Michael_A

Oops... my bad.. yes 1 GB... still not very much!

On the Traveller there was a 110 outlet in the bathroom. Used it for a razor, my GF used their hair dryer, and I even had battery chargers for cameras and stuff plugged into it at various times. No restrictions posted or apparent. There were 110 plugs on the desk/counter in the cabin and by the headboards, but those quickly got filled as well with chargers and stuff. 220 is a bit more available in the cabins (lights) and there are 220 (Euro round pin style) outlets throughout the ship (dining room, lounge, etc.) just take the proper converters or adapters.

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.

Thanks. It was a BIG iceberg, but not THE big one... this one was maybe a 1/4 mile long and much taller than the ship. It was impressive!

We got our missing bag back at EZE. It was hell. Standing in 3 lines for a total of 3 hours, each time to be told to go stand in another line. Finally found the "secret room" in terminal A (behind counter 1-4, a door marked a24) where the AA lost luggage can be retrieved, it was unmarked, unmanned, and when some unidentified personnel walked out I saw my bag close to the now open door and simply reached in and grabbed it. Didn't understand what the guy was saying to me in Spanish, but he didn't call security, I got my bag, and proceeded to climb out of THAT layer of hell that is American Airlines operations at EZE....

Not really... I did notice the FlyBondi people aggressively weighing and calling people out on carry on luggage for their REGULAR flights, but NOT the Atlas' charter. So I guess if you are flying the private charter, there is a bit more leeway. But if you make your own arrangements to Ushuaia and are flying on of the "usual suspects" there is a higher likelihood of getting your stuff weighed.

All, the cruise was simply fantastic! It greatly exceeded my expectations on pretty much every level. I'll do a more formal review in a bit... I am still traveling back. But on board I did a video of the journey in almost real time that was played on the ship the last day were were on and I was humbled by how many passengers and crew came up and said it in some way caught the spirit of this very special cruise... Consider it a preview of an Atlas cruise if you are considering one!

Hi All, I am currently at the Hilton in Buenos Aires getting ready to transfer to AOV's charter early tomorrow. As such, I am "officially" in AOV's customer bubble and wanted to share some impressions. I'll follow up in more detail upon my return. AOV has a very nice, professional, presence in the Hilton's lobby. It includes signage, a very knowledgeable and friendly ground staff, and really seems to have their act together. Unfortunately, upon my arrival at EZE, American Airlines lost one of my bags! This took about an hour at EZE meeting with their (AA's) luggage reps where they filed a claim and stated the bag never left the last departure airport (DFW). They are unable to get it to Ushuaia in time to be put on the ship; I will have to recover it on my outbound flight whereby is is SUPPOSED to be secured at the ticket/check in counter at EZE. If that's the case, nothing is lost, but there is some cold weather gear (namely boots and my girlfriends jacket) that we/she won't have the use of... but back to AOV for a minute... We had AOV arrange ground transport from EZE to the Hilton for us. We were met in the arrivals hall, and even though we were delayed due to the above baggage issue the woman meeting us was friendly, professional, sympathetic, and genuinely helpful. She imparted a LOT of insights about BA, money stuff, places to see, and suggested several places for us to shop for some immediate replacement items (toiletries, stuff like that...). Within walking distance of the Hilton we got re-provisioned at a small pharmacy a block or so away, found a really nice cool weather coat for Lisa (nicer than the one that is now MIA with AA...), decided we really didn't need to exchange cash since my AMX was working everywhere, had lunch, and then checked in at the AOV desk. The woman who collected us up at the airport had briefed the AOV desk staff, and they suggested we go boot shopping (about the last item MIA, and really needed when out on decks in the weather on the ship) in Ushuaia and would brief the guides to allow us to do so and make recommendations! It's not their problem American Airlines messed up, but so far everyone is willing to help and go the extra mile which is so encouraging and appreciated. We are assigned to the "purple" (color coded) bus to go to the charter very early in the AM. An early grab and go breakfast is available for AOV passengers, as well as a light meal on the flight and bus tour. An AOV representative chaperones guests on the charter both ways, and the Atlas desk is manned starting at 3am for questions and follow ups. Not sure how our particular situation will unfold, fortunately the missing bag is probably the least essential items that don't seriously endanger the trip or keep it from being a go (the other bags would have been serious deal breakers) so after collecting ourselves up from the initial shock, formulating a plan (with AOV's help) I think we are back on course. Anyone can put shiny packaging around a product or service, but you don't learn just how much integrity may be behind it until stuff doesn't go as planned. In my case, they have truly acquitted themselves and been willing to go out of their way to be helpful. I am hugely impressed. And we haven't gotten on board yet! Kudos to their ground support team! Pics and more details to follow upon our return!

Several passengers have stated they were told it was due to "weather" 🙄. Perhaps it was one of those new kind of storms similar to what hit South West Airlines last year. Where it hit only them...

Erica, I really, really feel for you! AOV is lousy at communicating even under "normal" circumstances. It would truly add insult to injury for them to NOT venture some kind of communication to the passengers that were impacted. Perhaps a registered letter, preferably from a legal representative, may garner a response? I'd hate for things to spiral down that rabbit hole but at the very, very least an explanation should be forthcoming since it appears that not only your sailing was impacted, but the concurrent sailings on their other 2 vessels as well.

Yes, we are quite literally "all in the same boat"! What is encouraging is that the current sailings appear to be progressing, albeit late, indicating that whatever "stop" order or issue is not currently in play or has been resolved. I hope...