After many months in lockdown, Oceanwide Expeditions is finally going back to Antarctica
Argentina’s borders will open November 1, marking the first time we have been able to resume expedition cruises in the southern polar regions since the outbreak of the pandemic, said Oceanwide Expeditions.
“We’ll restart operations with two of our four ships, Plancius and Hondius, which will begin the 2021 Antarctic season on November 23 and 26, respectively. In fact, Plancius has already set sail from our headquarters in the Netherlands and is on her way south.”
Due to their many months of inactivity, both ships have undergone maintenance and extensive sea trials to guarantee their equipment, speed, maneuverability, and other vital factors are as fit for Antarctic sailing as ever.
“Meanwhile, our staff have been working around the clock on various other projects: Hotel teams are busily arranging provisions, deck and engine crews are working tirelessly to finish vessel improvements, and our guides are checking (and re-checking) all of our expedition equipment to make sure it’s ready for our many outdoor activities.”
“Most importantly, we’ve made multiple safety enhancements to our ships and sanitation protocol to keep our guests healthy during their voyages. These include UV air filtration units in our HVAC systems, thermal cameras in ship common areas for continuous temperature screening, and quarantine cabins with independent ventilation systems, among other things.”
“These upgrades are further buttressed by significantly improved safety protocol: All crew have been vaccinated, all passengers must present proof of completed vaccination before boarding, and we have devised a detailed outbreak response plan in the event of a suspected infection on board.”
“To see the numerous other disease prevention measures we have taken, please visit our website.”
“In other words, our Antarctic 2021 cruise schedule is up and running and open for bookings. We invite all guests and travel professionals to have a look at our current schedule and return to exploring the polar regions with us as soon as possible.”
