Pre-departure Information
WELCOME ON BOARD!
You are about to travel to some of the world’s most scenic places. The Arctic may be a bit cooler holiday destination than most, but it evokes warm feelings and lots of inspiration. Everyone at PolarQuest is truly passionate about its pristine nature and fascinating wildlife. Once back home, we hope that you will have the same passion for these unique environment and become a true ambassador.
EXPEDITION SPECIALISTS
Everyone working at PolarQuest has been on an expedition cruise. When you give us a call or send us an email, our enthusiastic travel consultants will answer all your questions regarding your trip from clothing, weather, landings or Zodiac cruises - we have all the answers! Hopefully you will find some of the answers in this document as well.
GUIDES
We know that one of the keys to a successful expedition is having knowledgeable and enthusiastic leaders. A few weeks prior to your voyage, you will receive a short introduction of the guides who will be on your trip.
INSPIRATION
Don’t forget to follow our blog, Facebook or Instagram and take part of news, images and travel stories. On our website you find several inspirational movies from all our unique destinations.
MEDICAL CONDITIONS
To participate in an expedition cruise, you are required to be in generally good health and have good mobility. If you have undergone major surgery within the past two years or have a current medical condition, we need you to complete and return our medical form. Please contact us for more information.
You should also always bring a written list of your medications on board.
If you occasionally require extra assistance, you must travel with a companion. Our guides must be available to support all passengers and are unfortunately unable to provide individual assistance to guests with special needs.
DIETARY REQUESTS
Due to limited kitchen space on board and restricted supply access in remote areas, dietary flexibility is limited. For our chefs to be able to accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free diets, as well as avoid key allergens, you must provide your dietary restrictions in your personal information form no later than 90 days prior to departure.
Please note that we are unable to cater to extensive personal preferences or detailed dietary instructions. If you have allergies that could lead to serious health issues, we kindly ask that you confirm with the chef on your first day on board that your information has been received.
INSURANCE
It is very important to have full medical, emergency evacuation and repatriation coverage throughout your voyage.
PASSPORT & VISA
A valid passport is mandatory. All travellers are advised to check how many months of validity are required. Please contact the nearest embassy to confirm whether a visa is required and to ensure that you meet all passport, visa and entry requirements for travel to Iceland.
FLIGHTS
The journey starts and ends in Ísafjörður (IFJ) in Iceland, and Icelandair operates the route between Ísafjörður and Reykjavik Domestic Airport (RKV). As this route is operated by smaller aircraft and seat availability is limited, we recommend booking these flights well in advance.
Keflavik (KEF) is Iceland’s international airport and offers a wide range of arrivals and departures.
CURRENCY
In Iceland, the currency is the Icelandic króna, and credit and debit cards are accepted in most places.
LOST LUGGAGE
Lost luggage is beyond our control. In case your luggage does not arrive in time we recommend you take the following precautions:
- Pack your hand luggage with your essentials, such as medication and valuables.
- Fly wearing your jacket or carry it with you on board.
- Avoid travelling in light summer shoes.
- Bring a change of clothes in your hand luggage.
- If you have a travel companion, pack a few items in each other’s luggage. If your luggage goes missing, you will still have some of your items available.