Your fare covers everything you need for the expedition itself:

• Accommodation in a fully serviced cabin throughout the voyage
• All meals, snacks, tea, coffee, and house beer, soda, and wine during pre-dinner hours
• All shore excursions — guided walks, Zodiac cruises, and standard adventure activities including kayaking and snowshoeing
• Expert expedition team of 12–14 guides, naturalists, and lecturers
• Loaned rubber boots, plus access to the onboard doctor and medical clinic
• Port fees, landing permits, and IAATO surcharges
• Gratuities for crew and expedition staff
• Basic Wi-Fi — upgrades available for a fee

Not included: personal bar charges, alcoholic beverages outside mealtimes, boutique purchases, and any optional activities not listed in the itinerary.

The Drake Passage has a reputation that often exceeds reality. Conditions vary significantly — some crossings are calm (known as the "Drake Lake"), while others involve larger swells. The RMS St Helena is a purpose-built expedition vessel well suited to open ocean conditions, and our crew are experienced in these waters.

We recommend consulting your doctor before departure about seasickness prevention. Common options include scopolamine patches, antihistamines, and ginger-based remedies. Most passengers find their sea legs within 24–48 hours. The crossing takes approximately two days each way, and there's a full programme of lectures and activities to keep you engaged throughout.

You don't need to be an athlete, but you should be in good general health and comfortable with moderate physical activity. Shore landings can involve boarding Zodiacs from a moving platform, stepping onto uneven or slippery rocks, and walking on snowy or uneven terrain.

We offer a range of activities to suit different fitness levels — you can always choose a more relaxed Zodiac cruise instead of a landing on any given day. Adventure activities like kayaking and snowshoeing are optional. If you have specific health concerns, we recommend speaking with your doctor before booking and contacting us to discuss your needs.

The RMS St Helena accommodates up to 112 passengers, with a crew of approximately 85 including the captain, officers, and an expedition team of 12–14 specialists. This size keeps the experience genuinely expedition-like — small enough for a community feel, large enough for a full programme of activities and expertise onboard.

Passengers typically range in age from 35–65, with an average age of around 45. We welcome travellers from all backgrounds, with most coming from Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand.

Full details of our deposit requirements and cancellation policy are set out in our Terms & Conditions. We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance that includes cancellation cover, medical emergencies, and evacuation — given the remote nature of Antarctic expeditions, this is essential rather than optional.

If you have questions about a specific voyage or booking, speak with our team — we're happy to walk you through everything before you commit.

We aim to make two landings per day in the South Shetland Islands and along the Antarctic Peninsula, using our fleet of 13 Zodiacs. With over 500 possible landing sites in the region, no two voyages are ever identical.

Antarctica is a wilderness and no itinerary is guaranteed. The captain and expedition leader will adjust the programme based on weather, ice conditions, and wildlife opportunities — always prioritising the best possible experience. Flexibility is part of what makes Antarctic travel genuinely exploratory.

The RMS St Helena carries a licensed physician and a fully stocked infirmary for the duration of the voyage. Given how remote Antarctica is — evacuation to a mainland hospital can take several days or may not be possible — we require all passengers to hold comprehensive travel insurance that includes medical emergency and evacuation cover. All evacuation costs are the passenger's responsibility.

Embarkation takes place in Ushuaia, Argentina. Make your way independently to the pier on Maipú Avenue (main entrance on Lasserre Street) by 3:30 pm, with boarding from 4:00 pm. We strongly recommend arriving in Ushuaia the day before departure to allow for any travel delays.

Disembarkation is typically between 8:00 and 8:30 am on the final morning — avoid booking early flights home. A transfer to the airport is offered for passengers whose flights depart on disembarkation day.