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Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina - the world’s southernmost town. Explore the quaint city or local countryside. Alternatively, consider a day trip off the beaten path to the raw, natural archipelago of Tierra del Fuego. It's a hiker's paradise with rugged snow-capped mountains, glaciers, flower-filled meadows and boggy quagmires. In the afternoon, we board our ship, the 5-star Ocean Victory.
We sail towards Puerto Williams on Chilean side of the Beagle Channel. The channel has rich wildlife with cormorants, penguins and sea lions on virtually every rocky outcrop, and dense temperate rainforest reaches from shore to tree line and the eternal snow. In this harsh climate, the hardy people of the now extinct Yagan tribe resided, as described by Charles Darwin in his journals.
Today we are going to see the famous "horn", Cabo de Hornos. It is difficult to predict the day’s program, as the waters south of the horn are unpredictable at best. Should weather be fair, we will use our landing Zodiacs to go ashore on Isla Hornos at the memorial for sailors who have lost their lives here.
Although the ship is very stable, we will hopefully get a brief impression of what the old sailing ships were going through in Magellan's and Darwin's time, and rejoice that ships are no longer what they have been. The first "modern" sailor to navigate the race was the Dutch captain Willem Schouten in 1616, who opened the dangerous route. But haven't the locals been here long before?
Today's highlight is sailing into the narrow and unbelievably beautiful Garibaldi fjord in Alberto de Agostini National Park – a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve due to its spectacular soaring glaciers and rich plant and wildlife. It is not uncommon to see a group of killer whales in these waters feasting on the seafood.
As we leave the island of Tierra del Fuego, we head into Magellan Strait and reach Fort Bulnes. The fort was built in 1843 on the rocky shores of Punta Santa Ana under the command of President Bulnes Prieto to maintain control of the Magellan Strait and the ships that sailed through it.The fort is today restored to its original form, and the area around included in the fascinating Strait of Magellan Park
The day is set for cruising on the legendary Strait of Magellan, which divides “Land of Fire” from the South American continent as well as the Atlantic from the Pacific Ocean.
Ferdinand Magellan, whom the strait was named from, was a Portuguese explorer on commission of Spain's Charles d. 1st and the first to navigate the strait in 1520. Chile annexed the Strait under President Bulnes in May 1843, emphasizing Chile's supremacy through the construction of the previously visited fort.
The climate is sub-Antarctic and the coast is rugged and vegetation-poor. Yet these coasts have been home to a highly developed and populous Native American culture, consisting primarily of maritime, nomadic hunter-gatherers and others who contented themselves with staying on land from which they fished and collected seafood. The tribes lived isolated and unaffected by Western civilization until about 1800, after which they quickly became extinct as a result of new diseases and radical eradication campaigns initiated by the governments of Chile and Argentina. Today, our overall knowledge of these many different peoples is extremely sparse.
The captain has through the night navigated the vessel more than 200 kilometers east across Chile through the world’s most complicated fjord system. Disembarking in the town of Puerto Natales we are ready for a bus drive into Torres del Paine National Park. Crowned by the three majestic granite towers, "Torres del Paine", and “Paine Grande”, 2,884 meters above sea, and encircled by huge lakes, calving glaciers and open grasslands where guanacos feed, it is fair to say that this is among the most beautiful national parks in the world.
By now, we are in the deep archipelago and the ship navigates through the many narrow waterways, almost all of which are called canals. The route follows the canals Sarmiento, Esteban, Angostura, Inocentes and then into the long narrow Canal Messier. It is incredibly beautiful no matter what direction the eyes are turned. Pointed rugged, often snow-capped mountain peaks, glaciers, lots of life above and below the water. The canals have all been shaped and extended during the recent ice ages, when they were filled with glaciers from the Andes to the east. As we enter the 250km-long Messier, we begin to see small fishing villages. We will plan for Zodiac landings along the way where appropriate.
"Paine" is a Native American word for "blue", and today's excursion into the national park shows why. We will drive through the park and enjoy the view of the mountains throughout the day. Occasionally we will get off the bus and take shorter walks to reach the best vantage points.
Our goal this morning is the 60 km long Brüggen Glacier, slowly flowing down from the huge Patagonian Ice Fields. We cruise in safe distance from the active glacier front – and continue north through the Messier for more adventures.
