Who will be escorting the tour?
Your holiday is a special time and our Tour Directors and Cruise Directors make all the difference. From your very first day their warm greetings and professionalism signal the start of a wonderful rapport. Whilst on your cruise you will be taken care of by a Cruise Director. Our Directors have your best interests at heart and will take care of all arrangements for you. Please note that that your city extension or land Tour Director will not join you on the cruise.
What is the quality like in European hotels?
Europe’s tourist industry is centuries old and its hotels very often reflect the varied traditions and cultures of each country, so do not expect European hotels to be the same as those back home. You may find hotel rooms are slightly smaller. Most European hotel rooms do not have tea/coffee or ironing facilities in the room.
Please note: Single rooms in hotels are designed for one bed and as such in some locations, are smaller than twin rooms. Double bed rooms are on request only. We cannot guarantee that clients will receive a double bed at all properties due to limited availability with this configuration. In some cases, clients may be accommodated in twin share rooms.
What time can I check-in to my hotel?
If your flight arrives before noon (usually 14.00 is check-in time) at the city where your tour starts, the hotel may not have your room available until mid afternoon. We endeavour to ensure that rooms are ready for your arrival times however this is not always possible and is outside our control. Some people use this time to explore the neighbourhood, shop or relax in the hotel public areas. On arrival at your hotel, please check to see if your Tour Director has already posted tour information in the foyer.
Are there likely to be changes to my itinerary?
On certain occasions, for operational or local reasons, it may be necessary to change your hotel accommodation or a brochured attraction in a particular location. If this does occur, you will be notified of such changes as soon as possible.
Are laundry facilities available?
Laundry can be arranged direct with the hotel although it can be costly. Some hotels will provide an iron for you upon request.
Where will I be seated on board the coach?
To ensure all passengers have the opportunity to enjoy front and window seats, a daily seat rotation system is employed on our coaches. It works on a scatter system where you are rotated around the coach by numbers, which allows you to get to know other members of the group.
Is there anything specific I should be aware of on the cruise ship through Russia and travelling in the Ukraine?
Docking at European Ports: Please be aware that when docking at some European ports there may be several other cruise ships docking at the same place. It is common practice on many rivers in Europe for cruise ships to dock side by side in popular towns. To disembark in these circumstances, a walkway is established between neighbouring ships, and passengers simply walk through to the shore.
On board Language: The on board language is English. Your Cruise Manager and all key staff and tour guides speak English and all shipboard announcements and lectures are in English. More junior shipboard crewmembers will speak and understand English, but may not be completely fluent.
Tap Water: We recommend you avoid drinking the ship's tap water. Bottled water is available for purchase on board ship. The ice machine produces ice from purified water. For all port stops, it is best to drink bottled water.
Not Included Items: Bottled water, specialty coffee/teas, soft drinks, alcoholic and other beverages laundry, phone calls and other items of a personal nature are not included in your cruise cost.
Cuisine & Dining Room Service: You’ll enjoy fine cuisine and excellent views in your ship’s dining room, featuring a warm decor, large windows, and white-linen and china table settings. Our professional chefs will create unique menus for you that feature regional specialties. Also fine wines, beer, and Russian and Ukrainian vodkas are available for purchase. Passengers may also bring a bottle of their own favourite wine to dinner to enjoy at their table. Should you care to avail yourself of this service, there will be a corkage fee of approximately $5.00 per bottle, charged to your passenger account. Please note that if you bring your own alcohol aboard, it can only be consumed in the dining room as described above, or in your cabin. Consumption of alcohol purchased outside the ship is not permitted in the lounge or public areas.
Open-table, single seating for all meals: Each meal is open seating and reservations of any kind are not accepted. Dinner has only one designated time for its open seating, announced each day aboard ship.
Dining times: Dining times for all meals may vary depending on the day’s sightseeing and sailing schedule, but in general, meal times are as follows: Breakfast: 07.00-09.00, Lunch: 12.00-13.30, Dinner: 19.00-21.00.
Dress code: The dining-room dress code is casual, though most travellers dress nicely for the Captain’s Welcome Reception and Farewell Dinner.
Medical Services: Our fleet adheres to stringent European safety standards. In addition to an emergency call button in all cabins, the ship also features fully staffed reception desks, 24 hours a day. A physician is on board to provide professional first aid and medical advice in case you need these services.
Electricity: The electric current in Russia is 220V with European-style outlets. Aboard the ship, the cabins are equipped with both 110V and 220V, European-style outlets. If you bring any small appliances, you might need a standard European plug adapter (and a transformer in the 220V plugs) in order to operate them in your cabin. Since transformers tend to burn out, we suggest you take only dual voltage appliances that work on both 110 and 220/240 voltage. Transformer/adapter kits can usually be found at your local hardware store. Another option is to use battery-charged appliances—then you don’t need a plug adapter or transformer, just an ample supply of batteries.
Hairdryers: Hairdryers are in each cabin.
On board Shop: On board your ship you will find a small souvenir shop which sells only certified authentic local products. (Please note that the shop does not sell personal items such as toothbrushes or other toiletries.)
Laundry: Laundry service is available for a fee. Please note that neither self-service laundry facilities nor dry cleaning services are available.
Televisions: Staterooms have televisions featuring channels with some U.S. or English programming.
Newspapers: English language newspapers are extremely limited in the rural areas of Russia through which you travel. You are likely to find them only in St. Petersburg and Moscow.
Elevator/Chairlift: The ship has one elevator, however, the elevator only provides access from the main deck to the boat deck. It does not go to the Sun deck. The ship is not equipped with wheelchair access.
Embarkation/Disembarkation: On the day you board your ship, your cabin will be available at around 14.00. On the day of disembarkation, your cabin will no longer be available after breakfast. You may sit in the ship’s lounge or on the Sun Deck until disembarkation.
Hair Salon: There is a hair salon/hairdresser available. Appointments can be made through the ship's reception desk.
Lounge/Bar: There are two bars on board, open from 10.00-Midnight. The bars offer soft drinks, beer, wine, and liquors for sale. Prices are in Russian rubles and payment is accepted only in Russian rubles. U.S. dollars and Euros are not accepted. Bills can be charged to the room account.
Recreational Facilities: These include a sun deck with lounge, library, and lounge with bar and dance floor.
Please Note: Schedules and activities are subject to change depending upon river water levels, port accessibility and weather conditions. We appreciate your understanding if changes to the listed itinerary need to be made. Costs for optional tours are approximate; actual costs will be quoted on board. Due to mechanical problems with the fountains at Peterhof Palace and the scheduled times of our tours, the fountains may not be working during your visit.
