willis

We returned last month from a 28 day B2B on NGE doing the British Isles and North Cape itineraries. While the Zodiac boarding process would be challenging, the staff is extremely helpful in boarding passengers. I still remember our Antarctic trip on Endeavour in '03 when staff members literally carried an older passenger ashore who expressed a strong desire to set foot on the white continent - while there should be no expecation that this kind of help is always available, it is indicative of the caring attitude of the crew.

This is very helpful information for me and my Dad! Thank you very much for your response...

Bill

willis,

 

I'll try and help with regard to the ship and the zodiac boarding. We returned last week from the Arctic. I certainly would not want to discourage anyone from taking a dream trip, and hope your father will be able to take his. Honestly though, while not impossible I think it will be somewhat difficult. There is one elevator on the ship which is toward the bow, stairs in the middle and stern. So I would suggest trying for a cabin close by the elevator.

 

The mud room is a locker room where you can change in to and store your boots. People gather here in preparation for boarding the zodiacs. I have included two photos that will give you some idea of the loading area. One photo is taken from the mud room toward the door that is opened. It is not a great distance, but there are 3 or 4 steps. The other photo shows the zodiac on the outside of the door. Basically, what happens is the zodiac pulls up to the ship (there is no platform for the zodiacs it stays in the water). Passengers go down the steps and two or three crewman are there to assist you into the zodiac. This requires another step down into the zodiac and then you sit on the side. To depart the zodiac for a landing, you scoot to the front of the zodiac and swing your legs over and into the water.

 

I hope this helps to visualize it for you and I would be happy to answer any questions that I can. As soon as I can find the time, I will be doing a review of some sort.

Wow...Thanks very, very much for your description and photos. This is exactly what we need to assess my dad's chances of getting onto the zodiacs. Judging from your information, I think that he'll be able to handle it, as long as the sea cooperates ( large swells would give him trouble ).

The few steps will not be a problem, and I like that passengers enter from the side of the zodiac. With Lindblad offering many opportunities to go ashore, it might not be unreasonable to expect that sea conditions will be calm enough at least once or twice during the cruise. The alternative

is for dad to do a drive-by cruise, where we know he'd have absolutely no chance to go ashore.

I'm going to copy off your information and head over to my dad's right now and see what he thinks.

Thanks again for your help. You're very kind and truly helpful. I hope

you enjoyed your Arctic trip, and I look forward to reading your review!

Regards,

Bill

Boarding the zodiaks is done in the mud room downstairs-easy and very safe. They have a mobile platform for getting in and out of kayaks. It's all done very well and safely.

Hi,

Thank you for adding information regarding boarding the zodiacs on the NG Explorer.

I am trying to find an Antartica cruise for my dad. He is 80, and has a brace on one leg. He uses crutches to walk. He would love to set foot on the white continent, but understands that once ashore, the terrain may limit his activities.

My concern is trying to find a ship that has the best set-up for boarding the zodiacs. I've seen photos of some ships that have a long, narrow stairway leading down to a tiny platform, which would make it difficult

for my dad to access the zodiac. Ideally, the boarding platform should be

large enough for my dad to be able to sit down and slide his legs into the

boat.

I haven't been able to find any photos of the NG Explorer's mud room, where you mention the zodiac boardings take place, so I'm wondering

if you wouldn't mind describing the zodiac boarding set-up, so that I can

better visualize it, please ( ie: are there many stairs?; is there a platform large enough for a person to sit down and straighten out his legs? ).

Any additional information you can provide will be very much appreciated.

Thanks very much,

Bill