To main content
Covid-19: Updated information
Hurtigruten logo Hurtigruten logo 02036037112
Find your cruise Destinations Special offers FAQ My Booking
  • Find a cruise
  • Destinations
  • Our ships
  • Special offers
  • Excursions
  • Pre- and post-programmes
  • Get inspired
  • My Booking
02036037112
  • Switch to United Kingdom
Search
  • Covid-19: Updated information
  • Port to port in Norway
  • Brochures
  • Map
  • Northern Lights Cruises
  • Why Hurtigruten
  • Newsletter sign up
  • About Hurtigruten
  • Practical information
  • Contact us
  1. Home
  2. Our Destinations
  3. Antarctica
  4. Antarctica: Frequently Asked Questions
Updating your booking
Enjoying the views in the Antarctic Sound
Photo: Karsten Bidstrup Photo

Antarctica: Frequently Asked Questions

Read up on the details of going on an expedition cruise to Antarctica.

General

What is the time difference in Antarctica?

In theory, any of the world's time zones could be used in Antarctica. When Hurtigruten goes to Antarctica, we sail from South America and operate with CET (Central European Time) -5 hrs. This time difference is in operation during the South American summer season.

What currency should I bring on the trip?

Argentinian pesos are used in Argentina, Chilean pesos are used in Chile. US dollars may be exchanged into local currency at either banks or Money Exchange kiosks, at the open market exchange rate of the day. Some shops might accept US cash, though this is not a common practice. You can also withdraw cash from ATM's using your credit card and PIN code.

 

When visiting the Falkland Islands, local pounds (FIP) are used as well as pound sterling. When landing in Antarctica, some bases do accept USD cash only. In Port Lockroy, the following currencies are accepted: GBP, USD, Euro, and major credit cards (for purchases above 100 USD).

Cruising in Antarctica

Can I go ashore in Antarctica?

For visitors this fact comes with a set of obligations – the most important and general is to leave no traces behind. The Antarctic Treaty and IAATO prohibiting more than 100 people to be ashore simultaneously strictly regulate human traffic in Antarctica. All guests will be given instructions on how to behave when on shore in Antarctica. Antarctic Treaty Recommendation XVIII-1 and IAATO guidelines are mandatory and must be followed.

 

Apart from trips included in the program, we offer a selection of additional excursions. Most excursions can be booked on beforehand or on board. Pre and post excursions in Buenos Aires & Ushuaia can also be booked at Hospitality desks at Emperador Hotel and NH City Hotel Buenos Aires subject to availability.

 

All excursions are subject to availability. Unfortunately, excursions are not adapted for handicapped travellers.

 

List of possible landing sites in Antarctica

What clothing should I wear?

According to IAATO regulations and to avoid any transmission of diseases to the vulnerable eco-system in Antarctica, we ask our travellers to bring clean clothes to wear ashore. For more information, see equipment list.

Do I need to bring my passport?

Yes. Please ensure that your passport is valid for more than six months after you return to your home country. Remember to check if you require a visa.

What if there is a medical emergency?

In case of a medical emergency in Antarctica the only method of evacuation is by plane to the city of Punta Arenas, Chile, as there are no hospital facilities in Antarctica. This is very expensive and dependent on favorable weather conditions. Therefore, comprehensive travel/health insurance policy that also covers medical evacuation is obligatory.

 

IAATO MEDICAL QUESTIONNAIRE: To comply with IAATO and Hurtigruten AS regulations all guests must have completed the IAATO medical questionnaire including a confirmation of fitness to travel from your doctor. The completed questionnaire must be present ed to the ship’s doctor upon embarkation. Guests without the completed questionnaire will be refused embarkation.

Keep reading:

  • Antarctica Travel Guide
  • All voyages to Antarctica with Hurtigruten

Further reading

  • Antarctica Travel Guide
  • Polar packing: What to bring on your trip to Antarctica

Be the first to know!

Sign up for our newsletter to receive special offers and new itineraries first.

Yes, sign me up!
Idyllic Reine, a true gem of Lofoten😍
📷: @stianmklo
.
.
.
.
.
.
#hurtigruten #weexplore #norway #reine #lofoten #beautifuldestinations #bucketlist The “Penguin Post Office” in Port Lockroy is a popular place to go. Visitors can send letters and postcards through the red letter box at Bransfield House, but it may take weeks for them to arrive at their destinations. Each year, seasonal staff send roughly 70,000 postcards to more than 100 countries! Have you sent a postcard from the Penguin Post Office? 
📷: Genna Roland / Hurtigruten
.
.
.
#hurtigruten #weexxplore #antarctica #portlockroy #penguinpostoffice #penguin #expedition #cruise #travel #adventuretravel Happy Singles Awareness Day to all singles out there! The joy of traveling and experiencing new and exciting places is just as good done alone. Have you ever traveled solo—and where was it? 📷: Liv-Bente Berg / Hurtigruten
.
.
.
.
#hurtigruten #weexplore #singlesawarenessday #singles #single #travel #wanderlust

Contact

  • 02036037112

    • Monday - Friday: 9.00 - 19.00
    • Saturday: 9.00 - 17.00
    • Sunday: 10.00 - 16.00

     

  • [email protected]
  • Storgata 70, 9008 Tromsø

  • Contact us

About Hurtigruten

  • Why travel with us?
  • Brochures
  • Customer Loyalty Programme
  • Careers
  • Sustainability
  • Modern Slavery Statement
  • Hurtigruten Svalbard
  • Agent web
  • Press

Support

  • Covid-19: Updated information
  • FAQ
  • My Booking
  • Make a Payment
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Statement of Privacy
  • Cookies
  • ATOL
  • Foreign Travel Advice (gov.uk)
  • Agent web

Social media

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
Hurtigruten logo

Search for destinations, attractions or information

Got a promotion code?

To give you a better experience while using our website, Hurtigruten uses cookies. Some of these are necessary to make the website work, others give you a tailor-made experience and relevant marketing.

Some cookies are necessary in order to ensure our website runs optimally, and are therefore required for the continued use of our website. Analytics cookies collect information about your use of the site, and enable us to improve the way it works.

Advertising cookies are set to manage how our advertising collect information about your activities on this site, in order to provide you relevant targeted advertising.

Cookies on hurtigruten.co.uk
Accept cookies More information on cookies