It is a must to visit the small, completely cut-off town of Puerto Edén, which, with less than 200 inhabitants, lies on the banks of the Canal Messier. The sea is the only access because neither roads nor paths lead to Edén. The city also has no roads between houses and shops, only wooden promenades or boardwalks. The population lives primarily on fishery and seafood collection, which is picked up once a week by a cutter.
We have reached the northern end of Canal Messier, where we find yet another exciting and typical Chilean village in this area. CaletaTortel was built in 1955 to utilize the area's cypress trees for timber production. The village is located where rivers, meltwater and the sea coalesce into a mossy subsoil, which is why all houses are built on stilts and the roads are, like in Puerto Edén, built of wood. Cypress of course.
The trip continues along the coast of Chile, and we have time to enjoy the ship's facilities, perhaps a little massage, a visit to the shop or an interesting lecture on the nature or culture of the area. You can also relax in one of the hot tubs on the deck or take a dip in the small pool.
In the outskirts of the Chilean Lake District and we visit yet another city on stilts, Castro. It is the county’s third oldest city, founded in 1567. The area has been hit by earthquakes and tsunamis several times, and in 1837 the city was effectively leveled with the ground.Castro is an exciting city to stroll around. The famous wooden churches on Chiloé, of which four are in Castro, are one of Chile's largest cultural treasures and were added to UNESCO's list of cultural heritage. Many of the churches are built entirely of wood without as much as a single nail.
Today’s landing is on the small island of Mocha, of which half is designated as a national park. Originally the island was inhabited by the so-called Lafkenches people. Francis Drake visited the island during his world circumnavigation, but had to leave after being seriously injured by the island's residents. In 1685, the governor forced the entire island population to what is today the city of Conception. There are several stories from the 19th century about a giant white casket whale that belonged to the island of Mocha, called Mocha Dich, which should have inspired Herman Melville to write Moby Dick.In 2007, skulls from the original Mocha people were compared to skulls from the Easter Island and was found to have astonishing similarities, supporting the theory, originally put forward by Thor Heyerdahl, about the connection between South America and the remote islands of the Pacific Ocean.We will utilize the ship's Zodiac fleets to make the landing and learn about the national park and the local flora and fauna.
Today it is time read, listen to lectures and relax in the company of the other passengers of the ship and enjoy the delicious meals the chefs of the ship spoil us with.
After breakfast, it's time to leave Ocean Victory and get ready for the homebound journey.Valparaíso, one of Chile's oldest cities. The city is constructed on a number of ridges around the bay and is known for its old cable cars, 15 of which are still functional. They lead from the harbor up to the old UNESCO-protected residential neighborhoods. Here colonial-era German and English traders lived in the colorful houses that illuminate the cityscape.
TOUR COST: Per person US Dollars rates based on sharing cabin
| Ocean Victory Ship | CABIN-F Triple Porthole Room | CABIN-D Double Porthole Room | CABIN-E Double Balcony Room | CABIN-C Double Balcony Room | CABIN-B2 Double Balcony Suite | CABIN-G Single Porthole Room | CABIN-B1 Double Balcony Suite | CABIN-A Double Junior Suite |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Sq. M | 22 Sq. M | 16 Sq. M | 24 Sq. M | 28 Sq. M | 18 Sq. M | 35 Sq. M | 42 Sq. M | |
| Mar 28, 2022 | 5200 | 6700 | 8300 | 8500 | 9500 | 9500 | 10500 | 13000 |
| Mar 19, 2023 | 5490 | 6990 | 7990 | 8490 | 9490 | 9490 | 11490 | 12990 |
Due to popular demand, the cabins are subject to availability. Booking will be accepted on First Come First Served Basis. Please check with Pollina Tours availability of space.
The largest of all the staterooms on board the Ocean Victory is the Premium Suite. This 2-bedroom suite features a double bed (or twin beds), a sofa bed, table and chair, a balcony and spacious bathroom with bathtub. Located on deck. 4.
The 4 junior suites aboard Ocean Victory have a great view from their location high up on the ship on deck 7. The suites feature a double bed or twin beds, sofa bed, seating area, a spacious bathroom and private balcony. The suite can accommodate up to 3 people.
