How do you pack for a visit to Antarctica, one of many coldest, windiest, driest, remotest locations on earth? No prizes for guessing {that a} ball robe isn’t on the packing record.
The first rule of packing for an Antarctica cruise is to pack early. Antarctica is likely one of the most unpredictable locations on this planet, with little-to-no means to purchase something whilst you’re there. This is a recipe for catastrophe in case you’re not a tactical packer, so it’s vital to permit sufficient time to borrow or purchase something you don’t personal. Pack the evening earlier than your flight and also you’re doomed to board your ship with mismatched gloves, no underwear, and a solitary shoe.
Here’s a helpful information to packing for an Antarctica cruise.
1. Layers
While it’s tempting to pack heaps of cumbersome sweaters and overcoats, what you actually need is a stable combo of quick and long-sleeved tops (some thermal, some not). Your ship will probably be fairly toasty, so having layers to peel off when on board (and put again on when heading out on the deck) is sensible.
Layering is usually considered in three phases: your base layer, mid-layer, and outer layer.
Base layers
You will certainly respect a thermal base layer on an Antarctic cruise, and wool or a wool mix is finest (the extra wool, the hotter you’ll be). Cotton tends to not be nearly as good as a base or mid-layer because it has poor moisture-wicking properties, which implies moisture – akin to sweat – will sit in opposition to your pores and skin and funky your physique temperature.
Mid-layers
Go for a poly mix or fleece, and ensure it’s not too fitted so your base layers will all match snugly beneath. Multiple skinny layers over your thermal base (to permit for adjusting to situations) are higher than thicker layers. However, once you’re sitting in a Zodiac, it may possibly get fairly chilly, so be sure to have one fleece that you may placed on for when it’s actually frosty.
Outer layers
One rule for outer layers: be sure that they’re 100% waterproof! Depending on which ship you’re travelling on, you’ll both be supplied with a jacket to maintain or borrow. It’s additionally important that you’ve got a pair of insulated, waterproof pants to slide over your backside half and your boots. You’ll be far more comfy throughout shore excursions and kicking about on deck in search of whales.
2. Footwear
Standard climbing boots gained’t lower it for an Antarctica journey. You’ll want a pair of muck boots as a substitute, as they’re designed to ship grip and efficiency on snow and ice whereas preserving your toes heat and dry. We’ll give you a pair of muck boots throughout your voyage.
You’ll additionally want pair of comfortable footwear for once you’re enjoyable on the ship, and possibly a pair of runners in case you fancy utilizing the onboard health club.
3. Gloves
When you’re in Antarctica, it’s ESSENTIAL you take care of your palms, head and toes. Frostbite isn’t enjoyable. We counsel layering up your gloves with a polyester mix base, and a water-resistant high layer (it’s value getting two pairs of every, in case a pair goes lacking or will get moist. If you’re a photographer, take into consideration packing a fingerless pair too, or investing in gloves with sensor fingertips so you possibly can nonetheless use your cellphone or digital camera display.
4. Tight-fitting beanie
Loose hats are a catastrophe in Antarctica – the wind is so ferocious it may possibly rip hats off unsuspecting heads in seconds. Show that wind who’s boss and take a beanie that matches actually snugly in your head, and ensure it covers your ears. In truth, pack two hats, simply in case (plus, beanies are actually your solely alternative to specific your vogue sense).
5. Neck gaiter
It’s vital to maintain your neck coated once you’re on deck or out on land excursions. Scarves are inclined to unravel and/or get caught within the Velcro in your jacket, so a heat neck gaiter will hold you cosy as a bug.
6. Socks
We counsel carrying two pairs of socks every time you head out: a skinny, poly-blend in opposition to your pores and skin and a thick woollen outer layer. When unsure, pack extra socks. Your thicker socks will get moist whilst you’re out on shore visits, so having a number of pairs to rotate is an efficient transfer. Your thinner socks are good for once you’re ship-bound. You’ll be heat and sheltered when consuming within the eating room, listening to lectures and studying in your cabin, so your thick woolly socks are overkill once you’re not outdoors.
7. Sun safety
Yep, the solar shines in Antarctica and also you’ll be mighty sorry in case you get burned by it. Don’t neglect to pack your sun shades (with UV safety), broad-spectrum sunscreen, and SPF lip balm.
8. Moisturiser
Windy and dry situations imply your pores and skin will resemble a lizard’s in case you don’t moisturise. Unless you wish to come house trying like Rango, slather it on each day whilst you’re away.
9. Seasickness treatment
Seasickness is one thing many individuals worry with regards to an Antarctic cruise – notably with regards to crossing the Drake Passage. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor accustomed to huge swells or somebody who goes inexperienced on the gills on a stationary commuter ferry that hasn’t even left port but, seasickness doesn’t discriminate. Anti-nausea treatment is usually a bit hit and miss, however being armed with choices once you’re feeling queasy is useful.
Before your journey, communicate to your physician about seasickness or the rest that is perhaps worrying you. If you’re asthmatic, diabetic or residing with different well being situations, make sure you’ve bought your whole common drugs packed. While your ship might inventory some fundamentals, it’s not a floating pharmacy so it’s worthwhile to double (even triple) checking your treatment is in your baggage earlier than leaving. The similar goes for sanitary gadgets.
10. Entertainment
Sure, the lovely antics of penguins and the marginally terrifying smiles of leopard seals are scintillating regardless of the time of day, however it’s a good suggestion to pack a few of your personal leisure for these occasions you have to retreat to your cabin (most likely throughout the Drake Passage crossing). Consider bringing:
- a very good e-book or eReader
- a smartphone loaded stuffed with tunes and podcasts
- noise-cancelling headphones – in storms and excessive seas ice-breaking ships might be noisy locations, so distracting your self with some calming tunes is a nifty option to get by way of it
- a pocket book and pen to doc your journey – in years to come back you’ll take pleasure in reflecting in your journey. Who is aware of, you may even flip your notes right into a bestseller!
11. Other gadgets to pack for an Antarctic cruise
Needless to say, when you’re down south you gained’t be capable of cease on the outlets to purchase something that you just’ve forgotten. So listed here are another bits and items value bringing alongside:
- If you’re into images, convey your digital camera, spare batteries and SD playing cards
- Reusable water bottle – bottled water is so Nineties (and never in a great way); cut back single-use plastics by bringing a refillable canteen
- Wet luggage and waterproof instances for cameras and different gadgets – helpful when hopping into (and out of) Zodiac boats and kayaks for shore excursions
- Heavy-duty rubbish luggage – helpful for separating soggy clothes from the remainder of your baggage
- Zip lock luggage – good for stashing garbage whereas out on shore excursions (as a result of the karmic ramifications of littering in Antarctica are actually harsh)
- Binoculars – in case you’re excited about figuring out if that’s a giant rock or an elephant seal within the distance, convey your personal binoculars
- Cash/bank card – in case you’re fortunate sufficient to make a touchdown at Port Lockroy, the publish workplace and reward store is nearly the one spot to buy in Antarctica, so don’t neglect some cash or a bank card to ship a postcard or purchase a stuffed penguin. All proceeds go in the direction of the maintenance of the station
- Ear plugs – mild sleepers ought to convey ear plugs to counteract loud night breathing cabin mates and noises ships make when breaking by way of the excessive sea or ice.
And most significantly, pack some good, old style reverence for Planet Earth as you’re about to expertise one of many best journeys of all time.
Ready for the journey of a lifetime? Explore Antarctica on an Intrepid journey.