Disabled Facilities

Any disability requiring special attention should be reported to Avalon at the time of booking. We will make reasonable attempts to accommodate the special needs of disabled travelers, but may not always be able to do so. Access to some establishments may not be convenient for wheelchairs, and other facilities for disabled travelers may be limited. Most transportation services, including the touring motorcoach, are not equipped with wheelchair ramps. We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to a vacation participant for walking, dining, getting on and off motorcoaches and other vehicles, or other personal needs. Please do not rely on the Cruise Director, Local Guide, or driver to assist with walking or maneuvering through the sites, as he/she has responsibilities to all the travelers within the group. A qualified and physically able companion should always accompany travelers who need such assistance. 

Age Restrictions

Avalon Waterways do not accept bookings for children under 8. There are no special arrangements or activities on board for children and they cannot accept bookings from unaccompanied children under 18 years of age and any travellers under this age must share the adult’s accommodation.

Smoking Policy

Smoking is not permitted on transportation that is exclusively provided by Avalon. On European river cruise ships smoking is allowed only in specific outside areas where ash trays are available.

Dress Code

Our goal is to make you feel at home on your Avalon cruise. That is why the dress code on board is casual and comfortable. Formality is not our style, and you will not be required to pack dresses or sport coats for your Avalon cruise. Some guests do prefer to dress up for occasions such as the Captain’s Reception or Farewell Dinner. You are welcome to wear what suits you best. We also like to keep things∘ comfortable for all guests, so we kindly request∘ that shorts not be worn in the Dining Room or Panorama Lounge in the evenings, and that bathing suits are worn only on the Sky Deck. Some optional excursions, especially those to evening events, may∘ have dress code requirements. Excursion descriptions include any details you will need to be prepared.

Special Dietary Requirements

We know that some traveler's may have specific dietary requests. Unfortunately, dietary requirements cannot be guaranteed on our vacations. We make our best effort to accommodate your requests, but our vessels, as well as hotels and restaurants, may not be able to manage specific diet requirements. Dietary requirements should be advised at time of booking and we ask that you also discuss these with your Hotel Manager upon embarkation.

Wi-Fi

Complimentary Wi-Fi is included on board most of our cruise, apart from Galapagos or Amazon sailings where internet service is unfortunately not available. Please note that the internet service is not always reliable and may be unavailable for part of your cruise.

Medications

We recommend you pack an ample supply of drugs/medications you may require while traveling and include copies of your prescriptions and the telephone/fax number of your doctor in case you need them during your travels. Because of strict laws in some countries, drugs/medications you take on doctor’s orders should be carried in their original container showing the prescription label. As long as this conforms to airline regulations, keep medicines safely in your carry-on luggage, as checked luggage may not be easily accessible while traveling and to avoid problems should your luggage get lost, damaged, or delayed.

Here are some additional items you may want to pack for your travels:

● An extra pair of eye-glasses and/or a copy of your prescription.

● Eye drops if you are traveling in a dry climate and for use while on airplanes. Cabin air can dry out your eyes.

● Spare batteries for hearing aids. It may be time consuming and difficult to find new batteries in European countries.

Vaccinations

Please contact your doctor or healthcare provider before traveling to determine which vaccinations are recommended for your travels. Most countries where we travel do not require any special vaccinations; however, requirements can change at any time. Your healthcare provider can best guide you in selecting vaccinations based on your itinerary. If you would like to research health and safety topics for your travel, we recommend the Center for Disease Control & Prevention web site: www.cdc.gov/travel.

Safety Hints

General Hints

● Carry all documents, money, passport, tickets, traveler's checks, driver’s license, photocopy of your contact information, cash, and credit cards on your person, but not all in the same place to limit the inconvenience in case of loss.

● Never keep money or jewelry in your suitcase.

● Medicines should be kept in your hand luggage for easy access.

● Never leave your carry-on luggage unattended or out of sight in public areas.

● Be observant at all times, especially in crowded places.

● Avoid excessive displays of wealth (only carry sufficient cash for daily needs).

● Divide and carry cash, etc., between yourself and your traveling companion.

● Hide a couple of $50 or €50 bills on your person as emergency vacation funds.

● Be wary of strangers approaching you in the street asking for directions or wanting to lend assistance. Tricksters also pose as policemen—either plainclothes or in uniform. Do not hand over your wallet containing money unless you are sure of the person’s credentials.

● Use hotel/ship safes or leave items with the front desk manager. Be sure to check them before checking out of your hotel or stateroom.

● Pay particular attention to bicycle lanes, which are often on the sidewalk

● Be wary of anyone offering unofficial taxi services. Always use official taxi desk or taxi lines, and choose only those vehicles with a meter and taxi sign

Hotels

Bathtubs may be higher or of a different design than back home. Pay careful attention when entering or exiting a bathtub, as the floor may be lower than the tub. Ask at Reception if you require a non-slip bathmat, which most hotels can deliver to your room. Showers and shower equipment may also be unusual (no shower curtains, half screens), and floors may be more wet than you expect. Please be careful when stepping out of the shower or bathtub.

