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.

What you should pack depends on your personal preference. Most guests dress casually on tour. However, if the group is going into town, you may want to wear something a little dressier. You may also want to wear something slightly more formal for welcome dinners and cocktail evenings. If your sightseeing includes visits to churches, monasteries, synagogues, or mosques, dress casually while ensuring your clothes are clean and provide sufficient body cover (for example, you may be required to cover your shoulders and knees). The below is a list of items to assist you with packing for your tour.

Personal items:

• Personal medications and copies of prescriptions
• Sunscreen, lip balm, sunglasses and sun hat
• Travel-size toiletries (e.g. shampoo, conditioner, soap, body lotion, and insect repellent)
• Sturdy and comfortable footwear such as runners with good grip
• Windproof/waterproof jacket
• Small backpack/bag for day use
• Reusable water bottle (insulated recommended)
• Binoculars
• Bathers/swimsuit
• CPAP machine (if required)

Travel Documents And Accessories:

• Passport and any required visas.
• Travel insurance policy including policy number and emergency contact number.
• Airline e-tickets, Travelmarvel itinerary and Essential Information (electronically)
• Wallet or money belt (cash, credit cards, and, bank cards)
• Camera with memory card and charger
• A universal adaptor (electricity is 220 volts on board our ships and throughout Europe — a plug adaptor is necessary if you plan to bring appliances from home)

Luggage Restrictions:

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.

See Your GP
Your GP or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventative measures including vaccinations. We recommend you consult your GP or local travel clinic for detailed advice to ensure you’re fully prepared before travel. Please take a copy of your travel itinerary with you to assist with the recommendations of appropriate medication and vaccinations. If you have any health conditions, please ask your doctor to prepare a medical summary for use by a foreign doctor if needed. This 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. Please have this information available when completing the In Case of Emergency form on the first day of your tour or cruise.

Travelmarvel Health And Safety Protocol

Travelmarvel has created a Health and Safety Protocol that all our Tour/Cruise Directors are required to follow. To help reduce the spread of illness while on tour, you may be asked to take precautionary measures if you’re showing symptoms of a cold or virus. These may include wearing a face mask, eating meals in your room/cabin rather than in shared dining areas, or remaining in your cabin/ room until symptoms improve. You will also be required to complete an In Case of Emergency form on the first day of your tour or cruise. For more information on these protocols, please refer to our website: travelmarvel.com/en-au/beforeyou-travel/health-and-wellbeing

Cold And Flu
If you experience cold or flu-like symptoms while on tour, please use hand sanitiser regularly — especially before meals and throughout the day — and be considerate of fellow travellers by limiting close contact. Hand sanitiser dispensers are available in public areas on all ships and coaches, so make sure to use them when reboarding. If your symptoms worsen, notify your Tour/ Cruise Director immediately so appropriate measures can be taken.

Sun Exposure

Weather conditions will vary 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.

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 any dietary requirements or allergies that need to be managed while travelling with Travelmarvel, and you have not made these known already, please advise your booking agent as soon as possible, as well as your Tour/Cruise Director upon arrival. Most suppliers require advance notice to accommodate these requirements and in some cases, you may be required to fill out a form or waiver. Every effort will be made to fulfil requests, but these cannot always be guaranteed. 

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.