Plancius — In-Depth Antarctic Peninsula Route — Base Camp — Free Camping, Kayaking, Snowshoeing/Hiking, Mountaineering, Photography, and More (13 Days, 12 Nights)

Please note:

All itineraries are for reference only. Activities may vary depending on ice, weather, and wildlife conditions. In accordance with IAATO regulations, landings are subject to site availability, permits, and environmental concerns. The official sailing plan and landing schedule are coordinated with IAATO before the start of the season, but the final plan is determined by the expedition leader. Flexibility is essential on an expedition cruise. Our ships’ average cruising speed is 10.5 knots.

The Antarctic Peninsula Basecamp Cruise offers many ways to explore and enjoy the Antarctic region. This expedition lets you hike, snowshoe, kayak, mountaineer, and even camp beneath the Antarctic sky.

Included:

Sail aboard the designated ship as shown in the itinerary.

All meals on board, including snacks, coffee and tea.

Zodiac boats for all shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage.

A program of lectures by renowned naturalists and guidance from experienced expedition staff.

Complimentary use of rubber boots and snowshoes.

Transfers and luggage handling between the airport, hotel, and ship are available only to passengers on group flights to and from Ushuaia.

All miscellaneous service taxes and port fees throughout the program.

AECO fees and government taxes.

Comprehensive pre-departure information.

Not included:

Any air tickets, whether for scheduled or charter flights. Passengers must book their own round-trip tickets; a tour leader will meet and transfer them at the airport.

Arrangements before embarkation and after disembarkation.

Passport and visa fees.

Government arrival and departure taxes.

Shore meals.

Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (required).

Excess baggage fees and all personal expenses, such as laundry, bar purchases, beverages and telecommunications.

Tips for the onboard butler and other service staff at the end of the voyage (guidance will be provided).

Cancellation policy:

If a customer needs to cancel a booking for any reason, the cruise operator is entitled under the agreement to charge a cancellation fee. Details are as follows:

90 days or more before departure: the cancellation fee is 20% of the total amount;

From 89 days to and including 60 days before departure: the cancellation fee is 50% of the total amount;

From 59 days before departure through the departure date: the cancellation fee is 100% of the total amount.

If flights or hotel accommodation have been booked on your behalf:

Non-refundable and non-changeable: the penalty is 100% of the total amount;

Changes and cancellations: handled according to the airline and hotel policies;

Itinerary changes:

This will be considered a cancellation, and the cruise operator will handle it in accordance with the contract termination terms.

Changes and cancellation policy

Tour Information

I. Registration Process and Important Notes

Anyone booking through this website must carefully read all the terms published on our company website and in the booking confirmation and tour information notice. By submitting an order, you confirm that you have read and fully agree to the terms published by our company. If any member of your party violates the rules specified in these terms, they will be responsible for all resulting consequences.

1. Please ensure that each traveler’s passport is valid for at least six months after the end of the trip. Infant travelers also need a passport. For itineraries that require a visa, please prepare the appropriate visa. A multiple-entry Schengen visa is required for travel within the Schengen Area.

2. Travelers departing from within China must arrive in the departure port city at least one day before the cruise sails. Travelers departing from Europe must arrive in the departure port city at least 6 hours in advance. Otherwise, if you miss the cruise, you will need to make your own way to the next port to board.

3. Please make sure you understand the product’s cancellation and change policy before booking. Contact customer service if you have any questions.

4. Please make sure to confirm the health of all passengers boarding the ship. Passengers with chronic illnesses, elderly passengers, pregnant passengers beyond 23 weeks of pregnancy, and infants under 6 months of age are not permitted to board.

5. After your booking is confirmed, we will send you a confirmation from the cruise line. Please refer to the information in the cruise line’s confirmation!

6. When registering, first complete the registration form on the website. Carefully fill in and check all details, including names, gender, ID/passport numbers, contact details, required room type, and pick-up/drop-off points. Our company accepts no responsibility for any losses resulting from incorrect information entered by the registrant;

7. The prices displayed on the official website are for reference only. After your booking is successful, you will receive an online registration confirmation. Our staff will email you a booking confirmation within 24 hours. Please refer to the email for the final price and details.

8. Tour members must ensure that all information provided for the tour is accurate, especially personal ID details and contact telephone numbers. Tour members are responsible for all consequences resulting from incorrect information they provide (for example, being unable to cross a border because personal ID documents have expired, the name on an ID document does not match the name used to book the ticket, or the visa type does not meet the relevant country’s entry requirements; or staff being unable to contact a tour member because the mobile number provided is incorrect). Any resulting costs, including personal return travel, transportation, and travel expenses, must be borne by the tour member.

