PerfectlyPerth

Sadly yes I think a full closure may be a forgone conclusion for the sake of the wildlife. We have been discussing it over in Trip Advisor. https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowTopic-g1-i12337-k14569245-Avian_Flu_Confirmed_in_South_Georgia-Antarctic_Adventures.html

Good info. I have always been able to fill 3-5 days either side of my polar trips and love Ushuaia as it has so much to offer for a tiny place. Technically - it's in Argentina so your post should be on the Ports of call - South America board - and a search there will find you many other Ushuaia posts. (Just a heads up in case moderators move the thread there). https://boards.cruisecritic.com.au/forum/47-south-america/ The Ushuaia board on Trip Advisor also has a heap of info. Not as busy as big city travel boards - but plenty of regular posters ready to respond. https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowForum-g312855-i6870-Ushuaia_Province_of_Tierra_del_Fuego_Patagonia.html It's a shame you judged the End of the World train solely by looking at the length of the track. The train journey goes slowly so people can really take in the scenery - but also it's the commentary (in various languages) that enriches it. Explaining the history of the indigenous population, through to the UK convict population who built the train line itself. I guess as an Australian the history is very much aligned with ours so it's interesting. My experience based on being in travel forums for over 20 years and listening to people after my various trips on the train - is that many Americans in general have zero interest in the history of the location itself and that seems to be the reason for bad reviews. Every Australian and Brit that I've met who has done the train has loved it. I always recommend the Maritime Prison Museum. My visit took me over 4 hours and I felt I skimmed a few bits! It included the history of the indigenous population, the UK convict history, polar exploration history through to modern era, and so much more. It's huge. I definitely felt like I got my moneys worth there. And its souvenir shop is choc full of books on so many topics. It was a real find. Allow an hour just for the shop 😆📚📚

Nope you likely just ignored the eleventy billion advice posts saying "don't tip in Aus or NZ".

If you are sea dogs and have never been seasick before - a different body of water is not going to change that fact. Seasickness is in a persons equilibrium & inner ear. Once a seasick person - always a seasick person - as my uncle was told when he joined the navy. I've been in rough seas all over the world in vessels small and large - never been an issue for me. Yet I've seen people turn green on massive ships with full stabilisers on a sea as flat as a mirror. So I'm more inclined to say you will be fine and just enjoy it!! Personally - if I was doing the Drake in a big cruise ship (I've only done it in icebreakers and ice strengthened expedition ships) I would want a cabin at the front looking out over the bow so I can take good "bow splashy" photos !! 🌊🌊🌊🌊

The full judgment is here. https://www.judgments.fedcourt.gov.au/judgments/Judgments/fca/single/2023/2023fca1280

Also the other thing you can consider is offering your services to an expedition company for the summer peninsular season. For a single trip or multiple in a row. In my experience with both Quark & Oceanwide - the ship doctors are regular medicos who are contracted as volunteers by the companies. They get free trips with the proviso they are on call 24/7. Mostly dolling out seasickness pills but on my trips there have been a couple of broken bones (one involving an evacuation), and a mild heart attack. A Dr may also be called upon to give a medical opinion on someone with some kind of condition where the expedition leader believes it should preclude the passenger from an activity such as a shore landing with a rough landing area. I've met some who go every season and others who are first timers. Anyway an option to consider.

Hmmm generally expeditioners are employed on a seasonal basis. The winter season, there is only a flight before the season starts - and nothing more til after the season ends. Summer season has more flights but still restricted by weather conditions etc. Many - like my friends - do multiple seasons in a row. McMurdo - the US base - is the heaviest populated station so it may have more rotation of staff when flights are available. Easy enough to contact them and ask. All the stations have very active social media accounts.

Also - your profile doesn't show where you are located but I have medical friends from Aus, UK, US & NZ all working at their respective stations down there. While the application process can be arduous - it's worth it once the job starts.

