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As OneSixty says. My version: Top: lightweight wool base layer zip T, REI 650 puffer jacket, Marmot rain jacket, stocking cap; Bottom: polypropylene long underwear under the waterproof pants, standard socks as the boots are very warm. Sufficient for anything we encountered on Polaris following about 10 days behind Octantis. I wore the puffer jacket at every port. We were in southern Spring, you will be in Fall (I assume) so weather may be somewhat different. Check the weather in Ushuia and Punta Arenas to get an idea of what to expect. In the fjords, the wind off the glaciers is cold, as well as the water. There might not be much sun. If something happens, Polaris had a few of the red outer jackets that you could borrow, but I would not count on that.

Based on our experience in November following the Chilean Fjords cruise on Polaris. If you disembark in the morning in Ushuaia, the earliest flight to Buenos Aires was at 11:00. Our flight was 1:30 or so. These are Viking chartered flights on Fly Bondi, an Argentine airline. It's a 3-4 hour flight to BA, and non-stops to the US all leave at 10:00 PM or so. Destinations IIRC were New York, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas. If you have a post extension, maybe there is a morning flight to the US. After checking, AA has a morning and evening flight to MIA.

Yep, there are no settings, inputs or such menu on the TV. What you see is what you can get. BTW, they "updated" the menu while we were on Sky last week and moved a lot of things, especially the recorded enrichment lectures.

Agree on 3042. We had it on Polaris; the store is tiny, only open a few hours a day, and almost no one is ever there. The elevators were unhearable to us.

Look for OneSixtytoOne's live report on the Octantis coming down to Santiago in October. He likely covered the opportunities prior to Santiago. We were on Polaris from Santiago to Ushuaia a few days after Octantis. We used the Zodiacs, submarines and the SOB extensively in the Chilean fjords. I'm not sure how they would be used from Santiago north.

Are the bottles of champagne and wine provided/available in the PV cabin mini-fridge full sized bottles?

Viking advertises 'Ground transfers with Viking Air purchase'. However, they provide this service only for flights that arrive the day of the cruise departure or to passengers on pre-cruise extensions. It does not include a pre-cruise transfer even if one is willing to be at a designated location and time on the day of transfer, nor offer a for-fee transfer. Due to flight uncertainty or pre-cruise extension unavailability, we arrive in the departure country at least a day early to ensure we will be aboard when the ship departs. This matters when, for example, the first few days are sea days, or the first day is through the Panama Canal. A transfer is not a major factor to plan in many locations. But it was in Bali, in Panama, and from Santiago to Valparaiso port--a 1.5+ hour and expensive private transfer. Other cruise lines we have sailed offered transfers at our cost and information on their websites on port access from the major nearby city. We have not had that experience on cruises on Viking. We would like Viking to improve its customer transfer support, including the 'included transfer' for all Viking Air passengers, transfer and port information on its website, and consider a for-fee transfer from a central location.

We just finished the Chilean Fjords expedition from Valparaiso to Ushuaia on Polaris on November 10. Responses to a few questions posted over the last couple of weeks: We had 2 pair of the high quality Me-Opta binoculars each with a large flotation strap. Excellent quality and took them on most on-water activities. A couple people had not brought a waterproof jacket and were able to borrow one from the ship. For the weather we had (40's to low 50's) a base layer, puffer jacket and waterproof outer was fine, even on the water where it was often windy. Long underwear and Viking waterproof pants were sufficient. The boots are well insulated and I went back to light everyday type socks from heavy hiking socks after the first use. This is from a person who lived in Minnesota for 50 years, so YMMV. And, Antarctica will likely be colder but you will get more stuff from the ship. The transfer from Ushuaia to Buenos Aires went like this: our bus left the ship at 8:30 or so (meeting time 8:15) and took us to a bar/restaurant near the port that had food (pastries, ham and cheese sandwich, etc), coffee and juice. A light eater could have skipped breakfast on the ship. We were told to be back at 10:45 to go to the airport for our 1:00PM flight (there was also a 11:00 flight, we did not notice their schedule). Carry-on luggage was stored in a room off the restaurant with someone watching it. We walked for an hour or so, returned for a snack and went to the bus at 10:45. This was a different bus than the one that brought us from the ship. Thus, we had to take all our stuff off the first bus. Short trip to the airport, with boarding passes handed out on the bus by the guide. We skipped check-in and seemed to go to an extra security line where we were the only "customers". Some people from other buses reported a long wait for boarding passes at the check in. We had only carryon but we did not hear of any issues with checking luggage. The flight was a charter by FlyBondi, a low-cost Argentinian airline. We may have had only 30 people on the flight. We got a choice of premade sandwiches, bag of chips, cookie and water, coffee, etc. The flight was fine. At BA we deplaned to buses (in the rain) and were taken to the terminal. Mobility challenged people had trouble boarding the bus. At the terminal we were met by a flock of Viking people and separated by connecting airline (Delta, United, American). AFAIK, American check in was open (kiosk) and after check in, they were sent on their way to the gate. Delta and United people were taken to a Hard Rock cafe at the far end of the terminal (it is big) where there was a reserved section where we were fed again (2 empanadas, steak potatoes and salad, ice cream). Three Viking people oversaw this. Viking apparently feels that keeping them fed keeps them passive. This was about 5:00PM with US flights leaving about 10:00. When the checkout counters opened, we were led down to them, collected the luggage that had been brought to the check-in area and checked in. With only carry-on, we had checked in on-line at the Hard Rock and headed for the gate. There was a 45 min line to go through immigration to exit Argentina. After that, it was standard airport. None of the above was explained prior to leaving the ship, we just followed the guides who were very good, telling us what the next step would be. No one mentioned all the food. Antarctica transfers may be different as there are likely more people to transfer. A goodly number of people on our trip were continuing on to Antarctica.

We're on the Polaris departing Valparaiso on October 28. We would really appreciate if you could report on the access to the cruise terminal VTP on boarding day. Especially if the access from the metro station Francia which is right next to VTP is available. We're making our own way from Santiago and trying to figure out the access to VTP. An overall report on the VTP experience would be great. Thanks!

If you are pre-planning your own excursion and need to know the time you must be back to catch the tender, I'd plan 1 hour before the ship leaves. Though seems the last tender was sometimes about 30 minutes before ship departure.

No charge for tender. No reservations. First come first served. They ask that people on excursions access the tenders first in the morning. The daily info sheet lists when the last tender leaves the port, and I recall hearing announcements. Also, the tender staff on shore and ship know the schedule.

is it strawberry season?

We were in 6007 and 6009 above the Cabaret and could hear the performances. It helps to choose to attend the 2nd, last performance. Or enjoy it a second time. Our friends in 6009 used earplugs.

We were in Volos 8am-8pm in Oct 2021. I did not find alternative/private tours on the www from Volos to Meteora. With 4 people, we rented a car to drive there. Had to have the car back by 4pm.[!] Required International license. I saw trips to Meteora from other towns on the www.

information technology is difficult, and this is a major and moving target redo of a website. With a lead of 1 yr, I'd let it settle down a couple months. I expect to reserve excursions for my April 15 2023 cruise on the ship, since there are no excursion descriptions.