Day 1

This afternoon you begin embarkation to prepare for an afternoon departure from Southampton.

DayS 2 & 3

Full days cruising. Time to explore the ship and meet fellow passengers and crew members.

Day 4

This morning you arrive in Lisbon, Portugal where the following excursions are available.

LISBON SEEN FROM THE RIVER  -  3 hours  -  £55 to £65 per person

Perhaps one of the most surprising monuments, and particularly beautiful when seen from the river, is the memorial to Prince Henry – the mastermind navigator behind Portugal’s voyages of exploration and subsequent wealth.

Our tour begins with a panoramic drive of Lisbon city centre. We shall make a brief stop at the top of King Edward VII Park, from where we can enjoy a spectacular view of the city and harbour. Continuing, we pass by Pombal Square, the famous Avenida da Liberdade (Avenue of Liberty), and of course Rossio – the meeting point and very heart of Lisbon. We shall also see the district of Baixa, an area entirely rebuilt following the disastrous earthquake of 1755. The final highlight of our panoramic coach journey will be the unique Comércio Square, located along the waterfront.

Upon disembarking our tour coach, we will have a short walk to the ferry station, where we board our boat to start the second and most exciting part of our tour – a one and a half hour trip along the estuary of the River Tagus. Here we shall discover the beauty and charm of Lisbon from the river. We first sail towards the medieval part of the city, where at the top of the hill stands the castle originally built by the Romans, and the 12th century cathedral in the centre of the Moorish district of Alfama. This area will make us feel as though we are taking a step back in time, and we will soon realise the importance of the harbour throughout the history of Lisbon.

As we continue along the river, our boat will pass under the spectacular suspension bridge, which was built in 1966, and will remind us of the Golden Gate in San Francisco (they were built by the same construction company). In the distance stands the monumental statue of Christ the King, built as a thanksgiving for Portugal’s neutrality during World War II.

We then sail along the banks of the Belem area, once a village around the 15th century new harbour. From here the caravels set sail for their great voyages of discoveries – no doubt the most glorious period of Portuguese history. Perhaps one of the most surprising monuments, and particularly beautiful when seen from the river, is the memorial to Prince Henry – the mastermind navigator behind Portugal’s voyages of exploration and subsequent wealth. Here we can also see the only two great buildings dating from the period of the discoveries and the rich reign of King Manuel I that survived the earthquake and show us the splendour of the city back then. These are the Royal Monastery of St Jerome, a masterpiece of ornate gothic style, and the unique Belem Tower, built as a fortress to defend the harbour of the rich 15th and 16th century capital of Portugal. Following our scenic river cruise, we shall return to our awaiting coach and drive back to the quayside.

LISBON CITY TOUR  -  4 hours  -  £35 to £45 per person

After re-crossing the bridge back into Lisbon, we continue with a visit to the Church of the Jeronimos Monastery – a 16th century architectural masterpiece designed in the Gothic-Manueline style.

A hilly city paved with cobblestones, Lisbon’s sights are best enjoyed from the comfort of a coach. This tour takes in many famous city sights. We can also enjoy the magnificent view of the city and harbour from Alto do Parque Belvedere. Rossio Square is the Piccadilly Circus of Lisbon, and here the mile-long Avenida da Liberdade leads to the statue of Pombal, who rebuilt the city following the devastating earthquake of 1755. We will drive by Lisbon’s oldest quarter ‘Alfama’, and continue on to the April 25th Suspension Bridge, which is one of the world’s longest suspension bridges, and connects the city of Lisbon to Almada. The bridge was built in 1966 and is often compared to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, due to their similarities (they were actually built by the same construction company). Here we can enjoy a superb view of the city of Lisbon from the comfort of our tour coach. After re-crossing the bridge back into Lisbon, we continue with a visit to the Church of the Jeronimos Monastery – a 16th century architectural masterpiece designed in the Gothic-Manueline style. Following our visit, we will walk to the western section of the former monastery, which houses the Maritime Museum – an obligatory visit for those who love the sea. The museum illustrates the history of navigation, from the Middle Ages to the present day, with miniature boats and larger reproductions, original maps and nautical instruments on show. Nearby, we will see the lavishly decorated Belem Tower, where Portuguese explorers were given a rousing send-off, and the Monument to the Discoveries, which was built in 1960 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the death of Prince Henry, the mastermind navigator behind Portugal’s voyages of exploration and subsequent wealth. As we return to our ship via Avenida Brasilia, we will see once again, stretching across the River Tagus, the April 25th Suspension Bridge and the towering Christ the King statue on the far side.

