Heritage Adventurer

Packing essentials vary depending on personal preferences. Pack clothing you are comfortable being active in during shore excursions. Please note, clothing is not available for sale on board. As aguide, consider packing:

• Comfortable hiking shoes and/or sturdy walking shoes, as well as shoes that can get wet, such as reef shoes or rubber sandals, for wet shore landings on Zodiac excursions.
• Sun hat with brim and chin strap (to secure while on vessels), and sunglasses.
• Clothing to protect you from the sun.
• T-shirts and casual shirts, long-sleeved shirts and shorts.
• Swimsuit and/or sarong in case the opportunity arises.
• Warm clothing, such as jeans, trousers or casual long pants, a pullover, waterproof jacket or light raincoat.
• Smart casual clothing for Captain’s Farewell Dinner and cocktail evenings.
• Sleepwear.
• Toiletries and personal medication in adequate supplies for your entire tour.
• Camera, memory cards, batteries and chargers, including phone chargers.
• Small backpack for use on excursions.
• Binoculars to make the most of wildlife viewing and scenic landscapes during your journey.
• Consider bringing walking poles to assist walking over uneven ground.

Please ensure you advise either your travel agent or Travelmarvel of any dietary requirements as soon as possible. Every effort is made to fulfil requests, but these cannot always be guaranteed. With the wide selection of menus and choice of dishes available, special dietary requirements will be met where possible. For strict dietary requirements, please check with your travel agent or Travelmarvel concerning meals.

Laundry service is available on board (24-hour turnaround) for an additional fee. As a guide only, prices range from US$2 to US$12 per item to be washed and ironed. For safety reasons, ironing is not allowed in your cabin.

Each cabin features climate control, a wardrobe, dressing table, sitting area, flat screen television, mini fridge, refillable water carafes and electronic safe. En suites feature a hair dryer and shaving outlet. Please note that due to the remoteness of some destinations, television channels may not always be available.

Security/Valuables

Each cabin contains a safe, which wem recommend you utilise to store money and other valuables.

The US dollar is the standard currency on board. On board we operate a cashless ‘account’ system for all purchases and services. Your ship ID card, issued on embarkation, is linked to your cabin account for all purchases. You will be asked to sign for purchases during your cruise. Payment of your shipboard account is made towards the end of your voyage at reception. Visa and Mastercard credit cards, and USD cash are all accepted.

Personal Expenses

We recommend you bring money (or a credit card) for incidentals such as refreshments or souvenirs not included in your package.

A strict no-smoking policy enforced throughout the interior of the ships, including in private balcony areas. A designated smoking area is provided on an outside deck. Please check with your Cruise Director or Expedition Team for further information. This policy also applies to e-cigarettes.

Wi-Fi is included on board, but cannot be guaranteed at all times due to the nature of satellite communications, which are subject to disruption from weather and obstructions. Connection speed may also be slower than on shore. Mobile coverage is often not available during the cruise due to the remote location.

The ship has Zodiacs on board to allow guests to engage in up-close wildlife encounters, off-the-beaten- path excursions, and enriching cultural experiences. Guests must be able to access the Zodiacs by stepping down several steps. Some assistance will be given by on-board crew and members of the Expedition Team, but passengers will not be lifted in and out of the Zodiacs. Please be aware your feet may become wet when disembarking on shore landings. You must be aware of certain regulations involving the Zodiacs in order to ensure adequate safety:

• The driver is in charge of the boat and its operation. Please follow their instructions at all times to ensure your safety.
• Please ensure you wear suitable waterproof footwear.
• Passengers should also use a weatherproof bag (or plastic bag) to protect items such as cameras and binoculars in case of sea spray.
• You must always wear the safety vests provided. This is for your safety and is required at all times.
• Always accept the help from crew members stepping in or out of the Zodiacs.
• Carry your belongings in a backpack on Zodiac voyages to ensure your hands remain free throughout the excursion. Make sure you have everything you need with you for the excursion before leaving the ship, including sun protection, sunglasses, drinking water and your camera.

STAYING HEALTHY

It’s important for you to be as healthy as possible before you travel, and to maintain your health by applying good hygiene practices while on tour. Respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses, while usually minor in nature, can spread rapidly within a tour group, and have a major impact on everyone’s enjoyment. Travelmarvel is committed to reducing the spread of infections on tours. We ask that you read and follow our recommendations to ensure a healthy, safe and enjoyable holiday for you and your fellow travellers.

See Your GP

Your GP or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventative measures. We recommend you consult your GP or local travel clinic for detailed advice to ensure maximum pre-travel preparation. Please take a copy of your travel itinerary with you to assist your GP with the recommendations of appropriate medication.

