4 Days Cruising Through Stunning Antarctica – Jam Travel Tips (2023)

FAQs

How much do you tip on an Antarctica cruise? ›

Tips are not generally included in your cruise fare (some exceptions apply on the all-inclusive ships) so if you would like to tip the crew an approximate suggestion would be $10-20 USD per passenger per day on board. Your ship may provide its own guidelines on board.

Despite its reputation, crossing this unpredictable water body can be an unforgettable 48-hour affair. These days, with the finest equipment, safety procedures, experienced crew members and polar-ready ships, the Drake Passage can be a remarkable part of one's polar voyage—not dangerous.

We recommend a waterproof jacket & fleece (if your ship isn't providing them), waterproof trousers, gloves (thick + liner), a hat, a couple of pairs of socks and underwear and a set of base thermals, as well as your photography equipment and binoculars.

Antarctic Peninsula cruises will make this crossing each way. So, a typical 11-day cruise will include 4 days crossing at sea and 7 days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula.

Many river cruise lines include the gratuities, but for those that don't, the suggested range is between $10 and $20 per passenger, per day. Similarly, some expedition cruise lines include gratuities while those that don't recommend a gratuity of around $10 to $15 per person, per day.

What happens if you don't tip on a cruise? Most cruise lines work on the basis that the crew members' pay structure is based on receiving tips. If you choose not to tip, for whatever reason, you are impacting the salaries of the crew who have served you so well during your cruise.

It's freezing cold, very windy, and one of the driest places on earth. It's hard to imagine some animals can survive here, let alone thrive. Despite the rough living conditions, there are animal species that have adapted to the Antarctic way of life.

The short answer is no, your mobile phone will not work during your tour of Antarctica. While we've come a long way from the earliest expeditions when explorers could only send snail mail via other ships, Antarctica is still a remote and wild destination with a telecommunications system to match.

Snow and ice reflect 85% of Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR) and can cause a serious, painful and disabling condition known as snow blindness. Sunglasses are especially important on windy days to protect against volcanic ash particles and snow blowing in the eyes.

The Antarctic travel season coincides with the austral summer beginning in October and running through March. The best time to visit Antarctica is from mid-December through mid-February. The best month to take an Antarctic cruise is January. Of course, there is much more to it than that.

How do I prepare for a cruise to Antarctica? ›

Most Antarctica cruises depart from South America, in particular from the port city of Ushuaia in Argentina. The city itself is well worth visiting and most tour operators will build in an extra day to explore the city before your departure. Over 90% of all Antarctica cruises depart from Ushuaia.

The Drake Passage, the stretch of water between the southernmost tip of South America and the South Shetland Islands of Antarctica has the notorious reputation of being the roughest seas in the world.

The Drake Passage has been described as having the roughest seas in the world; 20,000 sailors have lost their lives there and its waters hold more than 800 shipwrecks.

There is no specific 'best month' to cross the Drake Passage but there is a 'best season' and that's summer. The weather during summer tends to lend itself to calmer conditions as high pressures from the southern hemisphere move further south.

Many cruise lines will tack an automatic gratuity charge onto the bill for extra-fee drinks, restaurant meals and spa treatments. The included tip amount varies by cruise line, but is typically 15% to 20% of the bill.

Generally speaking, mainstream, U.S.-based cruise lines automatically add gratuities of about $14 to $15 per person, per day, to your onboard bill. These tips are divided among the dining staff (waiters, assistant waiters and head waiters) and housekeeping staff (such as cabin attendants).

Benefits of Prepaying Gratuities

The biggest advantage is simply getting the charge out of the way. By paying the charge at the same time you pay your cruise, it's one less cost that will hit your onboard account while you are cruising. Another advantage is that cruise lines regularly raise gratuity amounts.

As a general rule, plan to have $50 to $100 each day in the local currency. Also, you may want to bring an extra $20 a day for tipping crew members. Make sure to include smaller bills for tips. Fifty to a hundred dollars a day should be enough to cover small purchases, tips and snacks at each port.

Can cruise lines force you to pay gratuities? ›

Technically cruise lines cannot force you to pay gratuities, especially if you have a complaint or issue about the service you received on board. Gratuities on a cruise are not mandatory, but instead heavily suggested and added automatically.

The best time to travel to Antarctica is during the Antarctic summer from November to March, when you'll see Antarctica's wildlife at its busiest and benefit from up to 24 hours of daylight.

Why is it so expensive to visit Antarctica? Because of the Antarctic Treaty, only certain carriers can visit and they're required to have a permit. This means that even though there are now quite a few companies offering these cruises, there is still limited supply.

What is the coldest month? Most commonly August and then July, sometimes September, it varies by location. What was the coldest ever temperature? Measured on the ground at -89.2°C (-128.6°C), at the Russian Vostok station on the 21st of July 1983.

Better to keep cellular service off. Airplane mode will switch off your phone's transmitters for cell signal (calls and text messages) and data (browsing the web, using apps) ensuring you will not be privy to unwanted charges. But don't worry: Your smartphone won't be completely useless for the trip.

Your sunglasses should have dark colored lenses and full side coverage. Look for sunglasses with side-flaps (mountaineering or glacier glasses) or sport sunglasses with big lenses, wide sides, and a contoured shape that prevents light from entering at the sides.