PICTURESQUE SINTRA AND CASCAIS  -  4 hours  -  £35 to £45 per person

Once in the centre of the lively resort of Cascais we can admire the attractive bay or sit in one of the fashionable outdoor cafés and watch the world go by.

Leaving Lisbon through Monsanto Park, we travel to Sintra, a popular old world village resort nestling in tree-clad hills north of Lisbon. The town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its 19th century Romantic architecture. Upon arrival, we will see the outside of the Royal Palace – the best preserved medieval palace in Portugal – with its two chimneys, resembling a giant oast house. The palace is Moorish in origin, and is one of the oldest buildings in Portugal.

Following a short stop in the square at Sintra, during which time we can explore at leisure or browse the shops, we continue our tour to Cascais. En route to the picturesque town, we shall make a photo-stop at the beautiful Praia do Guincho, a popular beach for surfing, to admire the scenery, which includes the most westerly point in Europe, Cape Roca.

Once in the centre of the lively resort of Cascais we can admire the attractive bay or sit in one of the fashionable outdoor cafés and watch the world go by. We then return to Lisbon along the River Tagus, passing by the village of Estoril en route.

LOVELY OBIDOS  -  A QUEEN'S GIFT  -  4.5 hours  -  £40 to £50 per person

The origins of this quaint little town, rising majestically above the lovely Gaeiras vineyards, are obscured in history, but may date back as far as 308 BC.

Following a scenic 75-minute drive through the beautiful Portuguese countryside, we arrive at the medieval town of Obidos for a unique experience to travel back in time. The origins of this quaint little town, rising majestically above the lovely Gaeiras vineyards, are obscured in history, but may date back as far as 308 BC. The town was conquered by force by the Portuguese in 1148. A century and a half later, King Diniz, passing through with his young bride, gave her the town as a present, because she had admired the ramparts twinkling like a ribbon around a bouquet of shining white houses. From then on, Obidos was given as a wedding gift to all of Portugal’s queens.

We begin our visit to Obidos with a short walking tour, exploring the most picturesque streets. We shall also visit the 17th century Parish Church of Santa Maria, which features magnificent decorations in the famous blue and white tiles inside. From Pillory Square, our guide will explain how to continue exploring the narrow lanes independently. We may like to follow their lead up to the castle (now converted into a ‘pousada’, or hotel), or explore the old lookout path on top of the wall encircling the city. Our free time in Obidos provides an excellent opportunity to explore further, or soak up the ambience in one of the charming outdoor cafés. Following our free time, we return to Lisbon, where we will have a brief drive through the main streets and avenues to cross the city before arriving at the pier.

LISBON PANORAMA  -  2 hours  -  £30 to £40 per person

We drive along the famous Avenida da Liberdade (Avenue of Liberty) to Rossio Square, to see the Santa Justa Elevator, designed by Eiffel, and Praça do Comercio (Black Horse Square), which is considered to be one of the most impressive squares in Lisbon.

We depart the pier for a drive to the Belem area of Lisbon. Here we shall see the Presidential Palace, the Church of the Monastery of Jeronimos, one of the most prominent monasteries in Portugal, and the Tower of Belem, built to commemorate explorer Vasco de Gama’s expedition. We shall also view the Monument to the Discoveries, which was unveiled as part of the 500-year anniversary of the death of Henry the Navigator. N

ext it’s onto the Restelo area, the most exclusive residential district of Lisbon, and the location of many foreign embassies. As we circle back to the centre through Monsanto Park and Duarte Pacheco Avenue, our scenic view will include the impressive 18th century stone aqueduct, which is 11 miles long, and until recently was used to bring fresh water into Lisbon.

