hpb cruises

 

  

portugal & spain

MOTRIL  -  IBIZA  -  CARTAGENA  -  LISBON


Join Fred Olsen on Braemar for an 11 night voyage around the Iberian Peninsular with its rich and exotic past, fascinating cultures and traditions, and an array of grand architecture from across the ages, the Western Mediterrean is endlessly tantalising. Cruise into Lisbon and enjoy seeing this wonderful city from the sea. Relax on the surprisingly unspoilt island of Ibiza or take and excursion from Mortil to Granada and the Palace of Alhambra.

++ Arts Club Cruise  -  Choirs at Sea

Carrying around 900 passengers, the 24,000 tonne Braemar is stylish and modern.  The public rooms feature polished wood, gleaming brass fittings, subtle lighting and attractive fabrics, while the stunning five deck atrium gives the vessel a very light and spacious ambience.

As with all of our ships, Braemar has everything you need to enjoy your leisure time on board.  The comfortable Morning Light Pub is a great place to relax with friends and the Observatory Lounge offers spectacular views out over the bow of the ship, whilst enjoying a pre-dinner drink.  There is a choice of stylish places to eat.  you can choose informal dining in Palms Cafe, while on the Main Deck the Thistle Restaurant offers an ever-changing fine dining menu.  on the Marquee Deck, the Grampian Restaurant offers the same munu as the Thistle, whilst providing a more intimate setting for formal dining.

Braemar's Arts & Crafts Room is where activities are hosted during the special interest cruises that are a regular feature of the vessel's annual programme.  There are also two fine open-air swimming pools, with a poolside bar, twin jacuzzis and even a paddling pool.

During 2011 and 2012 Braemar will cruise to the Norwegian fjords, the Canary Islands and the Baltic.  It will also visit a number of important Mediterranean destinations and over the winter she will cross the Atlantic to be the host ship for the highly popular fly cruises around the Caribbean.

 

++ The ArtsClub cruises are accompanied by experts, people who really know their stuff and are passionate about sharing their knowledge, interests and enthusiasm. The environment is relaxed, engaging and utterly civilised, making the process thoroughly enjoyable. Whatever the ArtsClub topic, you’ll enjoy a perfect balance of performances and lectures, discussions and practical sessions, and the arrangements are designed so your travelling companions can enjoy the cruise in their own way if they don’t want to join you.

The Arts Club programmes are generally free, although there is a small charge in some cases. For example, there may be an additional charge for wine tasting sessions, while on painting cruises, you may need to buy a pack of materials on board – or you can bring your own.

 

 

DEPARTURE DATE

COST FROM

28 October 2011   -  11 nights

£826.50 pp

BOOKINGS AND RESERVATIONS

TRAVEL

Prices are based on travel from and to Dover.

DECK PLANS

Click here for the Braemar deck plan

PRICE INCLUDES

Cruise from Dover and return. Accommodation as requested. All meals and snacks throughout your cruise. Complimentary tea and coffee during the day at selected venues. Entertainment, sports and leisure facilities. All port taxes for UK ports. Porterage once on board.

NOT INCLUDED

Travel to and from your port, all drinks on board, shore excursions, hairdressing, health, beauty treatments and selected fitness classes, personal laundry, passport and visa costs, holiday insurance, Government levies or taxes introduced after the publication of this itinerary, gratuities

HPB SPECIALS

Complimentary £100 per cabin to spend on board

OR

Free parking at a designated car park on or close to the port

OR

Free National Express coach from your nearest pick up point to the port.

 
Travel Club
For bookings & reservations call 01638 674744 or click here
ABTA    ATOLHPB Travel Club Ltd, HPB House, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 8EH
Telephone: +44(0)1638 674744 | Email: tours@hpb.co.uk

ITINERARY

  

Day 1

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

DayS 2, 3 & 4

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

 

Day 5

Early morning arrival in Motril, Spain.

