You don't need to be an athlete, but you should be in good general health and comfortable with moderate physical activity. Shore landings 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 suitable for different ages and ability levels. Adventure activities like kayaking and snowshoeing are optional.

All guests are required to complete a pre-departure medical form, which is reviewed by our onboard doctor. In certain cases, we may request a clearance or waiver from your general practitioner. In rare instances, our onboard doctor may determine that participation is not possible for safety reasons.

If you have specific health concerns, we recommend speaking with your doctor before booking and contacting us to discuss your needs.

The St Helena is designed to accommodate up to 150 passengers, but we keep our guest numbers below 98 on purpose, 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 Asia.

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. We require coverage for 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 12 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 St Helena carries a licensed physician and a stocked infirmary for the duration of the voyage. The clinic is designed to handle first aid and general medical needs, with the ability to provide initial care and assessment should more complex treatment be required. 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, the world's southernmost city and the main gateway to Antarctica. We strongly recommend arriving at least one day prior to your departure date to allow for potential travel delays. We will board the vessel around 3:00-4:00 pm, but more details about your meeting points and luggage drop will be provided in your embarkation letter, approximately 30 days prior embarkation.

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.

Yes, we can assist with domestic flights to Ushuaia as part of our optional pre- and post-cruise services, but flights are not included in the cruise fare by default.

We also offer a range of curated pre- and post-cruise excursions, which can be added to enhance your overall journey. These services are available as optional add-ons, and our team can help arrange and coordinate them for you. Learn more here.