Included
Leadership throughout the voyage by experienced expedition leader, including shore landings and other activities; all Zodiac transfers and cruising per daily program; shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping; all meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout voyage; beer, wine, standard spirits and cocktails during dinner and bar service hours; complimentary WiFi; coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock; all shore landings per daily program; formal and informal presentations by expedition team and guest speakers as scheduled; photographic journal documenting the expedition; a pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings; official Quark Expeditions parka to keep; hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin; all miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program; all luggage handling aboard ship; emergency evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $500,000 per person; group transfer in Ushuaia from airport to pre-expedition hotel on Day 1; one night’s pre-expedition hotel accommodation in Ushuaia with breakfast; group transfer from hotel to ship on embarkation day; group transfer upon disembarkation to Ushuaia from ship to local airport.
Exclusions
International airfare; passport and applicable visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned; meals ashore unless otherwise specified; baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance (strongly recommended); excess baggage fees on international flights; mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac cruising, or any other gear not mentioned; laundry, bar, massage services and other personal charges, unless specified; phone charges; voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew; additional overnight accommodation; arrival and departure transfers, except when explicitly stated; adventure options on expeditions (all weather dependent) that are not included in the cost of the voyage (e.g., sea kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, etc.).
Payment & Cancellation
In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of 25% of the total trip cost is required when booking 181 days or more prior to departure. A second deposit of 25% of trip cost is due 180 days prior to departure. Bookings made 180 days or less prior to departure require a deposit of 50% of total trip cost. The balance of the trip price is due 120 days prior to departure. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:
Up to 121 days – 100% of deposit
120 to 91 days – 75% of total trip cost
90 to 0 days – 100% of total trip cost
(For expeditions booked prior to October 15,2024: Please refer to your invoice for your payment and cancellation terms.)
Terms & Conditions
This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A Traveler Information Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. Your Adventure Specialist will send you a unique link to complete this form along with a packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information upon booking confirmation.
Arrival & Departure
The Explorers & Kings cruise begins and ends in Ushuaia, Argentina (USH). We highly recommend arriving one day prior to your trip start date in case of any flight delay, cancellation or lost luggage issues. Plan flights to arrive to Ushuaia at any time on Day 1. If arriving on Day 1, a group arrival transfer from the Ushuaia airport to the group hotel is included and a ship representative will be available to answer questions in the lobby during the optional pre-departure briefing on Day 1, at 6:00pm.
Plan flights to depart Ushuaia no earlier than 12:00pm Noon on disembarkation day. A group departure transfer is included from the ship to the airport on the final day of your itinerary. If your flight is later in the day, you may opt to transfer to the luggage storage facility instead and enjoy further activities in Ushuaia on your own. Access to luggage storage is available until 6:00pm on the disembarkation day only. If you would like assistance with international flights, please visit our Booking Flights resource page.
Activities
Various optional activities may be available on your Explorers & Kings voyage, for guests aged 16 and older. Per-person prices for the 2024-25 & 2025-26 seasons: camping $495; kayaking $995; photography included; stand-up paddleboarding $295 (2024-25 only). One-time paddling excursions are available for $295 per person, per outing, for those who want something less in-depth than the full sea kayaking program; no experience is necessary. Each departure’s first paddling excursion may be pre-booked and all subsequent outings are booked on the ship. Please contact AdventureSmith to reserve activity space with your booking.
Room Configuration
Select double-occupancy cabins may be available for single occupancy with a single supplement fee. Solo travelers willing to share can reserve a triple or twin-shared cabin, where you will be matched with a person of the same gender. If the other cabin berth goes unsold, you will be guaranteed the double rate. Single travelers wishing to book a double-occupancy cabin may do so at 1.7x (2x for Premium cabins) the per-person listed rate in select cabins based upon availability. Premium Cabins are as follows:
Ocean Explorer: Grand & Royal Veranda Stateroom; Studio Veranda Single; Explorer, Junior & Owner’s Suite
Families & Children
At date of embarkation, a minimum age restriction of 8 years and minimum height and weight requirements (weight of 64lbs or 29kg and 48 in. or 1.2 m. tall) must be met. Children under 16 years of age must be supervised by a parent/guardian at all times and may not participate in adventure options.
Travel Insurance
Emergency evacuation insurance to a maximum benefit of up to $500,000 USD per paying traveler provides coverage between the first and last day of ship-based travel and is included in the cost of this trip. For ship- and land-based trips, additional days of travel pre- and post-expedition are not covered. Travelers are responsible for having adequate international medical coverage prior to embarkation, with a minimum benefit of $50,000 USD. In addition, we highly recommend our travelers also protect their investment with travel insurance that includes trip cancellation and other benefits. Our partners at Travelex Insurance offer a variety of plans and policies to fit every trip and budget. Coverage for a pre-existing medical condition is also available if you purchase the Travel Select plan within 15 days of the initial trip payment; refer to plan details. Learn more about travel insurance or get a free quote.
Itinerary Notes
Read this itinerary as a guide only; the exact route and program varies according to ice, weather conditions, wildlife encountered and the captain’s discretion. Flexibility is the key to the success of any Antarctica expedition. Visits to research stations depend on final permission.