9. Please do not book any flights or other transport tickets related to the tour itinerary before your cruise ticket is confirmed. If you book flights or other transport tickets related to the itinerary at your own discretion but are ultimately unable to complete the booking, you will be responsible for all losses.

2. Preparations Before Departure:

Items to bring:

※ Important: To facilitate customs inspections when crossing borders, keep your passport, ID card, and other documents with you. Do not put them in your luggage!

1. Documents

(1) Passport: Must be valid for at least 6 months after the disembarkation date. European travel document requirements: a national ID card from a Schengen country; or a Chinese passport plus a valid Schengen residence permit (the names on both documents must have identical pinyin spellings); or a Chinese passport plus a multiple-entry Schengen visa.

(2) A valid identity document matching the traveler’s nationality.

(3) Emergency contact number and itinerary: request before departure.

2. Valuables

(1) Cash: euros or an internationally accepted currency (US dollars).

(2) International credit card (VISA or MASTER), preferably a dual-currency card. You can link your credit card directly to your cabin card for faster checkout.

3. Clothing

Light casual clothing: Bring as needed

Formal wear: At least 1 outfit recommended (formal attire is required for the Captain's Dinner)

Shawl or wrap: provides sun protection and keeps you warm in air-conditioned indoor spaces or on buses.

Slippers, casual shoes, swimsuit: Slippers are generally not provided in cabins. Appropriate attire is required to use facilities such as the pool, spa, and gym.

4. Miscellaneous items:

Passengers should bring their own personal items, such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, body wash, razor and hairbrush. These items are not provided on board.

Sunscreen: For sun protection

Medications: Bring personal-use remedies for digestive issues and colds, bandages, etc. Motion sickness medication is provided free of charge on board.

Plug adapter: The ship has European-style sockets (two round holes) and American-style sockets (three flat pins in a triangular arrangement, compatible with domestic two-flat-pin plugs). Rated voltage: 110–220 V AC.

Rain gear: Bring as needed

Insulated cups and tea: may be brought according to personal needs

Cruise luggage is generally limited to 90 kg per person, so exceeding the limit is rare. We recommend keeping valuables and fragile items with you.

Cruise ships do not impose strict restrictions on liquids in luggage. Regular toiletries, cosmetics, and perfume are permitted.

Everyday items that can be carried on board or checked in include power banks and selfie sticks.

Please note that drones, self-balancing scooters, skateboards, inline skates, roller skates, and similar items are not permitted. In rare exceptional cases, approval must be requested from the cruise company; the company's final decision will apply.

3. To help ensure a smooth trip, please check that your luggage does not contain any items prohibited on the cruise:

╳ No food or beverages may be brought aboard, including meat, poultry, fruit, sealed canned or boxed foods, carbonated drinks, mineral water, tea, milk, yogurt, juice, and alcoholic beverages. Passengers traveling with infants may bring some infant supplies and food.

╳ Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages may not be brought aboard for consumption or any other purpose. Alcoholic beverages purchased at the terminal or in shops aboard the ship will be held by the cruise line and delivered to your cabin on the final day of the voyage (for passengers on consecutive cruises, alcoholic beverages they purchase will be returned the day before disembarkation from the final cruise). Alcoholic beverages brought aboard on embarkation day (such as baijiu, rice wine, or beer) will not be returned if discovered.

In addition, some items are generally prohibited from being brought across borders: all kinds of weapons and imitation weapons; counterfeit currency; printed matter, film, photographs, records, movies, audio tapes, video tapes, and other materials harmful to China's politics, economy, culture, or morality; drugs and poisons; animals, plants, seeds, and propagation materials; and cultural relics.

Items that are also restricted: controlled knives; precious metals; organisms, microorganisms, blood and blood products; and other such items. If you must carry restricted import or export items for special reasons, you must declare them to Customs and obtain approval. The specific declared value is subject to confirmation by the relevant authorities.

To protect your interests as much as possible, please read our Booking Notes and Terms of Liability carefully. This document contains important information that our company wishes to bring to the attention of tour members traveling overseas, and, together with our Important Safety Information for Overseas Travel and Other Notes, forms part of the travel contract. We reserve all rights to interpret the content of this website.

IV. Booking Restrictions (complete or amend this section according to the specific cruise line's requirements)

1. Pregnant travelers must disclose their pregnancy when booking. As a general rule, travelers who are more than 24 weeks pregnant are not advised to join the tour. Those who choose to book must be accompanied by a family member and complete a “Disclaimer,” and our company reserves the right to refuse them at its discretion. Travelers who are less than 24 weeks pregnant and choose to book must also be accompanied by a family member and complete a “Tour Participation Declaration.” However, we will provide a certificate confirming permission to board. The company reserves the right to refuse participation at its discretion. Travelers are responsible for all consequences arising during the trip from their own actions.

