FAQ

Question 1

About the cruise ship

Accepted Answer

* An ice-strengthened polar vessel, the M/V USHUAIA was originally built as a research boat for the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). She’s been re-imagined as a passenger ship, with comfortable cabins and inviting public spaces for every guest. Download a detailed summary of the ship’s amenities and available cabins [$$PDF$$](http://images.goaheadtours.com/Files/152/Cruise%20Sheet_ART.pdf).

Question 2

Passport & visa requirements

Accepted Answer

*   In order to enter Argentina and Antarctica, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
*   We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
*   There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens to enter any of the countries visited on this tour. At this time, Argentina has suspended the reciprocity fee for both U.S. and Canadian travelers. Please check with [VisaCentral](https://www.visacentral.com/goaheadtours)or the State Department website for the latest rule changes.
*   If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
*   If you are traveling before October 1, 2019, you will be required to have and show proof of a travel coverage plan that protects you in the event of Trip Cancellation & Mandatory Evacuation amounting to $50,000.
*   If you are traveling on or after October 1, 2019, you will be required to have and show proof of a travel coverage plan that protects you in the event of Trip Cancellation & Mandatory Evacuation amounting to $100,000.

Question 3

Tour pace

Accepted Answer

*   You will walk for about 1 hour daily across uneven terrain, including snow and ice, with some hills.
*   Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance.
*   You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times, as well as getting in and out of small boats.
*   If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Question 4

Transportation

Accepted Answer

*   Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in and depart from Buenos Aires. A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
*   Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
*   Round-trip flights between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia, a nine-night Antarctic cruise and additional boat rides are also included in the price of your tour.
*   All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.

Question 5

Baggage allowance

Accepted Answer

*   Airlines have varying weight restrictions on baggage. Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage; be advised that you are responsible for any such costs.
*   Contact your airline for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flight, but please note that our travelers are restricted to one checked bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
*   One carry-on bag of 45 total inches (length + width + height) is also permitted.
*   Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.

Question 6

Clothing & packing tips

Accepted Answer

*   A sturdy pair of rubber-soled boots is absolutely essential for shore landings and will be available for you on the M/V USHUAIA. Please note that the boots on board have been used by previous passengers. If you prefer to bring your own, we strongly recommend pull-on, unlined, knee-high, waterproof boots with nonskid soles. You may be stepping in water up to ten inches deep during shore excursions. Leather or cloth boots are not acceptable.
*   Dress in layers and avoid cotton whenever possible, as it is an ineffective insulator.
*   A rain jacket, a water-repellant hooded parka, insulated waterproof trousers, a hat, a scarf, and gloves or mittens are necessary for shore excursions. Most of these items are available to rent in Ushuaia.
*   The dress code on the ship is casual, but rubber-soled boots are required on the deck.
*   We also recommend bringing plastic bags, sunscreen, sunglasses, a backpack, and binoculars. You may want to bring a swimsuit in case there is an opportunity to swim in a thermal bath.
*   While in Buenos Aires, it is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs or shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).

Question 7

Health

Accepted Answer

*   There are no major health risks associated with traveling to Argentina or Antarctica.
*   At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at [cdc.gov](https://www.cdc.gov).
*   Please be sure to take proper care with sun exposure, as the sun can be especially strong in some of the areas you are visiting.
*   Your voyage to Antarctica will bring you through Drake’s Passage, a stretch of ocean known to cause seasickness in even the most experienced sailors. Consult your healthcare provider before your departure to discuss possible treatments. Many travelers prefer transdermal patches (only available in the U.S. and by prescription).
*   There will be a doctor on board the ship to provide both emergency and routine health care for an additional cost.
*   If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
*   If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.

Question 8

Cuisine

Accepted Answer

*   In Argentina, perhaps the most common dish is the _asado_, a series of salt-rubbed meats, ribs, and chorizo sausages cooked over a fire pit on metal grills and crosses. For dessert, try _dulce de leche_, a sweet honey-and-milk paste, in pastries.
*   The dining options aboard the Antarctic cruise include a breakfast buffet, a buffet or a la carte lunch service, afternoon tea, and three-course dinners. Meal times vary depending on shore excursions. Coffee and tea is offered throughout the day.

Question 9

Electricity & air conditioning

Accepted Answer

*   Argentina operates on 220 volts and uses a Type I plug with three large, flat pins.
*   Electricity on board the MV USHUAIA is 110 volts / 60 hertz, though there are some outlets in public areas with 220-240 volts. Cabins are fitted with multi-type sockets suitable for several international plugs. However, we recommend bringing necessary converters and adapters with you as only a limited number can be borrowed on board.
*   The majority of the hotels on this tour have air conditioning. The ship is fully climate controlled and each cabin is equipped with individual temperature controls.
*   Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. These amenities cannot be guaranteed in your hotels, but hairdryers are provided on board the cruise ship.

Question 10

Connectivity

Accepted Answer

*   Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
*   There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
*   A telephone and a computer for sending email are available on board the ship for a fee.
*   Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Question 11

Time zones

Accepted Answer

*   Argentina and the part of Antarctica visited on this tour are three hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and two hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
*   When it’s noon in New York City, it’s 2pm on tour.

Question 12

Currency

Accepted Answer

*   You will use the Argentine peso in Argentina and U.S. dollars or the euro on board the cruise ship.
*   Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
*   We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks, as needed.
*   You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
*   Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
*   International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
*   For services rendered aboard the ship, you will be provided with a personal account. Your purchases will be kept on record and totaled at the end of your voyage.
*   Your account must be settled prior to disembarkation, preferably in cash (U.S. dollars or euros). If you must pay by credit card, please advise the manager at the beginning of the voyage. The ship accepts MasterCard and American Express for charges over $100USD. Visa is not accepted.
*   It is recommended that you bring $300USD-$400USD (in small bills) for spending money. Please consider bar extras, gratuities, and communication (phone calls and internet use) when budgeting.

Question 13

Tipping

Accepted Answer

*   At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
*   We recommend tipping the equivalent of $7USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
*   If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
*   Tips can only be paid in cash.
*   The customary gratuity to the ship’s service personnel is made as a blanket contribution at the end of the voyage and is divided among the crew. You will receive detailed guidelines on board, but $15USD per person per day is the common recommendation.

Question 14

Shore excursions

Accepted Answer

* The crew aboard the M/V USHUAIA are highly experienced in Antarctic expedition and share a great love of nature. You'll travel with knowledgeable expedition leaders and lecturers who are dedicated to environmental protection. The ship carries her own fleet of Zodiacs, or inflatable landing crafts, which are provided for shore excursions and wildlife viewing.

Antarctica Cruise

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