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Greenland
Greenland Expedition Cruise - Frequently Asked Questions
July 28 - August 9, 2024 

With such a rich and varied itinerary and so many aspects to touring Greenland, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure about where to start preparing for your Greenland cruise. We are here to help. Below, you'll find some useful information that you'll need for getting ready for your Norwegian adventure.

TIME

There are 4 different time zones in Greenland. Nuuk, the capital of Greenland is 2 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time in the United States.  When it's noon in Nuuk, it's 10 a.m. in New York and 7 a.m. in San Francisco.

New York City

 Nuuk, Greenland 

PACKING

Even though we'll be visiting Greenland in summer, the weather here can be very changeable. First and foremost, it can get quite cold, so please pack the right gear such as waterproof apparel, hats, gloves, and warm winter clothing. Other than this, you must pack sunscreen and sunglasses especially since the sun’s rays can be harsher when they’re reflected off the white glaciers and water. Make sure to pack seasickness medicine which will be essential on your first days as you get accustomed to the boat/ship life. EXPEDITION GEAR: In order to get the best out of your expedition voyage, Silversea will make available all necessary equipment and gear needed so you can get the best out of your trip. This includes the outerwear and boots for Greenland when required by the itinerary. You will receive a detailed packing list about a month before departure.

Since we'll be walking quite a bit during our land excursions, you should bring with you your most comfortable walking shoes with good traction. The weather in Greenland can vary during the day and you can encounter extremes, even in summer. To cater for these variations, we recommend a layered dress approach, so that you can easily adapt to changes in temperature, wind and precipitation conditions. You should bring along breathable rain and windproof clothing. If you forget something, don’t worry! Here are some essential items to bring along with you: binoculars, camera and memory card, comfortable everyday shoes, wool sweater or fleece, sun protection, sunglasses, wind and waterproof jacket and trousers, mid layer jacket, and comfortable walking shoes with good grip.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Visitors from the US, Canada and Australia need a valid passport to enter Greenland, but visas are not required for stays of less than 3 months. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the date you intend to leave Greenland. Before traveling abroad it's a good idea to make two photocopies of your passport, your driver's license and your credit cards. Leave one copy at home with a trusted person and put another in your suitcase.

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE INFORMATION

The tour starts on Sunday, July 28, 2024 in Monteral, Canada. The Silversea's executive private transfer service will pick you up from your doorstep and transfer you to your home airport. Your flight to New York is included in the tour's price (major airports only, otherwise an air credit and economy class only). On arrival in New York, you will be met by a uniformed chauffeur for your private transfer to our luxury hotel.

This tour ends on Friday, August 9, 2024 in Montreal, Canada. Your departing flight will most likely depart sometime during the day on August 9, 2024 and you will have a private airport transfer in accordance with your departing flight's time.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT AND ROOMMATES

To avoid paying the single supplement, we offer guaranteed roommate matching, and we will try to match you with a roommate of similar age. Otherwise, there are some single suites available on this tour, but since the price is almost double that of a shared space, we expect that most of our travelers will be matched with a roommate. 

THE TRAVEL GROUP

The Greenland tour group is limited to a maximum of 16 women + the Tour Director. The minimum group size is 11 women + the Tour Director. In addition to the Tour Director, the tour guests will be assisted by the Silversea staff (almost 1 :1 ratio of staff to cruise passengers) and expedition guides.

HEALTH

Greenland does not pose any major health hazards. No special vaccinations are required, but we advise you to speak with your doctor for medical advice before traveling to Greenland and to be up to date on routine vaccinations. There are no poisonous plants or animals in Antarctica. Pack prescription medications in your carry-on luggage and carry them in their original containers, with pharmacy labels, otherwise, they might not make it through airport security. Carry the generic name of prescription medicines, in case a cruise ship pharmacist is unfamiliar with the brand name.

SAFETY

Overall, the security risk to travelers in Greenland is low. Violent crime is rare, but it can occur. Most incidents of street crime consist of theft of unattended items and pickpocketing. Pickpockets and purse snatchers often work in pairs or groups, with one distracting the victim while another grabs your valuables. Often they operate in larger cities, especially at restaurants, museums, and bars. You should report the loss or theft of your passport immediately to the local police and the nearest embassy or consulate.

