Travelmarvel Polaris

Accessible facilities on board our river ships are limited and this can include some accommodation also. Passengers must walk up and down stairs to manoeuvre between decks and in some instances to disembark or embark the vessel. Travelmarvel river ships are 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 wheelchairs.

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 Travelmarvel 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. Participantsrequiring assistance must be accompanied by a person responsible for and physically able to provide all such assistance. We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to a tour member for walking, getting on/off tour buses and other transportation vehicles or other personal needs. Some onboard services may change due to local government COVID-19 protocols.

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.

Our tours and cruises are not physically demanding, however, because of the nature of many of the sites you will be visiting, this tour may not be appropriate for guests with certain medical conditions and physical restrictions. Walking tours are often on uneven ground or cobblestones and may include stairs and steep inclines. You should be able to stand on your feet for an extended period of time to visit museums and other sites, as well as when checking in for flights and cruises and at Customs and Immigration.

We recommend seeking medical advice prior to your travels. Consult your local doctor for the latest immunisation and medical recommendations. Health information, travel advice and tips can be found on the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website: smartraveller.gov.au

INCLUDED IN HOLIDAY PACKAGE PRICE

All coach/rail and travel, accommodation, airfares (where indicated in individual itinerary), gratuities, airport transfers on the first and last day, sightseeing, specified excursions, meals, admissions, port charges and the services of a Travelmarvel Cruise Director, Tour Director or a Great Rail Journeys Tour Escort as stated in your itinerary. Beer, wine and soft drink is included with lunch and dinner while on board European Gems, Balkans, Croatia and Douro cruises.

NOT INCLUDED IN HOLIDAY PACKAGE PRICE

Airfares (unless stated), airport taxes, laundry, passport and visa fees, food not on the regular table d’hôte menu, beverages unless indicated otherwise, excess baggage, fuel surcharges, optional excursions and gratuities not specified in your itinerary. Bicycles are not provided on the Douro or Croatia Coastal Cruises. Porterage or Full Porterage is not included on all rail journeys unless specified, please see individual itineraries for rail tours including and excluding porterage.

A copy of your prescriptions is vital in case of any health problems. 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. It is always good to 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. It is also a good idea to bring a copy of your prescription for glasses or contacts.

Each passenger is entitled to take one piece of luggage that does not exceed 160cm (63 inches) or weigh more than 20kg (44 pounds). An extra charge may be imposed to cover porterage handling of any additional luggage. Your Tour/Cruise Director will advise you of the exact additional charge. Please refer to your specific airline for their individual luggage allowance.

CLIMATE

In general, Europe enjoys a temperate climate, with a maritime climate in western Europe, influenced by the waters that surround this region, and a Mediterranean climate in the south. In eastern Europe, four seasons occur throughout the year, while in southern Europe there are distinct wet and dry seasons. Europe’s climate is also strongly influenced by the Gulf Stream. As one of the world’s strongest ocean currents, the Gulf Stream brings warmth to northwest Europe and is the reason for milder winters in this region. Given the diversity of the climate, layering your clothes is advisable when packing for your holiday.

Electrical Appliances

Electricity is 230-volt. A European plug adaptor is necessary if you plan to bring appliances from home.

Pack a medical kit

A small medical kit is recommended for alln 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.

Your medical kit should include:

• Your preferred cold and flu medication (e.g. cold and flu tablets, throat lozenges, nasal decongestant).
• Your preferred painkiller (e.g. paracetamol, ibuprofen, etc).
• Medicine for gastrointestinal upsets (e.g. antacids, ‘stoppers’ for diarrhoea and a laxative for constipation).
• Other supplies including elastic plasters, blister pads, thermometer, scissors, tweezers and eye drops for dry eyes.

Other Necessities To Pack

Other necessities are passport, wallet (cash, credit cards, bank cards), money belt, airline tickets/e-ticket confirmation details, a one-litre zip-top clear plastic bag to carry all liquids, gels and aerosols in carry-on luggage, medications and copies of prescriptions, sunscreen and lip balm, sunglasses, toiletries, etc.

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

If you have a food allergy or another condition that needs to be managed on tour, please advise your booking agent as soon as possible, as well as your Tour Director upon arrival, as most suppliers require advance notice to accommodate this. In some cases you might be asked to fill out a form or waiver. All suppliers will endeavour to cater for allergies, but this may not always be possible and cannot be guaranteed.

• In remote destinations, we recommend drinking bottled water when travelling. Always ensure the seal is intact prior to consuming.
• In remote destinations, bottled water should always be used for cleaning your teeth, unless you are specifically advised the tap water is safe for cleaning your teeth. If you are unsure, please ask your Tour Director.
• When visiting countries where you are unsure about general hygiene practice, please take care if buying food from street vendors or in small restaurants away from your hotel, cruise ship or recommended venues.
• Avoid raw fruit and vegetables, dairy products (including ice cream), undercooked meat and fish from street vendors. 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. You can feel safe eating anything served to you at the tour hotels and while on board your cruise.
• Don’t buy alcohol from street vendors.

Sun Exposure And Dehydration

The weather will be variable on your tour. Drinking plenty of water is important to prevent dehydration. Remember to bring a reusable water bottle. A hat and a good sunscreen are important for preventing sunburn, even on overcast days.

Clothing

• Dress code while on tour is casual. For daytime we suggest comfortable clothing that can be layered to accommodate changes in the weather.
• Comfortable walking footwear.
• Breathable windproof/waterproof jacket.
• Fleece jacket/vest.
• Warm jumper.
• Warm hat (beanie).
• Sun smart hat (brimmed).
• Comfortable trousers/shorts.
• T-shirts (short and long sleeve).
• Underwear and socks.
• Smart casual outfits for evenings.
• Dressier outfit for the Welcome Dinner or optional evening at the theatre.
• Shoes for events and restaurants.

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

For your convenience, all purchases and paid services on board are billed to your shipboard account. At the end of the cruise, you will receive a total, which can be paid with cash or credit card. None of our river ships accept EFTPOS cards or cash passport cards.