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Saturday, January 11, 2025

Preparing for Your Seabourn Antarctica Expedition: Tips, Transfers, and Excursions

Planning an expedition cruise to Antarctica is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but the logistics can feel overwhelming. From preparing at home to boarding the ship, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to help you navigate every step. Whether it's understanding Seabourn's complimentary PolarShield Parka program, booking excursions, or managing pre-cruise transfers, this post covers everything we wish we’d known before our adventure.


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Getting Started: Setting Up Your Seabourn Account

The first step is to set up your Seabourn account and download the Seabourn Source app. These will serve as your go-to resources for managing your cruise both before and during your trip.

About two weeks before your departure, your final documents and luggage tags will be available online. Print them out for reference and emergency contacts.




Excursions: Plan and Prepay

Seabourn offers unique excursions for Antarctica, including kayaking ($200-$250 per passenger), submersible ($1000 per passenger) and the Image Masters photography program ($1,500 per passenger). While prices can change, these experiences are often well worth it. Keep in mind that excursions must be prepaid using a credit card, but you can later use onboard credit for a refund by visiting Guest Services once onboard.




Understanding Visa Requirements

Navigating visa requirements can be confusing. Seabourn’s emails about visas often lack itinerary-specific clarity. For our cruise, no visa was required. We recommend double-checking requirements early and reaching out to Seabourn for clarification.

For U.S. citizens considering side trips like Iguazu Falls in Brazil, note that a visa may be required starting April 2025.


PolarShield Parka Program

Every guest receives a complimentary PolarShield Parka, beanie, and waterproof pack. These items can be pre-ordered online about four weeks before departure and will be waiting in your suite. If sizing doesn’t fit, Seabourn offers onboard exchanges.




Seabourn Flight Ease Program

Seabourn’s Flight Ease program simplifies flight bookings with flexible fares, next-port protection, and convenient transfers. You can cancel or adjust your booking until your cruise's final payment is due, making it a flexible and often cost-effective choice. We didn't use it because our preferred airline was not providing points for consolidator fares for a period of time, however, we wouldn't hesitate to use them in the future! 

See our complete video guide by clicking below!




Transfers: What to Expect in Buenos Aires

Seabourn transfers can be confusing. Initially, we were told transfers weren’t included for early arrivals, but our final documents listed one. Our advice is if you unsure if you have a Seabourn transfer included, book a refundable private transfer and check your final documents before leaving home. If you find you have a transfer included, like we did, cancel the private transfer. If your transfer is included, look for Seabourn representatives wearing orange at the airport.

For private transfers, services like Viator or Uber are great options. Always have a backup plan to avoid last-minute surprises.




Hotel Stay: Alvear Palace, Buenos Aires

Seabourn booked us at the Alvear Palace Hotel, a luxurious base for pre-cruise exploration. Highlights included spacious rooms, elegant dining options, a rooftop bar, and a well-equipped complimentary fitness center and spa with an indoor pool. Its location in a walkable, safe neighborhood near Recoleta Cemetery made it ideal for sightseeing.




Tours and Activities in Buenos Aires

Seabourn’s Hospitality Desk at the hotel provided tour options, which are displayed in the photos below. We especially loved the Moderno Tango exclusive evening for Seabourn guests with dinner and unlimited wine for $159 per passenger. In addition the local representatives provided helpful advice for independent activities like visiting the iconic Opera House. The optional formal tours were also available for an additional fee.













Charter Flight to Ushuaia

On embarkation day, Seabourn arranged a special breakfast area and a seamless charter flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia. There were two flights 700 AM and 930 AM. The flight took about 3.5 hours. Boarding passes were provided the evening before with your assigned bus time to take you to the airport. A local Seabourn representative will be with you from the Buenos Aires hotel, all the way to Ushuaia. The process was well-organized, allowing us to focus on enjoying the journey ahead. Times for the flights are assigned before you leave home and you will be notified via email. If the times do not work for you, then we encourage you to reach out to Seabourn as quickly as possible. Leg room on the flights were very tight and be prepared to carry your carry on luggage down and up stairs to board. If you cannot, let a Seabourn representative know! No one  measured or weighed our carry on luggage and a domestic sized roller bag fit easily in the overhead bin. Charter flights departed from Aeroparque airport but return charter flights at the end of the cruise landed at EZE. A small snack is provided each way on the charter flights. 




