Due to the nature of this trip, the refund policies are quite different from our other trips.

The $500 Deposit is Non-refundable for all pre-trip packages. The deposit paid for Antarctica is mostly non-refundable, please refer to below about current PLX policies.

If you want further details on the refund policies with Polar Latitudes please reference their website, under #4 “Cancelations”: https://albatros-expeditions.com/terms-conditions

As of January 2025 their Cancelation policy states:

All cancellation requests must be in writing. Cancellation fees apply from date PLX receives notice:

• 181+ days before departure: $1,250 USD per person
• 120-180 days before departure: Loss of deposit (20%)
• Less than 120 days before departure: 100% of total cost

Full payment for the entire main trip to Antarctica is due 120 days before departure.

The payment plan for the pre-trip packages is flexible and can be modified but all payments are due 90 days prior to February 28th, 2026. 

We HIGHLY recommend travel insurance be purchased as soon as you book the trip so you can cover your Antarctica cruise purchase if any medical or unexpected issues arise.

Yes – Travel Insurance is required for this trip with a minimum coverage of USD200,000. This protects you before & during the trip, if anything causes you to not be able to come or you get sick during the trip. As this trip does not offer a refund on your deposit, travel insurance is also beneficial for this.

Rachel recommends getting a quote from Aardy and reviewing the options – Travel Guard by AIG is her favorite.

Rachel will send out a roommate matching form as we get closer to the trip. If you want to room with someone, just put their name on your form and you're good to go. Otherwise Rachel will do her best to match you with someone compatible to make for the best trip possible. While this trip is co-ed you will not be randomly matched with someone of opposite sex. Remember you MUST book the same cabin type as the people you want to room with.

Absolutely you can – there are single cabins available on the ship.

Although the ice-strengthened ships are big and sturdy, the Antarctic waters can be unpredictable and rough. Some people may experience seasickness, especially through the Drake Passage and other open water crossings, so please be prepared with medications to combat this. There is also a doctor on board should you need further assistance.

Believe it or not, temperatures in the Antarctic can be freezing. And yet it can get surprisingly warm when the sun comes out, for instance, or with increased physical activity. It’s best to dress in layers when you journey outside and we’ll provide you with waterproof boots that are sturdy and warm. Please see the trip notes for information about what to bring.

Depending on the weather, you’ll be zipping around in a Zodiac boat quite regularly to explore the area and search for wildlife. It can get very cold and wet on the Zodiac, so make sure you dress appropriately and keep your camera safe and dry. Waterproof protection and camera strap or wristband are highly recommended for your camera or phone whilst on the Zodiacs. A minimum level of mobility is required and sturdy sea legs are preferable for wet and dry landings from the Zodiacs. The expedition team will assist people with mounting or dismounting the zodiacs for landings. Should people wish to remain closer to shore, we will have a range of walking speeds and thus distances explored available for all. The Ocean Endeavour has a lift, but you’ll need to take the stairs to get to the gangway and some other parts of the ship that the lift does not provide access to.

A level of flexibility and openness to embracing the unexpected are important in expedition travel, especially in such a remote area. The weather plays a pivotal part in this adventure, and although there’s an itinerary in place, there are no guarantees that you’ll be able to do everything that is planned for. There are nearly 200 recognised sites in the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands; the places mentioned in the itinerary may need to be changed to others (which are equally as interesting). We may also be confined to the ship during rough weather. The ship’s library and educational lectures are ideal ways to stay entertained, while the wellness spa, saunas, gym and yoga classes will keep you fresh for when the weather clears.

In between our landings and activities we offer three hearty daily main meals. Albatros Expeditions always have allergy flexible options, healthy selections as well as a variety of vegetarian and vegan options.

There are multiple Breakfast options, served in a buffet style, including a cooking station where eggs are made to order. At Lunch we are also met with a smorgasbord of mouthwatering choices. Safe to say you will have the energy for your next outing!

