Ocean Explorer

On Board Procedures

WATER All passengers receive an eco-friendly, reusable water bottle in their cabin upon arrival. There are water filling stations throughout the ship. ONBOARD ACCOUNTS To make things as stress-free as possible, items you purchase from the Polar Boutique, lounge or specialty drinks not included in our complimentary beer and alcohol offering are charged to your ship account. Cabin charges can also include spa, laundry, postage, any communication charges beyond our complimentary Wi-Fi service (see chart on opposite page), and adventure options booked on board (space permitting). Payments of shipboard accounts are made towards the end of the expedition, at the reception area. The US dollar is the standard currency on board. You can use cash, Visa, MasterCard or American Express credit cards to pay your shipboard account. Personal checks are not accepted. Note: If you are sharing a cabin and would like separate accounts, you must advise reception. GRATUITIES We understand this is a very personal subject and whatever amount you give is at your own discretion. At the end of the voyage you will have the option to charge a gratuity amount to your onboard account, or to place cash in an envelope. Gratuities are shared among our hotel and expedition team members. BRIDGE VISITS During your voyage you may be given access to the Bridge, where you can observe how the Captain and officers sail and navigate the ship. However, the Captain and Bridge officers

do restrict access during arrivals and departures from port and during times of complicated navigation. As the Bridge is an important working area on the ship, we ask that you keep noise to a minimum to avoid distracting the officers from conducting their jobs efficiently. Understandably, Bridge etiquette includes a ‘no eating, drinking or smoking’ policy. DOCTOR Quark Expeditions provides an English-speaking doctor on board who manages a medical clinic stocked with a supply of common prescription medicines and basic first aid equipment. If you are under regular treatment for any ailment, you must bring a sufficient supply of medicine. We recommend that you pack an extra two weeks’ supply of medication in case of emergency. We cannot accept responsibility for not having a specific brand or type of drug on board. Should you fall ill, the doctor will refer to the medical forms that you completed and returned to us; therefore it is vital that the information you provide is complete and accurate. MAIL (Only available on Antarctic Expeditions) Sending polar mail is still a rare and memorable way for loved ones to receive a memento from your voyage. Mail may be posted from the ship and will be charged to your on board account. Please deposit your mail at reception with your cabin number and name noted clearly in the upper right-hand corner of each card or letter. If your voyage visits a research base, we may be permitted to leave mail. If we are unable to post the mail during your voyage, staff will attempt to do so on subsequent voyages. Please note, delivery can take many months and cannot be guaranteed.