POLAR REGIONS & SOUTH AMERICA | Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, Patagonia, Drake Passage, Antarctic Peninsula
Antarctica & Patagonia Expedition Cruise
Begin your amazing expedition in the South American beauty of Patagonia, also know as the "End of the World—making this expedition cruise the perfect complement to a Buenos Aires Escape. Your adventure continues with the exploration of the infinite riches and natural splendor of the Antarctic Peninsula. Nature takes center stage and unique experiences abound as you hike through penguin colonies, marvel at pods of whales navigating the waters around you, and share a toast with fellow Adventurers as you glide past glaciers and ice floes.
Call us at (800) 543-0865
or contact your Travel Agent
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSExpanded
- What steps is Adventures by Disney taking regarding health and safety?
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We've been working to develop health and safety measures after considering guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as local and international health authorities. Learn more.
End of content - How do I book my Adventures by Disney vacation?
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If you are in the United States, please call (800) 543-0865 to speak to a Vacationista, or contact your professional travel agent.
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If you are outside the United States, please call (866) 983-7872 to speak to a Vacationista, or contact your professional travel agent. - When will I receive my Digital Adventure Handbook?
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You should receive your Digital Adventure Handbook approximately 90 days prior to your departure.
End of content - Do I need vaccines to travel to this country?
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Please check the Centers for Disease Control website for requirements on vaccinations for travel to this destination.
End of content - What airport do I fly into and out of?
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Arrival: We will pick you up from Ezeiza International Airport (EZE). Your flight may arrive at any point during the day.
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Please note: If you are participating in the Buenos Aires Escape pre-package, please follow the arrival instructions for that program.
Departure: On the final day of the adventure, a late morning or early afternoon flight will bring you from Ushuaia to Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) in Buenos Aires for your return flight home. To ensure a comfortable connection in Buenos Aires, your departure flight should not be scheduled any time prior to 8:00 PM. - Are transfers included if I arrive or depart from different locations or at different times from the itinerary?
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No. Transfers are only included from the Buenos Aires area airports.
End of content - Where does my ship depart from?
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On the morning of Day 2, Guests will fly as a group from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, where they will board the ship at the Port of Ushuaia. The ship will remain docked in Ushuaia overnight allowing Guests to explore the Patagonia region until the evening of Day 3, when it will sail for the Antarctic Peninsula.
End of content - Can I extend my vacation beyond the Adventures by Disney itinerary?
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Yes, there are 2 options for you to extend your Adventures by Disney Antarctica & Patagonia Expedition Cruise itinerary.
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Option 1: You may extend your vacation with a pre- or post-night stay at the Sofitel Recoleta Hotel in Buenos Aires.
Option 2: You can also book a 4-day Adventures by Disney Buenos Aires Escape as a pre-package for your Expedition Cruise. If you choose the Escape pre-package, you will join the Expedition Cruise program on Day 2 for the flight to Ushuaia.
Both options may be booked through Adventures by Disney Travel Services, Inc. in conjunction with an expedition cruise package and cannot be combined with any other offer. Please contact a Vacationista at (800) 543-0865 for further information on all vacation extension options. - How will our group travel between destinations?
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Your group will use commercial aircraft to travel to and from Ushuaia on Day 2 and Day 12. While in Argentina, motor coaches will be used for transportation and excursions. Once the ship sets sail, Guests will remain onboard the PONANT cruise ship with the exception of when Zodiac boats are used to reach the landing locations for excursions in Antarctica.
End of content - Do I need a medical certificate to take an Expedition Cruise?
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Due to the remote location of this Expedition Cruise, there is no land based medical infrastructure in the expedition region. Therefore, although the ship has its own qualified doctor and nurse, and has a medical center containing a stock of basic medicines and medical equipment, the medical treatment available is not comparable to that offered by a shore-based medical facility. To ensure your comfort and safety, and so that the onboard doctor is aware of your general state of health, Guests will be required to sign a health attestation form. This form will be emailed to Guests approximately 45 days prior to sailing and it will need to be returned approximately 30 days prior to sailing.
