Congratulations on booking your expedition to Antarctica on board the Ocean Nova

We are thrilled to have you join us on this incredible adventure. Here, you will find the additional details that we require from you, information to help you plan your trip, and some ideas on other destinations you might like to visit in South America before or after your Antarctic cruise. If you wish to discuss the details of your voyage or additional travel arrangements, including flights, insurance, and pre- and post-cruise travel arrangements, please contact your booking agent. 

Our Travel Safe strategy

We strongly recommend COVID-19 vaccination and an up-to-date influenza vaccine, considering the presence of Avian Influenza in Antarctica.         
Additionally, we will implement a range of health protocols to ensure the safety of our guests, staff, and crew onboard the Ocean Nova.

Your travel insurance must provide minimum coverage of USD250,000 for medical expenses, evacuation (including ship-to-shore transfer) and emergency repatriation, including cover for COVID-19 and all significant pre-existing conditions, in particular those that have the potential to give rise to issues on board.

Some conditions may preclude you from travelling. If you have a chronic illness or recent acute medical condition, please contact your booking agent as soon as possible to discuss your medical history with our Medical Team and ensure you meet our travel requirements.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW

Book your International Flights

International flights to join your Antarctica cruise will be available for booking approximately 11 months before departure. Please get in touch with your booking agent to discuss flight options. Please do not book your flight to depart from Ushuaia before 12 noon on disembarkation day.

Your cruise itinerary includes one night hotel accommodation at the Albatros hotel in Ushuaia prior to embarkation. A group arrival transfer from the airport to your hotel is included if you are arriving on Day 1. Please discuss options with your booking agent if you wish to arrive in Ushuaia before Day 1 and/or wish to add additional arrangements before or after your Antarctic voyage. 

PLEASE NOTE: If you have booked a willing to share rate, your hotel accommodation will be on a twin share basis.

Book your Pre & Post Cruise Arrangements

You are already travelling to South America - why not see more of it?! In South America, Chimu offers superior styled itineraries that have been refined, simplified and perfected, especially for the discerning traveller and their travel party. Check out our Signature Itineraries and Extensions. 

Organise Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is mandatory on all Antarctic voyages. This is a condition of carriage. Your final travel documentation cannot be released until you have provided us with your travel insurance details. 

We strongly advise you to purchase travel insurance at the same time as booking to ensure you are covered for cancellation and curtailment from when you confirm your Antarctic voyage.

Travel insurance is one of the most critical components of any trip, especially in Antarctica - the most remote and inhospitable place on Earth. You must have the most suitable insurance with adequate coverage. Because of Antarctica's remoteness, medical attention and evacuations are extremely expensive, making insurance coverage an absolute necessity, particularly as you have invested large sums of money to travel there.

Your travel insurance must provide cover with:

• > A minimum coverage of USD250,000 for medical expenses, evacuation (including ship to shore transfer) and emergency repatriation
• > Cover for COVID-19 Be aware that some travel insurance policies have minimum requirements for vaccination series to cover COVID-19-related medical, evacuation, and emergency repatriation. 
• > Cover for all significant pre-existing conditions.
• > Cancellation, curtailment, personal liability, personal accident, death, sickness, loss of baggage and personal belongings, and disruption to your travel plans.   
• > Cover for any optional activities you wish to participate in eg. Day Paddle. Please ensure your travel insurance explicitly covers you for these activities.
  
  Be aware that some travel insurance policies have minimum requirements for vaccination series (i.e. 2 doses + booster) to cover COVID-19-related medical, evacuation, and/or emergency repatriation. Your travel insurance policy must meet these minimum requirements. 

Please refer to your Antarctica Travellers Guide below for more information.

Book your Optional Activities

Adventure Activities have limited spots and can book out quickly.                  
Contact your booking agent to confirm pricing and availability. 

OPTIONAL ACTIVITY
Day Paddle 
Absorb the majestic scenery from a more intimate vantage point as you paddle through the pristine waters of Antarctica on a sit-on-top kayak.
One-off excursion available on all voyages. Pre-book via your booking agent. Additional spaces may be available to book on board.
MORE >

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIY 
Camping on Antarctica
Fall asleep amid the snow-capped mountains as you watch the colours of the Antarctic twilight bounce off the ocean and surrounding glaciers. 
One-off excursion available on selected voyages. Pre-book via your booking agent.  
MORE >

OPTIONAL ACTIVITY
Snowshoeing
Strap on your snowshoes and prepare for the ultimate Antarctic activity! Explore your way inland from the Polar shorelines and cross deep snow, accessing areas that are normally not accessible to people on foot. 
One-off excursion available on selected voyages. Book on board.
MORE >

Cruise Enrolment Forms (available approximately 4 months prior to departure)

International Maritime Regulations require that we create a detailed manifest for each expedition. To fulfil our obligation, certain information is required for all passengers on board. Required additional forms will be required to be completed and must be returned 95 days before departure.                  
You will need to provide:

• > Travel insurance details
• > Information on any health problems, disabilities, or pre-existing physical health conditions that potentially require emergency care 
• > Sizing for your provided expedition gear

Your booking agent will notify you once these forms are available.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION  
 

Expedition Gear

Once onboard you will be provided with:

• > Outer layer Expedition Parka (on loan) 
• > Rubber Muck boots (on loan)
• > Insulated Inner Jacket, yours to keep at the end of your voyage.

