FAQ

Our team consists of Arctic and Antarctic specialists who have known each other for years and have often worked together in ice and snow. Collectively, we combine our experience in organizing and conducting expeditions to the polar regions of our planet. We know the destinations at the end of the world - they are our second home. We are convinced that there is a fitting ship and a perfect polar expedition for everyone. Be it the luxury option, the middle class ship or very basic with the explorer feeling. Together with us you will find the perfect polar experience.

Age actually plays a secondary role. Rather, it is a question of fitness. If you like to be active in our part of the world and take regular walks, feel fit and your doctor has no objections to an expedition, then nothing should stand in the way.

The journey to Antarctica is far and costly and we can only recommend not to leave out the natural paradise of South Georgia if you are "already there", so to speak. The so-called big round means that the trip from South America does not go directly south to Antarctica, but integrates the Falkland Islands and South Georgia on a round trip. These trips are longer and more expensive than pure Antarctic tours, but if these challenges are mastered, the "big round" is certainly worth it. The additional nature experiences and animal observations on the Falkland Islands and especially on South Georgia, in addition to Antarctica itself, will become lifelong and fantastic memories.

That is the big question and that is why we are here.

We will be happy to advise you personally and individually.

Contact us here.

On some tours there is the possibility to book a kayak program or an overnight stay in the snow on land. All other activities like shore excursions and zodiac rides are included in the price and do not need to be booked in advance.

Being small or large in relation to a ship is always relative. Basically, we only work with "small" ships, but even these vary in size. For example, there are ships for up to 200 guests, 120 guests, 80 guests, 50 guests or even only 12 guests. With larger ships, meaning with more than 200 passengers, we can not recommend to travel in the polar regions for various reasons.

Therefore, our expedition ships cannot be compared at all with the passenger numbers on classic cruise ships.

Rubber boots are essential for an expedition cruise. Rubber boots are the ideal footwear for expedition cruises and are absolutely necessary for such a tour. With a good, insulated and solid sole, they will get you ashore dry-footed and even hikes can be managed with this footwear.

The vast majority of ships have rubber boots on board. Only on the very small vessels there are no rubber boots on board that can be rented.

If you book a tour on such a small ship and there is no room in your luggage to pack rubber boots, you may be able to rent them locally.

On Svalbard, for example, such a service is offered. More information here: rubber boot rental

We will be happy to advise you personally if you have any questions.

The flight can be booked independently by you. But we can also support you and send you an offer incl. flight.

On some trips it is actually advisable to plan one or two overnight stops. On the one hand, it helps with acclimatization, on the other hand, it gives a little buffer if luggage was not immediately delivered. In addition, it is great to experience and explore new countries and places on the way to the destination.

From time to time, stopovers are also due to flight schedules. This means that the airline no longer has a suitable connecting flight on the same day, but only on the following day.

But it can also simply be advisable to take a day's break, because the way to the other end of the world is far and no one wants to be exhausted when the actual trip starts.

In fact, on many ships single travelers have the option to book a cabin shared with the same sex instead of a single cabin (which is also almost always possible). Mostly these are 2-bed or 3-bed cabins.

A large part of the tours is international and in English. However, sometimes there are also departures, focused on another or multiple languages. Feel free to ask us about it.

In the vast majority of countries and on the vast majority of ships, payment can be made with the common credit cards. Only on some very small ships this is not yet possible. We will be happy to advise and inform you when the destination and choice of ship becomes more specific.

The sizes of the cabins and the space for the luggage varies on the different ships. In principle, however, it can be said that in each cabin there is enough space to accommodate the clothes you bring. If the suitcase or bag can not be stored directly in the cabin, then there is a possibility to store it somewhere else in the ship, so that you have more space in your cabin.

Each cabin is equipped with a closet, there is smaller storage space in drawers or compartments and there are various hooks distributed in the room.

You can find the sizes of the different cabins, attached below with the expedition ships.

Generally, this depends on the free baggage allowance that your booked flight tariff specifies. In most cases, this is 20 kg. But be careful! The routes within South America often allow only 15 kg, even if the transatlantic route had allowed 20 kg for you. In such cases, you can see if you can still register additional baggage at the counter on site and pay there.

Formal attire is not required on most expedition voyages. While there are individual ships that have a higher expectation for evening wear after a day out in nature, it is much more important to have waterproof and windproof functional clothing with you. Feel free to take a look at our video that goes with it:

Clothing Tips (in German only)

The weather conditions in the polar regions are very changeable and usually different seasons in one day are not uncommon. Besides wonderful warm and sunny hours, in short T-shirt weather, there are also cold and windy days.

In general, it should be noted that you should dress in the so-called "onion principle". Several layers of clothing so that you can simply take something off when you get too warm and quickly put something on when the wind comes up or the sun disappears behind clouds.

By ship, the Arctic is best visited in the summer. When the sun does not set and there are 24 hours of daylight, temperatures very rarely drop below freezing. It still depends very much on the region, but you can expect plus degrees if you visit the Arctic in the summer.

Antarctica is best visited by ship in the Antarctic summer, that is our winter. When the sun does not set and there are 24 hours of brightness, temperatures very rarely drop below freezing. You have to be prepared for cold temperatures when you visit Antarctica, but you can expect plus degrees.

That always depends on the equipment of the ships. A few ships now offer their guests Wi-Fi on board for a fee.

On an expedition to the polar regions, you will quickly find yourself outside of cell phone networks. You can only be reached via a satellite-based telephone connection. Wifi is also only available via satellite. Communication tools such as WhatsApp or similar can therefore work to a limited extent, as long as you are not too far north/south and you reduce the amount of data, i.e. only send/receive text and no pictures.

On board every ship there is a satellite-based telephone connection that enables communication with the world.

However, these are usually not available to the passengers, or only for a high fee.

That always depends on the equipment of the ships. All larger vessels also have a doctor on board.

For an unspoiled travel experience, you should take remedies against motion sickness with you. There are various tablets or at least acupressure bands that can help. Please feel free to consult your doctor for more information.

Expedition ships are equipped for medical emergencies only. You should carry everything you need for your own use in your hand luggage.

If there is a doctor on board, he will provide you with medication in case of treatment. But expedition ships are not floating pharmacies and rare medicines are not necessarily available on board. Please keep this in mind when packing.

An international health insurance is mandatory. This should also cover search and rescue costs. A tariff without a deductible in the event of damage is recommended.

Travel cancellation insurance is also recommended. This will cover you if you are unable to make the trip for one of the insured reasons. "No longer feel like it" is not one of them.

In addition, travel interruption insurance should be included or taken out in addition. Because the travel cancellation insurance is only valid until the start of the trip. So in most cases until check in. If something happens between check-in and boarding and you cannot continue your trip, then you are only covered by travel interruption insurance!