LAS ALPUJARRAS MOUNTAIN DRIVE  - 6.5 hours  -  £90 to £100 per person

Before arriving at the village of Pampaneira, which lies approximately 1,500 metres above sea level, we will make a photo stop at Presa de Rules, a huge dam, and pass by the village of Orgiva. The unique village of Pampaneira has retained its traditional Berber architecture – terraced clusters of grey-white box-shaped houses with flat clay roofs – which are still commonly found in the Rif and Atlas mountains of Morocco.

Next we stop at a local hotel in Mecina, where lunch will be served. The hotel is amazingly integrated into the lovely rural landscape of the Alpujarra.

After lunch, we will drive to the village of Capileira, situated at the top of the valley. The name is an Arabic derivation of the Latin word for ‘head’ or ‘top’. Here we will see the rocky streets, overhanging passageways and sagging stone houses, which have not been remodelled or prettified for contemporary living.

We will then drive through the villages of Orgiva and Lanjarón en route to Motril and our awaiting ship.

GRANADA OF THE MOORS  - 7 hours  -  £100 to £110 per person

Our journey to the beautiful city of Granada will take approximately two hours. We will pass by impressive mountain scenery and make a short comfort stop en route. Upon arrival in Granada, we proceed to the world-famous fortified Alhambra Palace.

All three areas of the Arabian Palace are magnificent examples of Arabian architecture. This is all surrounded by magnificent flora and innumerable fountains and terraces affording lovely views of the Alhambra and Albaicin.

Following our visit to Alhambra, we travel to a local restaurant, where we can enjoy lunch.

 

Day 6

Early evening arrival in Ibiza, Spain

IBIZA BEACH TRANSFER  -  4 hours  -  £25 to £35 per person

Following a short drive of approximately 30 minutes, we arrive at Ibiza’s Playa D’en Bossa Beach. The longest stretch of beach on the island, Playa D’en Bossa is lined with bars and cafés offering a variety of settings. The clear waters are shallow near the shoreline, and the sea floor is almost entirely sand, making it an ideal location for a relaxing break. The beach also offers excellent views of Ibiza’s old town.

We will have approximately three hours here to enjoy the atmosphere and explore the surroundings, before returning to the quayside and our awaiting ship.


NORTH ISLAND TOUR  -  4 hours  -  £31 to £40 per person

This tour will take us across fertile farmland, over hills, alongside cliffs and finally down to an unexpectedly placid sea. Covering the northern territory of the island, it offers several photo opportunities.

Leaving the pier, we proceed to the north of the island, where we will visit the typical Spanish village of San Miguel. Here we shall have time to stroll through the picturesque village at leisure.

Re-boarding our tour coach, our journey takes us to San Juan Bautista, situated 23 kilometres (14 miles) from the island’s capital. The village is largely unaffected by tourism, and life is very much as it was before tourism began.

The road running east to Santa Eulalia and San Vicente is particularly beautiful, winding through the woodlands before once again reaching the coastline and the town of San Carlos, a typical ‘Ibicenco’ village.

Upon arrival at Santa Eulalia – a favourite haunt of painters since the time of Sorolla – we can enjoy some time at leisure to stroll along the promenade, which is lined with open-air cafés and restaurants.

Following our free time, we re-board our tour coach for the return journey to the quayside and our awaiting ship.

UNKNOWN IBIZA  -  4.5 hours  -  £50 to £60 per person

Departing the quayside, we drive towards Es Cubells, from where we can enjoy panoramic views of the sea and the neighbouring island of Formentera.

Continuing to Cala D’Hort, we shall have the opportunity to stretch our legs as well as our imaginations as we stroll from the roads to the cliffs to admire the majestic island of Es Vedra. Here our guide will explain the different features of plant life that can be found in the forest.

Next, we head to Cala Contra, where we can appreciate the changing hues of the blue Mediterranean Sea. