Antarctica is a dream destination for many, offering breathtaking landscapes, extraordinary wildlife, and an unforgettable sense of adventure. For our 13-day exploration in November 2024, we chose the luxurious Seabourn Venture, a Polar Class 6 expedition ship that perfectly combines elegance and exploration. With only 259 passengers and 238 crew members, the ship offers an intimate experience, ensuring every detail is thoughtfully addressed. From the shores of Buenos Aires to the icy wonderland of the Antarctic Peninsula, this blog post will guide you through everything you need to know to pack, prepare, and make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime journey. Whether you're traveling with Seabourn or another cruise line, our insights and tips will help you stay warm, comfortable, and ready for adventure in the world's southernmost continent. Download and print our packing checklist at the end of this post!
Preparing for Antarctica: What to Know Before You Pack
Antarctica’s weather can be unpredictable, but some constants remain: it’s cold, layered clothing is essential, and preparation is key. Here are our top tips for getting ready:
Weather Insights: For our late November cruise, temperatures ranged from 28 to 36°F. While tools like AccuWeather are excellent for planning your time in Buenos Aires or Ushuaia, we recommend Windy.com for detailed Antarctic forecasts, including wind patterns and wave heights. This interactive tool is widely used by expedition teams to determine safe landing zones.
The Power of Layers: Be ready to adapt to changing conditions, from chilly Zodiac rides to brisk hillside hikes. The weather can change quickly! Layers make it easy to adjust your warmth and comfort.
What Seabourn Provides
Seabourn makes packing easier by providing essential expedition gear:
PolarShield Parka Set: Includes a parka, beanie, and waterproof pack. Seabourn sent us an email about 4 weeks before departure to pre-order our size before departure. A size guide is provided, but don't overthink this -- exchanges can be made on board.
Insulated Boots: Warm, waterproof Muck-style boots for excursions. These boots are for use only on expeditions and will be left in the landing zone each day to minimize contamination. They are fitted on board. You will need to consider bringing shoes to wear to and from the landing zone. We suggest things that are easy to slip on and off as the landing zones can get crowded during zodiac loading. For us, she brought Ugg boots which were great for putting on after a cold outing and he brought slip on running shoes. Be aware whatever you bring may get wet. Many passengers wore the seabourn slippers.
Water Bottles: Two stainless steel bottles with carabiners for use during outings.
What to Pack
Base Layers
Lightweight Thermal base layers (e.g., 32° from Costco or online). We brought two pair allowing us to rotate if one needed to be washed or was damp from outings.
Merino wool ski socks (2 pairs per day recommended). We like ski socks for the length and padded shins. One of us wore both layers to keep our feet warm, but probably could have used one on many days since the boots are pretty warm.
Outerwear
Fleece-lined waterproof snow pants (hers). These were awesome, comfortable and had lots of pockets that were easily accessible.
Zippered fleece jackets in varying weights. She brought a lightweight one and a heavier L.L Bean one. He wore a Helly Hensen one.
Seabourn’s provided parka layers (thermal liner and waterproof shell) can be ordered about four weeks before departure via an email from Seabourn. They will be waiting in your stateroom upon arrival. Don’t worry about getting the size perfect, as there will be an opportunity to exchange jackets during a fitting session onboard.
Accessories
Waterproof ski gloves with merino wool liners for him. She brought the same but additionally a waterproof pair of touchscreen gloves. We brought glove tethers too so we didn't lose our gloves when removing them for taking photographs or other reasons.
A lighter neck buff (merino wool preferred over bulky fleece). We brought a turtle fur neck gaiter which was a little bulky. Our high zip fleece jackets provided adequate neck warmth for many days.
Sunglasses for every day landings and ski goggles for windy Zodiac rides
Foldable hiking poles for slippery landings. Seabourn provided wooden poles to help with stability but on some days they were all taken when we had later expedition outings.
- A suction cup magnifying mirror was wonderful. There is a magnifying table top mirror provided in the room but for putting on makeup comfortably and being able to look out the window at the scenery this was wonderful. Not only did it provide good light, but it could be put at face level for comfort.
- We only had two USB-C outlets in our room -- one on each side of the bed. If you need multiple USB-C outlets, we suggest bringing a universal adapter with multiple USB outlets which is helpful for your hotel stay, or USB-A to USB-C cords.
- We used waterproof phone holders for additional activities like kayaking, and for snowy days.
Many consider packing fold-over mittens for easier use of cellphones and cameras, but we strongly recommend prioritizing waterproof gloves due to snow, rain, and splashing water on Zodiac rides. Waterproof options offer superior protection and keep your hands warm and dry in unpredictable conditions.
