swan hellenic

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is included in the cruise fare?

ARCTIC & RUSSIA FAR EAST CRUISES

  • One night pre-cruise hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Transfer from the airport to the hotel on the day prior to embarkation
  • Transfer from the hotel to the port for embarkation
  • Transfer from the port to the airport on return
  • Onboard accommodation
  • All meals onboard including room service 24 hours a day
  • Coffee, tea, soft drinks & select alcoholic beverages 24 hours a day
  • Lecture programmes by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
  • Shore excursion programme led by our expert expedition team
  • Branded Swan Hellenic expedition parka
  • Use of rubber boots for shore landings
  • Basic WIFI inclusion (Premium WIFI available)
  • Onboard gratuities & port taxes

ANTARCTICA CRUISES

  • Return flights: Buenos Aires to Ushuaia or Santiago to Ushuaia
  • One night pre-cruise hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Transfer from the airport to the hotel on the day prior to embarkation
  • Transfer from the hotel to the port for embarkation
  • Transfer from the port to the airport on return
  • Onboard accommodation
  • All meals onboard including room service 24 hours a day
  • Coffee, tea, soft drinks & select alcoholic beverages 24 hours a day
  • Lecture programmes by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
  • Shore excursion programme led by our expert expedition team
  • Branded Swan Hellenic expedition parka
  • Use of rubber boots for shore landings
  • Basic WIFI (Premium WIFI available)
  • Onboard gratuities & port taxes

REST OF WORLD CRUISES

  • One night pre-cruise hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Transfer from the airport to the hotel on the day prior to embarkation
  • Transfer from the hotel to the port for embarkation
  • Transfer from the port to the airport on return
  • Onboard accommodation
  • All meals onboard including room service 24 hours a day
  • Coffee, tea, soft drinks & select alcoholic beverages 24 hours a day
  • Lecture programmes by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
  • On shore transfer per port of call
  • Basic WIFI inclusion (Premium WIFI available)
  • Onboard gratuities & port taxes


What is not included in the cruise fare?


Additional activities such as kayaking, private tours, special arrangements, plus private Zodiac tours, cost extra.

In destinations outside of polar regions, we will have a series of shore excursions available to book for each port of call 9-12 months prior to departure. Within each of those destinations there will be an activity or transfer included free of charge. All others will be chargeable.

Laundry, premium wines and spirits, plus purchases from the ship’s boutique and any spa treatments are not included. 

Basic WiFi will be free where available on SH Minerva and Vega Class with additional data packages available for purchase on board.

You will need to purchase your own visas where required, travel insurance, flights, domestic transfers and any hotel requirements pre or post cruise, unless otherwise stated within the itinerary description. 


Do I need to book my own flights?

Yes - airfares to and from the destination port are not included in the cruise fare. (Unless otherwise stated within the itinerary details) However, at the time of booking our reservations staff will be able to advise on the best routes, timings and hotel options for your specific trip. 


What is WiFi like on board?

WiFi is available but we ask all guests to bear in mind that we are cruising in an extremely remote area so coverage is patchy and speeds may not be what you are used to. 
Basic WiFi is free where available, with a range of data packages available for purchase onboard.


Is there a doctor on the cruise?

All ships have a medical room and a ship's doctor on board. 


Can I smoke onboard?

Smoking is permitted in designated areas on Deck 8 aft portside and on Deck 4 mid ship portside.

There is no smoking in any indoor area nor on balconies. 


What do I need to pack? Do I need formal clothing?
Expedition cruises are primarily concerned with what happens outside the ship, so dress codes are very relaxed. There are no formalities at mealtimes. 
At breakfast and lunch, you will wear the clothes you are going outside in (minus the outer gear). Once you have changed out of your expedition gear in the evening you will want to put on something casual and comfortable. And it is always worth having an extra layer at hand if you are the type that likes to rush out on deck when something is spotted.
During the daytime around the ship, you will want casual trousers, jeans or smart sportswear, long-sleeve tops and thin jumpers plus a bodywarmer and/or other layers. It will be warm and comfortable inside. 
Evening is casual too – perhaps pack a couple of casual shirts and or skirts/dresses. Keep footwear to a minimum. On board a pair of lightweight trainers or similar (useful for when trying on gear for size) will suffice, while slippers should be worn in your cabin only. 
For shore excursions, you will be provided with Swan Hellenic Expeditions parkas and rubber muck boots. 


How cold does it get?

Antarctic

The Antarctic Peninsula is the warmest part of the continent (summer 2019 saw one of the warmest on record, with one research station recording 17.5°C). 
Prepare for at least -5°C and for temperatures to feel much colder than that if there is a wind chill. 
January is the warmest month to visit. 

The Arctic 

The average Arctic summer hovers around 0°C in June through September. In general, Arctic summers are short and cool.


Can I fly drones?

Unfortunately, you cannot bring nor fly drones onboard. The flying of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is prohibited or strictly regulated in several countries we sail to.