Dear expedition participants,

In the last few years the cooperation with cruise ship operators has been expanded. Expedition participants from the Alfred Wegener Institute use the opportunity to travel with cruise ships into the Antarctic or return to South America more and more often. In accordance with the travel agencies involved we are asking you to keep in mind the following recommendations:

• Cruises are commercial events and their participants are on vacation. The main purpose of these journeys is to show the beauty of the Antarctic to the travellers.
• Persons and or expedition freight can only be transported in exceptional cases and in accordance with the AWI Logistics department, depending on the capacity and route of the cruise ships and in accordance with the travel agencies. (This only applies for AWI expeditions, external participants are free to find individual solutions as in the past)

Even if the travel with the cruise ship has been agreed upon by the logistics department and the respective travel agency, you should still follow several rules when you go aboard a ship at a South American port or at the station:

1.  notify the cruise director of your arrival directly after entering the ship
2. introduce yourself to the captain of the ship as soon as possible (it is advisable to ask the cruise director to make an appointment)
3. It is well known that the most comfortable clothing for transport journeys to expeditions is the blue jeans. This piece of clothing is also adequate for your stay on board, but you should never wear shorts, flip flops or anything the like. Please respect the usual conventions on a cruise ship. 
4. AWI expedition participants are paying guests on the cruise ships, but they are not cruise guests. The use of the dining areas and lounges has to be in accordance with the conventions on the ships. If you are in doubt whether you are allowed to participate in an activity (e.g. onboard events or stopovers), please ask the cruise director for advice / approval.
5. If both sides are interested, there might be the possibility to give a presentation about the work of the scientists at the stations or in the field. (Please bear in mind that exceptional incidents such as averages are regarded as confidential information)
6. Please inform the cruise director about your departure personally when you leave the ship at the port of destination or at the station, and make sure that your entire luggage is unloaded. Please contact the logistics department or the cruise director on board for any further questions.