Ocean Victory has 2 Balcony Suites on board located on Deck 4. The suites feature double or twin beds, a seating area, bathroom and a large private balcony. The balcony suites can host 2 people.
Ocean Victory has 4 Balcony Suites on board located on deck 4 & 6. The suites feature double or twin beds and a seating area, bathroom and private balcony. The balcony suites can host 2 people.
The most abundant type of stateroom on Ocean Victory, the Balcony State Staterooms are located in decks 4 & 6. They have a private balcony, a double bed or two single beds, a bathroom and a sofa that can be used as a bed for a child if traveling as a family. If you desire to book two staterooms with connecting doors, this is also a possibility under this category.
The standard stateroom on Ocean Victory is close to the Mudroom and has quick access to the zodiac platforms for disembarkation during landings. This is very convenient if you have more limited mobility and would like a short distance to the zodiacs. The staterooms are perfect for those who wish a comfortable base during their stay onboard Ocean Victory. The standard staterooms all have a double bed or 2 single beds and bathroom. The staterooms are located on deck 3 except for 1 which is located on deck 4.
The French Balcony Stateroom is a standard stateroom with a French balcony, a double bed or two single beds, floor-to-ceiling windows and a bathroom. All French Balcony Suites are located on Deck 7.
There are four Triple staterooms on board Ocean Victory featuring portholes, all with private en-suites. Located on Deck 3, they're close to the mudroom and loading platforms. Triple staterooms are normally with twin beds however a double bed can be accommodated.
Standard single stateroom onboard, located on deck 3. This is a conveniently located stateroom close to the Mudroom which facilitates access to the Zodiacs during embarkation and disembarkation to begin your adventures on the Zodiacs.
With the highest Polar code 6 and Ice class 1A, Ocean Albatros is the ideal vessel for small-ship cruising due to her sturdy construction and X-Bow®-Infinity class, which provides high stability in rough weather and allows for the smoothest movements on high waves, and a Solas 2012 classification which facilitates a safe return to port.
The vessel is part of a brand-new generation of low-energy vessels, with 4 diesel engines and 2 electro engines, all controlled electronically to optimize speed and fuel consumption.
Any international airfare whether on scheduled or charter flights; any domestic internal South America flights, passport and visa expenses; Government arrival and departure taxes; meals ashore; baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended); excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges; and the customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided), or any other items not listed in inclusion list above.
Embarkation is between 4:00 - 5:00pm on day of departure. We ask that all passengers arrive the night prior to departure in Ushuaia to avoid any delays from flights or lost luggage. Hotel night is not included. Transfers from airport to hotel and from hotel to the pier are not included. On day of embarkation, luggage should be dropped off in the morning between 8:00am and 11:30am at a pre-determined location. Passengers are asked to make their own way to the port on day of embarkation. It is not allowed to board the ship before 4:00pm as the crew is getting the ship ready for their arrival.
Disembarkation is between 8:30 - 9:00 am on day of return to port. The transfer from the ship to the airport is included in the cruise rate. They can catch a flight out of Ushuaia any time after 12:00 Noon on that day.
We do not publish hour by hour as Antarctica is unpredictable and things change daily and hourly depending on weather and sea conditions. We can only publish guidelines of what the day-by-day itinerary will look like.
All promoted itineraries are for general guidance. Programs may vary depending on ice, weather, and wildlife conditions. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. Landings are subject to site availabilities and environmental concerns per IAATO regulations. Official sailing plans and landing slots are scheduled with IAATO prior to the start of the season, but the expedition leader determines the final plan.
All passengers are provided a pair of sturdy rubber boots to keep the feet warm and dry for all landings. Sizes need to be pre-ordered with Oceanwide Expeditions at least eight weeks prior to departure. A voucher will be sent with final travel documents approximately four weeks prior to departure. Requesting equipment items without a pre-order and voucher is not possible while boarding the vessel. Boots need to be returned to the expedition team at the end of the voyage.
Our cruises emphasize active wildlife and nature experiences. Guided shore excursions, walks, wildlife spotting, and Zodiac cruises are included in the fare and offered to all passengers during the voyage.
