Ocean Albatros

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Bridge

Due to its important role as a control center for all nautical and technical processes, the ship’s bridge is a vital, sensitive place. Therefore, the bridge may not be accessible to the public at all times. Conditions permitting, we will be happy to welcome you into the bridge for a visit. Guests must be accompanied by the master or expedition leader.

Cabin service

Your cabin is serviced daily. We provide a turn-down service. We provide meal to room only for serious cases of guest being sick.

Zodiac landings

One feature of our expedition cruises includes landings and excursions aboard Ocean Albatros’s fleet of 18 inflatable, motorized rubber «Zodiac» boats. The Zodiac brand has earned a well-deserved reputation as the sturdiest and safest small watercraft available. These boats have a low draft and great stability. Zodiacs are constructed for professional use and are outfitted with a top-quality outboard engine, yet their design minimally impacts the environment.

The Zodiacs are designed to provide unrestricted access to the world’s last great frontier. Their versatility enables us to make landfall on remote shores, cruise along awe-inspiring coastlines and share breathtakingly close encounters with whales, seals, penguins, seabirds and more. We will come within arm’s reach of icebergs and set foot on land discovered by pioneering explorers just over a century ago.

Your safety and comfort are our #1 priority, and your expedition leader will carefully plan for as many Zodiac excursions as possible, dependent upon the local weather and prevailing conditions. In each case, the expedition leader makes the final decision if the landing is possible or not. Safety regulations apply on landings. All guests receive a mandatory instruction of the safety guidelines. Life jackets are mandatory to wear.

Please note, we highly recommend the use of waterproof bags in order to protect your personal camera or binoculars, as both hands must be free of everything during boarding. Participation is fairly easy and comfortable for able-bodied guests but can be more challenging for those with physical handicaps.

Cruise Card / Payments / Credit Cards

At the time of embarkation, you will receive your personal cruise card, which you should always have with you. This card is used on board as payment instrument (except in the onboard shop), key card and identity card. All on board purchases from the bar, telephone, laundry, and the like are charged to your shipboard account.

To activate your personal cruise card account, we accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express credit cards. Alternately, you can deposit cash (US$ or EUR/exchange rate US$-EUR). At the end of the voyage, your account will be settled by the payment methods mentioned above.

There is no currency exchange office onboard the vessel. Onboard payment will be completed by your cruise card. For stays ashore during the cruise, we recommend changing minimal amount of the local currency in small bills, as most of the ports and airports have exchange offices. Alternatively, lots of shops and restaurants accept international credit cards. In bigger ports and cities, you have the possibility to withdraw cash from ATM’s.

If you choose to leave gratuity for the crew, the amount that you authorize will be charged to the shipboard account. This account can be activated with a major credit card. Be sure to contact your credit card provider regarding use of your credit cards overseas. Any questions regarding the bill can be addressed by the ship’s hotel manager.

Gratuities

Following international standards in the service industry, it is customary to leave gratuity for the ship’s crew at the end of the voyage. All gratuities will be divided among the crew. Typically, a recommended amount is approximately 8 EUR or 13.5 USD per person per day. Gratuity is, of course, not required and any gratuity payments are voluntary.

If you choose to leave gratuity for the crew, the amount that you authorize will be charged to the shipboard account.

Dress Code

The dress code on board is casual. Ties, jackets and evening dresses you may leave at home. It is rather more important to wear the right clothes in order to adapt to the different weather conditions. We recommend comfortable, breathable, waterproof and windproof clothing. Also, you should have a pair of gloves, thermal underwear and sturdy footwear in your luggage. For the captains and farewell cocktail, we recommend a smart casual dress style.

For specific packing recommendations, ask us.

Environment

As a tour operator for cruises in the Polar Regions, which are some of the world’s most pristine environments, we extremely emphasize environmental awareness as well as sustainability. One of our top priorities is to protect the environment and minimize our CO2-emissions. All waste will remain onboard the vessel until we return to shore and it’s possible to dispose of waste.

We ask that you show a deep respect for the unique nature, and act according to the motto: leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but memories.

Internet / Phone

Keep in mind, we will be cruising in a very remote region of the world. Where accessible, internet access is available for an extra charge. Mobile phone reception may be possible in select regions along our route. For further details please contact your mobile phone operator. Prices can be found in the information folder in your cabin. Please ensure that your ‘Data Roaming’ function is switched off.

Language Onboard

The official language aboard our vessels is English; however, our expedition leaders and crew are knowledgeable in a variety of languages. If there is a large group, who desires communication in their own language, we will make special arrangements to accommodate their needs.

Passport / Visa

Each passenger is responsible for ensuring that he/she meets the applicable passport and visa requirements for the duration of the trip. The passport is the only valid proof of identity for all trips with the Ocean Albatros. An ID card is not sufficient.