When it is Dinner time, you can choose to eat at the main Beagle Restaurant or book a table at the Antarctic Panorama Specialty Restaurant. Your evening meal is served a la carte, with fresh new options daily and always a selection of fixed items. There is always a vegetarian and pescatarian option available. Albatros Expeditions are known for our delicious menus and a variety of exquisite wine pairings. Dinner has a selection of wine, beer & soda included as well.

Onboard you will also have the option to join Afternoon Tea with sweets, cakes or snacks served each afternoon. Albatros Expeditions have tea and coffee freely available all day throughout the vessel, while specialty coffee, alcoholic beverages and hand-crafted cocktails are available at the ship’s bars.Breakfast will always be buffet style with lots of options to choose from (eggs, bacon, sausage, bread, fruits, salads, pastries etc.)

The ship can accommodate vegan & vegetarian diets for all meals with a variety of options .
Prior to the trip please share any specific dietary needs/restrictions so theres enough time to prepare for the requests.

Full payment is due 90 days before departure (around December 2026). You can pay as you like until then!

You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date, we will require your passport information a few months prior to departure, so please ensure you sort any replacements that may be required asap.

No visas are required for Antarctic at the time of writing this, however, port authorities will need to see your passport so ensure you always know where it is.

The waters of the Drake Passage can be some of the roughest seas in the world, although at other times they are so smooth that it is referred to as the 'Drake Lake'!
Although our vessel is among the most stable ships in its class, we will still inevitably encounter motion. Unless you are certain you are impervious to the problem, you should take precautions against seasickness. Your doctor can advise you as to the best methods for avoiding this uncomfortable condition.

There is no currency in Antarctica, but onboard the ship they accept USD.

During your time onboard, you will accrue a tab that will need to be paid off at the end of the trip, and this can be done via card.

Although tips are not required, the team onboard are the hardest working crew on the seas, and spend most of their time ensuring everything is absolutely perfect for you, so we would like to suggest a tip of $15-20 per person per day, however this is at your discretion.

As you may have seen from our previous Antarctica trips, Rachel wore a dress in Antarctic, so anything you're comfy in! The ship is well heated, and does not require anything special to lounge around in. Prior to the trip beginning, we will send you a full recommended packing list, so make sure to keep an eye out for all the tips and tricks we have!

However, should you want to go exploring the outside, or do some incredible whale or penguin spotting, we do recommend packing some warmer clothes handy to throw on in a minute's notice! If you're looking to keep your luggage light, you could just layer some of your thinner layers when going outside, or pack up some bulkier warmer clothes for those times ashore. We would also recommend bringing some wet weather gear to protect you from the Zodiacs and any rough weather we may encounter.

There are many cabin types but I have picked the top 3 cabins that I think will be best for our group.

Lets start with the most exciting option this year! There are Balconies on the boat! This is a new and very exciting option that we haven't had in past years. There are two ways you can book the Cat C Balcony Cabins – either a room with 2 twin beds or a Cat C Superior room that has 2 twin beds and a 3rd sofa turned into a bed.

3 beds + 3 people with a balcony and a massive savings on what the regular price is too! This might sound "too tight" to you but honestly in Antartica we spend more time outside the cabin on the decks looking at wild life and mingling with the group then you would think. The Cabins are good for just sleeping and changing clothes if Im going to be honest which is why I think this cabin time is great for anyone trying to save money!

If having 3 people in a room sounds like too much – you can book the Cat C standard room that has 2 beds + is for 2 people.

There are other options available too – The Cat D room with a port hole and two beds

The final cabin type os the Cat F Triple, this is an interior cabin with 3 separate twin beds + a bathroom. After the initial 15% off sale ends this will be the most economical way to join us in Antartica.

Triples can only be booked with the ship if we occupy all 3 spots within our group, so we recommend booking a twin/double room unless you have 2 other people confirmed to share with.

Iguazu Falls Pre-Trip:

• Land on February 24th
• 2 nights in Iguazu Falls (Argentina side)
• Tour of the falls on both sides
• Flight to Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires Pre-Antarctica Experience (2 Nights):

• Land on February 26th
• 2 nights in Buenos Aires
• Hosted welcome dinner
• Guided city exploration
• Argentine cooking and wine experience
• Flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia included