Antarctica - Checklist? (NCV/Fram)

Hello all,

I am glad to have found these boards. I am going to Antarctica at the end of the year through Norwegian Coastal Voyage on the Fram. I know they will eventually supply me with a checklist, but I'm anxious to get started thinking about what I will need for my trip.

Anyone have good tips or websites I should check out ahead of time?

Thanks so much!

Hi, I'll be going on the Fram in February - I think it is the last antarctica sailing they have. I'd appreciate any "must have's" also!

If you go to member reviews on this board, scroll to NCV & scroll again to Nordkapp you will find my review from December last year. Many of your questions should be answered there as Fram is essentually a more modern version of Nordkapp. If you get as good a trip as we did you are in for a treat.

I found a number of the threads posted on this board and on the "Other Cruise Lines" board to be helpful. The Thread below by H2so4 on Antartica--Small Ship Cruising--has some good info re: checklists of things to bring.

Penguin poo is potently pungent so take some Vicks Vapo-Rub to rub into the space above your lip and below your nose. The menthol smell really helps with the aforementioned poozapalooza.

has information about what we took with us on our Quark voyage.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=531528

I went to Antarctica in Jan 1996 for 10 yr. anniv., take good sea boots with fat threads, our cruise ship appreciated our boots since they were very easy to clean off the mud and guano (they were used by the local lobsterman...They also had liners so you could dry them out...Also took waterproof pants (bib style).. I usually just went to shore with long underwear and the waterproof bibs over them and long underwear top, a shirt and a good heavy sweater...It was fairly warm when we went, around the 40's, only brought one dress but really did not need it...mostly nice shirts, pants and sweaters and waterproof gear

I think they have a new name now. anyway i am probably too late just finding this thread, but we went on NC lines Nordkapp last Dec. their website was excellent in providing a checklist of what you need. they give you a parka(part of fare) and lend you boots for the landings. no formal attire. i was able to pack quite concisely w/o having to bring the aformentioned bulky itmes. take layers: long silkees, light wool, you must have waterproof pants or gortextype(they will not let you take the Polar Cirkel landing vessels if you don't), heavy socks to wear in their boots, warm hat & mittens/gloves, and wool scarf. I used my layers as we had both calm sunny weather and terrible winds that i had to walk bent from the waist to move at all! the ship was much nicer than i expected, but you do not need anything dressy, just nice casual. Nov-Jan are the best times to go there. :D It was magnificent/awesome/incredible! Yes, the Penguins "poop does smell", but they are so adorable and interesting to watch that you dont really mind. scenery is gorgeous. you'll really enjoy the trip!

We'll be on the Fram in Antarctica this Christmas and New Year's.

Anyone else on (in) the same boat? :D

Hello all,

 

I am glad to have found these boards. I am going to Antarctica at the end of the year through Norwegian Coastal Voyage on the Fram. I know they will eventually supply me with a checklist, but I'm anxious to get started thinking about what I will need for my trip.

 

Anyone have good tips or websites I should check out ahead of time?

 

Thanks so much!

Waterpoof pants: make sure they are really waterproof, like the ones used by fishermen and sailers. Long enough to go OVER the boots - zipper at the legs help.

Gloves: take at least two pairs, in case one gets wet. They should be wind proof, and if possible water proof as well.

Socks: Sintetics are better than cotton, specially if they are wicking. Cotton stays wet and is hard to dry :( Merino wool is also nice!

You will need to wear at least two pairs at a time. Some outdoor stores will sell a kit with a inner sock and an outer sock.

If you suffer from cold feet, those chemical warmers are a good idea as well!

Hat: Should cover your ears, and, yes, it's a good idea if it's wind proof as well...

Neck: Instead of scarves I prefer one of those fleece tube thingies. As warm, but not as bulky

SUNSCREEN!!! Factor 25 or more!!!

Hand and face cream: The air inside the ship is extremely dry

Crocs: I find that an oversized pair of these soft sandals are useful to walk around the ship just before or after you wear your boots.

Extra batteries and memory for your cameras - 4 gig days can happen...

If I think of something else...

Sunglasses are important. I normally don't wear them, but the cold wind can make your eyes water and/or dry them out.

I wonder if the original poster was on cruise that hit iceberg.

Not sure about the OP but looks like Peter&Bebe were probably on that sailing. It will be interesting to hear back from them if they post on their return.

this has been one crazy trip, we hit a glacier and had 2 medical evac unrelated to the glacier hit......made it for 3 landing i believe adn a cruise around another place but not landing. had to stay withing 4 hours of the chilean military base for the first evacuee so we could meet med evac plane coming from punta areana. so that is how we ended up at browns bluff and hit the glacier after the power was lost......we mustered, they called sos to 2 other boats in area but we were able to get off the glacier with a cracked window, smashed lifeboat, and some scrapes adn bent railings.....we had to get permision from norway and the maritime people for plans. plan was for a russian ship to accompany us and so we started to follow them when.......the second med evac was needed. decision was made to proceed at full force to ushusia without and escort because there were liek 8 ships coming and going at the time......hmmmmmwill write more when we get home. we had drake lake going over and coming back we had monitored from the bridge 35-40 foot swells adn gale force winds....all in all not bad......make sure you bring sea sick something.....many came on board with nothing...pills expesive on the ship and no patches here........no ginerale either......and word to the wise.always have your cold clothes in spot so if you ever hear what we did to muster with your warmest clothes you ahve to be able to find them like in a real hurry......it happens very fast.....and no time for looking for stuff.....ok just and update......antarctica of what we saw was beautifylllll patti