For Active & Wild Antarctica Air Cruises operated by Aurora Expeditions, a Contingency Plan is in place for those cases when weather conditions require that the day of operation of the flight to/from Antarctica is modified from the itinerary.

2022-23 & 2023-24 Seasons

Contingency Plan for Aurora’s Antarctic Explorer, Wild Antarctica & Wild Antarctica Express Itineraries

If a charter flight from any starting point to the point of embarkation for the ship voyage is delayed due to adverse weather conditions, Aurora Expeditions will attempt, for a period of up to 72 hours from the proposed departure time of the charter flight, to arrange a later charter flight. The operator will attempt to do so at no extra charge, but if an additional charge does apply, the guest will be liable to pay that additional charge.

In case the outbound flight to Antarctica cannot ultimately be moved & the trip is cancelled

If it is not reasonably practicable for a later charter flight to be arranged, within 72 hours from the proposed departure time of the charter flight, the expedition will be deemed cancelled. If the expedition is deemed cancelled, due to weather conditions affecting the charter flight, Aurora Expeditions will offer the choice between the following two options:

  • The operator will endeavor to accommodate the guest, at no additional charge on the next scheduled ship voyage but this is subject to availability of cabins and any other applicable circumstances. The guest will be liable for any additional costs or charges for any subsequent charter flights.
  • If the guest does not wish to take the next scheduled voyage, or the operator is unable to accommodate the guest as set out above, then the operator will offer the guest a 50% discount on the cost of a future voyage of choice (subject to availability) in the form of a credit. The 50% discount is only applicable to the same cabin category as the original voyage. Upgrades to a higher cabin category will be subject to any price difference between the original and the upgraded cabin category. The discount and the credit are not transferable or redeemable for cash and any subsequent voyage must be taken within 12 months from the date of deemed cancellation of the original voyage. The other 50% of the price paid by the guest will be forfeited to Aurora Expeditions and the guest agrees to revoke entitlement to recover that 50% or any part thereof.

If neither of the above options is exercised, then the guest will not be entitled to any refund of any amounts paid.

In case the outbound flight to Antarctica is delayed

In the event that a charter flight is delayed, the Expedition Leader or another representative of Aurora Expeditions will provide updates to the guest, as updates may be known, and will endeavor to provide information to make the guest’s stay as enjoyable as possible pending the ability of a charter flight to fly.

In case the return flight to Punta Arenas is delayed

If a charter flight from King George Island to Punta Arenas, Chile is delayed, passengers already in Antarctica will remain on board the ship until the flight to Punta Arenas is authorized to depart. If it is not possible, due to weather conditions, for the flight to depart within 72 hours from intended departure time the ship will transport the guest from King George Island to Puerto Williams or Ushuaia for disembarkation. Full board on the ship is included. Strictly no refund will be provided for any reason and the guest will not be entitled to make any claim howsoever arising as a result of this change. Aurora Expeditions will not be liable for and does not accept any claims for any costs made by the guest including but not limited to international airfares, domestic airfares, accommodation, any additional services purchased, or change fees impacted by or as a result of the delay or cancellation.