NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PRE TRIP INFORMATION

Nat Geo Pre Trip 

One feature of a trip with National Geographic is the pre trip information.  From the day you book you receive an Internet  link to “My Expedition”.  After logging in, this site provides a good bit of information about your expedition. Basics like your cabin information, invoice, rough itinerary, packing guide, and more. Also in My Expedition you will find various forms that need to be completed prior to departure. One of these is a medical form that needs to be signed off by a doctor. 

The most useful provided  document is the Expedition Guide.

It is here you will find more specific information about your expedition. Sections on Documentation, Health and Medical Information, Money and Practical Matters and a Planning check list. 

Then there is a section on your flight information. Baggage restrictions/allowances, transfer information, Hotel information, and pre and post voyage extensions.

Then there is information about your  expedition details. This section covers an expected itinerary, a sample of what a typical day may be like,  Expedition Activities, Weather, a Packing List, Binocular Guidelines, and Security. 

For those not used to using binoculars and wanting to make a purchase, the Binocular Guideline section is excellent. 

Respectful Tourism is also discussed, encouraging as little impact as we can make on the environments we will be visiting. 

Here you also find links to a couple of vendors that can provide you with proper attire and a link to a camera supply vendor.  For us, one advantage of living in a cold climate is we have have plenty  of cold weather gear.  With REI and Sierra Trading Post near by we have easy access to proper clothing and gear. 

This point of obtaining proper clothing and gear came home to me on our past National Geographic trips when talking to fellow travelers. Those from more urban areas mentioned they  had to buy most of their clothing and gear for the various trips.  The only additional item we had to purchase were Muck Boots. We located these at our local  feed store. 

There is also a section about what your life aboard the National Geographic Explorer will be like, telling you about services, dining, email and internet, and the tools for exploration on the ship. 

The Expedition Photography section is excellent in assisting one in planning so as to take advantage of the amazing experience. The Photo Instructors onboard are amazing and share tips to enhance your experience. 

The next very nice amenity offered is the Pre Trip Webinars. These may cover wildlife to be encountered or be specific to photography. They usually last about an hour and should you miss them they are available on line. 

The final documents arrive about three weeks prior to your departure. Here you receive various vouchers, luggage tags and luggage identifiers (and blue and yellow ribbons to attach to your luggage), a Nat Geo ball cap, pin and a name tag. I really like the name tags as it helps me remember the names of our fellow travelers. 

One of the best items we received in the final document package was the Arctic Primer 2015. This is a condensed field guide, covering history, mammals, birdlife, oceanography and much much more. This provides great reading material for the long flights.  

This is our third trip with National Geographic and we will now be considered Life Time Explorers. This is Nat Geo’s return guest program. Nice discounts on future trips.