Pollina Tours do not sell any Travel Insurance. We strongly recommend that you must directly obtain from any Insurance company of your choice a comprehensive Travel Insurance coverage, including but not limited to trip cancellation, delay, loss of deposit, medical expenses, personal accidents and death, loss of baggage, personal belongings. “Cancel for Any Reason” travel insurance policy is one option that you must discuss with your Travel Insurance Company, as it offers a wider range of coverage if you cancel for any reason. Cruise company requires you to purchase from travel insurance company of your choice a mandatory medical evacuation and repatriation cover. Emergency Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Insurance is mandatory. Trip cancellation insurance is optional but highly recommended. Minimum recommended coverage: $200,000.00 per person. In case of a medical problem arising during the voyage, either on board or on shore, which results in costs for evacuation, use of aircraft or repatriation, the responsibility for payment of these costs belongs solely to the passenger. Most Travel Insurance companies want you to buy insurance at the time of making your initial tour deposit to obtain the best coverage. Please contact and discuss all options available to you from the Travel Insurance companies of your choice before signing up on the tour.
We require 25% deposit per personat the time of booking. The second payment of 25% will due before at least 180 days before departure. The Third payment of 25% will be due before 150 days before departure and the final remaining balance payment will be due 120 days before departure. Please make check payable to the Tour Operator POLLINA TOURS AND TRAVEL, INC.
Once booked, the Tour involves a cancellation penalty if it is cancelled by you for any reason or for any circumstances beyond the control of Pollina Tours & Travel, Inc, its agents, and its service providers. We highly recommend purchasing Travel Insurance policy from the travel insurance company of your choice, covering all eventualities including, but not limited to, trip delay, trip cancellation, medical evacuation, illness, disease, death, accident etc that can protect yourself from cancellation penalties, in case the tour is cancelled by you or due to circumstances beyond the control of Pollina Tours, its agents, or service providers. A 10% cancellation fee will be charged for any cancellation made 180 days before departure.A 25% cancellation fee of the total tour cost per person will be charged for any cancellation made between 179-150 days of departure. A 50% cancellation fee on total tour cost will be charged for any cancellation made between 149-120 days before departure. A 75% cancellation fee will be charged for any cancellation made between 119 – 90 days before departure. A100% cancellation penalty will be charged if tour is cancelled between 89 days to departure date. It is mandatory for passenger to make all cancellations in writing, stating the reason for cancellation and same must be received in our office. Most refunds generally take 6-8 weeks to process.
It is the sole responsibility of each passenger/tourist to obtain and verify that all of their travel documents, such as passport, visa, and airline tickets, vaccination requirements etc are in order and meets the guidelines to embark on the trip.
You must consult with your physician every important aspect of your health-related issues, including sea-sickness, vaccinations such as Yellow Fever, Hepatitis, malaria prophylaxis etc. to ensure that you are in good health to engage in overseas travel. In addition, ouare expected to carry your own regular medications, which may not be available aboard. The vessel carries a qualified physician and has a limited infirmary with basic medications and equipment. Passengers are further advised that medical evacuation, if available, is expensive, and we strongly recommend you acquire medical insurance that would reimburse you for this cost. Please note, the locations being traveled in are very remote, and in the areas where Medevacs (Medical Evacuations) are possible, it might take up to 2 days to be reached. In some other areas - such as South Georgia - Medevacs are impossible, as the area is out of the range of helicopters and/or does not have landing strips.A mandatory Medical Questionnaire Form, duly filled in by each passenger is required by the Cruise company. Please note: all our overseas tours require considerable walking and driving, sometimes on uneven, dusty and bumpy road conditions. You may also need to take stairs and inclines during the tour. No individual assistance to passengers requiring wheelchair can be provided, as many places may not be wheelchair accessible and may be challenging for the physically handicapped. For Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) or via the CDC’s Internet site, at www.cdc.gov/travel. For information and health guidelines about outbreaks of infectious diseases such as COVID 19 and other disease abroad, please consult the World Health Organization’s (WHO) official website. All passengers are personally responsible to ensure that they are medically fit to travel.