Your passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months after arriving home from your destination. Although some countries may require shorter periods, we implement this 6-month prerequisite to avoid situations where a country’s validity requirements may be amended between the time of your booking and departure. The name in your passport must be identical to the name in all travel documentation. Costs incurred due to insufficient travel documents are the responsibility of the passenger.

Please note that passports will be collected for clearing formalities at the beginning of the voyage. The passports will be kept safely by the crew during the whole voyage and will be handed out on the last day. We therefore recommend preparing copies of all documents before tour start.

Reception

The daily office hours of the board reception are from 06:00 until 23:00.

Boutique

The selection of items available for purchase varies by ship, and may include a range of warm and practical clothing, as well as souvenirs, local arts and postcards at reasonable prices. A small selection of soap, toothpaste and other personal effects are also sold.

Health / Medical Emergency

Each of our vessels has a small medical facility equipped with the necessary equipment and medicine to handle small emergencies. The infirmary is staffed at all times by a professionally licensed, English-speaking physician and nurse. Should a serious incident occur, the nearest hospital will be contacted. All guests must have personal travel/health insurance.

Although we do not have an official requirement regarding personal fitness, you should be able to move on board and ashore without the help of others. Please be aware that the ship does not provide wheelchair accessible cabins.

Due to safety reasons a cruise is only possible for pregnant women until the 24th week of pregnancy. The state of pregnancy has to be presented by a medical certificate.

Safety / Security on board

Our ships comply with all safety regulations and are ice-class vessels suitable for sailing in polar environments. Upon arrival to the vessel, there will be a mandatory passenger briefing and safety drill before departure. We will provide security information, practical details regarding life onboard and introduce key personnel. You will be informed where the safety equipment is located and how it is used. Each cabin is equipped with lifejackets. Once aboard, please familiarize yourself with the ship’s emergency rescue plan.

Physical disabilities / Wheelchair accessibility

Guests with physical disabilities are recommended to travel with an accompanying person. The processes on board should be handled without external help. The gangway can be – depending on the individual disability – a challenge. The angle of inclination of the gangway varies due to tide and different circumstances in the respective port. Please note that the guest’s participation in shore excursions as well as the (dis-)embarkation by Zodiac can be denied by the expedition leader due to security reasons. The instructions of the expedition leader must be followed. The ship is not suitable for wheelchairs.

Seasickness / Stabilizers

The ship is equipped with stabilizers in order to reduce the ship’s roll. However, these expeditions are hosted in remote regions, and it is possible to periodically encounter changing environments and climate patterns, including rough seas and large swells. Seasickness patches (Scopoderm or similar) work solely or in part to help cure nausea for most people. These medicines can cause sleepiness. If you are prone to motion sickness, consult with your doctor prior to departure to help ensure your comfort while travelling.

Smoking

For safety reasons and to protect the health of our guests and employees, smoking is only allowed in designated areas on the outside decks. Smoking is not permitted inside the vessel, in the cabin or near the Zodiacs. Please remember to respect our natural environments and dispose of cigarette butts in designated bins.

Special Dietary Requests

All meals on board the vessel is chef-prepared. If you have special dietary requirements (food allergies, intolerances, health conditions or religious preferences), please inform us as early as possible – ideally, no later than 2 weeks before departure. In order to ensure efficient service, please re-confirm your requirements with the crew upon boarding the ship.

Electrical Outlets

The ship has a 220v / 50 Hz cycle system. Please check your appliances before use. 110-volt appliances require an adapter prior to use aboard the ship.

The electrical outlets on board Ocean Albatros are the so called ‘F-type sockets’, round 2-pin, 220-240 V, grounded, used in continental Europe and Russia. They take C, E, and F-type 2-pin plugs.

Water

There are several water stations onboard. Normally, water is not rationed, but we do advise our guests to pay attention to their water consumption.

Laundry

If you wish to have some laundry done while aboard the ship, laundry service is available for an additional fee.

Onboard Briefings

The Expedition Leader will conduct regularly scheduled briefings to highlight key points in the itinerary, organize excursions and communicate important information.

Children

Due to safety precautions, children under 12 years of age will be taken into consideration on each landing. It is entirely at the Expedition Leader’s discretion to permit children on excursions and shore landings.

Itinerary & Program Changes

As this is an expedition cruise to the world’s most remote region, we are at the mercy of Mother Nature. We have planned itineraries for each tour package, but to ensure to safety of our guests and crew, we may be forced to change the route.

Rules for Landings & Excursions

When ashore, it is very important to show a deep respect for the unique nature, and act according to the motto: leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but memories. We also ask that you remain together with your group, as we are truly in the wild and must remain extra vigilant of the wildlife and weather conditions around us. Walking around independently is strictly prohibited. It is essential to abide the strictly communicated safety rules.