What will the climate be like?
The average low/high Celsius temperature in Buenos Aires is 16/27; Ushuaia, 5/13; and Antarctica, -6/4. ... back to the top
How demanding is the tour?
Most of the landings are by PolarCirkel boats and the terrain on shore may be fairly rugged, so you should be reasonably sure-footed. These excursions are not suitable for the physically challenged. Other than the landings, the tour does not make any special physical demands on the participants. ... back to the top
What should I know about the environment?
Human traffic in Antarctica is strictly regulated by the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), which prohibits more than 100 people from being ashore simultaneously. Passengers will be instructed on how to comply with IAATO guidelines. ... back to the top
What is the tipping policy?
On our Antarctica programs a NOK 50 (approx. $10) per day gratuity will automatically be charged your Cruise Card. Should you wish to change the amount or to not tip, contact the reception staff at the start of your cruise. ... back to the top
How about transfers and luggage handling?
Some transfers and luggage handling are included. Our meet-and-greet personnel carry signs saying: “MS Fram, Voyage of Discovery.” ... back to the top
Is the on-board voltage 110 or 220?
The ships, and hotels in Santiago and Buenos Aires, have an electrical supply of 220 volts/50 hertz and one 110-volt socket for razors. An adapter and converter are required. ... back to the top
What types of meals are served on board?
At breakfast and lunch, a buffet of Norwegian and local specialties is served. Dinner is a three-course meal, with your choice of fish, meat, or vegetarian as main course. A selection of wines is available at lunch and dinner, including various brands of the celebrated Chilean wine. We do our best to meet special dietary requirements. All requests for special meals should be requested well in advance of departure.
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What documents are required?
Canadian citizens traveling on leisure or business trips are allowed to enter Chile and Argentina without a visa for 90 days. However, some airport fees and taxes will apply. In Chile, at the immigration booth, a one-time entrance fee of US$131 must be paid in cash in U.S. currency. In Argentina, an exit tax of US$20 must be paid in cash. All fees are subject to change. ... back to the top
What inoculations do I need?
Check with your local health authorities regarding recommended vaccinations for travel to Chile and Argentina.
What currency is accepted?
American Express, Visa, and MasterCard are accepted on board. The currency on board is Norwegian kroners. When using credit cards on board the ship, your account will be debited in Norwegian kroners (NOK) with the rate of exchange of that day. Upon arrival aboard you will receive a Cruise Card, which works as a “credit card.” Ashore, U.S. dollars and the local currencies are accepted – Chilean pesos in Chile and Argentine pesos in Argentina. Major credit cards are accepted in some places ashore but smaller towns only accept cash in local currency or U.S. dollars. ... back to the top
How do I reach Canada on board?
The ship has an Internet café.
What about travel insurance?
We strongly encourage passengers to purchase travel insurance. We offer an attractively priced policy through Travel Guard.
Are there any helpful travel guides I can read before my trip?
Larger bookstores have a selection of books on Antarctica and South America.
Please note: Itineraries are subject to change due to weather and ice conditions.
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