Life Onboard

DAILY ITINERARY:
The nature of expedition travel means that your Expedition Leader will be guided by factors like weather when preparing each day’s schedule. While we make every effort to adhere to published itineraries, we cannot guarantee any specific excursion and all announced plans are subject to change. Keep in mind that unplanned changes frequently turn out to be the highlights of the trip. You will have a more enjoyable voyage if you are open to these unexpected experiences.

DAILY PROGRAM:
Each evening, the Expedition Leader and Captain, through their background and experience, will fine tune the following days’ itinerary.   Once finalized, this itinerary will be posted outside each passenger cabin.  This itinerary will include shore excursions, lectures, mealtimes and other shipboard activities.  All items are subject to change due to weather.

Please note that the itinerary in the brochure is meant as only a guide to the region we will visit.  Weather will play a large part in the precise locations of our land and Zodiac excursions.  Sometimes, we discover new landing places that have not been visited before, adding the element of exploration to our trip.

Your Expedition Leader will schedule briefing meetings as needed to update you on weather, and upcoming destinations.

As part of the daily itinerary there is the daily recap.  So much of what you will encounter on your adventure will be new and there is no way to predict what delights Mother Nature will put before you on any given day.  These informal recap sessions, usually prior to dinner, will allow passengers and staff to discuss the events of the day.  As everyone shares his or her experiences the conversation is entertaining and exceptionally informative.

TIME ASHORE:
Although we like to go to shore as often as possible, much depends on factors like the weather and the distance between destinations.

With conservation being of primary concern, there are guidelines that must be followed to protect the wildlife and environment we encounter.  Your Expedition Leader will conduct an onboard briefing about these issues.  Please also refer to the IAATO Guidelines outlined in this booklet.

YOUR FELLOW TRAVELERS:
Our passengers come from countries all around the world.  These travelers are adventurous by nature and enjoy the challenge of visiting and learning about the more remote regions of our planet.  They may range in years from their 20’s to their 80’s – with most being 45-65 and they almost always have a youthful spirit and a sense of excitement about new destinations.  Since the ship is relatively small and the experiences you will share are memorable, strong friendships are often formed in a short time.

ONBOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS:
There is frequently a need for staff and officers of the ship to communicate with passengers.  Announcements regarding items like daily itinerary, wildlife sightings, and weather changes are conveyed over the Public Address System.  Please be sure to pay attention to these brief announcements as they may contain information that is important for your safety and enjoyment on the cruise.  The ship’s language is English and there may be times that announcements are also translated into other languages and we request that you remain quiet so that everyone has the opportunity to hear the information.

MONEY MATTERS:
The standard currency onboard the M/V Polar Star is US Dollars.  Upon boarding the ship, an account will automatically be opened for you.  This account is used for all charges relating to telephone/fax/email communications, laundry, postage, bar (alcohol, bottled water and soda), gift shop and gratuities (optional).  Please see below for details on these items.

At the end of the cruise, you will receive an invoice of your accumulated charges.  This invoice must be paid prior to disembarkation and payments can be made by Visa, MasterCard, Traveler’s checks or US Cash.  We cannot accept personal checks.  If you prefer to have a separate account from your cabin-mate please notify the Hotel Manager.

COMMUNICATIONS:
Telephone/fax/email communications:
The ship is equipped with satellite and iridium telephone, fax and email capabilities.  Your final trip documents will include information on how family and friends can contact the ship.

Telephone:
All incoming calls to the ship come into the Bridge and will be answered by the Communications Officer.  The standard procedure is that he/she will request that the caller re-place the call at a predetermined time so that you can be paged and on the Bridge when the second call comes through.  If you wish to place a call please visit the Bridge and the Communications Officer will be pleased to assist.  Please note that although calls to and from the ship are usually reliable they are expensive at approx. US$4.00 per minute (rates subject to change without prior notice).  If making a call from the ship please check with the Communications Officer to determine the local time at the location you are calling.

Fax:
The fax is located on the Bridge and all incoming faxes will be picked up and distributed by the Communications Officer.  If you wish to send a fax, please visit the Bridge and the Communications Officer will be pleased to assist.  Again, these are usually reliable but expensive at US$4.00 per minute (rate subject to change without prior notice).

Emails:
You have the opportunity of setting up a personal email account (US$10 set up charge) for your time onboard.  This will allow you to send and receive emails at anytime by using the public computer outside the library.  If you prefer not to set up your own personal email account you can still send and receive emails with the assistance of the Hotel Manager and/or Communications Officer.  Standard sized emails can be sent and received at an approx. rate of US$3.00 per email (rate subject to change without prior notice).  Please note that attachments are not permitted.  If you wish to send an email, please speak to the Hotel Manager and he/she will provide details on the procedures. Internet access is not available.

There are certain latitudes where such communications may not be available.

LAUNDRY:
Laundry service is available through your cabin services.  Each cabin is supplied with laundry bags and forms.  Bags will be collected every morning, with clean items returned within 48 hours.  Dry cleaning is not available.  The approximate rates on laundry items range from .50 cents for socks to US$5.00 for a jacket (rates subject to change without prior notice).

MAIL:
You may send mail from the ship.  Please put your name and cabin number on the upper right-hand corner of each card or letter and drop off at Reception.  There is a post office located at Port Lockroy (not included in all itineraries) where you can mail a letter or postcard from the Antarctic but keep in mind that delivery can be slow and sometimes unreliable.  Passengers frequently arrive home before the cards they have mailed!  Rates vary depending on the size and destination of the item.  Please check with the Hotel Manager for current rates.  Postage will be charged to your shipboard account.

BAR CHARGES:
Our ships’ chandlers import all drinks and try to keep prices at a reasonable level.  Here is a sample of approximate prices:
Bottled water – US$2.00 per bottle
Soda – US$2.00 per can
Beer – US$5.00 per can/bottle
Wine – US$5.00 – US$6.00 per glass
Spirits – US$5.00 – US$6.00 per drink

The above rates are approximate and subject to change without prior notice.  Current rates for all of the above will be posted onboard.

GRATUITIES:
To simplify the tipping process, gratuities are made as a blanket contribution at the end of the voyage by each individual (optional) and then divided among the Officers/Crew, Hotel Staff and Expedition Staff.

Tipping is a personal matter and you are encouraged to use your discretion as to the amount you contribute.  The generally accepted guideline is US$12 per passenger, per day.  Gratuities can be charged to your shipboard account if you are paying by credit card, paid in cash to the Hotel Manager or you may use the locked drop-box outside the Reception area.

ENGINE ROOM VISITS:
Time permitting, we will offer guided engine room tours during the voyage.  This will give you a greater understanding of the operations and power of the ship.

TIME ONBOARD:
We use a 24-hour clock onboard.  Hours are numbered from 1 to 24.  Therefore, if a lecture is scheduled for 3:30pm, the daily program will list it at 1530.

VALUABLES:
There is a safe deposit box in the Ship’s Office for any valuables.

CLIMATE ONBOARD:
Most of the cabins have windows that can be opened for fresh air.  Because of the changeability of the weather, please do not leave windows open when you leave your cabin.  Please note that while we are crossing the Drake Passage we may install “dead lights” (window covers) over the windows of all Deck 3 cabins if weather dictates that this is prudent.  This is to ensure your safety.  You can control the warm airflow into your cabin by adjusting the valve.  This ship is comfortably warm but you may still wish to dress in layers.