If you are planning to head out on a trip, it’s important to take stock of any travel warnings from the U.S. government related to your chosen travel destination.

The government issues travel warnings for all sorts of reasons, including extreme weather events or civil unrest. When the government tells you to exercise extra caution before going to a specific locale, you’ll always want to take that warning seriously.

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After all, officials in the U.S. government are in possession of information that you don’t necessarily have. And you don’t want to go on your dream vacation, only to find yourself facing disaster.

This is why cruise passengers must be aware of a new travel alert issued by the United States State Department. The travel warning was announced at the very end of July and remains in effect in August and beyond, thoughout the upcoming cruise season. 

It is a Level 2 warning, which means that cruise travelers must exhibit “extreme caution.”

Here’s the warning, along with details on why it’s so important to pay attention and what you can do to stay safe.

Cruise passengers must heed this warning to stay safe.

Image source: Norwegian Cruise Line

U.S. government says to exercise extreme caution when visiting this destination

The July travel warning that cruise passengers must be aware of is a Level 2 Warning for Antarctica.

Close to 37,000 people visited Antarctica on cruises during the 2024 to 2025 travel season, according to the International Association of Arctic Tour Operators. This accounts for close to half of all visitors to Antarctica. Cruises that travel to the continent include:

• Lindblad Expeditions
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Quark Expeditions
• Silversea
• Viking Cruises

The majority of these cruises occur from November to March, which is the warmer summer season in this area. 

Related: TSA issues stern warning to pet owners traveling with animals

This means cruise lovers who are planning their upcoming trips must be aware of the new Antarctica travel warning in order to make informed choices about their plans and ensure a safe voyage.

What is the Antarctica travel warning cruise passengers must know about?

The State Department indicated in its new warning that any travelers must “exercise increased caution in Antarctica due to environmental hazards posed by extreme and unpredictable weather and limited emergency services.”

The Department of State also made clear that there are no government consular services available to any U.S. citizens who travel to this region. The closest embassies and consulates are located in Argentina, Australia, Chile, New Zealand, and South Africa.

Related: TSA is stopping passengers for an incredibly embarrassing reason

Since travelers will get little to no help from the U.S. government, they could be especially vulnerable if extreme weather events occur. 

To reduce the risk, the State Department recommends:

• Buying insurance that covers medical care and evacuation assistance
• Only traveling with professional guides or organizations
• Enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program so you can receive security messages and to make it easier to locate you in the event of an emergency
• Preparing a contingency plan in case of an emergency

More on travel:

• U.S. government issues serious warning for cruise passengers
• Delta Air Lines makes a baggage change that travelers will like
• United Airlines passenger incident triggers quick response

By staying up-to-date on any current developments and taking these steps, cruise passengers can hopefully get through the upcoming season without incident.