RV Lotus

Expert Tour and Cruise Directors

Our fluent English-speaking Tour and Cruise Directors are on hand each day to assist with anything you may need.

Local Guides - Local Knowledge

A friendly face can make all the difference, and when paired with local knowledge and insights, you can be sure of an informed and deeper understanding of your destination.

Insider Experiences

Insider Experiences are a collection of special excursions and events that provide an insight into the history and culture of the region you're exploring.

Comprehensive Inclusions

We make sure that the majority of your holiday costs are covered before you leave home, and we clearly specify everything that is included in each itinerary to make planning easy.

Children of less than 12 years of age are not permitted on tours and cruises. Minors under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult and share their accommodation with an adult.

PASSENGERS NEEDING ASSISTANCE

Travelmarvel welcomes all passengers. Please note:

Passengers with a disability or medical condition requiring assistance must inform Travelmarvel at the time of booking of all important information relating to your health, mobility and fitness which may affect your partial or total participation in the cruise or tour. This information will allow Travelmarvel to ensure the tour you have chosen is suitable and meets your needs. Any changes to health, mobility and fitness must also be reported to Travelmarvel as soon as possible and prior to departure. Where possible Travelmarvel will make reasonable adjustments to the tour to assist you however, it cannot do so if the adjustment required would be unreasonable in all of the circumstances, including if such adjustments would affect your safety and/or the safety and/or enjoyment of other passengers.

If you require assistance or care (such as pushing a wheelchair, assistance with dressing or assistance with walking), you must travel with a companion capable of providing the required assistance or care. Travelmarvel is unable to assist any passenger with walking, dining, boarding or disembarking any transportation vehicles (including river and ocean cruise ships and trains). To safely participate in embarkation and disembarkation you must be able to do so without the need for assistance. You must also be able to do so without unreasonably impacting other passengers’ safety and/or enjoyment.

While Travelmarvel will make reasonable efforts to accommodate everyone, it is not responsible for any denial of services by any third-party entities it has travel arrangements with, such as carriers, hotels, trains, restaurants or other independent suppliers, or for any additional associated expenses charges by those parties.

Please note coaches and minibuses are not equipped with wheelchair ramps. Many ships require the use of stairs to go between decks. Further, side by side docking may require passengers to climb and descend stairs to cross over vessels to disembark and embark at times. Travelmarvel ships occasionally sail through remote areas that do not have convenient docking facilities. In such circumstances it will be necessary for passengers to negotiate temporary gangplanks, tender boats, riverbanks and uneven surfaces. If the crew decide that it is not safe for a passenger to negotiate such operations, they may require passengers to stay on board. Due to the lack of infrastructure along the riverbanks, and absence of lifts on board vessels, wheelchairs will be of minimal use. Passengers who use a wheelchair should reconsider travelling on these tours.

River ships routinely dock mid-stream and require the use of tenders to access the shore. Not all river cruise ships or decks have elevators, and some have multiple stairs to each level. Cabin doors and restrooms on river cruise ships are not wide enough to allow access by standard wheelchairs. For safety reasons, passengers using wheelchairs cannot be carried on ramps in ports where the river cruise ship is at anchor. Travelmarvel is unable to provide individual assistance to any passenger for walking, dining, disembarking or embarking cruise ships and/or coaches or other transportation vehicles or other personal needs.

Travelmarvel cruises and tours in Asia can be physically demanding, and a good level of fitness and health is required to participate in our holiday packages. Some destinations involve extensive excursions on foot, including standing for long periods, navigating uneven ground, and climbing stairs or steep inclines. In Vietnam and Cambodia, you may also encounter intense heat and humidity.

At Travelmarvel, we encourage you to immerse yourself in local cultures, make new connections, and contribute to the communities we visit. We are continuously exploring ways to improve our tours and make them more inclusive, though it’s important to note that some destinations or itineraries may be better suited for accessible travel than others.

Getting On/Off the Ship

During your Mekong River or Ha Long Bay cruise, you may need to board smaller boats to be transferred to shore for excursions. In some ports, where we dock directly against the shore, there may be no established port facilities, and you could be required to walk up and down embankments. It is your responsibility to advise Travelmarvel of any pre-existing medical conditions that may affect the normal conduct of a holiday package and the enjoyment of other guests. You may be required to fill out a Health, Fitness and Mobility questionnaire to assist Travelmarvel in assessing your abilities.

Prepare a list of your medications, including the name, dosage, prescribing doctor, and their phone number. Pack sufficient medication for the duration of your tour. Your medication should be kept close at hand in your purse or carry-on bag. Carry a list of your medications in case they are lost and remember to leave everything in its original container so it can be easily identified. If you are taking any prescription medicines, we recommend that you take a picture of the medicine box to ensure that should this be required on tour by a medical professional, it is readily available.

Luggage limit on your tour is one piece of luggage that does not exceed 160cm (63 inches) or weigh more than 20kg (44 pounds). It is advisable to keep your luggage to a minimum weight, as you maybe required to look after your luggage yourself at airports and hotels. An extra charge will be imposed to cover porterage handling of any additional luggage. Your Tour Director will advise you of the exact additional charge.

Overnight Bag 

When travelling to Sapa, you may leave your main luggage at the hotel for collection upon your return. We recommend packing an overnight bag as the smaller your luggage, the easier it is to transport in the vehicle used for travel to Sapa. Valuables should be carried with you and not left in your main luggage at the hotel.

