PAII Clothing for Arctic

[floridaphilly]

We are booked on the 7/4 Arctic Trip. Can anyone tell me if waders such as those used for fly fishing with wading shoes would work or do we need the high boots. Also how much actual hiking and walking is there as compared to just sitting in the zodiacs and watching. Do you dress up more at night or does everyone just stay in their "rugged" wear. Thanks for any more insight.

[maddie2312]

Hi Floridaphilly,

 

My SO an I are booked on the 24th July sailing. I have read anything I can find and asked a couple of direct questions to SS. Like other expedition cruises there are a variety of shore trips most days which are discussed before hand. They vary in intensity and interest ie zodiac only trip close to coast, coastal walk/stroll,short hikes, to longer more strenuous hikes.

 

The ship has wellington boots on board and are available in standard sizes and widths only - anything different to standard they suggest you bring your own. They told me you would probably keep them on for short walks/hikes but I can't walk any distance in wellies so I asked if you could change on shore to walking boots/shoes and leave your wellies, they said yes that they would be watched for our return. Good news cos mine are heavy to carry. On a previous similar cruise where we used zodiacs they came up on the shore as close as they could and we were no more than 4 steps in the water. So I imagine PAII will be the same.

Re night time from their website and sent info it looks like people change into smart casual as tempertures are normal onboard.

 

http://www.silversea.com/uploadedfiles/DO8285_PAIISettingSailGuide.pdf

 

check out page 5 on this link and it details 'what to wear'. I certainly won't be taking a dress!! and might have difficulty getting my SO in to a tie as he wears one every other day!

 

Hope this has been of some help. As they have only done the Arctic once before there is not much info out there. It would be great if you could check in after you get back with either a trip report or to answer any last minute questions.

 

Not log now! Enjoy:D

 

Regards Maddie

[Jade13]

We are booked on the 7/4 Arctic Trip. Can anyone tell me if waders such as those used for fly fishing with wading shoes would work or do we need the high boots. Also how much actual hiking and walking is there as compared to just sitting in the zodiacs and watching. Do you dress up more at night or does everyone just stay in their "rugged" wear. Thanks for any more insight.

 

There is a link on their web site. I don't think SilverSeas is doing a good job of telling people what they need. If the list is coming with the final documents it's kind of late by then.

 

I have never been on the PAII or SilverSeas but just got back from Antarctica. The main things you need are long underwear, a fleece jacket and fleece sweat pants, thick socks and waterproof pants that must be large enough to go over the underwear, sweatpants, socks, and boots. Btw, I purchased mine from LL Bean. The waterproof pants are the least expensive ones they have for $39.00 and they worked fine. I'd mention the gloves but we never wore ours as they were too bulky and you can not operate a camera with them, but we used them in the zodiacs to land. The cheap liners (you can probably buy a bag at Walmarts) are more useful.

 

Also, if you use a point & shoot camera make sure to put it on a neck lanyard (not wrist) and also bring plastic baggies. The camera stays around your neck under your parka and plastic zip lock is to protect it from the weather when not in use.

[Jade13]

Hi Floridaphilly,

 

.

 

The ship has wellington boots on board and are available in standard sizes and widths only - anything different to standard they suggest you bring your own. They told me you would probably keep them on for short walks/hikes

 

Regards Maddie

 

Maddie, that is interesting because they are telling us that we need to bring our own and TA has gotten no where with SilverSeas (our only special request was the size boots we know we need). They said it is first come first serve on the boots and can't guarantee they will have any that fit. That is OK if it is like Minerva where they just say those who need boots line up at x time, however, indications from this board are that they are calling people by deck. I hope they don't just call those in the Suites first etc. My DH says no way we are purchasing or dragging boots especially with the strict airline regulations. My TA just said perhaps if I call I will have better luck.

 

Who did you speak with? We think they are just telling everyone to bring there own and than they will most likely have enough for those who don't.

[maddie2312]

Hi Jade13,

I had done a general email to customer services from main website asking about the width of wellies on board and wether you could change into your hiking boots/shoes and leave the wellies at the shore for your return. The initial email came back with a strange reply of "your wellies are not able to fit over hiking boots".:confused: Here is the two replies with wires uncrossed!

 

 

With regards to the size of boots available, we do have a selection available for guest use, but we cannot guarantee that a particular size may be available. The boots are standard sizing, and if you wish to ensure that we will have a boot available to fit you, you may want to purchase your own and bring them with you.

If I can be of further assistance, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Kind regards,

 

Stephanie Servaites

 

I have been advised by our Expedition Leader that the expedition staff will go through this with the guests onboard, but the best is to leave the wellies on during the hike. Only for the very long hikes we would recommend to change to normal boots. The best advise is that you should have comfortable hiking socks and then keep the wellies on for the shore visit as we never know, especially during that time of the year how much snow we will encounter ashore.

However if your do choose to leave your wellies ashore at the landing site, the shore staff will look after them.

 

I hope that addresses your concerns, and if I can be of further assistance, please don't hesitate to contact me.

 

Kind regards,

 

Stephanie Servaites

Silver Shore Specialist II

 

There is a list on the link I previously attached (P5) it is for Antarctica clothing but we also received this same list by post last week. I have checked the ave temps for July and it is ave 7 degrees celsius with a ave low of 3 degrees and a 2003 high of 11 degrees. (In Scotland a nice day for us!) I have been seeing how I feel when it's 6 *C here with a stiff breeze and I am wearing my normal clothing for work - blouse, light jacket, no hat,scarf and gloves when I remember and I'm ok. Everyone is different and layers are the order of the day. I will be bringing thermals, several gloves, scarfs and hats as you can't chance not doing so.

 

Regards Maddie