End of content - Is there a doctor on board the ship?
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Yes, there is a doctor on board available to Guests. There is a fee for all consultations and the price may vary according to the time and place of the consultation (hospital or stateroom). Guests will also be required to pay for any medications.
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PONANT asks Guests who require any special treatment to note it on the medical form prior to departure, as well as to inform the on-board crew upon embarkation. It is also important for Guests to keep any medications on hand for the duration of the trip. - How strenuous are the activities?
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This trip has an activity rating of light/moderate; travelers should be in good health, comfortable walking or standing for extended periods and prepared for multiple hours of activity on some days. Excursions may include navigating uneven terrain, climbing stairs without handrails and walking on paths with steep ascents/descents or that are mud, snow or ice covered. Guests must be able to step down into and out of a Zodiac with little assistance, including stepping into the water at times.
End of content - Is this itinerary appropriate for travelers with special needs?
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This vacation includes activities that may present certain challenges to Guests with special needs. It is strongly recommended that persons requiring assistance be accompanied by a companion who is capable of and totally responsible for providing assistance. Neither Adventures by Disney nor its suppliers may physically lift or assist Guests onto transportation vehicles. This expedition can be physically demanding and Guests should be in general good health and able to walk short distances over uneven and rough terrain unassisted. Since Guests will be traveling to a remote area without access to sophisticated medical facilities, a Guest may not join this expedition if they have a life-threatening condition. Contact a Vacationista to discuss any questions you may have.
End of content - I suffer from seasickness. Can I still come on the Expedition Cruise?
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Those Guests who are prone to motion sickness may be uncomfortable on the 38 – 44-hour crossing of the Drake Passage or if there are rough waters during the catamaran cruise in Ushuaia. The Drake Passage is well-known for its rough seas, and Guests can anticipate experiencing some motion sickness.
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Although the ships are equipped with stabilizers which adapt to the movements of the ship and are designed to anticipate and compensate for the pitching and tossing of the sea to achieve greater stability, it is highly recommended for all Guests that are susceptible to seasickness, or aren’t sure if they are, to have motion sickness medication, although the medical center onboard can provide treatments for a fee. - Can I sail if I am pregnant?
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For the safety of parent and child, and depending on various circumstances, passengers who are at an advanced stage of pregnancy (after 5 months) will not be allowed to board the ship. The ship does not have facilities for giving birth on board. Please inform us immediately if you will be at such an advanced stage of pregnancy at any time during sailing. Adventures by Disney cannot be held responsible or liable for any complications relating to pregnancy at any stage.
End of content - What ages are appropriate for this adventure?
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While we welcome children ages 10 and up for our Expedition Cruise trip, we recommend that children be at least 12 years old at the time of travel. This is based on several factors, such as the duration of the trip, potential for extreme weather or sea conditions and the amount of physical activity involved. In addition, the trip involves close encounters with wild animals, such as seals and penguins, which requires a certain level of maturity to follow the strict regulations enforced to maintain the pristine environment of Antarctica. Because each child is different, call a Vacationista at (800) 543-0865 to discuss whether this is the right trip for your kids.
End of content - What types of meals and beverages are served on this Adventures by Disney Trip?
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Typically, breakfast is a buffet. Dinners and lunches usually include fish, meat, and pasta or rice entrées; vegetables and salad; and desserts and fruit. Some meals on the trip are served family style while others offer a limited-choice menu or buffet. Given the nature of group travel, we regret that á la carte menu choices may not always be available. Child-friendly choices are available at all meals. Menu items are subject to change due to the availability and seasonality of foods. Guests are offered a varied menu, with themed meals and classic entrées.
