My visit to Antarctica was the best trip of my lifetime! Part of the enjoyment of the trip was that I was able to relax, really immerse into the environment and forget about the technology for a few. This 7th continent is stunning but the weather can be treacherous at times. Therefore, packing appropriately is very important if you want to enjoy every minute of your trip. Here is my recommendation for "What to Pack for an Antarctica Cruise"...
1. Layers, layers, layers - Base Layer, Mid Layers & Outer Layers (of course waterproof jacket, gloves, boots and winter hats and wool thermal socks)
I am assuming a winter jacket, hat, gloves, socks are in your list already. However, the secret to find comfort in a place where the weather changes so drastically and rapidly is to have layers where you can adjust accordingly. Your base layer should be close to your skin and should be a layer that can stand the sweat but can dry quickly (avoid cotton because it absorbs water and holds the water next to your skin). Your mid layer should be comfortable and that can keep you warm (like fleeces). Your outer layer should be waterproof (some cruises will provide you with some of your outer layers, make sure you know ahead of time if they will or not. Mine only provided boots)
Note: My cruise provided everyone with rubber boots for all the expeditions outside the boat (you were not allowed to wear your own shoes. Only very rare cases - like the racing the planet athletes).
Also, some boats provide their passengers with "Parkas", my boat did not, so I brought my own. If you do not own one, you can arrange a rental at Ushuaia (make sure you do it ahead of your trip).
2. Motion sickness pills or patches
This is not the typical cruise to the Caribbean! Just like i have mentioned in other posts, "to say that the Drake Passage is going through rough waters is an understatement". I do not think you want to find out if you can stand the motion or not. I think you need to take any precautions ahead of time before you start to feel any motion sickness. This is not just for a few hours, you will have a day plus to go through the Beagle Channel and the Drake Passage and then all the way back too. In my experience, most of the trip got sick at some point. I was one of the lucky ones that never felt motion sickness, but I also took my pill every day!
3. Dry pack for daily use (waterproof backpack)
It is very likely you will take expeditions to explore the continent and it will involved water, ice and cold temperature. A dry pack will be your best option to store your cameras, extra layers, or anything else you need to take with you.
4. At least 2 pairs of winter pants (waterproof)
The length of all the different cruises to Antarctica vary greatly. However, even if your cruise is about a week, you will want to have two options of winter pants. They will get wet and dirty so you may want to switch them around and always have a dry pair of pants (wear one while the other is drying)
5. At least 2 pairs of gloves (waterproof)
Similarly to the idea of packing to set of winter pants, it is very likely that your gloves will get wet or damp, so you will want to always have one dry set. This is especially important if you go on kayaking expeditions. To be honest, if you plan to go kayaking, you may want to bring even more than 2 if you have them. I manged with two pairs but sometimes I wished I had a third for kayaking!
Tip: Make sure you can handle your camera with your gloves!!! (Practice ahead of time with them)
Note: My cruised provided us with a wet suit, jacket, lifevests, and boots for kayaking but not the gloves!
6. Camera & Binoculars (with winter protection to carry them)
This may sound like an obvious one, but sometimes we only travel with smaller cameras rather than bringing our best cameras. This is the place for your best cameras! The scenery is amazing and you will not regret bringing your best cameras to this trip. Make sure you bring protection for them, for the water and the cold temps. The binocular will come handy to see animals and sites from the distance (it is quite fun to have them).
7. Warm hat
Make sure your hat is tight, covers your ears and that it can stand very cold, windy and wet weather! You will probably take expeditions on a zodiac and the wind can be strong, so make sure it is tight on your head and you do not loose it with the wind.
8. Buff or scarves
Pack snug-fitting scarf (like a buff) that can be used for your neck, your face or even your ears or head and will not restrict your movement.
9. Sunglasses and sunscreen
The water, snow and ice will result in extremely bright reflections that can cause glare and severely impair vision. The reflections of the sun will also affect your skin, so make sure to wear sunscreen at all times. Depending on the time of the year you visit Antarctica, the sun may not go down at all so you will want to be protected from it.
10. Medicines & Lip Protection
As you can imagine, there are not stores in the continent (unless you stop in a place like Port Lockroy which is for small souvenirs). They may have some options on the boat, but bringing your necessary medicine and any precaution medicine is your best choice. Also, the extreme cold weather hurt your exposed lips, so make sure you bring protection for them (I speak from experience!).
Other:
- Everyday clothes and shoes (including comfortable clothes to sleep and shoes for the cabin). I personally like to wear one nice outfit for at least one dinner (the captain night). Most cruises do one nice dinner and you may want to wear something a bit nicer for one night. Make sure you pack a pair of winter shoes that you can walk inside and outside of the boat (the outside parts of the boat may be quite slippery).
- Toiletries - bring the necessary toiletries (never rely on what they may or may not give you)
- Bathing Suit - Yes, you heard right! I had no idea they would allow us to do the "polar plunge" but they do! Some people got in the water with their underwear because they did not think about this! Be prepared and bring clothes for your polar plunge!
- Chargers, Multi-plug and International Converters - we did not have a lot of electrical plugs in our cabin, so our multi-plug was extremely useful. We were 4 girls in one cabin, with cameras, watches, phones to charge!
- Water bottle or water pack - there are a lot of regulations in Antarctica but water is essential when you are hiking, kayaking or any other expedition activity (make sure you know the rules before you take anything to the 7th continent).
Note: My cruise company provided every passenger with a water bottle for the trip and then to take home.
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