Our drive continues to the lovely Edward VII Park, where we will stop at the Belvedere to admire a panoramic view of the city. From here we can see the Castle of St George, downtown Lisbon and the River Tagus.

Following our stop, we drive along the famous Avenida da Liberdade (Avenue of Liberty) to Rossio Square, to see the Santa Justa Elevator, designed by Eiffel, and Praça do Comercio (Black Horse Square), which is considered to be one of the most impressive squares in Lisbon. From here we return to the quayside and our awaiting ship.

OCEANARIUM, SHOPPING & SIGHTS  -  4 hours  -  £45 to £55 per person

Next we travel to the outside of the city, to the site of the EXPO 98 World Exhibition to visit the main attraction here, the spectacular Oceanarium. Designed by American architect Peter Chermayeff, it is the largest Oceanarium in Europe and features sea life found in the world’s greatest oceans.

Our tour begins with a drive through the centre of Lisbon, a lively modern capital with many historic buildings, squares and picturesque quarters. Rossio is the main square in Lisbon, and the mile-long famous Avenida da Liberdade (Avenue of Liberty) leads to the statue of the Marquis of Pombal, who rebuilt the city following the disastrous earthquake of 1755.

Next we travel to the outside of the city, to the site of the EXPO 98 World Exhibition to visit the main attraction here, the spectacular Oceanarium. Designed by American architect Peter Chermayeff, it is the largest Oceanarium in Europe and features sea life found in the world’s greatest oceans. There are four environments recreating the coastal habitats of the Antarctic, Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans. The Oceanarium also houses an extensive collection of over 15,000 creatures representing more than 200 different species, including sharks, which hold a particular fascination for visitors. It is also one of the only aquariums in the world to house a sunfish, due to the unique requirements for its care. We will also see an immense decorative azulejo design, which consists of 54,000 hand-painted tiles portraying elements of marine fauna.

Following our visit to the Oceanarium, we can enjoy some free time to either remain at the Oceanarium, explore Parque das Nações, or the more adventurous of us may wish to walk to the Vasco da Gama shopping mall to browse for souvenirs or enjoy a relaxing drink on the terrace.

JEEP SAFARI IN THE SINTRA MOUNTAINS  -  5 hours  -  £71 to £80 per person

Take a tour with a difference, around the inlands of Serra Sintra.

Following a short briefing at the quayside, we travel in our fully-equipped jeeps to Sintra, a popular old world village resort nestling in tree-clad hills, north of Lisbon. Upon arrival at Lagoa Azul, we then travel through dusty gravel roads before we enter the inlands of Serra Sintra, dotted with beautiful centenary trees.

Next we drive to Memória, where we shall see the endless landscape, an immense ocean and Palácio da Pena standing on top of a mountain peak in the distance. It was in this area that 20 Portuguese soldiers tragically lost their lives in a major fire, which devastated this part of the hills.

Our journey will take us along leafy lanes in the hills to Penedo, a typical country village, with its cottages and narrow, winding streets, and its 17th century church, which is considered to be a national monument.

Continuing, we head to Buraco do Fojo, an impressive deep hole that contains the seawater within its walls. In the nearby village of Almoçageme, we can enjoy a light Portuguese snack and mineral water.

Feeling refreshed, our tour continues to Sintra, passing through Monserrate and Colares. Upon arrival, we can enjoy some free time to wander through its picturesque streets independently, before re-joining our jeeps and returning to the quayside.

Day 5

This morning you arrive in Vigo, Spain.

SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA  -  5 hours  -  £60 to £70 per person

During the Middle Ages, there were three main places of pilgrimage for Christianity: Rome, Jerusalem and Santiago de Compostela. A visit to the shrine of St James (Santiago), Patron Saint of Spain, entitles us to wear the cockleshell emblem in the company of perhaps half a million pilgrims a year.