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Meals on board are served at leisure in 2 restaurants and the times are scheduled around the day’s excursions and shipboard activities. Guests may dine in the main dining room on Deck 2, which serves contemporary, gourmet and international cuisine, or the more casual restaurant on Deck 6, which offers indoor and outdoor seating (weather and sea conditions permitting) for buffet-style breakfast, lunch and dinner.
In addition to 3 meals a day, early-riser coffee and afternoon tea are served daily and the lounges are open at designated times for beverages throughout the day and evening. Room service is also available 24 hours a day.
Bottled water, bar drinks (exclusive of premium champagnes, wines and spirits), coffee, tea and soft drinks are included during all meals and throughout the day in the lounges. Tap water is purified and bottled water is provided on the ship.
If you have any questions or concerns about dining at any time during your vacation, your Adventure Guides will be happy to assist you. - Is alcohol included with meals?
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Unlimited wine, beer and house spirits are included and available throughout the cruise, including a fully-stocked minibar. Some meals during the excursions in Patagonia and on the internal flights do not include alcohol.
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Guests must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcoholic beverages. - Can you accommodate special dietary needs?
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If Guests have special dietary requirements (vegetarian or vegan menus, food allergies, etc.), please advise a Vacationista at least 6 weeks prior to the beginning of the departure. Chefs on board will make every effort to accommodate Guests’ needs. In addition, it is also recommended that Guests take the opportunity early in the cruise to meet with both Adventure Guides and the Maître D’ to discuss any special requests and inform the server prior to dining. Unfortunately, Adventures by Disney may not be able to accommodate all special dietary needs requested. Kosher meals are not available on board.
End of content - Is there a dress code on board the ship?
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There is no formal dress code on board the ship and the atmosphere is casual, therefore, formal clothing is not necessary. As a general rule, Guests should pack comfortable clothing that can be layered, as temperatures are likely to vary widely over the course of the trip. A sweater or light jacket may be useful even when indoors. Comfortable, flat shoes are recommended. Swimwear/fitness gear should only be worn in the pool/fitness areas.
End of content - Is there a laundry service on the ship?
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Yes. The washing and ironing of clothes will take between 24 and 48 hours for a fee that will be charged to the Guest’s shipboard account. Dry cleaning is not available.
End of content - What if Adventures by Disney cancels the adventure prior to departure?
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We will make every reasonable effort to operate the vacations as advertised; however, we reserve the right to curtail or modify the itinerary, or to substitute activities, hotels, meals or transportation as we deem necessary. We further reserve the right to reduce the number of Adventure Guides to one, and to modify other services to accommodate a smaller group, if a minimum number of Guests is not reached. Similarly, we may marginally exceed the stated group maximum size if necessary to accommodate a family. Please also note that during certain holidays and peak periods, some activities may be disrupted or unavailable. None of these modifications or changes shall affect the Expedition Cruise package price. We reserve the right to cancel a trip at any time prior to its commencement for any reason, such as if there are too few Guests, or if the quality of the trip or the safety of the Guests would, in our opinion, be compromised, such as may result from unforeseen circumstances (acts of God) or other circumstances beyond our reasonable control. If we cancel your trip prior to its commencement because there are too few Guests: (i) we will attempt to re-book you on another departure of the same itinerary, subject to availability, and we will bear any reasonable airline re-booking charges; however, if we are unable to rebook you, we will issue a full refund of your Expedition Cruise package price and Plan (unless you have filed a claim); and (ii) if you booked airfare through us, we will issue a full refund of your airfare; and (iii) if you did not book airfare through us, we will reimburse you for your reasonable out-of-pocket (subject to proof) airline cancellation charges or, in the case of bookings using frequent flier miles, a reasonable cancellation service fee, provided you have exercised best efforts to mitigate such charges/fees; and (iv) the aforesaid payments and/or rebooking by us shall constitute a full settlement.
End of content - Is travel insurance available?
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Yes, you can protect your vacation investment by adding the Adventures by Disney Vacation Protection Plan to your reservation.
Get details about the Adventures by Disney Vacation Protection Plan.
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