Help from anyone who has sailed Antarctica

[teeeej]

I'm thinking about the one On Jan 30. We'll see if I can get the time off work. I've been wanting to do this the last few years, but a lot of $$$ and a lot of time to take off.

[KirkNC]

From what I have read, you have to purchase or rent (at some considerable expense), approved boots and clothing before the exploration ships will allow you on board. Then you have to board the Zodiacs that will take passengers to shore. Dependant on the size of the ships that you use, some ships will rotate that passengers who go on land. Others are small enough for everyone to land at each stop.

 

Personally, I am still young and physically able to cope with this. Others, might not be. I'm begining to doubt if my partner can.Not sure about your friend.

 

As such, I would opt to land on Antractica. After all, how many people can say then have done so?

 

On Hurtengruten the boots and jackets are included.

[tjcox9]

We've cruised Antarctica 3 times, twice with Princess and once with Holland America. HAL did the better job with more up-close-and-personal cruising. Doing our 4th trip down there in December aboard the Zaandam and very much looking forward to it. Antarctica is definitely the number one destination in our extensive cruise experience.

[RuthC]

On Hurtengruten the boots and jackets are included.

I've wondered about the fit of boots/jackets when supplied by the ship.

Do they have a large range of sizes, so that there's jackets big enough for a large person to wear over bulky clothes? Do they have boots that are extra wide?

 

I would hate to go all that way, expecting to be outfitted to be able to go ashore, then not have equipment in generous sizes available.

[Vict0riann]

On Hurtengruten the boots and jackets are included.

 

And on Quark - I still have my jacket, the boots were loaners. There were hundreds of pairs of boots to try on, just heavy rubber boots. I took a few pairs of lovely heavy socks, which I'm still using inside my rubber boots here when I garden.

 

For the jackets, they asked for your size ahead of time, and they were waiting to be tried on. If it didn't fit, you could trade it for a different size, they had spares. Same with the boots.

Edited November 22, 2015 by Vict0riann

[KirkNC]

I've wondered about the fit of boots/jackets when supplied by the ship.

Do they have a large range of sizes, so that there's jackets big enough for a large person to wear over bulky clothes? Do they have boots that are extra wide?

 

I would hate to go all that way, expecting to be outfitted to be able to go ashore, then not have equipment in generous sizes available.

 

They have a pretty big selection. You get them at the start of the trip and keep up with them until the end.

[RuthC]

They have a pretty big selection.

That doesn't really answer the question, but thanks for trying.

 

Anyone else know if the exploration type ships carry very large sizes, especially extra wide boots? And if they do, are there enough of them?

[momatibm]

That doesn't really answer the question, but thanks for trying.

 

Anyone else know if the exploration type ships carry very large sizes, especially extra wide boots? And if they do, are there enough of them?

 

I am not an expert on the expeditions, however, I believe they ask about sizes prior to boarding. At least I hope so.

[RuthC]

I am not an expert on the expeditions, however, I believe they ask about sizes prior to boarding. At least I hope so.

Thanks. That would be a big help if they ask about sizes in advance so they can be in stock.

[Jade13]

I've wondered about the fit of boots/jackets when supplied by the ship.

 

Do they have a large range of sizes, so that there's jackets big enough for a large person to wear over bulky clothes? Do they have boots that are extra wide?

 

 

 

I would hate to go all that way, expecting to be outfitted to be able to go ashore, then not have equipment in generous sizes available.

 

 

Tons of gear. The best expedition ships will ask you

your size in advance. If you go with A & K you can be sure they will have what you need. We also went on an expedition cruise with Silversea in the Arctic where we had boots to wear for the entire trip.

Edited November 22, 2015 by Jade13

[Vict0riann]

Thanks. That would be a big help if they ask about sizes in advance so they can be in stock.

 

They definitely asked in advance on Quark - but then they had areas all over the boat covered with pairs of boots, and they announced stuff like "Ladies' size 9 at the bottom of the aft stairway","men's size 12 outside the dining room," etc., and there was a mad dash to find what you wanted! The jackets were much better organized.

[ScottnZelda]

Hubby and I have done this trip twice, both times on HAL, including last December on Zaandam. When we deliberated over big vs. small ship (expedition), I asked the question: would you rather be on a ship, looking at a view of Antarctica or be on a slushy, penguin-guano shoreline looking at the ship? Also, the Drake Passage can get very uncomfortable if you get a rough crossing (ours have always been smooth), which I wouldn't want to try in a smaller ship.

We HAVE done zodiac landings and sailed on small expedition ships through rough waters elsewhere in the world, but we've been very happy with the choice of a large, comfortable ship in Antarctica. HAL does an extremely good job with its lecturers onboard and bringing a Research Team aboard to talk about their lives. And you are REALLY close to the icebergs and shore, so it's easy to observe all the wildlife. Marine wildlife like seals, whales, etc are up close and personal. Penguins swim alongside. It's a serious trip for "birders."

 

We were happy to skip the "red parka." Splurge for a great penguin excursion in the Falklands and you'll be walking among the King and other species.

This is a fabulous trip. I'd recommend it to anyone with time to spare.

I hope your friend will join you. You simply can't be disappointed.