Also check fire exits at each hotel and familiarize yourself with the hotel layout upon arrival. Use door locks in your hotel and verify credentials before opening the door to strangers.

Motorcoach

Watch stairs and overhead entrances when getting on and off the motorcoach. The doorway may be lower than you think. Fasten your seat belt and stay seated while the motorcoach is in motion. Always check for traffic when exiting and walking away from the motorcoach and when re-entering. Heavy items, bottles, and odd-sized objects, should not be stored overhead, as contents may shift while traveling and removing heavy items can be tricky. Hand luggage should be placed safely under your seat. Please keep aisles clear of bags to prevent tripping hazards.

Photocopies

Due to government or country regulations and laws, some hotels are required to keep your passport at Reception throughout your stay. Therefore, we recommend you bring a photocopy of your passport and visas with you, which you can carry on you at all times. We also suggest you photocopy your airline tickets, credit cards, medical cards (front and back), and perhaps bring a copy of your driver’s license and/or birth certificates. These document copies can help speed up replacements in the event that the originals are lost. Keep the copies in a place separate from your originals. Another suggestion is to scan your passport, airline tickets, and credit card numbers and send them to yourself as attachments to your e-mail. In case of loss, you can access copies to assist in replacement.

Please remember to fill out the “Emergency Next of Kin” section in your passport. Make sure your passport does not expire within six months of your date of travel, since a majority of countries insist that your passport be valid for at least a 6-month time period.

Packing

Sometimes, luggage is briefly delayed during air transport. Therefore, we recommend you take a change of clothing and essential toiletries in your carry-on luggage, or pack some of your clothing in your traveling companion’s luggage, so you don't have to wear the clothes you have traveled in until your luggage is delivered. Do not leave essential medication in your checked luggage; always keep it in your carry-on luggage, as long as this conforms to airline regulations. We also recommend placing a copy of the hotel contacts inside each piece of luggage. If your luggage is lost, this will help the airline find you while you're traveling.

Traveling light is recommended. Adopt a simple color coordination plan for your vacation to reduce the quantity of clothing required. For every week of travel, 5-7 tops or shirts and three skirts, shorts, or slacks that can be coordinated are enough. Pack jackets and slacks that have plenty of pockets, so you can carry documents and money in separate places on you, reducing theft and loss risk. Sportswear is fine during the day (there may be a restriction on shorts and bare shoulders for some religious sights). Wrinkle-resistant, easy-care cotton/polyester clothing is preferable for travel.

Tip: Put dryer sheets (fabric softener sheets) in your luggage. Your clothes will smell fresh and clean throughout your travels.

Below is a list of items to consider when packing for your trip.

● Passport, visa(s), Travel Protection/insurance, flight information, and other necessary documents

● ATM/debit/credit cards and their PIN codes; do not pack your passport or money in your checked luggage

● Jackets and slacks with plenty of pockets and inner pockets

● Light bag with a strap that can be worn crosswise over your body; purses/handbags are best avoided unless they can be carried close to your body in front of you

● Sportswear/casual wear for daytime

● Smart casual outfits for evenings

● Shorts, sneakers, or sweatsuits are not considered acceptable attire for lunches or dinners on board your Avalon vessel, nor when dining at your hotel

● Enough underwear/socks to avoid frequent laundry; pack at least one pair of warm socks, even in summer, in case of an unusually cold day

● Warm sweater for evenings

● A dressier outfit for an evening at the theater, an elegant restaurant, or for the Farewell Cocktail Reception (smart casual clothes are usually fine for cabarets/casinos)

● Comfortable, sturdy, tried-and-tested walking shoes (rubber soles help grip slippery/uneven surfaces)

● Sandals and/or non-slip socks that double as slippers

● Swimwear

● Warm jacket, socks, scarf, gloves and cap

● Sunglasses

● Sunscreen

● Sun hat

● Insect repellent and balm

● Toothbrush and toothpaste

● Shampoo and soap (if you prefer to use your own brand)

● Razor and shaving cream

● Comb, brush, hair ties

● Female necessities

● Band-aids

● Aspirin/Tylenol/Ibuprofen/cold medicine/Pepto Bismol

● Motion-sickness pills

● Chapstick or lip balm

● Antibacterial wipes/small bottle of hand sanitizer gel

● Travel pack of Kleenex

● Medicines (carried in their original container) and copy of prescriptions, phone/e-mail/fax number of your doctor

● Manicure and mending kits

● Travel alarm clock (to avoid relying on hotel automatic wake-up calls)

● Mini umbrella or fold-up poncho for the occasional shower

● Glasses plus extra pair and/or copy of prescription; eye drops for contact lenses

● Spare batteries for hearing aids

● Collapsible walking stick if you have mobility difficulties

● Small travel pillow

● Electrical converter(s)/adapter(s)

● Camera/video equipment with plenty of memory cards/extra film/spare batteries and label with your name and vacation code; should you lose them, there’s a better chance of their being returned

● Cellular phone that works overseas, with international calling plan or international phone cards