The Disco Ball Traveler

This ain’t no normal trip, so there’s going to be some details here describing the what and the why to help tailor this list to your specific needs. As mentioned, the temps weren’t too crazy, 30-35F during the day. People over-hype the cold factor, but if you’re from a colder climate (northeast US here), wear what you normally would in the winter. Okay let’s jump in.

Check what your expedition will provide. Here’s some examples:

• Heavy coat – Most tours give warm, insulated jackets to each guest. Great quality, so they can easily see you climbing on land, yours to keep. On the first day, you can try on different sizes. Keep in mind you’ll have to shlep this home in your luggage.
• Water bottle – Each guest had an aluminum-type branded water bottle which was a nice touch.
• Walking sticks – The tour I was on did not provide walking sticks, about 25% of people packed these. I have seen that other tours do lend these out if needed. I found that I was okay without them.
• Rubber boots – When you choose your jacket on day 1, we were also fitted with rubber boots. These you have to give back at the end. I’m a pretty active hiker and was nervous these would be uncomfortable during landings, but they were actually great. You can add orthotics or Dr. Scholls inserts. Keep in mind that you disinfect your boots after each landing to prevent the transfer of diseases (Avian Flu is spreading currently).
• Kayak gear – Everything was provided: Dry suit, crocs, kayak personal flotation device (PFD), paddle, kayak
• Regular PFD – Provided to each guest (return at the end). For the zodiac rides and landings. We had the small type that drapes over your neck and clips at the waist.

Okay now that we know what’s provided on your trip, let’s talk through what you’ll need to bring with you.

Clothes and gear

• Zodiac base layers: You’ll need to wear wool or fleece – these don’t absorb much water if you get wet, cotton is your enemy. These wool base layers were not scratchy at all and worth the price
• Clothes for around the ship and to dinner. While many people wore their expedition clothes to lunch and dinner, there were 2 “dress up nights” that were fun. Don’t stress about this, wear what you have, no biggie. I had cotton pants and a sweatshirt that I wore on the ship. The ship itself was quite warm and comfortable
• Waterproof shell pants – Mandatory. These go over your wool layers. I bought these because they came in different inseams and they were great. These also have the side boot zippers so you can easily take them off.
• Socks – Your regular weight wool socks are fine here, don’t go crazy wearing 3 pairs of socks that cut off your circulation! The only time my feet started to get cold was on the kayak trip
• Waterproof gloves – I only had one pair and was fine, but many people brought 2. One set for AM zodiacs and one set for PM.
• Warm hat
• Neck gaiter – I have a fleece one, for colder days.
• Shoes – Bring a pair of slip on shoes for the ship (I a had crocs). When you come back from a zodiac landing, you take your boots off at the door, then you need something to put on your feet. Most people left slip on shoes in the parlor, where we were staged before zodiac trips. Comfortable sneakers if you have tours in Buenos Aires or Ushuaia.
• Eyewear: Glasses, contacts and polarized sunglasses. Some people brought ski googles to help with wind and snow.
• Bathing suit – Yup, our ship had a “heated” outdoor pool and a spa/sauna. Also, for the polar plunge if you choose to partake!
• Mineral sunscreen – Protects your skin from the cold and sun. Aquaphor also, but I didn’t use it.

Other stuff:

• Antarctica flag – Fun to take pictures with when you finally land. Also fun to hang up in your basement when you get home.
• Electronics – Ponant is a French line, so the outlets were all Type C. I brought two adapters with me – One for next to the bed, and one for the desk to charge up all the devices lol. I brought a hair straightener also. A hair dryer was provided.
• Medicines – Ask your doctor about sea sickness medicine. I had the patch that goes behind your ear, replace every 3 days. Once you’re in Antarctica waters, your captain will keep the ship from wind and waves. So it’s really just for the ride from Argentina to Antarctica and back. I also always have Bonine, which are chewable pills that don’t make me so drowsy.
• Dry bag for the zodiacs – You can’t bring much on land with you – Nothing can touch the ground except for the bottom of your feet and the bottom of your hiking sticks. I saw people had them, but I’m not sure why? Idk. For big cameras? They also sold them in the little gift shop.
• Phone lanyard – An absolute MUST. iPhones, etc. are pretty waterproof these days so don’t worry about the big waterproof bags (and the zodiacs aren’t that wet). Just get one of these lanyards to put around your neck. Easy to grab your phone and take videos or pictures quickly.
• Luggage – Airlines in South America have rules around the size of carryon luggage (euro size). Check with your tour operator to make sure your luggage is compliant
• Magnetic hooks – For the stateroom to hang up wet gloves, wool layers, etc.
• Travel disco ball for those pop up parties!

Things to download:

• Google translate for Argentina (Portuguese)
• Google maps – Download offline maps of Antarctica so you can follow along your journey on your phone! Fun to take screenshots of where you were. Here’s a quick guide from Google on how to do this.
• myshiptracking app – I’m nosey, so I love to know what the other ships are around us. We didn’t see many, but I did enjoy opening this app and seeing which ships were nearby.
• eSIM for Buenos Aires – Wifi can be iffy around town and on tours, so I try to have an eSIM also. I’m a big fan of Airalo, but there’s a bunch of companies out there.

Whew, I’m going to create a PDF of my actual packing list so you can see the types and quantity of each item. That’s ALOT of typing, so maybe I’ll just take a picture of it? IDK. So, next up is a trip review, starting with Buenos Aires, Ushuaia and moving on to boarding the cruise!