Upon arrival in Santiago, we begin with a panoramic drive of the city, before proceeding on foot to the focal point, which is the Cathedral at Plaza del Obradoiro. To one side lies the Hostal de Los Reyes Catolicos, a former hospital, which is now a hotel. We will stop here for refreshments prior to viewing the Cathedral.

The Cathedral offers a unique range of architectural styles – Romanesque, Baroque and Ogival Gothic are combined with the most elegant Plateresque throughout its vast confines. It contains the silver urn containing the ashes of St James, the Apostle of Santiago, which is kept in a small crypt immediately under the ornate high altar, dominated by a carved image of the patron saint.

Our guide will highlight points of interest from the outside of the Cathedral (an inside visit will not be possible due to religious services), before we enjoy some free time to explore the town of Santiago independently.

Following our visit, we re-board our tour coach for the return journey to the quayside.

SIGHTSEEING & BAYONA  -  3.5 hours  -  £40 to £50 per person

As we depart from the quayside, we will enjoy a panoramic drive through Vigo, a city attacked by Sir Francis Drake in 1585 and 1589. The city’s architecture gives a modern impression, though a few old buildings still remain.

En route to Bayona – a picturesque village at the mouth of the Muino River – we will see some of the beautiful Galician coastline. Upon arrival, we shall visit the Monterreal Fortress, which is today used as the Parador (hotel) de Turismo Conde de Gondomar.

Next we can enjoy some free time to explore the area independently. Following our period of free time, we re-board our tour coach for the return journey to Vigo. Here we shall make a stop at Fortaleza del Castro, where we can enjoy a panoramic view over Vigo Ria, before making our way back to the quayside.

PONTEVEDRA & CAMBARRO  -  4.5 hours  -  £40 to £50 per person

Departing the quayside, we drive in a northerly direction to Pontevedra. En route, our guide will explain the history of this important part of the Galician region.

The many prehistoric cave engravings in the countryside surrounding the town of Pontevedra are evidence of its ancient origins – a primitive settlement situated at the foot of the river of the same name. It wasn’t until the 12th century that documentary proof of the town’s participation in the history of Galicia and Spain began to appear. The Franciscan and Dominican Monasteries, both part of Pontevedra’s artistic heritage, both reflect this position and the existence of a trading bourgeoisie. In the 16th century, Pontevedra led a troubled existence, mainly due to attacks from sea. In spite of this, the magnificent church of Santa María la Mayor was built, along with that of the Virgen Peregrina, which was constructed later in the 18th century. Both buildings are considered to be the town’s most emblematic buildings, and we will view them on our tour. We shall also see the Alameda, Santo Domingo Ruins, Herreria Square, San Francisco Church and La Leña Square.

Next we re-board our tour coach for the short drive to Combarro, located in the municipality of Poro. Declared a site of Artistic and Picturesque interest in 1972, Combarro is know for its hórreos (raised granaries). On the granite outcrop stand the small maritime houses with delicate hewn stonework. They have charming sunny stone balconies, very much in a Baroque style, but were inspired by the architecture of the Pazos. The interiors are humble, with dirt floors on the ground level and little separation between rooms. Facing the sea, there is space reserved for working overlooked by the hórreos. There are approximately 30, forming one of the largest collections in Galicia, and they are unique in their coastal location. We can enjoy some free time here to explore independently or browse the local shops.

GALICIA & WINE  -  5 hours  -  £50 to £60 per person

Leaving the ship, we head northwards, driving along the scenic coastal road and passing Pontevedra en route to La Toja, an island connected to the mainland by a century bridge.

With the discovery of its mud baths and medical function, La Toja has been a luxurious spa and tourist resort since the 19th century. The centre of the island still retains a virgin dense pine grove, where a small church dedicated to San Sebastián, which is covered in seashells, is located. We will have a brief period of free time here in La Toja to explore independently or perhaps purchase some locally produced toiletries.

