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Antarctica is a magical wonderland. It looms large as a dream destination for so many exploratory travelers. That includes us. So when we got the opportunity to go on the first ever Lindblad Expeditions National Geographic Antarctica Direct Sail and Fly expedition, we were over the moon. We couldn’t wait to see penguins, whales, learn plenty about science and conservation and climate change on board, and marvel at this vast wilderness. If that’s you, whether you’ve already booked your trip or are currently in the dreaming and planning phase, it may be helpful to know what to pack for an Antarctica cruise. Specifically an expedition cruise. Here’s what we brought along.
Want to know whether we think an Antarctica cruise is worth it and how sustainable and responsible they really are? Check out this post.
Clothing
It’s gonna be cold in Antarctica. How cold will vary, but plan to dress in layers that you can mix and match, stack, and throw off and on in a pinch. Here’s what will come in handy. There will likely be laundry services on board and/or a drying line in your bathroom if you choose to wash items in the sink.
- Lightweight Jacket: You won’t need a parka because most cruise lines provide one. But I still brought an insulated jacket to wear on deck (it helped Josh and I find each other in a sea of matching parkas) and around port towns before and after the cruise. The Mammut Sender IN Hoody was perfectly warm.
- Sweaters: We each brought two sweaters, an organic cotton and hemp sweater from Jungmaven for each of us and the Cotopaxi Teca Fleece for me and Cotopaxi Trico Hybrid Hooded Jacket for Josh.
- Shirts: We each brought a couple of shirts, two long-sleeve that could be worn on their own or under sweaters and two short sleeve for sunny days and going to the gym.
- Swimwear: There’s probably a hot tub and/or sauna on board (and yes, swimsuits are typically required) and/or you might get the chance to do a polar plunge (!). So bring some swimwear.
- Baselayer: For active hikes or kayaking on cold days, a baselayer set came in handy to keep us warm and help wick sweat. Josh loved the Mammut Aernergy UL.
- Waterproof Pants: Some cruise lines offer the option to rent these (which is a great option) or provide them for you, but if they don’t, we like the Fjällräven High Coast Hydratic Trousers, which are durable, easy to get on and off over boots, and are a great option for snowshoeing back at home, too.
- Socks: Bring several pairs of warm socks and a couple for working out if you desire.
- Warm Hat: A beanie/toque/sock hat or two will keep your noggin warm.
- Gloves: Bring pair of liner gloves for dexterity and sunny hikes and warmer waterproof gloves or mittens, too.
- Neck Gaiter: It gets cold on deck and during Zodiac cruises and landings. Bring a neck gaiter to block the wind and protect your face.
- Ball Cap: The sun is bright down there. Bring a cap with a brim to shield your eyes. I found that hats with a smaller brim were better when trying to take photos.
- Sunglasses and/or Ski Goggles: The sun can seem extra bright in Antarctica because it’s reflecting off of so much white. Bring polarized sunglasses. Some folks also brought ski goggles, which helped block the wind on cold Zodiac cruises and landings.
Shoes
You really don’t need to bring that many shoes. You’ll mostly be walking around on the ship and wearing muck boots when on land. Most expedition cruises don’t have fancy dinner dress codes, so you probably don’t need to bring anything special.
- Muck Boots: See if your cruise line provides them or if you have to rent them or provide your own. They are essentially required for all landings. I recommend renting vs. buying muck boots unless you already have some because they’re bulky to travel with.
- Gym Shoes: If you plan to use an on-board fitness center, bring a pair of athletic shoes that allow you to do what you do.
- Around-the-Boat Shoes: You can wear your gym shoes or sneakers around the boat, of course, but I loved having a pair of slip-on Stegmann Vegan Clogs that I could quickly kick off and on. They were grippy and warm on deck, looked good enough to wear to dinner, and were appropriate for polar plunges and trips to the sauna.
Photography Equipment + Accessories
You’re probably gonna wanna take photos on your Antarctica cruise. If so, and you’re serious about photography, here’s what gear we recommend.
- Waterproof backpack: To protect all your gear during landings or Zodiac cruises when sea spray is flying, pack it all in a water resistant or waterproof backpack. We brought the Peak Design Outdoor 25L and Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L.
- Memory Cards: Bring several in case you fill one up, which is especially easy if you’re shooting in RAW.
- DSLR + Lenses: You’ll get the best shots with a DSLR or mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses. We recommend renting one from a site like LensRentals.com (camera and/or lens) if you don’t have something appropriate. For the best close-up shots of wildlife, get a lens that extends to 400-600mm. But bring a wider lens, too, in the 28-100 range so you can also capture those sweeping landscapes.
- Binoculars: To better spot birds, whales, penguins and seals, pack a pair of binoculars. Passionate birders may want something more powerful, but Nocs makes a decent starter pair.
- A bag: For simply wandering around the ship, we found a small bag or sling was nice to have. Just something big enough to hold one camera and lens, a small water bottle, hand sanitizer and lotion, personal items, etc. Like the Peak Design Outdoor 7L sling or Alpaka Go Sling Mini.
Personal Items
Naturally you should bring toiletries and whatever personal items you need for the trip. Cabins will have things like soap, shampoo, and conditioner, but we often prefer to bring our own.
- Shampoo & Conditioner: We packed HiBar zero-waste travel shampoo and conditioner bars because it seemed appropriate to leave the plastic at home when visiting Antarctica.
- Face Wash: Likewise, we brought the HiBar plastic-free face wash sample pack, which was more than enough for a two-week+ trip.
- Lotion: I love zero waste lotion and the air down there can be dry. The J.R. Liggett’s Body Oil in a Bar was a lifesaver for my arms and legs.
- Sunscreen: Continuing with the zero waste theme, Attitude makes our favorite vegan, reef-safe, plastic-free sunscreen. And yes, you need sunscreen in Antarctica. We got pink during one outing because we forgot to apply it (and forgot Antarctica is about where the hole in the UV-protective ozone layer is…)
- Motion Sickness Band: Don’t get too motion sick and/or want to avoid medications? Try a band like the Reliefband. It’s pricey, but uses electrical stimulation to help relieve nausea.
- Motion Sickness Meds: If you know you get motion sickness or you’ve never been on a ship before and don’t know, bring patches or pills and take them about an hour before you board the ship. If you don’t, they won’t be as effective and you’ll be miserable.
Bottom Line
Antarctica is a magical place and is absolutely worth a trip (though it may require some saving up for most of us). Just remember to pack smart, bring all the essentials, do your homework so you know the Antarctica cruise line is operating sustainably and responsibly and have a blast!
Alisha is a freelance outdoor journalist and photographer based in Ogden, UT. She loves backpacking, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking and snowboarding (even though she’s terrible at it). She’s also pretty sure she’s addicted to coffee. alishamcdarris.com