It may be wise to ask your doctor to prepare your medical history for another doctor, should you need to see one on your cruise. It should include your name, address, emergency contact, blood type, medical history, current medications and dosages, drug allergies, reasons for prior hospitalisation and a list of vaccinations and dates.

A copy of your prescriptions is vital in case you need medical assistance. Prepare a list of any medications you use, along with your 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. Remember to leave medication in its original container so it can be easily identified. It is also a good idea to bring a copy of your prescription for glasses or contacts.

Pack a Medical Kit

A small medical kit is recommended for all travellers, as depending on your detestation, there may be no stops once you are on your cruise to purchase items. Your medical kit should include:

• Cold and flu medication (e.g. cold and flu tablets, throat lozenges, nasal decongestant).
• Your preferred painkiller.
• Medicine for gastrointestinal upsets (e.g. antacids, ‘stoppers’ for diarrhoea and a laxative for constipation).
• Other supplies including anti-motion sickness medication, plasters, blister pads, scissors, tweezers and eye drops.

In case of more serious injury or illness, there is a doctor and small medical centre on board, and medical care can be obtained in main towns. In the event you leave the cruise because of illness, your return to the point of departure will be at your own expense.

Practice Good Hygiene

Washing your hands is the most effective way to reduce the risk of contracting and spreading infections. 

Health experts recommend washing your hands frequently with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating, after sneezing or coughing, and after touching high-contact surfaces, such as doorknobs, elevator buttons and railings. Please be mindful of your fellow travellers with respect to coughing, sneezing and the disposal of used tissues.

Hand sanitiser dispensers are located in various public areas on board all our ships. Please make sure you make use of these when reboarding and before all meals.

Cold and Flu

Viral respiratory infections are the most common infectious illnesses affecting travellers. Colds and flu are primarily spread by people coughing, so please practise good hygiene and respiratory etiquette. This includes washing your hands often, covering your coughs and sneezes, and using antibacterial wipes or hand sanitiser frequently, i.e. after excursions, prior to meals, and throughout the day. Influenza can be common during overseas travel. The flu vaccine provides protection against the strains prevalent during flu seasons. Consult your GP for advice.

Avoiding Mosquito Bites

It is important to protect yourself from mosquito bites, especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Precautionary measures include:

• Using a DEET-based insect repellent.
• Wear light-coloured clothing. Research has shown that mosquitoes are attracted to dark colours. Light- coloured clothing also has the advantage of keeping you cooler in the heat.
• Be sure to cover as much of your skin as possible. Wear long-sleeved shirts, longtrousers, socks and shoes.

• Wear clothes made of tightly-woven fabric which mosquitoes are unable to penetrate.

• Wear loose-fitting clothing so that mosquitoes cannot bite through to your skin, ensuring the garments are not loose at sleeve and collar openings.
• Avoid wearing perfume or cologne as these are known to attract mosquitoes.

Gastro and Traveller’s Diarrhoea

Traveller’s diarrhoea is the second-most common infectious illness affecting travellers. The illness can be due to a number of different bugs including viruses and bacteria. Viral gastroenteritis is generally spread by person-to-person contact; whereas bacterial gastroenteritis is generally spread from consuming contaminated food or water.

Symptoms can include fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. The incubation for the illness varies depending on the cause.

Symptoms are generally self-limiting and treatment includes rest, rehydration, simple diet, anti-nausea and anti-diarrhoea medications. Antibiotics are generally reserved for use when symptoms aremore severe or protracted (e.g. fever, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhoea or duration of symptoms for more than two days). Strict personal hygiene measures, particularly hand washing, helps protect you from getting sick and spreading the infection to others.

Sun Exposure and Dehydration

The weather will vary on your tour. Drinking plenty of water is important to prevent dehydration. A hat and good sunscreen are important for preventing sunburn, even on overcast days.

Sea Sickness

As on any sea vessel, some marked motion may be anticipated in certain areas, dependent on weather and season. While most ships are fitted with stabilisers to reduce the roll, it is recommended that you bring anti-motion sickness medication or precautions just in case, even if you have never experienced motion sickness in the past. To minimise the effects of motion sickness, avoid alcohol, tobacco and confined spaces.

Travelmarvel Health and Safety Protocol 

Travelmarvel has created a Health and Safety Protocol, as well as COVID-19 protocols that all our Expedition Teams and Cruise Directors are required to adhere to. You may be requested to assist in reducing the spread of viruses if you are showing symptoms while on tour.

If you are showing symptoms of a cold or a virus while on tour, you may be asked to wear a face mask, have meals in your cabin instead of the dining room, or remain in your cabin until the symptoms improve. Refer to our website for our most up-to-date protocols