Michael_A

I think I can at least answer, partially, some of your questions based on my experience with them on a January Antarctic sailing. 1) Yes, suites get a couple of free laundry services (I was in a suite). I understand, based on discussions with other passengers, that it was available to them on a per-item charge. It was a bit expensive, like $5 for a shirt or something. They provide a form you fill out with all the items to be washed and a price list. I may have a copy of it, let me look and I'll post a pic if I can find it. 2) Alcohol was available pretty much anytime the bar was open, which started around 8:00AM until well past midnight on our cruise. On our Antarctic expedition, there was a "no drinking" policy if you were going on the shore landings or zodiac cruise, and the bartended would inquire if you were going on one of these excursions - he wouldn't refuse to serve but did remined you couldn't go if you've had a drink. 3) The 1mb data really sucks. I read a few months ago they updated their wifi capabilities on the ships and were exploring the idea of increased or unlimited amounts, but there has been no official word that I have seen to indicate they have done so yet, or when. The 1mb is PER DEVICE/PER PERSON. So, you and a travelling companion can sign up one device each for example, and each of those devices would have a 1mb limit respectively. FWIW, I didn't use any wifi on my trip; my GF blew through her limit in a few days; and an unknowing passenger got a huge shock halfway through the trip when she unknowingly went up to something like 10mb of usage (they did make an adjustment for her, but still a big bill). 4) I'll see if I can find a copy of the room service menu, again we were booked in a suite and I think they had a bit of an "expanded" menu. However, some other passengers in regular cabins did avail themselves to room service meals. The most popular was their hamburger, which was excellent! I think just about everyone on my cruise eventually got a room-service hamburger once word got out about how good they are. Indeed, we dined in the room a few times just for the hamburgers! My GF had a simple breakfast once (don't recall exactly what) but did note that it was very good. Things may be different depending on the region you are planning to cruise, but overall, I must say we had an outstanding trip with them, and we are considering sailing again with them, perhaps one of their cruises that does a lap of Iceland.

Drones are restricted in Antarctica, the permitting to use one can take months. No drone was used in the video I did; I was fortunate to be using a preproduction 360 degree camera which, on the end of about an 8 foot boom pole, can create the effect of a drone shot.

Both me and my GF had to go up one size from our usual U.S. sizes, me from a XL to a XXL and her from a Med to a L. I think their sizing runs closer to European sizing than U.S. sizing. In both cases they just brought out the next size and all was good.

Their selection was limited, but pretty decent. On the Antarctic cruises you really can't have any alcoholic beverages if you are going to do a shore landing or Zodiac cruise, which could happen multiple times a day once you are there. So the only time you could have a drink is at the end of the day! Not sure if their Northern hemisphere expedition cruises have the same policy or if it's limited to Antarctica.

1GB per person, for one device.

👍

In January we did an Antarctic Cruise with them. We were largely on the western peninsula and didn't see any Emperor penguins; I believe they live a bit further north with their prime grounds being more to the east side of the peninsula and the south Shetland/Orkney islands, though in theory they could range along any of the coasts. Here is a map that may be helpful. Do be aware that there are some (likely) increasing restrictions on shore landings due to Avian flu that could impact getting up close to them.

That really looks like the ones on board... All in all, they worked really well. If I lived in snow country I'd certainly pop for a pair based on how well they worked on the cruise.

The boots are a Muck brand, though I couldn't find the specific model on-line. May be a proprietary offering just for the expedition cruises. They have a rubber type lower, good tread, with a neoprene type upper which is stretchy. Recommended waterproof trousers to go outside the boot shank so if you step in deeper water the trousers will act as a top seal. I did this several times and it indeed worked with no leakage. I only wore a single pair of socks, and was very comfortable standing in snow or on ice (and in water, of course). The boots are a bit bulky, and I suspect there is some insulation in there though I can't confirm it. Based on my experience I really think there is. My only complaint is they don't have much arch support and for me that made hiking on rough terrain a bit of a challenge - but I managed in the end.

You're gonna love it!

I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to visit with the captain on our cruise on several occasions. I have to admit I have tremendous respect for their judgement. They want to provide their passengers with the best experience they can, but also have to consider safety, the weather, and the ship. Sometimes thing are beyond their control and they have to make a judgement call. I would NEVER second guess the captains call; and this underscores the nature of these Antarctic cruises. It ain't the Love Boat! And you are not on a "milk run" of set destinations. Mother nature will always have the upper hand. I think we get spoiled with the repeatability of modern transportation and there is perhaps a precedence to expect things to go like clockwork in the modern age. But going to Antarctica is like going back in time, and dealing with the variables of weather and the limitations of forecasting in such a remote environment. The "local" flow of information, what you get on the ship from the Bridge crew or Expedition Leaders, far surpasses the Facebook or "blog" channels that may come into play after the fact. While the delay caused some concern when viewing the ships tracking and us, as spectators not on board, were left to speculate it was obvious now (and having experienced it first hand) that the Captain and crew were doing their best under prevailing conditions. It's easy to look at Cruise Mapper and see the sea state marked as "rough" and thing it's not that bad. Different matter entirely if you are stuck in it! I think it's easy ( and I include myself in this!) to "armchair quarterback" these things when we are not on it. It IS very encouraging to get some first hand reports back that shed light on exactly what happened. Thank you for sharing!

A Royal Clipper Valentines Day Video! Just thought I'd share... look forward to sailing with them again soon!

I'll add... if I were to do it all again, I'd arrive in BA 2 days prior to the charter flight. American Airlines didn't load one of my bags in DFW - couldn't have gotten it to me until the next day, but AFTER the charter departed. It seemed like a high percentage of passengers were missing bags that could have been delivered to the hotel the next day, it was like 10%. And that was across a lot of different departure airports and airlines. Don't know what's up with this seemingly high attrition rate regarding bags getting on the same plane as their owners. Besides... BA is a cool town and I do wish I had the extra day - not only for luggage to catch up but to check out the city.

I got my stuff about 6 weeks out. I recommend not trying to depart the same day the charter gets back... still a lot of variables in play. Ship could make port late... charter could run late (it happens...). Even though the flights out of BA to USA depart in the evening, it would make for a very long and somewhat stressful day of just being in the airport hoping all the pieces line up.

Here is a pic of Atlas' lobby desk at the Hilton in BA, taken around 3:30 AM just prior to the shuttle bus departure to EZE airport for the charter flight.