Clothing and Footwear

Vietnam and Cambodia are conservative countries, so please dress accordingly. As a general guideline, shoulders and knees should be covered when entering religious buildings or family homes. We recommend packing a variety of light-to-medium weight clothing, along with rainwear for cooler or wet weather. Layers are a good option to accommodate varying temperatures and conditions. The dress code is casual during the day, but smart casual attire is recommended for evenings on board the ship. You may want to bring something a little dressier for the Welcome and Farewell dinners. There will be no black-tie or formal events. Smart or casual clothing is suitable for restaurants. Comfortable footwear is essential, as most excursions involve walking on uneven ground, navigating steps or ramps to embark/disembark the ship and/or coaches, and climbing into smaller boats. When visiting temples and pagodas, you may be required to remove your shoes. We recommend wearing shoes that are easy to take off.

Travel Documents

• Passport and visas (if required).
• Travel insurance policy including policy number and 24-hour emergency contact number.
• Travel vaccination certificates (if required).
• Airline e-Tickets, Travelmarvel itinerary and Essential Information (electronically).
• Wallet or money belt (cash, credit cards, bank cards).
• Photocopies of important documents, such as spare passport photos, important addresses and contact numbers

Personal Items

• Backpack (extra layers, water, rainwear, snacks, sunglasses, small umbrella etc.).
• Reuseable water bottle.
• Medications and copies of prescriptions.
• Sunscreen, lip balm, hand sanitiser, sunglasses and sunhat. Clear zip-lock plastic bag to contain all liquids, gels, and aerosols from inside your carry-on luggage.
• Antibacterial gel/wipes.
• Travel-size toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, soap, body lotion, insect repellent).
• Smart casual clothing such as long-/short- sleeved shirts, jeans/trousers/shorts/skirts, socks/underwear and sleepwear.
• Comfortable footwear such as sneakers and socks (for entering temples without shoes).
• Windproof jacket.

Travel Accessories:

• Electronics such as mobile phone, iPad/tablet and laptop.
• Camera/memory card and charger.
• Plug adaptor and current converter for the country you are travelling to.

PACK A MEDICAL KIT

A small medical kit is recommended for all travellers. Pharmacies in large cities will likely stock most basic medicines and supplies but they may be difficult to access and a script may be required for some medications.

Valuables And Security

Do not take anything with you that will create emotional or financial hardship if lost or stolen. Carry all documents, money, passport, tickets etc. with you, not in your suitcase. You may find a money belt useful while travelling.

Travelmarvel requires guests to advise of any allergies or dietary requirements when the booking is created as well as your Tour Director upon arrival, as most suppliers require advance notice to cater for your condition. Travelmarvel will pass these requirements on to the relevant suppliers but cannot guarantee that it will be able to be accommodated. In some cases, you might be asked to fill out a form or waiver.

Tap water in Vietnam and Cambodia is generally not recommended to drink. Be mindful of different meals you will consume day to day while on holiday. It’s a good idea to pack some medicine to alleviate symptoms should you experience an upset stomach from eating foods that are not part of your regular diet.

Water Bottles

Travelmarvel is committed to reducing waste, the use of plastic water bottles and the environmental impact of our tours. As such, water refill stations are available in our hotels, in larger vehicles and on board the Mekong River cruise. We encourage you to bring your own refillable water bottle or alternatively purchase one in the country.

Street Food

When visiting countries where you are unsure about general hygiene practices, please take care if buying food from street vendors or in small restaurants away from your hotel, cruise ship or recommended venues. At these places, avoid raw fruit and vegetables, dairy products (including ice-cream) as well as meat and fish not properly cooked. It is generally safe to eat cooked meats and vegetables prepared in tourist hotels and tourist area restaurants. Fruit that you peel yourself is considered safe. Don’t buy alcohol from street vendors.

Sun Exposure and Dehydration

Weather conditions will be variable on tour. Drinking plenty of water is important to prevent dehydration. A hat and high-quality sunscreen are important for preventing sunburn, even on overcast days. Please ensure you bring a refillable water bottle, to ensure you keep hydrated.

There is a no-cash policy during your Mekong River cruise. Your accounts are settled at the end of your cruise. Credit card is the preferred method of payment; however, your account can also be settled by cash (US dollars only). Prepaid Cash Cards, Diners Club Cards, or EFTPOS are not accepted. It is important to note that if you are taking a Travel Card pre-loaded with local currency or USD, it is advised that it can be used the same way as a credit card, some credit card facilities in Vietnam and Cambodia do not have the ability to process these cards as such. Travelmarvel recommends that these cards are not the only credit cards you bring with you.

Bedding Configuration

Most suites on the ship can be configured as either double or twin share. Your preference will be noted at the time of booking.

In-Room Entertainment

In each suite on board the ship, there is a flat- panel TV with a range of channels. TV reception may vary depending on the remoteness of the ship’s location. A selection of DVDs are also available from reception for you to borrow.

Air Conditioning & Heating

All suites on board the RV Lotus have individual climate control.

Hair Dryer

Each suite is equipped with a hair dryer.

Adaptors & Electricity

Electricity is 220 volts on board your river ship and throughout Vietnam and Cambodia. A plug adaptor with European prong sockets is necessary is you plan to bring appliances from home.

Additional Suite Amenities

Mini bar fridge is available in all suites, however, they are not stocked.

Bathroom Amenities

Shampoo, conditioner, soap and body wash are provided.

Telephone

Each suite has its own telephone, which may be used to call within the ship.

Safety Deposit Box

All suites are equipped with a safe and it is recommended that you place your valuables inside. Items that exceed the size of your safe can be checked into the ship’s safe, located at reception.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted anywhere inside the ship. Smoking is only permitted on the Sadec Deck. Smoking in your cabin, including your balcony, is not permitted.

Housekeeping

Our housekeeping staff will attend to your suite twice daily. Should you require any additional housekeeping requests, please contact reception for any assistance.