Picking the Parka

Everyone traveling to Antarctica with Lindblad receives a “complimentary” parka, waiting for her in her cabin upon boarding the Explorer.   I have to say, this will be absolutely, positively, THE most expensive “free” item I’ve ever received!!

Not surprisingly, you must order the parka in advance of departure by providing Lindblad with your size.  The size chart is “unisex,” which actually means it’s men’s sizes.   Which means that some of us with, well, hips, might have a problem.  I’ve previously written about the fact that I’m not exactly easy to fit, being short and not skinny.  Fortunately, the folks who supply Lindblad with the parkas — Ship to Shore Traveler — realize that women like me not only exist but we also travel, too, and they have provided a “non unisex size” for the “full-figured woman who is no taller than 5’3″.”   (Love the euphemisms!)

I still had some concerns about sizing, though, and the folks at Lindblad suggested I get in touch with Ship to Shore, which I did.  I want to give a shout out to Ship to Shore’s staff for being incredibly helpful and providing additional information to help me make a better informed sizing decision.  So here’s hoping that what I selected will fit (or I’ll be awfully cold!).

Gear list: parka size selected √