We have a load of Trip Advisor trip reports stored here in the FAQS if you want to start researching vessels etc. https://antarcticafaqs.boards.net Some vessels have solo cabins now with no supplement, others you can choose a 2 berth and pay a supplement, and then there is the traditional cabin share where you simply pay for a berth and you are paired up with someone of same gender. I've shared with a stranger on 3 trips and got a cabin to myself on 4th trip (as I was a last minute booking and there was no spare solo to match me with - no supplement charged). We've had recent solo cabin threads on TA. https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowTopic-g1-i12337-k14485590-Sharing_Instead_of_Single_Supplement_How_to_Find_Roommate-Antarctic_Adventures.html https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowTopic-g1-i12337-k14353210-Tips_for_Newbies-Antarctic_Adventures.html Re cold - as I've always said to my friends - it's not like I travel there naked ! Just as when it's cold at home I wear the suitable attire to keep me warm ! 🐧

No you require a proper tourist visa. In this finder on the govt website just select tourism then cruise and go from there. https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-finder The transit visa is for people actually in transit - ie those who remain in the airport between flights. Or for crew on ships Select this option if you need to pass through Australia on your way to another country or need to pass through Australia to join a ship as a member of the crew but will be in Australia for up to 72 hours. If you are going to stay in Australia for longer than 72 hours, you cannot get a Transit visa and you will need to select another option. You may not require a visa if you enter Australia by aircraft hold a confirmed onward booking to leave Australia to travel to a third country on the same or another aircraft within 8 hours of arrival in Australia, hold documentation necessary to enter the country of destination and not need to leave the airport transit lounge except to continue your journey.

Sounds like an awesome trip !!

Lol I live in Melbourne. I've done each of the examples you have listed - with both taxis and Uber - and never had an issue. I regularly do $7 or $8 short fares weekly - never been refused. As a non driver I also do lengthy trips where I can't be bothered with public transport. Uber is a set fee in advance during your acceptance of the booking. It does not alter during a drive. Yes certain rogue taxi drivers have been negotiating set fares especially during sports events. Simple - don't use them. I have never expected a driver to open a door for me. They are not subservient to me. I've done 5-8 trips to Sydney per year for 40 years for family visits, theatre/gigs or to board ships or flights overseas. So as a non driver I've utilised the dreaded shuttles, the train and taxis/Uber.

Hence why we give warnings about useless shuttle companies here ! Also - Uber and other rideshares have a set fare that doesn't change regardless of changing to a longer route - often to avoid tolls or traffic issues which they are aware of - and you won't be. With taxis you can request a specific route if you feel you will know the road conditions better than the experienced driver with up to date info on their GPS.

I didn't see Aurora Expeditions on your list. Long time respected operator also with citizen scientist programs on board. https://www.auroraexpeditions.com.au/aurora-expedition-citizen-science-program/

Not sure where you got the they have a long history in the region. They are one of the newest operators and caused a lot of anger with intended passengers with cancellations with zero communication. Lindblad and Quark are the longest established operators with over 3 decades in the region. (3 of my 4 trips were with Quark, 4th was with Oceanwide - lecture program on all was excellent as they were all lengthy voyages so we had time to enjoy the lectures). Even for nerds I would think the best thing about being in the South is actually being there. Physically seeing and experiencing it all. Outside! Not holing up in a lab in the bowels of the ship looking in a microscope. Can do that anytime via a University or museum or similar.

What's the supposed difference between being "at the mercy" of a shuttle bus driver vs the imagined fear of being "at the mercy" of a taxi driver ? I've caught taxis all over the world as a solo female for decades with zero issue.

A) no one uses shuttles here if they want to reach their intended destination anytime soon. Use taxi, Uber or train depending on answers you provide to everyone. B) which port in Sydney. C) which hostel & address.