POLLINA TOURS makes the booking of the hotel room in the specified hotel in “Standard” twin-bedded (two single beds) rooms or “Standard” double bedded (one double bed) room with private facilities, unless you have specifically requested and paid for an upgraded room category. Special requests, such as bed types, smoking preference and connecting rooms are subject to availability. Room selection in all cases, unless otherwise reserved, is strictly at the discretion of the hotel's management on a run-of-house basis.
POLLINA TOURS make the reservation for the Meals arrangements at the hotel/cruise ships or local restaurants based on their Buffet or Set Meal menu basis policy. All efforts are made to offer sumptuous Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian menu choice to the Group members. However, Pollina Tours cannot make multiple meal menu request based on each group members’ individual request, personal taste, likes and dislikes. No Special Dietary request can be guaranteed.
POLLINA TOURS makes the booking with the Group Department of the airline, which means all the group members must travel together to and from a common gateway, as one Group. The Group tickets are lower fare tickets and carry restrictions. The tickets are nonrefundable, non-transferrable, non–re-routable, and non-endorsable. Policies governing seat assignments for groups vary greatly by airline. Most airlines currently offer preferred seating, a system which allows them to charge additional fees for preferable seats. As a result, many seats displayed on airline seat maps are set aside for clients willing to pay additional fees for them. Some seats may only be accessible at airport check-in. Specific Seat assignments preferences are not guaranteed by Pollina Tours. Loss of assignments may occur, at any time, due to airline schedule changes, or even as a result of individual passengers making changes directly with airlines on their group seat assignments. In many cases, airlines will not assign seats for groups until the group booking is closed for ticketing usually 30 days prior to departure. At this time, Pollina Tours will do all possible to seat passengers together and in the best available seats. However, it may not be possible for Pollina Tours to assign seats of each passenger's personal choice. Once assigned, typically seats may only be changed, subject to availability, at airport check-in. Airline reservation agents are often prohibited from assisting with seat requests for Group Reservations from individual passengers.
Pollina Tours makes the booking on board the cruise ship in the cabins mentioned in the chart above with private facilities, unless you have specifically requested and paid for an upgraded cabin category. Special requests, such as bed types, upgrades to higher category, smoking preference and adjacent rooms are subject to availability.
Pollina Tours & Travel, Inc. and/or their agents give notice that all tickets, vouchers and the coupons issued by them and all arrangements for transportation or for conveyance/hotel accommodation, sightseeing, excursions, etc, made by them, as AGENTS of the passenger upon the express condition that they shall not be held liable for any injury, damage, loss , accident, death, delay or irregularity which may be occasioned either by reason or defect of any vehicle, or through the act or default of any person or company engaged in conveying or housing the passengers or in connection therewith, or of any hotel proprietor or employee. Pollina Tour and/ or their agents can accept no responsibility for cancellation penalties or losses or incidental expenses due to delay or change in schedules of airline, rail, motor coach, cruise or any transportation companies etc, hotel overbooking or default, sickness, injury, death, weather, strike, political or social unrest, disease, epidemic, pandemic, terrorism, natural calamities, quarantine or any other causes beyond the control of Pollina Tours & Travel, its agents and suppliers of services. All such losses or incidental expenses will have to be borne by the passengers. Baggage is at owner’s risk throughout the tour. Obtaining a suitable travel insurance policy to cover the medical and non-medical eventualities from any Travel Insurance company of your choice is solely the responsibility of each passenger/tourist booked on our tour. Pollina Tours & Travel reserves the right to accept or reject any person as tour participants, to expel any tour participants from the tour, to make changes in the itinerary whenever the company deems it is necessary for the comfort, safety and convenience of the participants or their agents/service providers. Although, all safety measures are taken by our suppliers to ensure you have an enjoyable and safe tour. However, our Service provider will require you to sign their responsibility form to not hold them responsible for any injury, accident, death, etc, caused to you during any adventure tourism activities, jungle safari, etc. which is beyond their control. All prices are quoted in US Dollars. The transportation, airlines, rail, cruise, ferry companies, etc, concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission, or events during the time passengers are not on board their carriers and conveyance. The passenger’s contract in use by the airline carrier, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the transportation