Final Tips

  • Currency: Bring U.S. dollars for Argentina or confirm local currency requirements for your activities. We found USD and credit cards were widely accepted and never used any Argentine pesos. 
  • Excursions: Pre-book popular options early to avoid disappointment such as kayaking.
  • Transfers: Confirm and double-check all transfer arrangements to ensure a smooth arrival.

Conclusion:
With proper preparation, your Seabourn Antarctica expedition will be unforgettable. From setting up your account to planning excursions and navigating Buenos Aires, these tips will help you focus on what matters most—enjoying your journey to the White Continent. Feel free to ask any questions in the comments or on YouTube. We're happy to help! 

Don't forget to check out our YouTube channel for more in-depth insights, and remember, all proceeds go to charity. Give us a thumbs-up, comment, or subscribe to support our mission of making meaningful travel happen. Together, we can make a difference!

Monday, January 6, 2025

Cruise News: UK ETA Process for Travelers and Cruise Ship Passengers Starting January 2025

Planning a trip to or through the United Kingdom? Starting January 8, 2025, there's a significant change in visa requirements you need to know about. The UK is introducing a new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) requirement for most travelers entering or transiting through the country. This includes cruise ship passengers, airline travelers, and even those just passing through UK airports.
In this guide, we'll break down the UK ETA process, highlight essential details for cruisers, share our personal experience applying, and answer common questions from travelers.






Who Needs a UK ETA?

The UK ETA is mandatory for travelers who are not UK or Irish citizens. Here's how it applies to various travel scenarios:

  • Flying to the UK: Includes transiting through UK airports (even if you're just changing planes).
  • Cruise Ship Passengers: Required whether you're embarking, disembarking, or just stopping at a UK port—even if you stay on the ship.
  • Land Travel: Covers entry via car, bus, train, or ferry through the Channel Tunnel.

Make sure to verify if your nationality requires an ETA by checking the official UK government website.




Key Details for Cruise Ship Passengers

Many cruise travelers have questions about the ETA process. Here’s what you need to know:

  • Stopping at a UK Port: If your cruise includes a stop in the UK, you’ll need an ETA, even if you don’t leave the ship.
  • Embarkation or Disembarkation: If your cruise begins or ends in the UK, an ETA is mandatory.
  • Flying to Your Cruise: Changing planes in a UK airport? You’ll still need an ETA, even for a layover.

Cruise lines and airlines may deny boarding if you don’t have an ETA, so apply early to avoid disruptions.





The UK ETA Application Process

Here’s how to apply for a UK ETA, whether you’re using the app or applying online:

  1. Choose Your Method

    • Download the UK ETA app from the App Store or Google Play.
    • Alternatively, visit the official UK government website to apply online.
  2. Have These Essentials Ready

    • Your passport.
    • An email address.
    • A credit or debit card.
  3. Follow the Steps

    • Verify your email address.
    • Fill out your personal details.
    • Upload a photo of your passport and take a selfie.
    • If applying online, you may need to upload a headshot separately.
  4. Pay the Fee

    • The cost is £10 (approximately $13 USD).
  5. Processing Time

    • While official guidance states processing can take up to three business days, our experience was much quicker:
      • Application Time: 5 minutes (once we had our passport and credit card ready).
      • Approval Time:: 10 minutes - 3 days.

Tip: Don’t wait until the last minute to apply, as any issues could delay your travel plans.

We applied online and not on the app, and it too only 1 minute to get approval! See us apply online by clicking the video below! 




Common Questions About the UK ETA

  • Do children need an ETA?
    Yes, every traveler, including minors, must have their own ETA.

  • Does it cover multiple trips?
    Yes, the ETA is valid for multiple entries over two years. However, if your passport expires, you’ll need to reapply with your new passport.

  • What if I’m only changing planes?
    You’ll still need an ETA, even if you’re just transiting through a UK airport.



Here are helpful links: 

INFO including who needs to apply:  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta

For APP:   https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-the-uk-eta-app

For On-Line Application (bottom of page):  https://apply-for-an-eta.homeoffice.gov.uk/apply/electronic-travel-authorisation/help-downloading



Final Thoughts

The new UK ETA process is straightforward, especially when using the app. With a little preparation, you can ensure a smooth journey to or through the UK.

If you found this guide helpful, please like, comment, and subscribe to us on YouTube and elsewhere. Every interaction helps us make a difference, as all proceeds from our channel go to charity.

Always remember to make meaningful and healthy travel happen, and we’ll see you next time!