Swan Hellenic is very new so we have only had one trip report on Trip Advisor so far. https://antarcticafaqs.boards.net/thread/438/swan-hellenic Lindblad on the other hand have been operating expeditions in Antarctica for decades. I would consider them equal to Quark with over 30 years in the industry. Link to some trip reports on Trip Advisor over the years. https://antarcticafaqs.boards.net/thread/14/lindblad-expeditions-national-geographic

Setting aside the actual issues of all the changes with Joanne's trip and only answering the subject title question "Do you find stressful situations more stressful when solo?" I would say pretty much what Calliope said. I have lived alone for decades by choice so I'm accustomed to dealing with all manner of issues solo. I can manage my own stress or anxiety levels as I see fit. I can take a time out to suit my own needs. While my many world travels over the decades have generally gone smoothly, when an occasional bump happens like flight delays I tend to just walk away from the maddening screeching crowds. I sit and collect myself. Write myself some notes. Wait for crowds to subside before heading to a counter to get more info. The rare times I have decided to travel with a friend I have been driven mad by their needs to have their anxieties & concerns managed for them. Suffice to say it's nearly ended friendships lol !!

The problem with asking for "extraordinary" examples is it's purely based on what each individual's definition of extraordinary is. An American would think a taxi driver getting luggage out of the boot (trunk) is extraordinary. An Australian would expect it as part of the normal role of the job. An American thinks a hairdresser cutting their hair in extraordinary and worthy of a tip. An Aussie knows the hairdresser is getting paid a salary and would not demean them by tipping them. There are also the tax consequences for those employees. If they receive what is deemed to be income that is not taxed at source, they need to declare that in their tax returns and may end up having to pay additional tax. I 100% re airline baggage (and reserved seat) fees being a giant cash grab! Remember the era when we just booked a flight and boarded it !!!

I can see you are in Florida and you have posted in the forum for Aus/NZ cruisers so you are definitely very lost. I scrolled through the maze of forum categories and there is indeed a Military Cruisers forum so this is the link. Good luck. https://boards.cruisecritic.com.au/forum/534-military-cruisers/

My pleasure. I have lived & worked in the US in my late teens in the 80s and even then I found the tipping culture simply bizarre. It's like a slave/master power imbalance. I remember a few years ago telling a visiting US friend as they were trying to press a $20 note into the hands of someone who earned twice what they did, that perhaps they should think about how insulting that was and how it was perceived by the recipient who then had to embarrass themselves by refusing the money. They agreed it was ingrained into them to believe anyone performing any kind of function for them was "in need". I'm happy to continue answering the question if it means we keep our culture as our own !!

I use credit card (tap and go) or Apple Pay for things as small as a newspaper or bottle of milk at 7/11. I've not used cash anywhere for ten years. As for the tour guide stuff. It looks like standard Princess text for any tour and they have just inserted the word Australia into it. Ignore it. My friends are tour guides and they are on a 6 figure salary and refuse offers of tips as they find them demeaning.

Colleen surely you have noticed in every tipping thread that the actual consensus is "NO! Australia does not have (nor need) a tipping culture" and just be done with it. Rather than asking for a plethora of individual examples that are based solely on how a specific person felt on a specific day. Do you not think that just exacerbates a topic that is already over discussed? For every example "oh I had a $2 coin taking up room in my pocket so I put it in the tip jar" it will just cause 5 more posts saying "can I do it with a $5 note?". I just don't see that as a productive use of the topic. As I most commonly say - if people want to randomly give out spare cash - the streets and parks are currently filled with the highest number of homeless people since pre WW1 Great Depression. My other most common response on the topic - if a waiter performed CPR on me (which is about the only thing above and beyond what they are paid to do - being to take my order and bring me my food) I would say a gracious thanks and buy them a drink. I would not demean their actions with a tip.

And again. Read all previous posts. Please. - nothing - nothing - nothing There are NO tipping expectations in Australia. For any occupation. None. Zip. Nada. They are all well paid jobs. Unlike the US there is no requirement for staff here to beg for a living from tourists.