Frequently Asked Questions

In the Arctic, almost all small towns offer postal services – although this will be easier in larger towns, and postage will be quicker. Most post offices only accept credit/debit cards or local currency in cash. In Antarctica, postal opportunities are very limited, and can typically only be offered in the Falkland Islands and at Grytviken in South Georgia. You can always send postcards once we disembark in Ushuaia, however!

While you may find the batteries or flash cards you need in stock in our Gift Shop, we strongly recommend that you bring extra supplies of everything, (including an extra charger) as availability of these items is very limited, and cannot be guaranteed.

In the Arctic, most towns and villages have decent cell service, although check with your operator whether Roaming charges apply. During Antarctic voyages, it is highly unlikely that you will have cellular service once we leave Argentina. There is a telephone in your cabin, and Reception can arrange outside calls for a moderate charge; however, there may be times when phone service is limited or unavailable due to limited connection in Antarctica.

All cabins across all vessels across our fleet have abundant electrical outlets. These are mostly European 220V sockets, although Ocean Albatros and Ocean Victory also feature universal sockets that can accept most global plugs. Remember to bring adaptors, should your devices require a different voltage or socket. See the information pages for our individual vessels for further information.

Please do not bring any small appliances such as hairdryers, irons, coffee makers, curling tongs, or steam pots. These items can present a fire risk and damage the ship’s electrical system and are therefore strictly forbidden on board. There is a small hairdryer provided in your cabin.

Yes! Our ship features a Starlink wireless network accessible from your personal computer or smartphone from virtually anywhere on board. There are also public computers available in the ship Library which may be used for email and Internet (but not for uploading photos.) 500 free MB of data is included in the cost of your voyage.  Additional data packages can be purchased from the hotel manager on board. Please note, due to weather and location, there may be times when Internet service is very slow or disrupted.

We can accommodate most dietary requests, such as low salt, gluten-free, and low cholesterol, and we include Vegetarian, Meat, and Fish options on all of our menus. Please enter any dietary limitations, from preferences to severe food allergies, when completing your medical information form. Please note that we are unable to offer Kosher meals. Should you have further information as to how we can best accommodate your needs, please speak to our friendly onboard Hotel Directors.

Yes! All vessels in our fleet offer a Fitness Center with cardio equipment, resistance machines, and free weights available for all guests to use at their leisure. Seaventure and Ocean Albatros also feature saunas, while Ocean Albatros and Ocean Victory also have two hot tubs aboard each, as well as a Spa offering a range of relaxing treatments.

Yes. A complete laundry service is available on board all of our vessels; please note, however, our vessels do not have dry cleaning facilities. There is no self-service laundry facility on board the ship and no irons for passenger use – our Laundry Team will be happy to press garments if required.

There is absolutely no smoking permitted anywhere inside the ship (including the balcony areas), on Zodiacs, or on landings – this includes e-cigarettes and vapes. International maritime law dictates that smoking on commercial vessels is permitted only in the designated smoking area; this location will be clearly identified during the Safety Briefing at the beginning of your voyage. Repeated non-compliance with our smoking policy will result in a $1000 penalty being added to your shipboard account. The Expedition Leader and Captain also reserve the right to disallow participation in off-ship activities for repeated non-compliance.

All cabin categories across our fleet have outside views with portholes or windows (including balcony windows). Only Suites designated as “Porthole Suites” have portholes – please see deck plans and cabin categories across our fleet for further details. We cannot guarantee the number of portholes or windows in your cabin, as this varies between our vessels. Windows and portholes do not open (excluding cabin balcony doors). Please note also that porthole covers may be closed during heavy weather.

On Seaventure: Most cabins have the option to be configured with 1 queen bed or 2 single beds. Triples can be configured as 1 queen and 1 single or 3 singles, with the exception of cabins 409 and 411 which have a fixed queen bed and 1 single. The Owner’s suite can only be configured as 1 queen.

Seaventure offers a limited number of Triple staterooms which can be configured with 1 queen bed and 1 single bed or 3 single beds.

Not cold at all (unless you would like it to be)! All vessels across our fleet are climate-controlled for your comfort, and all cabins feature individual temperature controls.

While Ocean Victory and Ocean Albatros feature accessible cabins, unfortunately, our vessels are not built to be wheelchair accessible. Our vessels feature elevators that service all floors, but due to periodic heavy weather and sea conditions, they are not operational at all times. Please contact our Booking Team should you wish to discuss how we can accommodate you on board our vessels, should you be concerned about disabled access.

At present, barring any radical changes in global conditions, there are no COVID-19-related restrictions or policies on any Polar Latitudes Expeditions vessels or voyages. Should you wish to wear a face mask or other PPE for your peace of mind, however, you are welcome to do so.

There is generally no charge to guests for medical consultations, rendered care, or dispensed medical supplies. The only exceptions are rare cases in which very involved, “Intensive Care” levels of treatment are required.