company and the purchaser of the Tour(s) and/or passengers. Typically, check- in time at the hotels is 3:00 PM and check out time is 12 noon. Sequence of the itinerary is subject to change, due to circumstances beyond our control. The itineraries published are for reference only and are subject to change due to weather and ice conditions, or due to any other reason beyond our control, at the Master's and Expedition Leader's discretion without prior notice. Passengers have no right to any refund, any other consideration or claim whatsoever in the event of inevitable itinerary changes.The passenger must sign a passenger contract which constitutes the sole contract and his/her agreement to all the terms and conditions relative to the cruise. By accepting the cruise ticket, the passenger also agrees to its terms & conditions. For complete terms and conditions of the cruise ship, please visit their website www.albatros-expeditions.com/terms-conditions
The above itinerary is a guide only. Our exact route and program will vary to take best advantage of local weather and ice conditions and opportunities to view wildlife. Changes will be made by the captain and/or Expedition Leader to facilitate the best results from the prevailing conditions. A daily program sheet will be issued on board. Flexibility is the key to success
Essential for expedition cruises, Zodiacs are robust boats that can go up on a beach, a rocky outcrop, a river bank or even an ice floe push through bergy bits of ice floating in the water. This is definitely one on the assets that distinguishes this way of exploring from more conventional cruises.Zodiacs enable our guests to explore the scenery from a very different perspective. They allow us to safely do landings in wild places with no infrastructure, often before or after a landing or as the main excursion. They allow us to take our guests to interesting places just around the corner or around an iceberg, which is a great way to get really near wildlife or to watch the ice formations up close, take unimaginable photographs and feel a closer connection to the nature in the area. Most of the zodiac operations are planned in advance, but they can also be used spontaneously if we discover some unique sightings on our way. If you can negotiate normal stairs, you can also can get in and out of a Zodiac. In the gangway we have strong seamen that will give you a firm and helping hand. On shore you will also get the help when needed. It’s important to keep both hands free, so you can accept the provided support. Sitting on the boat, you just need to hold on to the rope and enjoy the fresh Polar air end the scenery.
Due to its important role as a control center for all nautical and technical processes, the ship’s bridge is a vital, sensitive place. Therefore, the bridge may not be accessible to the public at all times. Conditions permitting, we will be happy to welcome you into the bridge for a visit. Guests must be accompanied by the master or our expedition leader.
Your stateroom is serviced daily. We provide a turn-down service. We provide meal to room only for serious cases of guest being sick. Our suites will have VIP services.
One feature of our expedition cruises includes landings and excursions aboard Ocean Albatros’s fleet of 18 inflatable, motorized rubber “Zodiac” boats. The Zodiac brand has earned a well-deserved reputation as the sturdiest and safest small watercraft available. These boats have a low draft and great stability. Zodiacs are constructed for professional use and are outfitted with a top-quality outboard engine, yet their design minimally impacts the environment.
The Zodiacs are designed to provide unrestricted access to the world’s last great frontier. Their versatility enables us to make landfall on remote shores, cruise along awe-inspiring coastlines and share breathtakingly close encounters with whales, seals, penguins, seabirds and more. We will come within arm’s reach of icebergs and set foot on land discovered by pioneering explorers just over a century ago.
Your safety and comfort are our #1 priority, and your expedition leader will carefully plan for as many Zodiac excursions as possible, dependent upon the local weather and prevailing conditions. In each case, the expedition leader makes the final decision if the landing is possible or not. Safety regulations apply on landings. All guests receive a mandatory instruction of the safety guidelines. Life jackets are mandatory to wear.
Please note, we highly recommend the use of waterproof bags in order to protect your personal camera or binoculars, as both hands must be free of everything during boarding. Participation is fairly easy and comfortable for able-bodied guests but can be more challenging for those with physical handicaps.
At the time of embarkation, you will receive your personal cruise card, which you should always have with you. This card is used on board as payment instrument (except in the onboard shop), key card and identity card. All on board purchases from the bar, telephone, laundry, and the like are charged to your shipboard account.
To activate your personal cruise card account, we accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express credit cards. Alternately, you can deposit cash (US$ or EUR/exchange rate US$-EUR). At the end of the voyage, your account will be settled by the payment methods mentioned above.
