MS Estrela

Meals: All meals on board are included and are served in the restaurant in a single sitting. Open seating allows you to sit at different tables if you wish to meet other passengers. 

Beverages: Coffee and tea are available free of charge throughout the day and during meals. Complimentary beer, wine and soft drink is included.

The dress code while on tour is casual. For daytime, we suggest comfortable clothing that can be layered to accommodate changing weather, and comfortable footwear is a must. We suggest packing a breathable weatherproof jacket, a fleece jacket/vest or a warm jumper, a warm jacket, a warm hat, a wide-brimmed hat, walking trousers/shorts, t-shirts, non-cotton base layers of varying weight, clothing and shoes for downtime and restaurants, underwear and socks. Bring some smart casual outfits for the evenings, and perhaps pack a dressier outfit for the welcome dinner, or if you are planning an evening at the theatre.

Accessible facilities on board our river ships are limited and this can also include some accommodation. Passengers must walk up and down stairs to manoeuvre between decks, and in some instances, to disembark or embark the vessel. The MS Estrela is equipped with an elevator, which services the three accommodation decks. The Sun Deck is accessible via stairs from the Upper Deck. River cruise vessels are not equipped with wheelchair ramps. Wheelchairs must be collapsible as hallways and doors on board may not be wide enough to accommodate them.

Additionally, coaches and minibuses used for transfers and shore excursions may not be equipped with wheelchair ramps. Any condition requiring assistance must be reported to APT at the time of reservation. Facilities and services for passengers with disabilities differ among destinations and, in some cases, may be limited or non-existent Participants requiring assistance must be accompanied by a person responsible for and physically able to provide assistance.

We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to a tour member for walking, getting on and off tour buses and other transportation vehicles, or other personal needs. 

Smoking is not permitted anywhere inside the ships. Smoking is only permitted in designated areas on the decks. For the safety and comfort of guests, your cooperation in observing the smoking policy is appreciated.

If you have special dietary requests, please advise your travel agent or APT at the time of booking and remind the Cruise Director/Maître d’ on board upon arrival. Please note that facilities to grant special dietary requests on board are limited. While the chefs will try to accommodate requests, no guarantees can be made.

Minors under the age of 18 travelling to foreign countries must be accompanied by an adult and have a notarised letter of consent signed by the parent(s) not travelling with them. Parents, guardians and chaperones are responsible for overseeing the conduct of minors in their care. As such, minors may not be left unsupervised on board the ship. A parent or legal guardian MUST accompany children under the age of 18 on all tours for safety and liability reasons. Please contact our Reservations Team for more information.

Pack your passport, wallet with cash, credit cards, bank cards, and airline tickets/e-ticket confirmation details. We recommend packing your travel bag with extra layers, a water bottle, rain gear, snacks, and sunglasses. Pack a clear zip-lock bag to carry all liquids, gels and aerosols in carry-on luggage, as well as medications and copies of prescriptions, sunscreen and lip balm, sunglasses, and toiletries.

Recommended optional items include insect repellent, a small umbrella, a camera and memory card with a charger, a universal converter for all electronics, a travel alarm clock, binoculars, a list of important addresses and contact numbers, a photocopy of the first page of your passport (kept separate from passport), reading material, and a European phrase book.

On the MS Estrela, wireless internet is complimentary in public areas and also in cabins.

There are no medical personnel on board, and medical services are not available. However, medical assistance can be arranged from shore, as the ship is typically near a town. Any associated charges will be advised at the time of service. 

Laundry services are available on board. Price lists will be available in your stateroom. Clothes cannot be dry cleaned on board. Self service laundry facilities are not available on board. For safety reasons, it is not permitted to use an iron in your stateroom.

If you would like to attend a service and it fits in with your itinerary, ask your Tour/Cruise Director for local places and times of worship. 

The MS Estrela is equipped with one elevator between the three accommodation decks, and the Sun Deck is accessible via stairs from the Upper Deck.