ACTIVITY LEVEL

During the luxury Greenland Summer cruise, we'll be traveling by bus to our land excursions, and we'll be covering quite a lot of ground by foot. To be able to enjoy the tour and participate in scheduled activities, you need to be able to walk, at a leisurely pace, up to 4 miles throughout the day, frequently on uneven and cobble-stoned streets. You need to be able to stand unassisted for up to 30 minutes, you need to be able to climb stairs, get in and out of vehicles without assistance and manage your own luggage without assistance.

WOMEN TRAVELERS

Travel in Greenland is very safe and the country has a very low crime rate. With low crime rates, friendly and helpful locals, and high safety measures, solo travel for women in Greenland is very easy. You should feel perfectly safe in Greenland, but it is always important to use your best judgment when dealing with complete strangers. Of course, it always pays to play it safe and stick to more populated areas and return to the ship after dark.

WEATHER

In summer, the most popular time to visit Greenland, the weather in the south and along the fjords can reach in the upper 60s (F). Inland and in the north, the temperatures average in the 40s (F). Depending on the location, the weather can flucuate, so layers are always needed. The average July temperature in Nuuk is 48°F high/41°F low.

CELL PHONES AND INTERNET

All guests onboard Silversea Cloud will be granted free, unlimited standard Wi-Fi for 1 device at the time. Standard Wi-Fi is provided at regular satellite speed, ideal for emailing, web surfing, chat or similar, but not suitable for video, audio calls, or streaming. Premium WI-FI access is available at an additional charge and is suitable for all kinds of applications, including video and audio call and streaming. Telecommunications via satellite is a significantly different experience compared to high-speed connections on shore. The signal travels in a similar manner to radio waves but at much greater distances. That is why onboard Internet access is inconsistent and cannot be guaranteed at all times. Satellite communications are also affected by weather and the ship’s location. On board, guests may make and receive phone calls, text messages and other select data services on their own cell phone. Guests will be billed by their home cell phone provider and calls or messages will appear as roaming charges on their bill. Before leaving home, you should contact your provider to confirm that a roaming agreement with Silversea has been established. Silver Cloud is also equipped with a phone system that allows guests to make direct-dial calls from their suite whilst at sea. Calls will be billed to the guest’s onboard account.

ELECTRICITY

Both 110-volt (U.S. current) and 220- volt (European current) outlets are provided in all suites, accommodating small appliances without the use of adapters or electric converters. A hair dryer is provided in each suite.

LANGUAGE

West Greenlandic is the official language of Greenland, although Danish and English are now taught since elementary school, so most people in larger cities speak English very well. In smaller towns, it is not unusual for only Greenlandic to be spoken by the locals. 

MONEY

While onboard the Silversea Endeavor, cash, credit cards and travelers checks can be used. Upon embarkation, you will be asked to register your credit card number and expiration date, which must be valid through the final day of the voyage. All charges for services provided and products purchased on board must be settled in cash (U.S. dollars), by travelers cheques in U.S. dollars, or the registered credit card before final disembarkation from the ship. A 2% transaction fee will be charged for all cash advances. Foreign transaction fees are possible Authorization holds may be made on credit card purchases.

Greenland's currency is the Danish krone (plural: kroner), abbreviated to DKK. American dollars may be accepted at some establishments, but not all. It is easiest to obtain cash from local ATMs: PLUS, Cirrus, and other networks connecting automated teller machines (ATMs), which can be located in Nuuk, Ilulissat, Kangerlussuaq, and other larger settlements. If you are planning to shop in local towns, it is important to have cash, as some establishments still do not accept credit cards. 

TIPPING

All gratuities are included in the cost of the Silversea Greenland cruise. When you are on your own for the pre-cruise night, a 10% tip is customary.  At the conclusion of the tour, it is customary to offer your Tour Director a gratuity. We recommend $15 per person per day if you feel that her services enhanced your experience of visiting Greenland.

SHOPPING

While onboard, the Silversea Endeavor Boutique is located on Deck 5, and it offers a selection of designer fashions, perfumes and Silversea logo items. Toiletries and convenience items are also available for purchase. The boutique is closed whilst in port and on occasion due to local government regulations..