There is no currency exchange office onboard the vessel. Onboard payment will be completed by your cruise card. For stays ashore during the cruise, we recommend changing minimal amount of the local currency in small bills, as most of the ports and airports have exchange offices. Alternatively, lots of shops and restaurants accept international credit cards. In bigger ports and cities, you have the possibility to withdraw cash from ATM’s.
If you choose to leave gratuity for the crew, the amount that you authorize will be charged to the shipboard account. This account can be activated with a major credit card. Be sure to contact your credit card regarding provider regarding use of your credit cards overseas. Any questions regarding the bill can be addressed by the ship’s hotel manager.
Following international standards in the service industry, it is customary to leave gratuity for the ship’s crew at the end of the voyage. All gratuities will be divided among the crew. Typically, a recommended amount is approximately 13.5 USD per person per day. Gratuity is, of course, not required and any gratuity payments are voluntary.If you choose to leave gratuity for the crew, the amount that you authorize will be charged to the shipboard account.
The dress code on board is casual. Ties, jackets and evening dresses you may leave at home. It is rather more important to wear the right clothes in order to adapt to the different weather conditions. We recommend comfortable, breathable, waterproof and windproof clothing. Also, you should have a pair of gloves, thermal underwear and sturdy footwear in your luggage. For the captains and farewell cocktail, we recommend a smart casual dress style.For specific packing recommendations, refer to the specific itinerary of interest.
As a tour operator for cruises in the Polar Regions, which are some of the world’s most pristine environments, we extremely emphasize environmental awareness as well as sustainability. One of our top priorities is to protect the environment and minimize our CO2-emissions. All waste will remain onboard the vessel until we return to shore and it’s possible to dispose of waste.We ask that you show a deep respect for the unique nature and act according to the motto: leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but memories.
Keep in mind, we will be cruising in a very remote region of the world. Where accessible, internet access is available for an extra charge. Mobile phone reception may be possible in select regions along our route. For further details please contact your mobile phone operator. Prices can be found in the information folder in your state room. Please ensure that your ‘Data Roaming’ function is switched off.
The official language aboard our vessels is English; however, our expedition leaders and crew are knowledgeable in a variety of languages. If there is a large group, who desires communication in their own language, we will make special arrangements to accommodate their needs.
Each passenger is responsible for ensuring that he/she meets the applicable passport and visa requirements for the duration of the trip. The passport is the only valid proof of identity for all trips with the Ocean Albatros. Your passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months after arriving home from your destination. Although some countries may require shorter periods, we implement this 6-month prerequisite to avoid situations where a country’s validity requirements may be amended between the time of your booking and departure. The name in your passport must be identical to the name in all travel documentation. Costs incurred due to insufficient travel documents are the responsibility of the passenger.
Please note that passports will be collected for clearing formalities at the beginning of the voyage. The passports will be kept safely by the crew during the whole voyage and will be handed out on the last day. We therefore recommend preparing copies of all documents before tour start.
The daily office hours of the board reception are from 06:00 until 23:00.
The selection of items available for purchase varies by ship, and may include a range of warm and practical clothing, as well as souvenirs, local arts and postcards at reasonable prices. A small selection of soap, toothpaste and other personal effects are also sold.
Each of our vessels has a small medical facility equipped with the necessary equipment and medicine to handle small emergencies. The infirmary is always staffed by a professionally licensed, English-speaking physician and nurse. Should a serious incident occur, the nearest hospital will be contacted. All guests must have personal travel/health insurance.
Although we do not have an official requirement regarding personal fitness, you should be able to move on board and ashore without the help of others. Please be aware that the ship does not provide wheelchair accessible state rooms.
Due to safety reasons a cruise is only possible for pregnant women until the 24th week of pregnancy. The state of pregnancy must be presented by a medical certificate.
Our ships comply with all safety regulations and are ice-class vessels suitable for sailing in polar environments. Upon arrival to the vessel, there will be a mandatory passenger briefing and safety drill before departure. We will provide security information, practical details regarding life onboard and introduce key personnel. You will be informed where the safety equipment is located and how it is used. Each state room is equipped with lifejackets. Once onboard, please familiarize yourself with the ship’s emergency rescue plan.