All guests are required to complete a medical questionnaire that is reviewed by our Medical staff who will contact your agent if they foresee any difficulties with the safety of your voyage. Medical information is kept on board for reference in the event of a medical problem.

For passengers that do have significant medical issues/problems, we recommend that you visit your physician to obtain the doctor’s “fit to travel” stamp of approval. As your embarkation date approaches, don’t hesitate to re-check with your doctor if there has been a change in your medical issues. It’s always a good idea to bring duplicate supplies of all your medications and necessary medical supplies.

In the unfortunate event of a serious medical problem, our onboard doctor will take every possible step to stabilize the patient, who may then be evacuated to the nearest shoreside medical facility for more comprehensive diagnosis and treatment. Please be aware that there are limits to what our physicians can treat onboard, and evacuations in the remote polar regions may be lengthy.

All vessels in our fleet have a Medical Clinic, which is stocked with a wide range of common basic medications (including seasickness medication), and capable of supporting a wide range of medical issues. Please note, however, there are no diagnostic laboratory or radiology capabilities on board.

Yes! Every voyage has a currently-practicing and English-speaking doctor experienced in Emergency medicine.  Medical services are available 24 hours a day, and a doctor accompanies passengers on all shore landings.

Any tipping is at your discretion and entirely optional. Should you choose to tip, the suggested amount for recognition of service on the ship is USD $20 per passenger, per night. We’ll update you in the final documents of the recommended amount for later seasons. This can be added to your shipboard account and paid by credit card. The gratuity is divided among the Expedition Team, the Hotel Department (stewards and stewardesses, chefs and galley team), and the ship’s crew (Deck/Engine Department crew).

Polar Latitudes Expeditions know that your voyage is more than the ship or even the destination – it is the people who bring that experience to life. We are proud to say we attract some of the industry’s best talent, people who genuinely love what they do and work tirelessly to give our guests the best experience they can. Our Expedition Staff come from a wide variety of backgrounds and nationalities. Some are professional adventure guides, some expert academics, and others passionate educators. All apply their specific skills in a way to complement each other and collectively deliver truly life-changing trips.

Polar Latitudes Expeditions are proud to say we have some of the highest staffing standards in the industry. We are one of the few operators that require all operational staff to be certified as crew under the International Maritime Organization’s STCW standards. Furthermore, we are the first polar expedition operator to adopt the Polar Tourism Guides Association (PTGA) guide qualification framework, a world first in training and certifying polar guides in the skills and experience required for our unique industry. When combined with our company culture of learning and training, the STCW and PTGA certification frameworks give us the confidence that all our valued guests will be kept safe and benefit from the best team in the industry.

Meet Our Team

You will need to book your flights directly to your final destination airport. For Antarctic voyages, this will be Ushuaia, Argentina (USH). For Arctic voyages, this will usually be Longyearbyen, Svalbard; Reykjavik, Iceland, or Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. Please note that some voyages beginning in ports with limited air access (such as Kangerlussuaq) may include charter flight tickets in the voyage price – see individual itineraries for further details.

Most flights to Ushuaia will connect via Buenos Aires, Argentina. Please note that Buenos Aires has two airports – Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE), also known as Ezeiza, is mainly used for international flights. Jorge Newberry (AEP), also known as Aeroparque, is mainly used for domestic flights. Depending on your flight arrangements, it may be necessary for you to change airports. Be advised that travel between the two airports can take 1-2 hours depending on traffic, and you will need to claim your luggage and clear customs before hopping in a cab, so be sure to leave yourself plenty of time! To avoid delays and cancellations encourage you to book with established national airlines rather than less reliable budget carriers.

We also recommend that you consult with a travel agent if you need assistance with booking flights, as we are unfortunately not able to provide flight assistance.

We provide insulated sleeping bags, rated to -20 ° F (-29 ° C), sleeping bag liners, insulated sleeping pads, dry bags for pillows and clothes, and mountaineering bivy sacks. We will also provide two portable toilets with privacy tents for the group. For more information on our Camping program, please click here.

We carry a mix of single and tandem kayaks, and provide dry suits, paddles, personal flotation devices (PFDs), pogies (neoprene gloves), and booties. For more information on our kayaking program, please click here.

You will visit amazing, unbelievable places every day during our voyages, but they may not look exactly like the pictures you’ve seen before. The polar regions are notoriously unpredictable, and weather, wildlife, and seasonal variation can all affect the ‘look’ of a destination. Glaciers calve, penguins move, ice melts, snow falls, wind blows, and all these factors change the landscape making every trip a once in a unqiue, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Additionally, in locations such as Svalbard and Antarctica, the exact landing sites we visit during our voyages will be planned by our knowledgeable Captains and Expedition Leaders based on wind, sea, and ice conditions, taking advantage of the best conditions. Our onboard teams will always aim to provide our guests with the best possible experience, no matter where we visit during your voyage.

