Welcome Aboard!
The team at Emma Whiting Travel welcomes you to a breathtaking and life changing cruise to Antarctica.
It is our absolute pleasure to welcome you on this exciting journey hosted by our very own cruise expert, Santo Montalto.
A few words from our host Santo:
I am very excited to be part of this amazing and life-changing journey with you all. My long-time wish for a polar experience is about to come true and I look forward to exploring Antarctica together and creating life-long memories.
When will you be able to chat to Santo before leaving Australia?
Emma Whiting Travel are hosting a pre-departure meet-and-greet in the evening of January 31st for all passengers, so mark your calendars. Venue and start time for this event will be emailed to all passengers shortly.
At the event we will provide a sign-up sheet for a WhatsApp group. This WhatsApp group will allow Santo to share important itinerary information and may be useful for sharing group photos.
If there is one place on the globe that fires the imagination of travellers and arouses in them an instant thirst for adventure, it is the immaculate and faraway lands of the White Continent. Inhabited by a surprising endemic fauna, the Antarctic will welcome you during an 11-day expedition cruise.
At the border between the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans, you will enter Drake Passage. At the roaring fifties and the screaming sixties, the wind blows and the waves beat against the stern of the ship. In the sky cape petrels lead you toward their realm until you reach the first of the continent’s lands.
Ice is there in all its forms. The mountainous landscapes open up to give way to huge calving glaciers, tabular icebergs drift in the middle of the Southern Ocean, and the sea ice shimmers in the distance. On board, the naturalists share with you the secrets of this unique ecosystem.
As you near the shores, the first penguins appear. Gentoo, Adélie, Chinstrap: these surprising birds, emblematic of the Antarctic, share their beaches with leopard, crabeater and Weddell seals. During an outing on land or at sea, in a zodiac dinghy or a kayak, you will move through a stunning scenery bathed in polar light.
Ponant will go above and beyond to ensure your Antarctic trip is one to remember forever by offering the following experiences:
- Your expedition cruise to discover the stunning natural scenery of the Antarctic Peninsula, learn its beautiful secrets and meet the inhabitants.
- A variety of outings and shore visits in zodiac inflatables with a team of experienced naturalist guides.
- Skim the water’s surface with an optional sea kayak adventure lead by experienced, State-Certified guides.
- Visit research stations and former whaling stations if conditions permit.
- Lectures and information sessions hosted by our naturalist guides, covering wildlife, history, geopolitics, the great explorers, climate and environmental protection.
- Stunning landscapes: a multitude of drifting icebergs, ice floes, imposing glaciers and tall, snow-covered mountains.
- Wildlife sightings aplenty: we will be on the lookout for humpback whales; Gentoo, Adélie and chinstrap penguins; leopard, crabeater and Weddell seals; and numerous seabirds.
What might a day onboard Le Lyrial look like? Below is an example of a day in the life.
Morning:
During a hearty breakfast you could be lucky enough to spot some Adélie penguins from your table.
Your Captain or Expedition Leader will announce the day’s zodiac outings and landings. Your morning zodiac trip could follow a pod of minke whales. As you’re zipping between icebergs you cruise alongside some penguins.
You head back to the ship for lunch and a dip in the pool.
Afternoon:
Head to the mud room and don your jacket and boots before taking a zodiac to the mainland. On the way you spot a lounging leopard seal and once on shore you get a closer look at a colony of chinstrap penguins.
If you’ve chosen to sea kayak you could be paddling past fjords under the watchful eye of an Antarctic snow petrel.
Evening:
Reminiscing on the day’s events and sightings, after dinner you may choose to indulge in a few cocktails and take in an information session about the history of the current area.
Late-night stargazing can be a breathtaking experience given Antarctica’s remote location and clear skies.
With all of the excitement and anticipation surrounding your trip there are probably a few questions that have arisen. We have compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions to help guide your pre trip preparations below.
What happens before we embark?
Those arriving in Buenos Aires prior to the 16th of February will need to make their own way to the hotel – Hilton Buenos Aires.
Passengers arriving in Buenos Aires on the 16th of February will be met at Ezeiza International airport in the arrival hall. You will be greeted by our local representative holding a PONANT sign and transferred by shuttle to the Hilton Buenos Aires.
Hotel check-in is available from 11.00am
The remainder of the day is at leisure with dinner provided at the hotel. Individual dinner reservations are to be done by each passenger at check-in.
On the 17th of February, after an early breakfast, the group will be transferred to the airport for the flight to Ushuaia.
• Approximate flight duration is 3 hours and 30 minutes.
• Luggage allowance on the flight is one 23kg checked bag and one 8kg cabin bag per person.
• Meet and greet at the airport in Ushuaia, then transfer to a local restaurant for lunch, where the rest of the afternoon is at leisure before boarding the ship.
• Boarding time is from 4.00pm to 5.00pm with the departure being at 6.00pm.
Those who have signed up for the optional excursion to Tierra del Fuego National Park will be transferred upon arrival at Ushuaia airport, and travel towards the park where you will have lunch before starting the tour.
