Are there laundry facilities aboard Antarctic Cruises?
Yes, all ships have a laundry service with the usual turnaround being 24 hours and prices are similar to what a hotel would charge. If you have delicate items with special washing requirements it may be best to wait until you are back on land to do those.
Is it cold inside the ships?
Not at all - the ship interiors are kept at room temperature so there is no need for warm clothes whilst inside the ship although you will need to wrap up to go out on deck.
Can I get internet on an Antarctic Cruise?
Although WIFI is available on many ships, it tends to be limited and only in certain areas. It is possible for the signal to be weak in your cabin depending on where it is located. If you have trouble connecting, it's worth moving around. Note that internet access usually has to be purchased at the ship's reception. Fixed-price 'cards, which give you a predetermined amount of data allowance, are available. This cost will be added to the final cruise tab. In one of your briefings, the exact procedure will be explained to you on board.
Note that the internet connection relies on satellites and service may be unreliable so don't count on being able to use at any time and let your family and friends know that you may be uncontactable for days at a time so they don't worry. Also, the signal is appropriate for light usage only - not for uploading photos or videos.
Will there be mobile coverage on the Antarctic Cruise?
Once you have left the port of embarkation there will be little or, more likely, no mobile coverage during the entire trip. In true emergencies the ships do have satellite phones for both inching and outgoing calls (so relatives could contact you).
What Voltage and Plug Sockets are used on Antarctic Cruise Ships?
On the ship either US style sockets (type A) with 2 flat pins or European style sockets (Type C) with 2 round pins will be used depending on the ship. More details will be in the documentation given prior to the Cruise.
Argentinian plug sockets have 3 flat prongs (Type I) and Chile's plug socket is Type C with 2 round prongs.
What Languages are Spoken on Board Antarctic Cruise Ships?
The predominant language for all onboard communications is English although there may some departures that operate in other languages. Passengers tend to be drawn from a wide range of countries and English is simply the unifying language.
Of course, Chile and Argentina are Spanish speaking countries so pre and post trips travel is in countries where the main language is Spanish although most people that work in tourism speak decent English in these countries.
What Food and Drink is served on board an Antarctic Cruise?
The expedition cruise ships offer, in our experience, surprisingly decent food with good size portions. Ships have a shared dining area with refectory-style seating and the dining areas are a good place to socialise and discuss the day.
While breakfast is usually a buffet and lunch and dinner are typically served with table service. There are often three courses and a choice between a starter and main dish. There is always a vegetarian option. Some alcohol is sometimes included at dinner but mostly this will be ordered by you and added to your tab to be settled at the end of the voyage.
You can always get tea and coffee onboard, and most ships have a self-service station that you can use at any hour. Every ship provides drinking water.
Can specific dietary requirements be catered for on an Antarctic Cruise?
Expedition ships can cater to many dietary needs. However, due to the limited size of the galley kitchens onboard and the challenging supply chain, not all requests can be accommodated. So specific kosher or vegan options are not generally available. To make it easy to identify, vegetarian and gluten-free options are often labeled accordingly.
It is important to inform the ship of any dietary restrictions before embarkation. This can be done by filling out the pre-voyage forms which ask about any special food requests. If you have a severe food allergy, it is advisable to inform the catering manager before your first meal.
Is smoking allowed on board?
Smoking is not allowed anywhere inside the ship but ships will have a designated outside area where smoking is permitted. The rules are strictly enforced and backed up by maritime law which allows for a USD 1,000 fine to be added to your onboard account if violated as well as restrictions on participation in activities.
What are the tipping guidelines on an Antarctic Cruise?
Tipping is much appreciated by the crew but at the same time they should not be asking for tips. Usually, passengers tip for the entire crew at the end of the voyage by putting money in an envelope and handing it in on disembarkation. The tip will then be split amounts the crew in pre-determined portions. Of course, you can discreetly tip staff who you think have made a particular effort for you over and above the norm expected. We recommend a collective tipping rate of around £10 / USD 14 per day.
What Currency is used on board an Antarctic Cruise?
Most ships accept credit cards and either US dollars and / or Euros and often there is a currency exchange facility on board. On most ships you run a tab for bar, laundry and souvenir purchases against your berth and settle the bill at the end of the trip by cash or card.
Can I pay with a credit card on an Antarctic Cruise?
Most ships not only prefer credit card payments but may also only accept credit card payments as opposed to cash USD or Euros. It is common practice for each passenger to maintain a tab and settle up once shortly before disembarkation.