Guests with physical disabilities are recommended to travel with an accompanying person. The processes on board should be handled without external help. The gangway can be – depending on the individual disability – a challenge. The angle of inclination of the gangway varies due to tide and different circumstances in the respective port. Please note that the guest’s participation in shore excursions as well as the (dis-)embarkation by Zodiac can be denied by the expedition leader due to security reasons. The instructions of the expedition leader must be followed. The ship is not suitable for wheelchairs.
The ship is equipped with stabilizers in order to reduce the ship’s roll. However, these expeditions are hosted in remote regions, and it is possible to periodically encounter changing environments and climate patterns, including rough seas and large swells. Seasickness patches (Scopoderm or similar) work solely or in part to help cure nausea for most people. These medicines can cause sleepiness. If you are prone to motion sickness, consult with your doctor prior to departure to help ensure your comfort while travelling.
For safety reasons and to protect the health of our guests and employees, smoking is only allowed in designated areas on the outside decks. Smoking is not permitted inside the vessel, in the stateroom or near the Zodiacs. Please remember to respect our natural environments and dispose of cigarette butts in designated bins.
All meals on board the vessel is chef-prepared. If you have special dietary requirements (food allergies, intolerances, health conditions or religious preferences), please inform us as early as possible – ideally, no later than 2 weeks before departure. In order to ensure efficient service, please re-confirm your requirements with the crew upon boarding the ship.
The ship has a 220v / 50 Hz cycle system. Please check your appliances before use. 110-volt appliances require an adapter prior to use aboard the ship. The electrical outlets on board Ocean Albatros are the so called ‘F-type sockets’, round 2-pin, 220-240 V, grounded, used in continental Europe and Russia. They take C, E, and F-type 2-pin plugs.
There are several water stations onboard Ocean Albatros. Normally, water is not rationed, but we do advise our guests to pay attention to their water consumption.
If you wish to have some laundry done while aboard the ship, laundry service is available for an additional fee.
The Expedition Leader will conduct regularly scheduled briefings to highlight key points in the itinerary, organize excursions and communicate important information.
Due to safety precautions, children under 12 years of age will be taken into consideration on each landing. It is entirely at the Expedition Leader’s discretion to permit children on excursions and shore landings.
As this is an expedition cruise to the world’s most remote region, we are at the mercy of Mother Nature. We have planned itineraries for each tour package, but to ensure to safety of our guests and crew, we may be forced to change the route.
When ashore, it is very important to show a deep respect for the unique nature and act according to the motto: leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but memories. We also ask that you remain together with your group, as we are truly in the wild and must remain extra vigilant of the wildlife and weather conditions around us. Walking around independently is strictly prohibited. It is essential to abide the strictly communicated safety rules
Destinations : Miami - Lima - Cusco - Machu Pichu -Sacred Valley – Lake Titicaca - Lima - Miami
Destinations : Miami - Guayaquil - Galapagos Island - Galapagos - Quito - Miami
Destinations : Miami - Rio De Janeiro - Buenos Aires - Iguazu Falls - Iguassu Falls - Miami
Destinations : Miami – Lima – Puerto Maldonado - Tombapato - Ica – Nazca Line - Cusco - Machu Pichu - Sacred Valley - Lake Titicaca - Miami
Destinations : Miami - Guayaquil - Galapagos Island - Galapagos - Quito - Miami
Destinations : Miami - Buenos Aires – Iguazu Falls - Iguassu Falls – Lima - Cusco - Machu Pichu - Sacred Valley - Lake Titicaca - Puno – Lima - Miami
Destinations : Miami - Panama – Chagre National Park - Monkey Island – San Jose - Arenal National Park - Monteverde - Manuel Antonio National Park - Miami
Destinations : Miami - Guayaquil - Galapagos Island - Galapagos - Quito - Lima - Cusco - Machu Pichu- Sacred Valley- Lake Titicaca - Puno – Lima- Miami
Destinations : Miami - Rio De Janeiro - Buenos Aires - Iguazu Falls - Iguassu Falls - Miami
Destinations : Miami - Rio De Janeiro – Lima – Puerto Maldonado - Tombapato – Puerto Maldonado - Ica – Nasca Line - Cusco – Machu Pichu - Sacred Valley - Lake Titicaca - Puno – Lima - Miami
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