Pre-departure Information - Norway & Svalbard
WELCOME ON BOARD!
You are about to travel to some of the world’s most scenic places. The Norwegian coast and Svalbard 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 have been on an expedition cruise. If you give us a call or send us an email, our enthusiastic travel consultants will answer all your questions regarding your trip – 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.
GENERAL
Please note: There are no set itineraires on our expedition cruises. Factors such as the weather and ice play an important role in where the ship will venture. The daily schedule is decided by the Captain and the Expedition Leader, who both have great experience of the areas we are travelling in. Remember that flexibility is the key to a successful expedition!
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, have an ongoing medical condition, or are 80 years or older, you are required to complete and return our medical form fully, honestly and accurately. You can find the from here.
Open the form and save it to your computer or tablet. Fill it in (and, if required, have your physician complete the relevant section) and send it to us.
You are travelling to a remote area with limited medical facilities. Medical care for foreign visitors is provided at a cost, and evacuation or repatriation can be very expensive. If your medical situation changes after submitting the form, you must inform us immediately. 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 therefore 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. Our chefs are able to accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free diets, as well as avoid key allergens. This information must be provided 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.
FLIGHTS
Most flights to Tromsø and from Longyearbyen, Svalbard, depart or arrive via Oslo with SAS or Norwegian. As the number of flights from Longyearbyen is limited and seats are quickly booked up, we recommend that you book your flight ticket well in advance.
Kindly note that during layovers in Tromsø, passengers may be subject to passport control and baggage handling.
We recommend booking your entire journey on the same ticket, so that your luggage can be checked through to your final destination. If you are flying to Oslo on a separate ticket, you will need to collect and re-check your luggage in Oslo. Please make sure you allow plenty of time between flights - we recommend at least 3 hours.
Consider arriving a day or two before departure. Tromsø, often referred to as the “Gateway to the Arctic”, is a charming town with plenty to see and do, including the Polar Museum. There is also a wide range of hotels to choose from.
PASSPORT & VISA
All visitors to Svalbard need a valid passport. Please check with your nearest Norwegian Embassy if you are required to obtain a visa for this trip. You also need to check how many months your passport needs to be valid from the date you plan to leave Norway.
CURRENCY
The currency in Norway/Svalbard is Norwegian Krone (NOK). Credit cards (VISA, MasterCard, AmEx) are accepted in most shops. Please note, at the time of writing, there are no possibilities to withdraw cash in Longyearbyen.
LOST LUGGAGE
Lost luggage is beyond our control. In case your luggage do not arrive in time we recommend you take the following precautions:
- Pack your hand luggage with your essentials, such as medication and valuables.
- Fly with your jacket on/with you on board.
- Avoid wearing lightweight 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.