TRAVELING
TIPS ON EUROPEAN RIVER CRUISES
Dear Traveler,
Traveling is always an exciting time - new places to visit,
people to meet and things to do. However, traveling also presents many
questions. To help answer those
questions, we have created this Travel Tips list. It includes details on
life onboard a river cruise.
We hope the information provided will help you prepare for
your river cruise and make it your most memorable and rewarding vacation
experience ever.
Why River Cruising?
In selecting a River Cruise, you have chosen one of
the most relaxing and fulfilling ways to tour through Europe. A one-unpacking,
unforgettable vacation where your "floating hotel" takes you to the
heart of historic cities and quaint villages.
Enjoy the continuous and ever-changing scenery as you
encounter a colorful world of legendary waterways and picturesque landscapes,
hilltop castles and fruit-filled vineyards.
Your all-inclusive, value-packed River Cruise
includes:
Outdoor cabin accommodations on all ships
All meals aboard
Daily sight-seeing excursions
Exclusive Old World Highlights cultural program
......and much more
Air Conditioning & Heating
All rooms onboard are air conditioned.
Each cabin has individual air conditioning and heating controls.
Beverages
Tea, coffee, sodas and alcoholic beverages are available at additional
charges. These beverages are paid with your own personal "drink card"
that you purchase on board the ship.
On Board Shop
Each ship has an on board shop where you will find accessories, film,
souvenirs and gifts as well as selected personal items.
Clothing Suggestions
The dress aboard and ashore is casual, and it is suggested to dress
comfortably. We recommend comfortable shoes for the sight-seeing excursions,
especially those that involve walking tours. Dinner attire is "evening
casual," which means open-neck shirts, slacks, dresses and sport outfits.
However, the attire for the Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Nights are dressy,
but not formal. Shorts and swimwear are never allowed in the dining room.
Cuisine
All food aboard is prepared by our staff of European chefs and consists of
European-style food. Breakfast is served buffet style; lunch and dinner are
multi-course meals served at the table .
Dining
The dining room is single-seating for lunch and dinner. Upon embarkation,
cruise passengers will be assigned a specific table for all meals during the
cruise, including the buffet breakfast that is usually served daily between
7:00-10:00 AM. Table assignments are made according to language spoken.
Electricity
Onboard electricity is 220v. Although a hair dryer is provided in some
ships, we suggest bring an adapter for small personal items such as a razor,
curling iron or alarm clock.
Embarkation
Each itinerary may have a different embarkation time. Refer to your cruise
ticket for your embarkation time. In case of an early arrival, you may check
your luggage onto the ship and enjoy the embarkation port city through the
afternoon.
Gratuities
Tipping is a personal way to show satisfaction for good service and is
always appreciated. It remains at the passengers’ discretion.
Hairdryers
Half of the ships have hairdryers in the cabins.
Hotel-style beds
Hotel-style beds are available on our newer vessels.
Laundry
Laundry services are not available, we regret that clothes cannot be cleaned
aboard.
Library
The ships’ libraries have books available free of charge. We kindly ask
that you return the books before the end of your cruise.
Medical Services
There is no doctor on board on the European ships, however, the staff is
medically trained for emergencies.
Money aboard ship
For your convenience, all purchases and paid services aboard have to be paid
with cash or credit card, except for beverages (bar & restaurant), which are
paid with a drink card (sold on board).
Onboard Language
The onboard languages are French & English.
Passenger Service Manager
An experienced, English-speaking Purser & hostess accompany every departure.
They are there to ensure your comfort, answer questions and make your vacation
the most memorable trip ever.
Questionnaire
A questionnaire will be delivered to your cabin before the end of the
cruise. We kindly ask that you complete the form and return it to the reception
desk.
Room Service
Room service is not available.
Safes
Some ships have in-room safes. It is recommended to keep jewelry and
valuables in the safe when away from the cabin. For those ships that do not have
in-room safes, items can not be checked into the ship’s safe.
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted inside the ship, except at the bar and partly in
the lounge area. It is also permitted, and recommended that smokers do so on the
walk-around Promenade Deck outside the lounge and on the Sun Deck.
Special Diets
Passengers requiring special diets, such as vegetarian, low salt & low
cholesterol meals, may make their requests to the Purser or hostess aboard. ( We
feel the best idea is to inform your travel agent when your cruise cabin is
being reserved). The chefs will try to honor all requests.
Stamps, Postcards & Mail
Stamps and postcards are available at the reception desk, and mail will be
sent from port each day.
Sun Deck
The sun deck is located on the top of each ship. For your enjoyment, there
are plenty of deck chairs.
Telephones & Communications
There is a radiotelephone on board each ship for outgoing calls. As it is
expensive, we advise our passengers to use public telephones during port calls,
which our hostess will gladly assist you with. Incoming calls are always taken
on board but the signals are best received when the ship is in port for the
evening.
Televisions
The ships are equipped with a satellite system, and there is a television,
in some ships in each cabin. Some ships will receive 6 TV channels with English
speaking channels as well as a video channel.
Cruise News
Our daily program, features interesting and important information about the
daily activities, shore excursions, tour departure times and more.
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