Before you Travel

Arrival times to port

Arrival times at each port are approximate, being subject to weather conditions, sea currents, sea traffic in ports, etc.

Beach towels

Towels from the cabin may not be taken ashore.

Boarding cards

Your boarding card (white plastic identity card), received at check in is also your on board cruise payment card. This card is magnet sensitive and should be kept separate from mobile phones, keys and other bank cards. When joining the ship on embarkation day, a security photograph will be taken which will be stored in the ship’s computer. When getting on and off the ship you will be required to present this card to the ship’s Security Officer so that it may be swiped through the ship’s computer to update the register of passengers on board.

Complimentary coach travel

Passengers using our complimentary coach transfer service should be aware this may involve an early departure. This may, on occasion, be the day before the date of embarkation for those who live a long way from the port. Please note: in order to accommodate as many passengers as possible, the coach will usually call at pick-up points after your own on its journey to and from the port of departure/arrival.

Dress codes

There will be a variety of nights on board where you may wish to dress to complement the occasion and we offer suggested dress codes: -

Suggested attire for formal evenings is:

Gentlemen: dinner suit or lounge suit.
Ladies: cocktail or evening dress.

Please note: Jeans, T-shirts and open neck shirts are not permitted in the restaurant after 6pm on formal evenings or in the Captain's Cocktail Party. Gentlemen are respectfully requested to wear a jacket and tie/bow-tie on formal evenings.

Suggested attire for informal evenings:

Gentlemen: blazer/jacket or lounge suit with tie.
Ladies: smart dress or trouser suit.

Suggested attire for casual evenings:

Gentlemen & Ladies: smart casual.

On our Northbound cruises, passengers are advised to bring warm clothes and light waterproof clothing.

It is not permitted to wear shorts in the restaurant after 6pm. Shoes must always be worn in public lounges and in the restaurant.

Easy payment scheme

If you like the sound of our world cruises, but are concerned about trying to pay all in one lump sum, then you’ll love our convenient Monthly Payment Scheme, designed to help you spread the cost of your cruise over the months leading up to departure.

Embarkation/Disembarkation

You are requested to kindly respect the time of embarkation/disembarkation in order to keep to the ship’s schedule. Whenever you leave the ship you must take your identity card, which the security officer will swipe through the computer system, updating the ship’s register.

Please note: you must always be back on board 30 minutes before the advertised departure time. Passengers left behind at any port due to late arrival back at the ship will be liable for all expenses incurred to return them to the ship or repatriate them back to the UK.

Luggage

One large suitcase and one hand luggage/small overnight bag per person totalling no more than 25kg (55lbs) is the maximum on board the coach, (this allowance may be increased on cruises of 1-month or longer, please refer to your individual joining instructions which will be sent prior to your cruise departure). As is the case with other forms of travel, such as airlines, subject to space availability and weight restrictions, drivers and porters reserve the right to refuse any additional luggage in excess of this recommendation. The dimensions of any piece of luggage should not exceed height 25cm x length 160cm x width 70cm.

Please ensure all luggage is labelled and clearly marked with your name, address, cabin number, departure date and the ship’s name. On arrival at the port, porters will transfer your luggage directly to your cabin. Please be sure you pack your suitcases yourself as all luggage and hand luggage is subject to inspection by HM Customs and Excise Officials and will be passed through an X-ray machine. Please keep all medication and travel documents in your carry-on hand luggage.

Luggage advice

We recommend you bring an overnight bag for your last night at sea. Staff will collect your luggage the night before departing, and you will need an overnight bag to carry your clothes and toiletries. Identify all your luggage, even carry-ons. Use your Travelscope luggage tags, which should be filled out and affixed to each piece before you leave home.

Airline passengers are usually permitted one piece of checked luggage up to 20kg. One piece of hand luggage carried on the airplane must fit beneath one aircraft seat or in the over-head lockers and must not exceed total dimensions of 45 inches. Check with your air carrier for specific restrictions.

In the unlikely event that your luggage should become damaged in transit to/from the ship and the cruise terminal/car park/coach you are advised to claim against your travel insurance and a letter will be issued on board to support your claim (please read your insurance details carefully).

Mobile telephones

If you have a mobile, you need to be GSM (internationally roaming) to receive or make calls from abroad. Additionally, certain countries require mobile phones to be a tri-band or quad-band model to receive and make calls. It may, on some occasions, not be possible to top-up Pay-As-You-Go mobile phones from certain countries. If you have never used your mobile overseas, please check with your phone service provider before departure, as some may need modification to work.

Passports

It is essential you have a full ten-year passport for your cruise, valid until at least six months after return to the UK or Irish Republic. Passport application forms are available from your nearest main Post Office. If you do not already have a passport, please contact the nearest passport office immediately and explain you are an imminent traveller. In the UK it now takes at least one week to issue a new passport, or replace a lost or stolen passport. It is still possible to get a same day service for straightforward renewals and amendments but this is by appointment only.

Holders of non-UK passports should consult the appropriate embassies prior to departure for current visa requirements.

Your passport will be collected on check-in at your point of embarkation and retained by the Ship’s Purser’s Office for the duration of the cruise. The Purser Staff will deal with all the immigration formalities at each port of call enabling you a hassle free disembarkation.

Pets and animals

We regret no pets or animals are permitted on board.

