G Expedition Review

Most of the passengers on G Expedition come from North America, as well as the U.K., Australia and New Zealand, along with folks from mainland Europe, including Germany and further afield such as South Korea. There is a wide age demographic, ranging from older children to seniors in their 80s (there is no upper age limit). English is the main onboard language and, depending on the makeup of other passengers, announcements might also be made in a second language. G Adventures does not penalize solo travelers with single supplements; instead, passengers traveling alone, who must be 18 or older, are paired in a cabin with someone of their own sex, so you can expect to find a higher than average number of solo travelers. (If they wish to have a cabin to themselves they can opt for the "My Own Room" option at a higher fare.) Additionally, while some passengers are well-traveled, others might be embarking on an expedition sailing for the first time. The main requirement is to have a sense of adventure and be reasonably fit.

There is no dress code and the main benchmark is to pack outdoor all-weather gear -- thermal undergarments, thick socks, fleeces, trekking pants, breathable layers, hats, gloves, scarves, sunglasses and so forth. On polar expeditions, waterproof over-pants are required. And, to save having to pack a bulky warm jacket, G Adventures provides a high-performance expedition parka for all Arctic and Antarctic passengers, which they get to keep, plus thermal waterproof boots, which they use for the duration of the cruise. Onboard the majority of passengers opt for jeans, casual pants, shirts, T-shirts and sneakers and there is no requirement to dress for dinner. Outdoors or indoors, comfort is the order of the day.

G Expedition Inclusions

G Expedition fares cover all meals and snacks, 24/7 tea and coffee, water (each passenger is given a reusable bottle to keep, which can be topped up from water stations around the ship), expedition and wildlife spotting excursions and the services of a dedicated English-speaking host. Airport transfers are also provided. On embarkation day, there is a captain's welcome reception with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine and canapes plus a farewell drink on the last night.

The onboard currency is the USD. Gratuities are not included in the fare and the recommended amount is $10 to $15 per person, per day, which is shared equally between all crew members aside from officers.Tips can be paid in cash -- USD only -- at the box left at the reception desk or added to the onboard account and settled by credit card at the end of the voyage. Currency exchange is not available on the ship.

G Adventures operates a cashless system and all onboard expenditure, such as in the bar, shop and laundry services, are added to the ship's account by using the passenger ID card that is issued on embarkation. Passengers are asked to register the credit card they wish to use at the start of the voyage but no payment is taken until the final account has been issued and accepted by passengers.