See our full video description of what we packed, and what we didn't need, with tips by clicking below!
Footwear
Slip-on shoes for transitions (e.g., Ugg boots or sneakers)
Shoes that can handle slight dampness, as Zodiac landing zone can be wet
Tips for Onboard Comfort
Onboard attire is generally casual:
Daytime: Activewear suitable for layering.
Evenings: Surprisingly casual! She usually wore leggings or slacks with a blouse or sweater. He usually wore nice jeans or golf pants with a long sleeve shirt, golf shirt or half zip. There isn’t much time for dressing up between excursions and the daily recap sessions at 6:00 PM. We recommend having a warmer outer layer with you on board so that if there is a wildlife spotting or great sunset, you can take advantage of time on deck. WE DO NOT RECOMMEND high heeled shoes, especially in the rough waters of the Drake Passage since these can be very unstable!
Miscellaneous Must-Haves
Skincare Essentials: Heavy-duty lotion, sunscreen, and lip balm to combat the dry, cold conditions.
Camera Protection: Bring a personal dry bag for sensitive or high-value equipment like cameras.
Extra Layers: While Seabourn’s provided gear is excellent, having your own backup ensures optimal comfort.
Seasickness medication like Bonine is what we use and many passengers used seabands.
Lessons Learned
Some items we packed weren’t used (e.g., boot gaiters, balaclavas), while others were missed (e.g., a lightweight merino wool buff). The onboard boutique offers high-quality gear, but sizes and stock may be limited.
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One Night in Buenos Aires and the Flight to Ushuaia: Be Ready for Drastic Weather Changes
When traveling to Antarctica, your journey will likely begin with a night in Buenos Aires before heading to Ushuaia. While Buenos Aires boasts a warm, subtropical climate, Ushuaia, located at the southern tip of Argentina, is known for its much cooler, unpredictable weather. The temperature difference between the two cities can be dramatic—what you wear in Buenos Aires may not be suitable for Ushuaia's winds and chill. In late November we experienced temperature around 80 - 90 degrees Fahrenheit, but Ushuaia was in the 40's and windy. This is a great opportunity to use accuweather. com to check the weather before you go.
To make the transition easier and more comfortable, we recommend packing your carry-on bag with everything you’ll need for both nights: casual, warmer layers for Buenos Aires (including a light jacket) and more substantial outerwear for Ushuaia, like a windproof jacket, insulated gloves, and a warm hat. This will keep you prepared and avoid the hassle of unpacking and repacking, making your transition smoother.
Packing Tips:
- For Buenos Aires: Light layers, breathable fabrics, comfortable walking shoes, and a light jacket. Shorts were fine during the day and we wore pants in the evening.
- For Ushuaia: A heavier jacket or coat, thermal layers, sturdy shoes for potential wet weather, and gloves and a hat to protect against the cold winds.
By having everything on hand in your carry-on, you’ll be able to easily adapt to both environments with minimal fuss—allowing you to enjoy your time in both cities before heading off to your Antarctic adventure!
Final Thoughts
Our Antarctica adventure aboard the Seabourn Venture was unforgettable. By packing thoughtfully, you’ll ensure a comfortable, safe, and enjoyable journey.
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Antarctic Expedition Packing Checklist
Outerwear
☐ Heavy-duty waterproof parka (provided by Seabourn)
☐ Waterproof pants or overalls
☐ Insulated boots (provided by Seabourn)
☐ Layered clothing for maximum warmth (thermal tops and bottoms)
Accessories
☐ Waterproof ski gloves with merino wool liners (for him)
☐ Waterproof touchscreen gloves (for her)
☐ Glove tethers
☐ Lighter neck buff (merino wool preferred)
☐ Sunglasses for daily landings
☐ Ski goggles for Zodiac rides
☐ Foldable hiking poles for slippery landings
☐ Suction cup magnifying mirror
☐ USB-C multi-port adapter or USB-A to USB-C cords (for additional outlets)
☐ Waterproof gloves (for Zodiac rides)
Footwear
☐ Slip-on shoes for landing zone (e.g., Ugg boots or sneakers) that can handle wet conditions
☐ Waterproof boots (provided by Seabourn)
Onboard Comfort
☐ Activewear for daytime
☐ Casual evening attire (leggings, slacks, blouse/sweater, long-sleeve shirt, golf pants)
☐ Warmer outer layer for on-deck moments
☐ Flat comfortable shoes (for stability in rough waters)
Health and Beauty Essentials
☐ Heavy-duty lotion
☐ Sunscreen
☐ Lip balm
☐ Seasickness medications
☐ Seabands
Valuable Equipment Protection
☐ Dry bag
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