Remember to bring

• Passport and personal spending money
• Camera and lots of film
• Binoculars, especially for spotting wildlife
• Guidebook about your destination
• Extra pair of prescription glasses
• Contact lenses and cleaners for the duration of the cruise
• Sufficient prescription medication you may require (we would suggest you bring a list of all medicines and the dosages required to take)
• Proper gym shoes or other rubber-soled shoes for playing deck sports or to participate in the exercise and dance class
• Personal electrical appliances compatible with our ship’s electrical current and their appropriate chargers
• Your travel insurance documents and the emergency contact numbers
• Bank and credit card emergency contact numbers in case of loss
• Alarm clock
• Adaptor
• Sterling cash for on board activities

Many modern cameras require specific batteries. We recommend you bring an extra battery for your particular camera, as, due to the wide variety of sizes and voltage specifications, replacement batteries are not always available on board or at ports of call.

If you are taking any medication do remember to pack enough to last the duration of your cruise and make a list of all your medications and required dosage.

Staying in touch

You’ll be able to mail postcards and letters from our various ports of call. The Information Desk on board can tell you how and when to post mail during your cruise. Remember, in most cases, you will probably get home before your mail arrives.

Transfers/transport in resort

While standards of transport vary considerably around the world, please be assured that our tours utilise the best available quality transportation possible in each port; air-conditioned vehicles are not always available. Mini-buses are frequently used and taxis may also be used to carry tour passengers. This is often owing to the influence of the local taxi associations, who refuse to allow buses to transfer all tour participants.

We would like to point out that although local taxi prices ashore may appear to be cheaper than the organised excursions, we would ask you to consider the fact that admission prices may not be included in the fare, the driver may not be a qualified guide or be able to speak fluent English, and in the unfortunate event of an accident, the vehicle may not be insured, which could affect your own insurance.

If you do wish to use a local taxi, we recommend you fix a price before setting off. For the benefit of others, we kindly request that all passengers refrain from smoking in any mode of transportation or from consuming hot food or drinks whilst on board. Please note: occasionally tour transport such as boats, planes and trains may not be exclusive to Travelscope.

As a rule, coaches and mini-buses will not have toilet facilities on board. However, where possible comfort stops are incorporated into the tour itineraries although the standard of these may differ dependent on the country visited. In many countries it is usual to make a nominal charge for the use of toilets. On board catamarans, shoes must be removed and you will remain barefoot.

Travel insurance*

All passengers are required to have travel insurance as a condition of travelling with us. It is the responsibility of the passenger to ensure their travel insurance is valid and all conditions have been complied with. You are strongly urged to ensure you have declared any pre-existing medical conditions to your insurer in accordance with the policy conditions, as failure to do so may well render your insurance invalid in the event you are taken ill during your cruise, and you would then be unable to reclaim any medical/repatriation costs incurred by you or on your behalf.

Travelscope have developed our own travel insurance policy, underwritten by Europ Assistance. We know that even the very best laid plans can go wrong due to unforeseen circumstances, and nobody wants to be out of pocket because of illness, accident or loss of luggage.

Our own policy offers excellent protection in the event of delay, cancellation, illness, loss of belongings or jury service and is available at a special rate for Travelscope cruisers, offering you peace of mind. In the event of a medical emergency, you or our Cruise Director can contact the emergency helpline which is available 24-hours a day, to assist in making the necessary arrangements, wherever you are.

Our insurance is effective from the moment we receive your deposit and insurance payment. Full details of the policy will be sent with your confirmation invoice. You may return your policy within 14 days if you find it does not meet your needs, and you will receive a full refund of your premium (if you have not travelled or made a claim).

*This information is subject to change.

Vaccinations

Please check with your GP well in advance (preferably at least two months) of your departure, for advice and to arrange immunisations. Further information can be obtained from the Medical Advisory Service for Travellers abroad (MASTA).

We do recommend passengers take a completed European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which is valid for five years. Please check with your local Post Office for information concerning this. The EHIC replaces the old E111 form.

Please note the EHIC does not replace the need for travel insurance.

Visas* (general information)

Visas are not required by British Citizens providing the passport bears the words ‘British Citizen’, or ‘Holder has the right of abode in the United Kingdom’ (*except for destinations detailed below). Holders of other passports should consult the appropriate embassies prior to departure for current visa requirements.

• If you wish to explore St. Petersburg independently, a visa is required from the Russian Embassy at a minimum cost of £32 per person, plus administration charges, although the cost can increase substantially if the application is made very close to the date of travel. To obtain a visa, the Russian Embassy will also require an original hotel voucher or tour confirmation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Russia or a company registered with them for which there is an additional charge.
• For further information and to obtain a visa, contact the Russian Embassy, or visit www.russialink.org.uk/embassy. Please note: this information applies to British Citizens and is correct at time of publishing, but we recommend you check with the Russian Embassy before travelling.
• US Visa Waiver Programme Citizens of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland may generally enter the US through the Visa Waiver Programme provided they have a machine-readable passport. However, British subjects and subjects of UK dependent countries DOrequire a visa. If you have any doubt concerning your eligibility for the US Visa Waiver Programme you must contact the United States Embassy.
• A visa is required for entry to Australia.

*Prices and information are subject to change.

Weather

We are frequently asked what weather conditions can be expected in the ports of call visited. Unfortunately, much as we may wish, we cannot guarantee sunshine, so we advise you to be prepared for any eventuality. The Caribbean and Pacific sun can be very strong, so we highly recommend that you take along a hat or a cap, sunglasses and high factor suncream. Mosquito repellent may also prove handy.