Waterproof trousers must be worn for all Zodiac & Shore excursions

We will request your sizing for your Inner Jacket, Expedition Parka and Muck Boots when you complete your Cruise Enrolment approx. four months prior to departure.         

Please refer to the Antarctica Travellers Guide for more information. 
Parents/Legal guardians may need to provide/bring a waterproof outer shell jacket and Muck Boots for minors, depending on their size requirements. Additionally, a lifejacket that meets our safety standards is mandatory for all minors aged 15 years and under and must be provided by the Parents/Legal guardians. Your booking agent can provide guidance on approved lifejackets.

 

What to Pack

We have put together a checklist for What you should pack for an Antarctica cruise

You can also watch our What to Pack Guide below:

Please refer to your Antarctica Travellers Guide for more information. 

Medical Information

Antarctic expedition voyages travel to remote areas with limited or no sophisticated medical facilities. Should a medical emergency arise, we must be armed with the necessary information to help you. Per our Cruise Booking Conditions, any health problems, disabilities, pregnancy, or pre-existing physical health conditions that potentially require emergency care must be covered by your travel insurance and brought to our attention before the voyage. Medical forms will be available approximately four months before departure as part of your Cruise Enrolment (see above).        
 

Child/Minor Traveller Policy

Guests must be at least 12 years old at the time of travel  
A Parent/Legal Guardian must accompany guests aged 17 years and under  
Guests aged 15 years and under must share a cabin with a Parent/Legal Guardian  
All guests aged 17 and under must have a Minor waiver signed by a Parent/Legal Guardian

Ocean Nova: English-speaking vessel

The Ocean Nova is an English-speaking vessel. All announcements, safety briefings, and lectures are provided in English only. For safety reasons, all passengers must speak and understand basic English to ensure their own safety during their expedition.         
 

Important Update on Avian Influenza in Antarctica

Antarctica: Avian Influenza – Update as of June 2024:

Since early 2024, the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus has been detected on the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia, and the Falkland Islands. This naturally occurring virus impacts birds and marine mammals, but the risk to humans is very low.         
To protect you and the environment, we have implemented enhanced biosecurity measures, including thorough cleaning of equipment and pre-landing site inspections. If a landing site is affected, we will flexibly adapt and choose alternative sites.

Our goal is to protect the environment and preserve Antarctica's wonders for future generations while providing a unique and unforgettable experience for our travellers. We closely monitor potential impacts on your itinerary and will communicate any updates promptly. We look forward to an excellent 2024/25 Antarctic season with you!        
For more information, please read our 'Important update regarding Avian Influenza and travel to Antarctica' here.

Fuel Surcharges

Please note that your cruise booking may be subject to fuel surcharges should world oil prices increase significantly before the time of your departure. Cruise operators do attempt to factor this price into your tour cost. However, unexpected rises in the cost of marine fuel can result in a fuel surcharge that will depend on the cost of oil per barrel. By booking a tour with us, you agree that this may be the case with your booking. If this situation arises, you will be advised of any surcharge once we have been notified of the surcharges.        
 

Key IAATO Guidelines for Visitors

How we're helping to protect Antarctica                 
We are an IAATO (International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators) Operator and comply with the organisation’s guidelines for travel to the Antarctic. IAATO, in cooperation with ship operators, has established extensive procedures and guidelines that ensure safe and responsible Antarctica expeditions. In line with the Antarctic Treaty system, IAATO is committed to the principle that planned tourism activities will have no more than a minor or transitory impact on the Antarctic environment.

IMPORTANT: It is a mandatory requirement that all passengers review the IAATO documents below:                 
Expedition Cruising to Antarctica                
Antarctic Visitor Guidelines   
Reducing Waste Guidelines
Don't Pack a Pest

Voyage Itineraries

All voyages are indicative only as the actual itinerary will be determined day to day by the Expedition Leader and ship’s Captain. They consider a number of factors including wind direction (and speed), rainfall, ice conditions and IAATO permitting requirements. The focus of the Expedition Leader and the Captain will be to deliver the best possible experience for the conditions on the day and that may mean going to a different location than originally intended. It’s important to understand that dynamic itineraries like this an essential difference between expedition cruises and traditional cruises. 

Terms & Conditions

By making a booking with Chimu Adventures, you confirm that you have read and agreed to be bound by Chimu Adventures booking terms and conditions. Please click here to view.  
 

Please see the Ocean Nova booking Terms & Conditions. You will be bound by these conditions of carriage. Please click here to view.