Polar Plunge
Leaping headlong off the marina in nothing but a swimsuit, plummeting into the glacial waters below, fighting the instinct to gasp for breath as you resurface and swim frantically back to the warmth of the ship… It may sound like insanity, but the health benefits of a bitingly cold dunk are well documented, and many guests come away from their expedition cruise citing the famous ‘Polar Plunge’ as the highlight of their trip.
Take the leap of faith and feel time slow down as you’re enveloped in the silent chill of the polar waters, no sound but your own heartbeat and no feeling but the tingling sensation running over your skin. In those few seconds of total submersion, you’ll find the stresses and strains of everyday life will slip away, your mind will be utterly clear and there will be nothing to fixate on but the present moment. Clambering out of the water, you’ll be greeted by a warm, dry robe, a hot drink (or warming shot of vodka!) at the Polar Plunge Bar and the smug knowledge that you now have bragging rights for life.
The logistical challenges of such an endeavor mean that the Polar Plunge is only scheduled once during each voyage, with the Captain and Expedition Leader monitoring conditions throughout to ensure the optimum time and location. It goes without saying that every precaution is taken to make the experience safe, with health checks and detailed briefings beforehand, safety Zodiacs circling the water nearby, and all guests fitted with a secure harness tethering them to the jumping-off point. Occasionally, the Polar Plunge is undertaken from an onshore location, but you’ll usually jump from the side of a Zodiac, or the marina of your expedition vessel.
What is the experience like?
What should I wear? What should I bring?
If you wish to take part in the Polar Plunge, you can do so without having to invest in any high-tech gear. Simply come as you are, wearing a swimsuit of your choice and a swimming cap and water shoes if you wish. You may feel underdressed, but wrapping up in a flashy wetsuit would defeat the point, as the sensation of that icy shock would be lost. You should have flip-flops, a dry towel and/or robe for you to wear before and after submerging yourself in the water and you can also bring a GoPro or selfie stick to capture the moment, although this is not a necessity as the Expedition Team will include a professional photographer for this very purpose.
What should I wear? What should I bring?
In order to snorkel, you will have to be outfitted with the correct gear. Luckily, the cruise line will provide this free of charge. You should always be wearing a wetsuit of at least 3mm thickness and may also choose to wear a rash guard to prevent sunburn and provide additional insultation when the water is cooler (June-December). Your masks, snorkels, and flippers will also be provided, or you can bring your own. If you have poor eyesight, you may wish to bring a prescription mask (which are easily obtained online). It's not a necessity by any means, but you may which to bring along an underwater camera or waterproof phone case, so you can capture all of your aquatic adventures!
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