Contact
Postal address:
Rederij Bark EUROPA
P.O. Box 23183
NL-3001 KD Rotterdam
The Netherlands
Email: info@barkeuropa.com
Tel.:
Fax: +31 10-281 0991
Packing list What to bring to Antarctica
Antarctica – Recommended packing check list
Luggage
Suitcases take up a lot of space in your cabin and cannot be stowed, so we ask you only to use sturdy but soft luggage bags.
Baggage Allowance and Recommendations
To avoid excess baggage charges on international and domestic flights, check with your ticketing agent about luggage restrictions. In general, you are allowed two normal-sized pieces of luggage per person and one carry-on bag.
Luggage labels
Please make sure that you luggage is clearly labelled with your name and destination on the outside of your luggage and also put a second label or big piece of paper inside your luggage with detailed information. Also mention the ship’s Argentine phone number and name.
A small rucksack (daypack) or shoulder bag is handy for walks ashore to store your gear . Waterproof if possible or put your kit in an inner bag that is waterproof and sealed.
Documents
Bring vital documents in your carry on luggage but keep photocopies in your luggage.
Passport For a number of nationalities your passport has to be valid for at least 6 months at the moment you enter Argentina. Please check the requirements for your own nationality.
Visa It is important that you check with your own embassy for visa requirements pertaining to each country. For a number of nationalities no visa is required for a stay of maximum 90 days. Please check the requirements for your own nationality.
Certificates of medical and travel insurance.
Phone number of the Europa in case of delay on the day of embarkation (please check final voyage information send to you 2 weeks before departure).
A Printout of email-addresses and telephone-numbers of loved ones at home. (See communication)
Money
ATM card, cash money, credit card. Ushuaia has several ATM’s for Argentine Pesos. There’s also an exchange office on the main street San Martin.
On board you can pay (your bar bill & souvenirs at the end of the trip) with Argentine Pesos, Euros or USD. We do not accept credit cards. Souvenirs/ postcards at one of the bases we visit can be bought with Euros or USD
Cash on board
At sea you cannot spend a lot of money. We de recommend however to bring around EUR 300,- cash on board with you to pay for your bar bill at the end of the voyage (depending on your habits this amount should be more than enough as we charge normal prices for soda's and alcoholics). This should also be more than enough to pay for the occasioal souvenir on one of the Antarctic research stations.
Clothing
On board and ashore it is common to wear casual clothing. Although it is summer and it is probably not as cold as you might think (on average about 1° C.), it is the wind chill, hail and snow you are dealing with. Staying warm, dry and comfortable will allow you to maximize the enjoyment of your experience.
Layering for warmth is the best approach. Loose layers will trap a film of insulating air. If you plan to be outside in windy or rainy conditions, we recommend thermal, long sleeve shirt, sweater/fleece and waterproof (not water-resistant) windbreaker and rain pants.
Wind en watertight gear. Sailing jackets with high collar are great, but it is even more important that it is waterproof. It is not necessary to buy the most expensive gear
Rubber boots are necessary on virtually all landings: for getting ashore out of the zodiac trough ankle deep icy water, walking through snow and sometimes on deck during the crossing. You will be wearing these daily so they should be comfortable for longer wear and walking. If they are too tight they will give you cold feet, space for 2 socks is great. We recommend simple rubber boots with a shaft of at least 28 cm high with soft (for better grip on deck) non-slippery heavily ridged/waffled soles. Yachting/sailing boots don’t offer enough grip ashore on snow, ice and mud, better opt for Wellingtons/farmers boots. You can find these at farm/fishing co-op stores, work clothing stores and garden shops between 20 to 60 Euros
Thermal underwear. Preferably synthetic (polypropylene) or wool /wool blend (outdoor store)
Cotton is not the best fabric as it keeps the moisture next to your skin
Fleece or wool sweaters.
Waterproof gloves/mittens 2 pairs (For example Gill Helmsman gloves).
Scarf, 2 hats, warm socks(wool or synthetic blend)
Enough clothes for 22 days.
Swimwear for a polar plunge or possibly a thermal bath at Deception Island.
Warm pyjamas (the cabins are less warm than the rest of the ship).
Hiking boots. Extra pair of prescription glasses or contact lenses
Sunglasses (uv filter) and sunscreen. The sun is very strong as the area has little ozon and light is reflected by snow, ice and water.
Clothes for gateway cities. It is summer in Buenos Aires and one can expect temperatures of 30°C.
Note: Please make sure that your (rain) gear, daypack, camera bag, tri-pod and boots, etc. are clean when you join the ship (Advisable is to use a vacuum cleaner to clean these items). We like to prevent taking bacteria or seeds to Antarctica from your last visit outdoors. Also on velcro small particles can be found.
Cameras and other gear
Please ensure you test your equipment before you leave
Digital photographers spare (rechargeable) batteries, memory cards Bring twice as much storage as you think you might need! In case you bring your own laptop along: empty CD’s or a spare memory stick to store your photographs onto.
Analog photographers: sufficient rolls of film (100/200 ASA for sunny days, 400 ASA for cloudy days)
If you have one: a tele zoom lens (~300mm) allows you to take good pictures of wildlife without disturbing it.
A polarization filter is not a must, but it can be useful to bring if you have one.
Binoculars for watching wildlife (birds, cetaceans) 7x or 8x is fine
Electricity on board is 220Volt/50Hertz, standard European plugs with two circular metal pins.
Wall socket adapter
Note:
Eating and drinking: It is not allowed to bring your own drinks or large amounts of food on board.
Sleeping
Your bunk has a duvet with cover, one pillow with pillowcase and a sheet, so you do not need to bring a sleeping bag. Towels will be provided too. If you sleep light you might like to think about taking ear plugs.
Medical care
If you have or have had a disorder or sickness for which you use medication we ask you to inform us in advance and we ask you to bring enough medication for the entire voyage. Because on board the ship we live close to each other, colds or influenza are easily passed on to others. We advise you to take an anti-influenza injection before departure. In the Netherlands you can visit www.reisdokter.nl to make an appointment for the vaccination. If you have questions about a specific health problem, we advise you to get in touch with the office. We can put you in contact with one of the ship’s doctors.
Seasickness
A sailing ship under sail is steadier in the water in strong winds than a motor vessel. Once in Antarctic waters, we will be sheltered and the wind will be calm, so no one should suffer from seasickness. In the Drake Passage, the winds can be very strong and some people on board will get seasick. Most will get used to the motion of the ship after one day. Healthy eating and sleep are the best ways to prevent seasickness. If you fear that you might be susceptible to seasickness, you can take anti-seasickness pills. Please buy these before you leave home. We advice Primatour or Cinerazine. We don’t recommend strong (Belgian) pills or plasters to stick behind your ear. If you have any more questions please don’t hesitate to contact us.
More Frequently Asked Questions: FAQ
Pages related to our voyages to Antarctica:
Antarctica travel | Travel Antarctica | Antarctic travel |
Sailing to Antarctica | Antarctic Sailing | Sailing Antarctica |
Antarctica expeditions | Antarctica expedition |
Antarctic expedition | Antarctica voyages | Antarctica adventure |
