Antarctic classics on the ice class expedition vessel Minerva

Usually, you need to check your luggage at the hotel before a certain time, get the final information on the charter flight, etc.

The welcome desk service is usually open until 18:00 or 19:00, so participants arriving on evening flights may miss important information.

Recommended checklist: 

• Shoes and clothes for the cities where your cruise begins and ends;
• Waterproof trousers;
• Wool sweater or fleece jacket;
• A vest or sweatshirt;
• Thermal underwear (2 sets);
• Turtleneck and shirt;
• A few T-shirts;
• Jeans or other comfortable trousers;
• Sportswear for on-board sports;
• Bathing clothes for visiting the Spa and pool on board;
• Mittens, waterproof gloves and glove liners (2 pairs);
• Warm windproof hat;
• A warm shirt front or scarf;
• Balaclava;
• Warm socks (several pairs);
• Optional travel foam hob for comfortable riding on the Zodiac;
• Running shoes or comfortable boots that will make you feel comfortable on board;
• Sunglasses with UV protection;
• Sunscreen for face and lips, hand cream;
• Camera, additional memory cards and flash drives, replaceable batteries and lenses;
• Laptop or tablet for taking notes and uploading photos;
• Chargers for appliances, adapters, power bank;
• Waterproof sealed case for camera and other equipment;
• An additional pair of eyeglasses or an additional set of contact lenses.
• Medical supplies prescribed by a doctor with a few extra days to spare;
• Documents.

Be sure to bring a waterproof backpack with you, it will be useful for landings to protect your camera and the things you want to take ashore from the water. Also, make sure that the camera and other equipment in the backpack are packed in a waterproof case. 

Being left without photos due to the camera getting wet is a big disappointment. 

For environmental reasons, it is recommended to purchase backpacks without mesh inserts, and it is not recommended to use plastic bags to protect electronic devices from moisture. 

Disembarkation on the coast of South Georgia with plastic bags is completely prohibited. 

Sunglasses are useful to protect your eyes from the sun. The glasses should be made of plastic, not metal. 

We also recommend taking a high-SPF face sunscreen, hand moisturizer, and lip balm. 

In Antarctica, the sun's rays are reflected from water, snow and ice even in cloudy weather, so it is better to apply the cream at every landing, regardless of weather conditions. 

In addition to the medications prescribed by your doctor, you may need motion sickness pills. We recommend taking all medications with a few days' supply.

at the reception, remedies for motion sickness are always available for guests. 

Don't forget to bring chargers for all the equipment you take on board. Adapters for sockets will not be required, the mains voltage on board is 220 V. 

We also recommend taking replacement batteries and additional memory cards for the camera.

Swan Hellenic Expeditions parks will be waiting in the cabin on the first day of the cruise. Your cruise manager will check your size in advance. We strongly recommend choosing a parka size with a small margin so that you can move comfortably in it.

The parka consists of two jackets: an inner insulated jacket, an outer membrane windproof and waterproof, they can be combined or worn separately for comfort in any temperature regime; 3M Finetex Taslan 330D membrane; water resistance 5000 mm; breathability 5000 ml/g; high collar protects neck and face even with the hood down;

The elongated cuffs are fixed over the gloves with two adjustable fasteners that replace Velcro fasteners to meet biosafety requirements; an elongated back for comfortable sitting in the Zodiac; an adjustable hood with a microfibre lining for extra warmth and a visor for optimal visibility in all conditions.

For comfort and safety, it is important not to get wet.

The reason for getting wet may be precipitation, splashes of seawater when moving on the Zodiac, or condensation of moisture under clothing. The Swan Hellenic park protects you from wind and water, but what should you wear under it? 

When choosing clothes, pay attention to the material – wool, silk and fleece (polar fleece) retain heat better than cotton. The material should be "breathable", this will prevent condensation of moisture inside the parka.

Waterproof trousers for boating and land-based walks are a must-have item from the list of things. Your ski pants can perfectly fulfill their role. Wear them over regular trousers or thermal underwear. 

Gore-Tex and similar fabrics are preferred — they are both waterproof and breathable.

The secret of heat preservation is layering.

Layering is one of the most important principles of choosing clothes for Antarctic expeditions. It's better to wear a few light clothes than one very warm one. You can always remove a layer of clothing if it gets hot, or put it back on if it gets cool. 

We recommend choosing loose-fitting clothes that, unlike tight-fitting ones, leave room for an airy layer. This will provide additional isolation of body temperature. When choosing outerwear, it is better to give preference to synthetic materials, they keep their shape well and deform less. And the polystyrene lining is a better insulator than natural fluff.

Footwear.

For excursions and landings during the expedition, you will be provided with special Muck Boots. Woolen or insulated socks will be a good addition to rubber boots. Be sure to bring a few pairs of warm socks with you. 

When choosing a material, focus on quality and composition (merino wool, nylon, organic fibers), not thickness. The most suitable options can be found in specialized travel stores.

Hat and gloves.

During the expedition, the head must be kept warm. Choose warm windproof hats that cover your head and ears. To protect the neck and chin, a collar-front scarf is best suited, it is more effective and less voluminous than a regular scarf. For additional protection, you can take a balaclava with you. 

It is also important to keep your feet and hands warm at all times. Try to keep them dry. A great solution would be to take mittens, ski waterproof gloves and insulated gloves to be prepared for weather changes.

The temperature on the Antarctic Peninsula ranges from -2 °C to 5 °C. It can be much colder in the Ross Sea, with temperatures dropping to -20 °C. Prepare for a temperature of -5 °C, but with a cold wind, the temperature will feel lower.

Swan Restaurant is an elegant restaurant with impressive panoramic windows, where, under the guidance of a chef, with an emphasis on seasonal products from local farmers and fishermen, the delights of modern and traditional cuisine are created. 

The abundance of wood and warm natural materials, as well as changes in lighting and table setting, transform daytime everyday comfort into a refined place for dinner in the evening. A diet, vegetarian, and gluten-free menu is available. 

Chef's Table – private dinners at the main Swan Restaurant. Accompanied by an individually selected wine collection, guests are offered exclusive dishes created with the participation of Michelin chefs Andrea Ribaldone and Sang Keun Oh and brought to life by Chef Joerg Lehmann. Each glass served with a new course of dishes is complemented by detailed sommelier comments. Private dinners are available for an additional fee and require prior reservation. 

The Club Lounge is a bright and welcoming lounge, an ideal place for socializing and meeting with friends, equipped with cozy armchairs and a holographic fireplace. It serves pizza from a special Italian oven and traditional tapas. The Club Lounge is also the perfect place to complement the sunset with the vibrant taste and aroma of the nightly Gin O'clock. Fresh pastries, light snacks and a 24-hour self-service buffet. 

The cozy cafe serves espresso, latte, cappuccino and specialty tea drinks. A glass of wine or a cocktail can be ordered here throughout the day and until late at night.

The pool grill bar is an ideal place to enjoy not only the gastronomic component — dishes created from local fresh seasonal products and aromatic wines, but also the changing landscapes of the cities and countries from which they were brought.

Cabin service allows you to place an order at any time of the day according to a specially designed menu with delivery to the cabin, which features international cuisine.

The description of the route program is the general plan of the expedition. The route may change under the influence of external factors: weather, ice conditions, and other conditions.

Flights from/to Buenos Aires are not included in the price of the tour. You can purchase them yourself or contact us for help.