Antarctica cruise packing tips - Candid tips by Hillman

What to pack for
your Antarctica cruise

page 1

Cruise tips you can trust

Helpful
Packing pointers

Not as cold as you may think

It's summer in the Antarctica Peninsula in January and February. Daytime temperatures are normally just above freezing. They are comparable to what you would experience in, say, Berlin or New York City in January and February. But Antarctica has an advantage - the air is drier and therefore you don't feel as cold.

Wear layers

The secret to warmth is wearing layers rather than a thick single-layer outfit. And layering makes it easy for you to put on or take off clothing as the temperature changes.

Fabric

Wool, silk, and polypropylene fabrics keep you warmer than cotton because they keep your skin drier.

Don't overpack

An Antarctica cruise is an adventure, not a fashion statement. For men, sweaters, open-collar shirts, and slacks are fine.

Dress policy

On luxury Antarctica cruise ships, it's smart, country-club casual, meaning no jeans in the evening. If the ship has a "formal" night, a sport coat will do (a tie is nice but not essential). No need to pack a suit or tuxedo.

Laundry / dry cleaning service

Take advantage of the one- and two-day onboard service. This will reduce the amount of clothes you need to bring.

Don't bring

Travel iron (a shipboard fire hazard) and hiking boots (you need rubber boots for the wet landings).

You may or may not need

Some ships provide you with a bathrobe, slippers, and basic bathroom amenities such as shampoo and lotion.

When in doubt

Check with your cruise line representative.

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packing advice, click

Packing tips - PAGE TWO
Packing tips - PAGE THREE