Next, we re-board our tour coach for a drive to the picturesque village of Cambados, the heart of Albariño wine country. Upon arrival here we shall visit the main square, which until 200 years ago was open to the sea. The square is framed by the noble stately home of Figueroa, with several shields and original balconies in the tower, and the neo-classical church of San Benito.

During our visit, we can see a wide variety of manors and stately homes in the streets and narrow squares, along with the Tourism Albariño National Parador, which was rebuilt on the remains of the old stately home of Bazan. We will stop at a regional wine cellar to sample one of the local wines, before returning to Vigo and our awaiting ship.

Day 6

This morning you arrive in La Coruna, Spain.

SCENIC TOUR AND OLD TOWN  -  4 hours  -  £40 to £50 per person

From the pier we board our awaiting coach to begin our scenic tour of La Coruña, passing by the Gardens of Los Cantones, which were built on reclaimed land. As we pass, we should watch out for the galleries – houses whose windows reflect sunlight and façades were built by fisherman out of wood and glass.

Next, we pass by the Castle of San Anton, before making our first photo stop at the Tower of Hercules. Built by the Romans and dating back to the second century, it is the only Roman lighthouse in the world still used for its original purpose of guiding ships into the harbour of La Coruña. We will have a little time to walk around the monument and the park, before continuing along the promenade, past the Aquarium, the Museum of Mankind and the millennium obelisk, which is made out of glass.

Continuing on our coach, we arrive at Mount San Pedro where, weather permitting, we can view the ocean, the Tower of Hercules, and see the cannons with a range of 15 miles.

On completion of our scenic drive, we will be dropped off at Maria Pita Square in the old town, named for the lady who defeated Sir Francis Drake. We continue our tour on foot with a visit to the local food market, where we can enjoy some free time, before making our way back to our awaiting ship.

THE GARDENS OF LA CORUNA  -  5 hours  -  £50 to £60 per person

Departing the quayside, we drive towards the village of Betanzos, the Roman village that emerged from old Castros. Upon arrival, we proceed to the Garden of Pasatiempo. This fine work of art by the García Naveira brothers materialises their impressions of their abundant travels.

Construction of the gardens began during 1893 and provided work for approximately 200 employees at a time of strong economic recession. It was considered an open-air recreational museum, which provided varied knowledge by representing the technological innovations of the time, and of a place in which the possibilities of travel made the world start to feel small. Fashioned with well-known works of art, like sculptures and grottoes from all over the world, this unforgettable place is like a journey back in time.

Refreshments will be served in a local café, before we head to the 18th century Pazo de Mariñan (country house). Located on the banks of the Betanzos and Mandeo Rivers, it is perhaps one of the best Pazos in Galicia and Spain. Historical events of this location help us to identify the Pazo’s most famous owner, the influential Gómez Pérez das Marinas, who lived here during the 15th century, and is remembered as the invincible defender of the city of La Coruña against attacks from Court of Benavente.

As soon as we enter the grounds, we will discover unique gardens, which include giant shade-creating banana trees, walnut trees from India and huge eucalyptus trees, all of which meet us at the entrance to these grounds. The path leading up to the Pazo is a paved road bordered by two rows of trees. The spectacular arrangement of trees becomes visible shortly after passing the Piceas planted on the left side of the path, and on the right side is a row of Camellias on display. Further along the path we will find Pazo’s Chapel, which was originally built by Costanza das Marinas in the 15th century in honour of Saint Roque.

The Italian influence in the garden is the stairway that connects to the terrace – it gives a spectacular view of the sea and the main garden, which is an architectural jewel. The stairway leads to the owners’ once private gardens, which are decorated with fountains, busts and statues of the Count of Mos.

Following our visit to century Pazo de Mariñan and the gardens, we re-board our tour coach. En route back to the quayside we shall drive along the Antabro Gulf, passing by Meirás and Sada.

LA CORUNA & BETANZOS  -  4 hours  -  £50 to £60 per person

This excursion gives us the opportunity to visit La Coruña and the famous village of Betanzos.