The Tierra del Fuego programme includes:
• The excursion by local bus and the entrance fees to the National Park
• The lunch including beverage package.
• The services of a local English-speaking guide
What can we expect each day?
Throughout the trip, guests will be able to attend lectures and information sessions hosted by our naturalist guides, covering wildlife, history, geopolitics, the great explorers, climate, environmental protection and educational discovery in the respect of environment.
Expedition programmes include activities such as zodiac outings and landings (sometimes with “wet landings”), moderate walks to more active hikes, all accompanied by your expedition team of naturalist guides.
Two zodiac outings and landings per day are planned subject to weather conditions, which is decided the night before. The Captain and the Expedition Leader may at any time cancel or stop any activity, or even modify the itinerary. The final itinerary will be confirmed by the Captain, who will take into account the touristic quality of the sites and above all, the safety of the passengers. His decision will be based on advice from experts and authorities.
What do I need to know about currency and onboard credit?
The currency onboard is the Euro, but the US Dollar is also accepted.
Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard and American Express) and cash (in EUR and USD only) are accepted.
There is no Bureau de Change on board the ship.
We advise you to exchange your currency through your bank or at an international airport.
You will have a personal account set up with your €200 onboard credit per person. You can use this credit toward activities such as sea kayaking, spa treatments or premium drinks at the bar.
You will settle your account prior to disembarking.
Please note: As the on-board accounts are closed on the day before disembarkation, any payment after 10:00 pm on this day will have to be made in cash.
What medical facilities are available onboard?
There is a doctor onboard available to passengers on the ship.
The availability for appointments are listed each day in the logbook (emergency consultation 24/7).
There is a fee for consultations onboard. The price may vary according to the time and place of the consultation (hospital or staterooms). Any medication must also be paid for by the passenger.
If you take medication on a regular basis make sure to bring adequate supplies for the duration of your cruise.
The doctor on board is not authorised to distribute medical certificates or prescriptions. Only accounts and invoices are provided which may be used by the passenger to obtain a refund from his/her health insurance if his/her contract allows.
If you suffer from seasickness rest assured that the ship has stabilisers equipped with dynamic fins which adapt to the movements of the ship.
This system allows the ship to anticipate and compensate for the pitching and tossing of the sea to achieve greater stability. Passengers suffering from seasickness will see their symptoms alleviated and be pleasantly surprised to not feel uncomfortable during their journey. However, it is wise to bring travel motion medication with you for peace of mind.
What should I take into consideration regarding travel insurance?
Travelling to polar/isolated regions means that you are far from modern hospitals with full medical facilities, thus evacuation is extremely expensive. Without adequate medical coverage, all expenses will have to be immediately paid for with your personal funds. We urge you to take out full coverage insurance, choose your insurance company very carefully, be extremely vigilant and ensure your insurance is fully comprehensive, especially if you are insured by your credit card.
What region are the onboard power sockets?
Onboard power is European sockets that can accommodate 200-volt AC (European standard) and 110-volt AC (North American standard). For safety reasons, hair irons and clothes irons cannot be used in staterooms.
Limited supply of adapters are provided onboard, however it’s strongly advised to bring your own.
Is internet access available on board?
Free Wi-Fi internet access is available onboard, in both the staterooms and the communal areas. One or several computers are at your disposal in the recreation centres. Please note that the Wi-Fi connection may be disrupted depending on the navigation area and landscapes that may block the vessel from satellite coverage, especially at high latitudes (no connection possible beyond 80° North or South), or for technical reasons beyond our control.
Is smoking allowed onboard?
You are permitted to smoke in designated outdoor parts of the ship only. Closed spaces such as the lounges, dining room, staterooms and reception are non-smoking areas.
Is there a laundry service on the ship?
Yes, your Stateroom Officer will be able to take care of your laundry**.
The washing and ironing of your clothes will take between 24 and 48 hours.
Only ironing can be delivered on the same day. As dry-cleaning is not possible on the ship, please only launder clothes that can be washed in water.
**These services are not free of charge and are billed directly to your stateroom account.
How do we get our jacket and boots?
Jackets and boots are fitted and distributed onboard.
Jackets are collected soon after boarding the ship and boots are loaned out prior to each zodiac outing.
Boots are collected upon returning from zodiac outings for cleaning and stored in the mud room. As the temperature onboard is warm, jackets will dry quickly in your stateroom.
How will we receive our photo packs?
You will be asked to choose your favourite pics from all the professional shots taken during the voyage. They will be saved onto a portable device for you to take home with you.
Do I need walking poles for the hikes?
Walking poles are not provided but are a good idea to have with you for stability as the snow and ice can be slippery. There is the opportunity to purchase onboard.
We are so excited for you to be going on this magnificent journey that is sure to captivate your senses!
If you have any questions, or if you’d like to seek further clarification or information, please do not hesitate to contact Santo or your Travel Designer.
From all of us at Emma Whiting Travel; safe and happy travels.
