We want to make sure you're well-prepared for your adventure on EUROPA. Below, we've provided a general packing list that we've developed based on the experiences of previous voyage crews. This list is intended as a helpful guideline, but feel free to modify it based on your own needs. If you're looking for specific packing tips for our Antarctica expeditions, please refer to the Antarctica packinglist.

It's important to keep in mind that there is limited space on the ship and in the cabins. You'll have a drawer and a small cupboard to store all of your belongings, so it's important to pack sensibly. We recommend that you prioritize essential items and consider leaving any non-essential items at home to avoid cluttering your space.

Basic Travel necessities: 

• A valid passport. Please not that it is not possible to travel with an ID card. It is important that you check with your own embassy for visa requirements and vaccinations pertaining to each country you visit during your voyage
• Visa: it is your own responsibility to check if you need a visa or vaccination for your voyage on EUROPA and arrange it. Some visa take time to apply for, so please start as soon as you booked your voyage
• Printed copies of your voyage confirmation and flight itineraries
• Certificates of medical and travel insurance

Toiletries and Medicine

• Eco-friendly soaps and shampoos to avoid large impact in the oceans
• Paracetamol, ibuprofen, and band-aids for personal use
• Bring the medication you normally use. The ship is only provisioned with emergency medication.
• Sunscreen and lipbalm
• What you normally pack

Other

• Water bottle, if you do not have one you can buy a Bark EUROPA bottle on board
• Sunglasses
• Usb-stick for the exchange of pictures
• Cash: as there might not be that many functioning ATM machines around. On board you can pay your bar bill and souvenirs at the end of the trip with EUR and USD. We do not accept credit cards.

Sailing Gear 

• Staying dry, and warm is important on every sailing voyage. This means the outer layer you are wearing needs to be wind and watertight. Big brands for sailing gear are Musto, Helly Hansen, Henry Lloyd, but these are also quite expensive. As an alternative, have a look at oil suits, like Guy Cotton, less pretty but just as effective in keeping out the wind and water.

Luggage

• Suitcases take up a lot of space in your cabin and cannot be stowed, so we recommend you use soft luggage bags such as a duffle bag or backpacks: these can be fold away in the cabin. 

As first-time Tall Ship sailors, we understand that packing efficiently for your adventure can be a challenge. Please note that there is a washing machine on board, but it cannot be used for personal washes on voyages up to two weeks. On longer voyages, such as the 22-day Antarctica voyage, ocean crossings, and Cape to Cape voyages, we will do our best to provide opportunities for personal washing. However, please keep in mind that weather conditions may prevent us from guaranteeing access to the washing machine. We can only use it when the ship is stable. The cooks will provide every cabin with one or two washing bags to collect the laundry and return it to you when cleaned. There is always the possibility to do a small hand wash. Below we give you an idea of what to pack for the different voyages we have: 

Voyages up to two weeks:
On these voyages there is no opportunity for washing

• Socks and underwear for 14 days      
• T-shirts and trousers: to personal preference
• Sweaters: to personal preference, but bring at least one, it can be cold on the night watches.

22-day Antarctica voyages: 

• Socks: enough for 2 weeks
• Underwear: enough for 2 weeks
• Thermos-layers: minimum of 2-3 pairs including pants, with at least one made from merino wool.   
• T-shirts: at least 5
• Knitted sweater: 3 or 4 warm sweaters (wool is always preferred)
• Pants:
        o   2x normal pants: quickly drying advised
        o   1x sweatpants (if you like those)

Long voyages to and from Antarctica

• Socks: enough for 2 weeks
• Underwear: enough for 2 weeks
• Thermos-layers: minimum of 2-3 pairs including pants, with at least one made from merino wool
• T-shirts: at least 7
• Knitted sweater: at least 4 warm sweaters (wool is always preferred)
• Pants:
        o   At least 3 normal pants, quickly drying is advised
        o   1x sweatpants (if you like those)

 Ocean crossings

• Socks: enough for 2 weeks
• Underwear: enough for 2 weeks
• T-shirts: at least 7
• Sweaters: 2 or 3 warm ones, it can be cold at night
• Pants: 
       o   At least 3 pairs
       o   1x sweatpants (if you like those)
       o   Shorts, as preferred

• Your bunk has a comforter/duvet with cover, one pillow with pillowcase and a sheet You do not need to bring a sleeping bag
• Towels will be provided too
• It is not allowed to bring alcoholic beverages on board
• Jewellery and other valuables

• Books: in our on-board library there are numerous books about sailing through the ages, mostly in Dutch or English.
• Electricity: In the cabins and common areas there are plenty sockets to charge your devices, with 220V. The sockets are Dutch, with two round pins

When visiting Antarctica, we follow strict IAATO guidelines to protect the unique and fragile ecosystem of the continent. Before going on shore, we make sure to minimize the risk of humans being a vector for transporting non-native species into and within the Antarctic. Non-native species are those species that do not naturally occur in an area a have been introduced either intentionally or unintentionally. This is what you can do at home before you head south:

• Clean and examine clothes thoroughly: Examine all clothing, including
  pockets, seams, Velcro fasteners, and boot soles for dirt and organic material. A thorough cleaning is recommended.
• Pack clean gear: Make sure your gear and outdoor equipment are freshly cleaned and free of dirt and organic material. Even if your gear is still dirty from a previous trip to the Antarctic, you could be transporting a non-native species.

By following these guidelines, you can help to protect the pristine wilderness of Antarctica and ensure that it remains a unique and untouched destination for generations to come.