Departing from the quayside, we begin with a short panoramic city tour, passing by the Torre del Hercules, a Roman lighthouse that dates back to the 2nd century. This Roman lighthouse (now a UNESCO World Heritage Site) is the only one in the world still used for its original purpose of guiding ships into the harbour of La Coruña. We will also pass by the San Anton Castle, located along the seafront promenade, which now houses the Archaeological Museum.

Next, we proceed to Betanzos (Brigantium Flavium), the Roman town which emerged from old Castros. King Alfonso IX granted it the same law-code as La Coruña and so a new era of prosperity began. However the mighty Andrade family and other noblemen were the protagonists of its medieval history, hence the name of Betanzos de los Cabelleros (‘of the Knights’). Nobility and bourgeoisie attracted the Franciscans, whose church is a masterpiece of Galician art.

We can then enjoy refreshments at a local hotel prior to the drive back to La Coruña.

SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA  -  5 hours  -  £65 to £75 per person

During the Middle Ages, there were three main places of pilgrimage for Christianity: Rome, Jerusalem and Santiago de Compostela. A visit to the shrine of St James (Santiago), Patron Saint of Spain, entitles us to wear the cockleshell emblem in the company of perhaps half a million pilgrims a year.

Upon arrival in Santiago, we begin with a panoramic drive of the city, before proceeding on foot to the focal point, which is the Cathedral at Plaza del Obradoiro. To one side lies the Hostal de Los Reyes Catolicos, a former hospital, which is now a hotel. We will stop here for refreshments prior to viewing the Cathedral.

The Cathedral offers a unique range of architectural styles – Romanesque, Baroque and Ogival Gothic are combined with the most elegant Plateresque throughout its vast confines. It contains the silver urn containing the ashes of St James, the Apostle of Santiago, which is kept in a small crypt immediately under the ornate high altar, dominated by a carved image of the patron saint.

Our guide will highlight points of interest from the outside of the Cathedral (an inside visit will not be possible due to religious services), before we enjoy some free time to explore the town of Santiago independently.

Following our visit, we re-board our tour coach for the return journey to the quayside.

Day 7

This morning you arrive in Getxo (for Bilbao) Spain.

Excursions will be confirmed with final confirmation.

Day 8

This morning you arrive in Hendaye, France.

Excursions will be confirmed with final confirmation.

Day 9

Full days cruising and to take this last opportunity to enjoy the facilities on board the ship.

Day 10

Morning arrival in Southampton.

luggage allowance

If you are sailing from a UK port a generous 200lbs (90kgs) of luggage is allowed.

Fly/cruises
On fly/cruises, however, your allowance will be subject to the conditions imposed by the air carrier and will vary from airline to airline. On our charter flights, the baggage allowance is a generous 25kgs, although this is subject to change at the start of each fly-cruise season. Additionally, on our charter flights, 1 piece of hand luggage weighing a maximum of 5kgs is allowed.

Please note that no one piece of baggage must weigh more than 23kgs. More than one piece of baggage is permitted for check-in, but the total weight of all baggage must not exceed the allowance of 25kgs.

Coach Services
For safety reasons, when using one of our advertised coach services each piece of luggage must weigh less than 20kgs. Please check when booking and on receipt of your tickets.

DRESS CODE

Daytime wear is casual, although when it comes to evening, dressing for dinner is traditional.
We recognise that those who are new to cruising may be wondering what is appropriate to wear onboard a Fred. Olsen cruise ship. We have a relaxed formal atmosphere onboard our ships, so to help you decide what to pack, we have put together the following simple guidelines:

Daytime Wear
During the daytime we recommend comfortable shoes, which are essential for going ashore, sightseeing, and walking on deck. As the sun begins to set a lightweight jacket or coat is recommended. During the day our restaurants request you adhere to an appropriate dress code e.g. no swimwear.

