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Antarctica Basics |
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The Basics
Time: There are no official time zones in Antarctica, and research stations usually go by the time of their home country for convenience.
Electricity: Each ship and base has its own electricity supply. Russian ships will have a 220-volt, 50Hz supply with a round two-pin plug connection.
Money: Most ships accept credit cards and US dollars and often there is
a currency exchange facility on board where it is also possible to
exchange travellers cheques. In Antarctica itself, each base uses
the currency of their home country.
Passport/Visa Note: As no one owns the Antarctic continent, no visitors require a visa or passport; however, a valid passport will be required for any stops en route, and visas and passports may be needed for points of departure. Most Western countries are signatories of the Antarctica Treaty and those wishing to visit Antarctica independently must obtain a permit.
Travel Health: Extreme cold temperatures and wind chill in Antarctica can lead to hypothermia. Due to the thin ozone layer it is essential that a high protection sunscreen be worn, and the glare from the ice and water necessitates the wearing of sunglasses. The crossing of rough seas will require most passengers to take some form of seasickness preventative medication. All passenger ships have an onboard doctor, but health insurance is imperative and must include emergency evacuation, which can be exorbitantly expensive.
Tipping: Tips are not included in the cost of a passenger ship in Antarctica, but are usually expected by the staff. Size of tip varies, but about US$10-15 per day per person is recommended.
Safety Information: The waters around Antarctica can be extremely rough, and in bad conditions loose equipment not tied down on board ship can cause injury; similarly passengers can be caught off balance during high seas. Sea ice is a polar hazard and icebergs are capable of sinking even a large ship. A cruise ship hit ice just off the Antarctic Peninsula on 23 November 2007 and started sinking, causing the evacuation of its 154 passengers and crew. The incident serves to highlight the dangers of Antarctic tourism. The US and UK warned a conference of Antarctic treaty nations that the tourism situation in the Antarctic region was a disaster in the making with some cruise ships carrying in excess of 3,000 people, and more than 35,000 people visiting during the season.
Local Customs: When visiting research bases or stations in Antarctica, tourists are asked to remove shoes, never to enter a building unless invited, not to interfere with scientific work, and to remember that researchers are using up precious work time to accommodate them. Make sure that restroom facilities aboard ship are used before visiting a base, as it is very bad practice to ask to use one on shore and it adds to the amount of waste that has to be removed by the researchers at a later date.
Communications: The international dialling code for Antarctica is +672. Ship-based communication is by satellite phone.