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Riding a Zodiak is a lot of fun in sunny weather. In Antarctica there will be rough seas and in each ride you might get totally wet, when you dont have a really good weather-gear ! Forget about Goretex and similar things that might be recommended in your shop at home, these people have no idea about getting wet in the Antarctic and what it feels like to walk in such clothings, while an icy wind is blowing...
Dont forget to bring gloves !!! My best ones were really cheap gloves, ment for sports like Nordic Walking, they were thin and getting dry rather fast, I could wear them also while making my photos and even in heavy rain- or snowfall they kept my fingers warm, although they had been totally wet. Also for the rides in the Zodiak gloves are essential, because the speed and the wind will otherwise make you feel terrible without any protection for your fingers.
Wellies are the best solution for using the Zodiak. The beaches will never be totally flat and in 95% of all landing-places you will not find a pier, but you rather have to step into the water and that is best when wearing wellies, AND make sure they are as high as possible, mine were around 50 cm high, that was sufficient. Unfortunately Wellies will have an important disadvantage : you will feel cold all the time, even with 3 pairs of socks.Some of the most expensive ships will provide all passengers with complimentary wellies,but on the Bark Europa we had to bring our own.Renting the Wellies in Ushuaia is possible as well for 40 ARG.$ (=10 euros for 22 days), while bying them in another shop is just a bit more expensive like 60 ARG.$ (=15 euros) that I had to pay for mine - see my shopping-tips.
Many Icebreakers lack storage space so you may want to bring luggage that can be folded up when it is empty. Once on the boat you will be leaving your outerwear (parka, boots...) in the ships changing room. This is good news since it will get wet and stinky quickly. It just takes one visit to a penguin colony to leave your clothing smelling like penguin poop.. Don't worry the smells sweet and not bad BUT you wouldn't want your room to smell like it! Most ships have nice closets and you’ll be hanging up the rest of your other clothing to dry, so your luggage will be put away.I was traveling before and after the arctic so I used those giant zip lock-like packing bags. You put your clothing inside and take the air out and them so they shrink down to a smaller size. They work great with polar fleece, which shrinks to nothing once the air is removed! Bring clothing that can be layered. For...
Would recommend a holdall with wheels as lighter than a standard case, also will flatten so can be kept in the cabin under the bed. Case storage available on board but in a seperate cabin. Weight was a big problem,20kg in economy class. Hurtigruten give you a list of must have gear(mostly winter things so bulky) & also for a few days you are in hot weather in Argentina so need some summer things also. Packing list provided by cruise company, good news the shop on board sells most clothing & accessories(not too expensive) if you forget anything or if your equipment not up to stratch. Best to take everything you can, back up available from the on board shop if again anything is forgotten. Took two compact digital cameras, Canon Ixus 40 and Olympus Tough for bad or cold weather, both functioned well. Recommend two cameras incase one fails & lots of memory cards or large capacity - used...
I had one pair polar fleece gloves & one pair 'Arctic' mittens. For landings, I always wore both. This way my hands were always warm, but I could easily get the mittens off, to take photos! You can get these items in Ushuaia, but expect to pay!
As little as possible. Warm clothes. Not toom much.Ypu won't need 5 pairs of Gortex pants - one will be enough.You will need about 3-4 warm turtlenecks .........// 2 pairs of warm underwear ......// HAT!! ........// gloves (one thin pair + one gortex pair) ...........// few pairs of nice thick wool socks (you may need about 6-7 pairs of these, since you will find yourself wearing 3-4 at the same time)........ // SCARF!!! // ....comfortable slippers or shoes for around the ship.....// All that you need since nothing can be found on the ship, except for sea sickness medication.... Polarizing lense // lense caps (to make sure water dosn't get on it) // EXTRA BATTERY!!!! (it is cold...yiou'll battery WILL die..... // Zoom lense (you will want to take that shot of the leopard seal eating the penguin) // Wide Angle lense // EXTRA BATTERY!!! sunblock...... // sunglasses ..........// rubber...
I also spent some time in Buenos Aires & Ushuaia, so the rolling suitcase worked for this lone traveller. I took a medium sized hard fabric shell case, which had two large 'pockets' at the front, which I used for items I needed to easily access and things that I was not concerned about losing, or were easily replacable. I recommend using those numbered plastic security tags as additional security to locks on cases. What I packed and wore: 'Rainbird' wet weather jacket with hood & pants, Gortex jacket with hood, Parka with polar fleece lining & hood, Ski overalls, Turtle neck zip up cardigan, two pair track pants, four t/shirts, three pairs of thick 'Explorer' socks, three pair regular socks, one pair polar fleece gloves, one pair 'Arctic' mittens, one pair goretex gloves, one scarf, one woollen beanie hat, one fluffy russian style hat, one peaked cotton cap, pyjamas(!), undies, one...
A small waterproof bag for your camera is great for zodiac landings. Takewaterproof pants, as for landings from a cruise you will be on the water. Most times you will need to step into the water to walk on to shore. Also tall waterproof boots are a must! Don't forget your sun block! You could get the worst sunburn you have ever experienced! Also I have been on thirty plus crusies, and never had an issue with sea sickness, but on the return passage through the Drake Passage, I was sick for the entire day. Be sure to take something for the nausea.
Of all the holidays I’ve been on, I think this was the hardest to pack for! I had to consider:- temperatures of 40 degrees and over in Buenos Aires where we spent the first couple of days- temperatures well below freezing in the Antarctic itself- dressy clothes needed for the two formal evening events on board ship- casual comfortable clothing for the rest of the time- and all in one suitcase as the cabins are small and space limited! One thing that helped in all this planning was that a warm parka is provided to every traveller when you go on board, and this is yours to keep as a souvenir. So you don’t have to worry about taking a warm top layer – but you do need to leave space to take it home if you want it!To combat the cold I took a couple of sets of silk thermal underwear for the landings, but with my other layers (and temperatures only just below freezing) I was really warm on our...
Reviews and photos of Antarctica attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Antarctica sightseeing.
Q: Hello, I'm so excited about my trip to Antarctica on 2/19 on Quark. Questions for those who've been there - 1. packing -...
A: There is a tiny place on Deception Island, where the ground is so hot that you can dig out a hole and let the sea-water in that will allow you to take a bath in hot...
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