Evening Wear
The evening is generally speaking informal, with gentlemen wearing jacket and tie (lounge suit or sports jacket is fine) and ladies smartly dressed. On ‘Formal’ evenings, gentlemen will prefer to wear ‘black tie’ with ladies elegantly dressed in cocktail or evening dress. As a guideline there are usually four formal nights on a two-week cruise. Details will be supplied with your travel documents. During your cruise there will be some casual as well as themed evenings, such as ‘Tropical Evening’ or ‘British Night’

Suit Hire
To make your evenings even more relaxed and memorable we now have a very special formal hire service available. Hiring or packing dress suits for formal nights can be a bit of a chore, but a solution is at hand. ‘Floating Formals’ is a suit hire service, which you can pre-book by telephone from your home. When you arrive on board, your tuxedo will be pressed and waiting for you in your cabin. When the cruise is over all you need to do is leave the garment(s) with reception. It’s that simple!

Hire rates start from £68 for cruises of 14 days or less. Suit hire is available for longer cruises on request. The service is available on cruises departing from Dover or Southampton and orders can be placed up to 72 hours before your sailing date. Please call ‘Floating Formals’ on 0208 518 4171 for full details and bookings, or to visit their website click here. Arrangements and prices are correct at the time of going to print, and may be subject to change. Please be aware this service is not available for fly cruises.

WELL-BEING AT SEA

Medical Facilities
For your peace of mind, all our ships have a medical centre offering primary care with a doctor and/or nurse on permanent call. They can easily be called from the phone in your cabin, if needed in an emergency. The medical centres operate outside the British and European health services and charges are levied for consultations, prescriptions and cabin visits. A scale of charges is displayed in the medical centre and charges incurred will be billed to your on board account. Sharp boxes are available on request. If you are taking medication, please remember to bring adequate amounts to last the duration of the cruise. A copy of any regular presciption would also be useful in the event of a medical emergency. Any serious pre-existing medical condition that could adversely affect your cruise must be brought to the attention of our Medical Department well in advance of departure.

Passports & Visas
It is a requirement that every passenger holds a full, valid and in date passport.

Passports - If you are an EC citizen, valid passports or national Identity Cards will be sufficient for visits to EC countries. If you are not an EC citizen then you will need a valid passport.

All passengers need to have valid passports for visits to countries outside the EC, with validity 6 months after the date of your return.

Visas - If you hold a British Subject passport, please note this will not be sufficient for our Miami fly-cruises, and you could be denied boarding at the UK departure airport, unless you have the relevant/required visas, which are your responsibility to obtain. You must therefore be in possession of a valid British Citizen passport.

Certain countries such as Russia will require you to have a visa if you wish to explore ashore on your own. If, however, you are taking a Fred. Olsen organised tour ashore then you will be covered by the group visa.

We strongly recommend that you check all documentary requirements for your cruise with your Travel Agent or with us on booking, in order to ensure you have the right documentation for your holiday.

For the latest travel advice and information, please log on to www.fco.gov.uk/travel

Tender Services
Some ports will require passengers to go ashore by tender, with access down the steps of a gangway. Please ask about your particular cruise at the time of booking. On health and safety grounds wheelchair bound passengers or those requiring more than minimal assistance to board/alight a tender will be prevented from going ashore on these occasions.

Smoking On board
Smoking is no longer permitted in any inside deck area. Smoking is however permitted on cabin balconies and on designated open deck locations.

LIFE ON BOARD

Accommodation
Your cabin onboard a Fred. Olsen ship is your home from home, and we have a wide variety of cabins to suit your needs. We also have a substantial number of single cabins on board all our ships, as we recognise that paying a supplement for a twin cabin just adds to the expense of your holiday. Or if you'd rather, we offer shared cabins (same sex only) where you may meet a new friend.

Dining
The cruise is tailored to your needs, so how and what you eat is entirely your choice. Lunch can be taken alfresco while the evening can be more formal with elegant cocktails followed by dinner prepared by our award-winning chefs. Meals are prepared exactly to your liking, whether dinner in one of our restaurants or a relaxed meal in a cafe.

Dietary Requirements
We will do our best to accommodate most dietary requests on board. We currently cater for vegetarian, low fat, dairy free, lactose free, gluten and wheat free diets. All special requests must be specified when booking, and we will endeavour to source the products required, but cannot guarantee specific brands. (Some special requests may not be possible due to the location of the vessel and availability at local ports).