2. According to cruise line regulations, infants traveling on a cruise must be at least 6 months old on the day the cruise departs.

3. Cruise line regulations define passengers under 18 as minors. If a minor is not traveling aboard with their parents, the following documents must be provided:

1) A notarized certificate, with legal effect, proving the relationship between the parents and their child (in Chinese and English);

2) Copies of the parents’ passports (the page showing the photo and name);

3) The parents must complete an “Authorization Letter.” Please print the attached document, sign it, and bring it with you;

4) Photocopies of both sides of the parents’ ID cards;

5) A photocopy of the minor’s birth certificate.

Minors must carry all of the above documents with them and present them when checking in to board. Otherwise, the cruise line may refuse to let them board.

4. Booking information for senior travelers:

Travelers over 70 years of age must be accompanied by a family member and complete the “Group Tour Declaration” to join the tour. If a traveler insists on joining without a family member, our company reserves the right to refuse the booking depending on the circumstances. Travelers are responsible for all consequences arising during the trip from their own actions. Due to limitations in our service capacity, we cannot accept bookings from travelers aged 80 or over. Thank you for your understanding.

5. Booking information for minor travelers:

Travelers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by at least one adult, who must act as their guardian and be responsible for their safety. Any consequences arising during the trip from the minor’s own actions or from inadequate supervision by their accompanying adult are the responsibility of the traveler. Due to service limitations, travelers under 18 cannot register to travel alone. Thank you for your understanding.

5. Passenger Responsibilities

1. Tour participants must not engage in illegal activities during the trip.

2. When exercising their rights, group members must not harm the interests of the state, society or the collective, or the lawful rights and interests of others.

3. Observe public order and respect social etiquette. Tour members should respect the dignity of tourism service staff, show mutual respect and assist one another, and respect local ethnic customs and traditions. Do not deface landscapes or buildings, spit, litter, or engage in other uncivilized behavior.

4. Make an effort to learn what you need to know for your trip and strengthen your awareness of personal safety. Tour members may choose and purchase personal accident travel insurance and other insurance at their own discretion. During the trip, keep your luggage and belongings safe, and carry valuables with you or take other protective measures.

5. When traveling, pay attention to the local weather and take care to keep children safe.

6. If a traveler voluntarily takes part in hazardous activities included in a regular tour itinerary, such as rock climbing, mountaineering, rafting, scuba diving, or bungee jumping, which may cause personal injury, the traveler shall be solely responsible for any resulting disputes, property loss, or personal injury, and our company shall bear no liability.

6. Overseas Travel Safety Guidelines and Other Important Notes

To protect your interests as much as possible, please read our Important Safety Information for Overseas Travel and Other Notes carefully. This document contains important information that our company wishes to bring to the attention of tour members traveling overseas, and, together with our Booking Notes and Terms of Liability, forms part of the travel contract.

(1) Helpful tips

(1) Please board the ship on time at the date and place specified in your travel notice. Passengers who miss the ship must bear the associated responsibility themselves.

(2) Shore excursions at each port of call may be adjusted according to weather conditions. The final itinerary confirmed by the ship will apply.

(3) After the cruise ship docks, if you go ashore independently, you may return to the ship for meals or arrange your own. If you join a shore excursion, whether meals are included depends on the excursion you choose. If meals are not included, you may return to the ship for a meal or arrange your own according to the circumstances; meal costs are non-refundable.

(4) For further important information about the cruise, please read the pre-departure notice and travel information carefully.

(5) If you plan to take a shore excursion, spaces are limited, so please sign up at the service desk as soon as possible after boarding.

(6) Smoking is permitted only in designated smoking areas. For safety reasons, please do not smoke in your room.

(7) Formal attire is required for the Captain's Dinner, so please prepare at least one formal outfit.

(8) Seas in the areas you will travel through can sometimes be rough, which may cause seasickness or other discomfort. We recommend bringing medication to prevent motion sickness.

(9) According to the cruise line’s regulations, guests traveling on a Mediterranean cruise must strictly comply with the cruise line’s conditions of carriage. Please read them carefully. You are responsible for any consequences arising from failure to comply with these conditions.

(II) Other Information and Precautions

1. Please comply with local laws and regulations.

2. Please be sure to carry the relevant documents and a valid passport with you.

3. Before taking part in any higher-risk activities, assess your personal health and ability, and follow the relevant safety instructions, such as wearing a life jacket, fastening a safety harness, and wearing suitable or designated clothing. We strongly advise tour members to avoid these activities during free time on the trip. If a tour member insists on participating, they do so at their own risk.

4. Do not participate in entertainment activities that may be illegal.

5. Observe and take all warnings seriously, such as not wandering around or feeding animals in a wildlife park.

6. When visiting areas with poor public security, be especially vigilant and avoid going out alone.