GENERAL HEALTH
All travellers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully on this trip. When selecting your trip please make sure you have read through the itinerary carefully and assess your ability to cope with this style of travel.
Please also bear in mind the isolation of where you will be travelling and the distance to medical facilities. Please note that if in the opinion of the staff, any traveller is found to be unfit to complete the itinerary on the day of embarkation, they may be denied boarding and excluded from the trip without a refund.
VACCINATIONS
We highly recommend receiving a COVID-19 vaccination as well as up to date influenza vaccine, particularly given the presence of Avian Influenza in Antarctica.
Generally, you do not need other travel vaccinations for this voyage. Some travel vaccinations may be required or recommended for countries you are visiting en route to Antarctica. It is your responsibility to ensure that you obtain any vaccinations or preventative medicines for the countries you are visiting – or any which may be required by your home country upon your return. To find out which, if any, vaccinations are mandatory or recommended for your destination, please contact your local doctor, immunisation centre or medical centre for up-to-date information.
You should be issued with an International Certificate of Vaccination booklet that records each vaccination. Always carry this with you on your travels; it could provide essential information for doctors in the event that you fall ill whilst travelling.
Our Travel Safe strategy
We highly recommend receiving a COVID-19 vaccination as well as up to date influenza vaccine, particularly given 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 Endeavour. Please refer to our Travel Safe Strategy for more information.
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.
Travel insurance is one of the most important components of any trip, especially in Antarctica - the most remote and inhospitable place on Earth. It is vital that you have the most suitable insurance with adequate levels of cover. Because of the remoteness of Antarctica, medical attention and evacuations are extremely expensive, making insurance cover an absolute necessity, especially 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/ or emergency repatriation, including cover for COVID-19 and any significant pre-existing conditions, in particular those that have the potential to give rise to issues on board. If you wish to discuss any points of concern, please reach out to your booking agent who can clarify with our Medical Team if needed. 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.
We also strongly recommend it covers cancellation, curtailment, personal liability, personal accident, death, sickness and loss of baggage and personal belongings as well as disruption to your travel plans. We strongly advise you purchase travel insurance at the same time as booking, to ensure you are covered for cancellation and curtailment from the moment that you confirm your Antarctic voyage. You need to ensure you know exactly what you are covered for and ensure that your policy covers this from the time you leave to arrive home.
There are many activities that can be undertaken in Antarctica. If you plan to participate in adventure options such as Kayaking, Day Paddle, Snowshoeing or Camping, please ensure your travel insurance specifically covers you for these activities.
Please refer to the Antarctica Travellers Guide for more information.
BEFORE DEPARTURE
It’s a requirement that all guests travelling to Antarctica complete enrolment and medical information to ensure we adhere to IAATO guidelines.
A link to complete this information online will be forwarded to you approximately four months prior to departure and must be completed no later than 3 months prior to your departure. This information will be passed on to the onboard medical team so the information provided must be clear and accurate.
On review of your medical information, you may be required to provide further details or visit your Medical Practitioner about any health issues that could affect the journey.
MEDICAL FACILITIES ONBOARD
There will be a licensed English-speaking physician on board.
The Ocean Endeavour has a medical clinic with a limited supply of prescription medicines and basic first aid equipment. The clinic will not be stocked with every drug or piece of equipment required for every medical problem. If you are under regular treatment for any ailment, you must bring a sufficient supply of medicines for yourself. We cannot accept responsibility for not having a specific brand or type of drug on board.
It is wise to carry an extra two weeks’ supply of prescription medications just in case of flight delays or other unforeseen circumstances. If you have particular health needs, please bring with you a signed and dated letter from your physician explaining your health problems and/or the dosage required for the prescribed medication.
MOTION SICKNESS
The waters of the Drake Passage can be some of the roughest seas in the world, although at other times they are so smooth that it is referred to as the 'Drake Lake'!
Although our vessel is among the most stable ships in its class, we will still inevitably encounter motion. Unless you are certain you are impervious to the problem, you should take precautions against seasickness. Your doctor can advise you as to the best methods for avoiding this uncomfortable condition.
Please refer to the Antarctica Travellers Guide for more information on motion sickness.
