# Travel >> Travel Preparation >> Packing for Trips

How to Prepare for a Cruise to Antarctica

Antarctica isn't what many people picture when thinking of a cruise vacation. However, more than 30,000 tourists cruise to this cold, southern continent each year, enduring freezing temperatures and frigid air to view the largest selection of marine wildlife in the world. Rather than views of palm trees, white sand beaches and Bahama Mamas on the Lido Deck, Antarctica cruise passengers wear parkas, waterproof clothing and gloves while sailing past glaciers, icebergs and penguins.

Instructions

- 1
  Book your cruise. Cruise lines sail to Antarctica from the middle of November until March, which is the summer season in Antarctica. Temperatures vary between 40 degrees above Fahrenheit to below zero at any time during Antarctic cruises.
- 2
  Call your cruise line to see if there are formal nights, and consider the length of your cruise.
- 3
  Pack warmly. Heavy winter parkas, gloves, hats, thermal undergarments, waterproof pants, rubber boots and pants and sweaters are necessary.
- 4
  Include a waterproof bag for your camera when traveling on the Zodiac -- a small boat that takes passengers from the ship to the shore -- so your camera doesn't get wet.
- 5
  Bring sea-sickness medicine. Cruising to Antarctica includes passing through the Drake Passage, which is 36 hours of rough seas and strong winds.