Weather in the polar regions is notoriously unpredictable, and weather forecasts are not as reliable as those that we’re used to in most other parts of the world. While forecasts are useful to gain a ‘bigger picture’ of the weather outlook, the weather may deteriorate or improve rapidly and without warning. See our Destinations pages for further details on the climates of our polar destinations.

The best defense against bad weather is quality gear. Click here for more information on what we recommend.

In general, our policy is that children must be at least 12 years old to participate in a Polar Latitudes Expeditions voyage. However, we may, on a case-by-case basis, accept children between the ages of 7-11 with additional screening and prior approval before booking, and the completion of our Child waiver by the parents/guardians. Please contact us if you wish to travel with a child under the age of 12.

Yes! All guests must obtain a Travel Protection Plan prior to leaving their home country. This Plan must cover personal injury, medical expenses, repatriation expenses, evacuation expenses, and pre-existing medical conditions. Additionally, passengers are strongly advised to carry a Travel Protection Plan, which includes coverage for cancellation, curtailment, trip interruption, and all other expenses that might arise as a result of loss, damage, injury, delay, or inconvenience occurring to or otherwise involving a passenger. As any potential evacuation from, e.g,. Antarctica can cost up to $150,000, we recommend that no policy carry less than this amount of coverage. Polar Latitudes Expeditions will require information as to insurance carrier, policy number, and a 24-hour contact number from all guests prior to embarkation.

No. All shipboard charges will be charged to your onboard account, so you do not need to pay cash as you go. At the end of your voyage, you may pay your tab with cash or credit card; we accept Visa, MasterCard, or American Express. All prices on board are shown in US Dollars. Please remember to inform your bank of your travel itinerary, and that transactions may be processed through a US-based intermediary.

We advise carrying a small amount of cash (local and/or US dollars or Euros) to cover taxis and other incidental expenses, which may not be payable by credit card.

No. The recreational use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) or drone type aircraft in the Arctic and Antarctic is currently prohibited by the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO) and the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO). Because AECO and IAATO recognize the value of UAVs for certain commercial and scientific applications, Polar Latitudes Expeditions is currently permitted for the commercial use of UAVs by trained and certified members of our staff. Individual permits are not possible, and personal drones are strictly prohibited.

For detailed recommendations on camera equipment from our Photography Coaches, please see our in-depth Photography Guide.

That one is entirely up to you. If you wish to have access to the internet, you will need a computer or mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet. Some guests also find it useful to have their computers on hand for photography storage and backup. If you do choose to bring a laptop, please be sure to take the necessary precautions to protect it from the elements, and travel adaptors to ensure you can charge your devices.

No. We provide toiletry dispensers (soap, lotion, shampoo) in all cabins aboard our fleet.

We do have a limited number of trekking poles on board, but if you are more comfortable with your own, please feel free to bring them.

Nope! A professional-grade waterproof expedition jacket will be provided for you throughout the voyage (in addition to a stylish mid-layer puffer jacket for you to keep!). Our expedition jackets are custom-designed with the polar regions in mind, with a fully windproof and waterproof outer layer, a high collar to keep the wind off and the warmth in, and extra length in the back to keep the polar seas from sneaking up on you when cruising in a Zodiac. Please note, this is not an insulated ski parka, so we do recommend wearing our mid-layer jacket underneath, along with thermal layers for additional warmth when off the ship. We also loan you a pair of insulated rubber boots for you to use during the voyage. They are great for getting in and out of Zodiacs and are plenty warm when paired with thermal or wool socks.

Our motto is – There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. It’s never a good idea to take shortcuts when it comes to clothing – being improperly dressed can impact your enjoyment of the voyage! Wearing the right gear ensures that you stay warm and dry while exploring off the vessel. Onboard the ship, the dress code is always casual and informal – although feel free to dress up for the Captain’s Cocktail Parties!

Layers Are Your Friend

The best clothing is a layered system with an outer layer that is fully waterproof. The trapped air between the layers provides insulation.

• Base Layer – Thermal underwear and a pair of thermal socks (wool is ideal).
• Mid Layer – Pants (wool is ideal), a midweight fleece, and a wool sweater.
• Outer Layer – Waterproof pants* and a waterproof jacket that we provide, plus a hat and gloves. Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen, SPF lip balm) is also an important part of your outer layer!
  Waterproof pants (not provided) are required to participate in activities off the ship.
  Note: Lightweight disposable rain gear will not endure more than one landing, so please bring high-quality, expedition-weight waterproof pants.
• Footwear – Sturdy walking shoes or sneakers with good grip are ideal for the outer decks. We provide you with rubber boots for landings. Please note that for safety reasons, open-toed shoes may not be worn onboard.