Sometimes, it's something as simple as a pebble from a beach. However, in Antarctica, taking anything is banned. This includes rocks, feathers, bones, eggs and any kind of biological material including traces of soil. Taking anything man-made is also completely banned, as some might actually be research equipment.

Warm pants - thick warm pants of a natural material such as moleskin or heavyweight synthetic material such as polyester are best, not jeans!. Insulted "snow pants" are unnecessary in the summer, waterproof overpants to pull on when needed will be fine for most.

The light is very good in Antarctica and we find that wildlife photographers generally leave them in the cabin after the first few days. Unless you're shooting macro, long exposure shoreline images or arty type movement shots, the tripod can stay at home.

On Antarctica's coast, where our stations are located, there are usually a couple of weeks in mid-winter (around 21 June) when the sun does not rise, and a couple of weeks in summer around Christmas when the sun does not set.

Can you see the northern lights in Antarctica? ›

So the best places to see auroras are near the magnetic poles. These include areas of northern Greenland, the Scandinavian coast, Siberia (brrr!), and Alaska in the north, and Antarctica in the south.

Outside on the ice during summer, expeditioners have long woollen underwear, trousers and a shirt with a windproof layer on top. In winter, they wear lots of layers topped with a thick, quilted freezer suit. Clothing can be divided into two layers: inner, insulating layers.

How many days do you need to visit Antarctica? Most cruises are 11-14 days but there is one Quark Expedition, the “Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake” that is only 8 days. I would recommend spending as many days as you can, because it's a once in a lifetime trip!

Wear appropriate waterproof and windproof clothing, as well as adequate layers to ensure sufficient insulation. Keep a watchful eye on those around you, and if you see any signs of hypothermia in those around you, alert your tour operator as quickly as possible.

Our experts share their inside knowledge and money-saving tips to help you answer the question “How much does it cost to go to Antarctica?” The average Antarctica cruise cost is about $8,000 per person. The least expensive trips to Antarctica start at under $5,000. Luxury voyages can exceed $15,000 per person.

Sailing from Ushuaia, Argentina - The most popular gateway to Antarctica for 90% of visitors with the widest choice of voyages. Flying by charter plane from Punta Arenas, Chile - Reach the Antarctic Peninsula in just 2 hours, instead of 2 days at sea. Perfect for time sensitive or anxious travellers.

Average Price for Antarctica Cruises (per person in US$)

Expect to pay $12,000-25,000. You can cut out the two-day sail across the Drake Passage and fly to Antarctica. An 8-day fly and cruise to Antarctica is more expensive on a per-day basis and costs between $11,500-27,000.

The point on land farthest from any coastline on the Antarctic Continent is located at83.904°S 64.890°E. This is also known as the South Pole of inaccessibility. Antarctica is the southernmost land mass on Earth.

Captains of charter boat fishing reported that they usually receive tips of 10-20% of the trip's cost. A 15% tip is generally expected. The tip for a full-day trip is $600. The tip is split among the captain and the mate on most boats.

Typical extra tips may be $15-20 per passenger for a seven-day cruise paid to the cabin steward for exceptional work, or an extra $10-20 per passenger to a waiter who offered spectacular dining service. Similarly, it is often acceptable to tip $1-3 when room service is delivered depending on the size of the order.

Are you expected to tip on a cruise? ›

Many luxury cruise lines, higher-end river lines, and some British and Australian lines have a no-tipping policy, and gratuities are not required. You can always tip at your discretion, though some crewmembers are not allowed to accept monetary gifts.

While commonly known for its massive icebergs and iconic penguins, Antarctica's best-kept secret lies on the seafloor far below the ocean surface. In this remote and isolated environment, a unique and diverse community of animals has evolved, half of which aren't found anywhere else on the planet.

The mystery of Antarctica continues deep below its surface, where no one has gone before. It is said that the Lost City of Atlantis is hidden beneath the kilometres of ice. The city would have thrived when Antarctica was a warm, tropical region, and would've been buried after the Ice Age froze the continent.

Under the 1959 Antarctic Treaty, ratified by 53 nations, persons accused of a crime in Antarctica are subject to punishment by their own country.

The tip is always given to the captain, in cash, who then distributes the tip among the crew equally. If there is a crew, of course, the thing to consider here is that charters aren't like restaurants. The people who work charters would compare it more with a lifestyle because their shifts are usually longer.

It is standard practice in the industry to pay a gratuity to your captain on charters. Like the restaurant industry, tips make up a substantial portion of a charter boat captain's income. It is a way for you to show your appreciation of the service you have received from your captain.

According to the MYBA, yacht tips should run 5% to 15%. You'll give the tip directly to the captain—either via cash, check, or even a wire transfer if you don't want to carry a substantial amount of cash on your vacation. Often you can go through your charter broker to wire gratuity to the captain.

They clean your cabin daily, storing it with towels, amenities, and anything you need. If your cruise steward goes above and beyond, a cash tip at the end of your stay to show your appreciation. We recommend tipping your cruise steward $3-5 per person daily.

Special Services - Butlers, concierge, salon and spa attendants should be tipped for their services at your discretion - usually 15%. Gratuities for Drinks - Bar bills almost always include a 15% gratuity, even if the ship has a "no tipping" policy.

In general, plan on giving $16–$23 in gratuities per day for each passenger. Note that the amount should be tabulated for each individual in your party—don't try to tip once per couple or group. So if you're planning to go on a 7-day cruise, expect to give a total of between $112 and $161 per person in gratuities.