Other Antarctica cruise pointers

Other Antarctica pointers
for your cruise

Tips & insights

Passport

Although you do not need a passport for Antarctica (no country owns it), you will for Argentina and Chile to pass through their immigration stations.

100-max rule

No more than 100 passengers aboard an Antarctica cruise ship may land at any given place at any given time. This rule was issued by The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) to protect the environment. This means that on large ships, your landings will be few, if any. In contrast, virtually all medium and small ships can offer every passenger one or more landings per day.

5-meter rule

IAATO prohibits visitors from coming with 5 meters (about 15 feet) of the wildlife. However, it's okay if the creature comes to you, if you don't alter its behavior by - for example - flash-photographing, gesturing to it, or otherwise interacting with it.

Sunscreen

You need a high SPF lotion because the atmosphere is relatively thin and there is a big hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica. This means substantial damaging ultraviolet light can impact your skin. Quality sunglasses are also a must because the surrounding water, ice and snow significantly reflect sunlight.

Motion sickness

To be effective, a seasick pill should be taken (or a patch put on) at least an hour before the sea becomes rough. Ship captains usually give advance notices.

Guano
The stench of Penguin guano (droppings) increases as the temperature rises. Most visitors find it bearable and certainly less repulsive than the smell of a human outhouse.

Effects of Antarctica's dry air

You need to drink much more water than you normally do. And don't be surprised if the lack of humidity straightens your curly hair a bit.

Global warming

Antarctica's glaciers and ice shelves are receding at an unprecedented modern-day rate. This has fueled the Global Warming debate.

Last-minute route changes

Cruising Antarctica is a roll of the dice. An unexpected change in weather could force the captain to reroute the ship, replacing the scheduled destination you have been longing to visit with a different one. Fortunately, on quality ships like the Minerva, the captain has exciting substitutes up his sleeve.

Major Antarctica cruise lines

Hapag-Llyod

Orient Lines

Princess Cruises

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

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