OK - I'm confused once again. I read the charter flight weight as each guest gets 2 checked bags not to exceed 44 lbs each. Do they final documents say something different? FedEx shows my docs in Memphis. That's the long route to get them to Houston from Dallas. The 11 lbs carry on is more worrisome. My purse probably weighs more than that.

FedEx routes just about everything through Memphis. The last time B&K sent me documents they went from Dallas to Memphis to Dallas.
I need to stop buying stuff for this trip. I just bought another camera today :eek:

Isn't Fedex headquartered in Memphis? Maybe all goes to home base -

My question is do the final documents about the charter flight luggage weight differ from the packet we received a month ago?

I recd docs today. 44 lb limit to each checked bag. Two check bag limit. 11lb limit to one carry on. I have all but decided to leave small laptop home and just bring the I pad as only computer.

What do they do if you exceed the 44 lbs is a question. Make you on pack at check in and trash stuff to get to 44 lbs.

I pulled out the docs and took another look.

Indicates flight is LA (lan) 4974 aircraft is A 320 departs AEP 8:40am arrives USH at 12:25pm

Seats assigned at check in

FROM THE DOCS

" Each guest is limited to one (1) carry-on of no more than 5kg (11LBS) and two (2) checked bags not to exceed 20 kg (44 lbs) per piece. " per piece is high lighted.

Thanks Ralph. Glad it hasn't changed. I'm not taking laptop either. Getting Kindle Fire for Xmas and hope that will work for email.
Surely we won't have to trash anything. I am planning on taking regular bag I normally check and will check my carry-on as bag #2. Ngaire's site makes the ship sound so casual I don't think I will be taking many of my usual cruise clothes.
Any surprises in the documents?

Editing to add - we will have more weight on the return with those parkas. The people that buy the Silversea clothing package that is delivered to the ship will have even more weight.

No surprises. Nice book about cruising Antarctica

Based on the ARCTIC cruise Brayden and I took on same ship in 8/2010 it is very casual. No real dress up. I plan to wear cotton Khaki type pants and sport shirt. But then I am a guy and getting dressed up not my thing

The carry on limit is more concerning to me. I dont want to check any of my camera equipment or electronics. I think I'll try to stick with just my iPad and leave the laptop at home although the laptop would be nice for photo backup. Maybe I need one of those Scottevests to load myself up with my electronics and some camera stuff so it doesn't count against my carryon bag.

OK y'all, 6 weeks from today we will be on the Silver Explorer starting our new adventure. Are we getting excited yet!!!!
:3smile: :3smile:

Ralph, since you are the one with the docs, I appreciate you sharing our bible! Good to know that the ship is casual. I can rethink my evening attire, now. The 44 lb limit may be doable after all.

Maybe Ngiare can add some comments about attire for the ladies when she returns from the cruise. I do not want to steer any body wrong and it might be that my experience on ARCTIC is not ideal for ZODIAC.

As sometimes itineraries dictate attire, I understand, Ralph. We can wait for "our leader with the fashion sense" for the final word on packing! Thx

Ngaire has a section on clothing on her website. She makes it sound as casual as do you Ralph.
Beth at 44 lbs each piece we should be fine. Are you taking 1 or 2 pieces?
http://www.bksilversea.com/2012_Antarctica_Prince_%20Albert_%20Clothing.htm

Thx, Betty, I went back and reread the evening wear section and have a better idea of what to pack. Right now I'm wanting to bring one bag..... we'll see what I can get in with the 44 lb. limit.

Fun to listen to all of this. On my Antarctica cruise, it was casual too, and cold weather. I will tell you a cotton cable knit sweater for casual wear weighs more than some little light weight dressy top to go over casual black pants. I never did "get" what people talk about with formal wear weighing more for women! So I packed two bags.

One of my bags from that trip never made it back home to me, only time I've ever had a "lost luggage" claim all the way through to insurance. Most times it comes within a few days. It never came. This time, I wondered whether it ever got from the chartered airline to the line I was using to get back to the states. I was using Delta, and got a check in the end for contents, at their limit. Lost a lot of warm weather gear in that suitcase. Had never happened before, except in 70's with ski boots, and has not happened except this one time. So I would be hesitant to even bubble pack any camera lenses if they are not covered in checked luggage.

Ralph, Pat & I used the same cold weather gear and rubber pants for both ICE and ARCTIC and it worked well in both hemispheres.
Jim

A silly question...

For the trek to boot room, do you walk in socks or regular shoes? If in shoes, do you just leave them in boot room on floor or is there someplace to store them?

thanks,

Marc:

Not so silly a question.
Andi told me, based on info from previous travelers, that they hose the boot room down. Ergo, socks might not be the best choice for a wet floor prior to getting into the zodiac.
Andi made me buy a pair of Crocs for the trek to and from the boot room.
Maybe a more experienced travel can add to this.

Doug

Crocs would be ideal. There are cubbies for you boots and crocs when have boots on. The cubbies are by room number ,I think. You will need socks for the boots. Not sure if boot room is hosed down. There is a separate part of boot room to clean ,hose off boots. I suspect the penguin stuff makes it a bit messy

Good question Marc! I guess I'll add a pair of crocs to my packing list. Luckily they don't weigh much and I have some from work a few years ago.

I dont own any crocks and they are bulky too. Any shoe that can slip on easily works. When you get to the boot room you have a Cubby Hole for your boots and shoes. You take the boots out and put in the shoes. Same thing when you come back. Hose off the boots take out your shoes and then put your boots in the cubby hole. Easy ANY shoes will work I have even used the slippers from the cabin.