Paying on Board
For your convenience a credit system is operated for all on board services, except for foreign currency exchange and ‘games of chance’. When a chargeable service is provided, you will be required to present your account card and sign a cashpoint receipt, retaining one copy for your reference.

Your account is open from the time you embark the vessel with your swipe card, which is issued at check-in and which acts as your on board account card. To avoid any necessity to queue in order to settle your account at cruise end, you will be requested to present your credit/debit card at Reception early in the cruise so that a swipe can be taken. You can check the balance of your account at any stage in the cruise and it will then be automatically debited after disembarkation. On Balmoral and Braemar you can view your account on FOi (Interactive TV) by visiting ‘Account Review’ from the main menu.

The following credit cards are accepted ; American Express , Diners Club, Eurocard, Mastercard and Visa. All credit card payments will attract a 2% surcharge. However, we also accept Visa debit cards without surcharge, but regret we cannot accept ; Maestro, Solo, Electron or travel agent debit cards on board. Neither can we accept any form of pre-paid currency or travellers cheque cards.

For security we strongly advise travellers cheques as the safest form of currency. These can be cashed with no limits. You may also cash personal cheques to the value of your cheque guarantee card - the number of occasions will be dependent upon cruise duration.

The currency used on board is Sterling, which must be the currency used to settle your on board account if paying in cash. We also carry currencies for most of the ports of call we visit – please see Bureau de Change for more details.

Gratuities
Gratuities to crew, drivers, guides etc. ashore are not included in the cost of your holiday. We’re confident however that you’ll wish to reward staff on board for their service, although tipping is entirely at your discretion. As a general rule £2.00 per passenger per day for your cabin stewardess and the same amount for your restaurant waiter is always very much appreciated.

SHIP SERVICES

Laundry Services
All our ships provide an excellent Laundry, Dry Cleaning and Pressing Service. A full price list and details will be found in your Welcome Pack waiting for you in your cabin. An additional 25% is charged for same day service.
An ironing room and self service launderette is available on all our ships, where a nominal charge is made for the use of the washing machines.

Library
All our vessels have a well-appointed library on board offering a wide variety of books, including some large print books. There is also a selection of board games for use during your cruise. Audio books are also available, but please remember to bring your own personal CD/cassette player.

Internet Centre
To access the internet you simply swipe your ID card through the keyboard reader which makes a connection to the internet (asking you a security question in the process). Users can browse the internet freely and e-mail is available via web-based e-mail accounts. Charges are based on the amount of information you download at any one time so for example a website with a large amount of content such as the BBC or similar will cost more to view than a simple webmail provider. All charges are summarised at the end of each session and posted directly to your on board account. For more information, we supply a detailed instructions leaflet on board.

Bureau De Change
All our vessels operate a bureau de change facility on board, where foreign currency can be purchased or sold. This facility is located at the Reception Desk. All major currencies are stocked based upon the itinerary of the cruise, with no commission charged and with rates comparable to high street banks or bureau de change. You may purchase foreign currency with travellers cheques or cash. Alternatively, you may use your credit card to buy Sterling to then purchase foreign currency for which a charge of 3.5% will be applied. (Please note that owing to local restrictions some currencies cannot be carried).

Daily Times
Each evening a Daily Times newsletter will be placed in your cabin, detailing events and timings for the following day. This will include time zone changes and dress code guidelines.

SHIP SERVICES

During your chosen cruise you will have a number of opportunities to take part in one of our many shore excursions.  These are the perfect opportunity to explore everything your destination has to offer, in an organised and relaxed manner.

All excursions are prebooked by sending the booking form supplied with your confirmation to:

Shore Tours Department

Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines

Fred.Olsen House

White House Road

Ipswich

IP1 5LL

Payment may be made by credit card or cheque, and tour booings open six weeks prior to departure.  Tickets for the tours you have booked will be delivered to your cabin at the start of the cruise.  Excursions are subject to change.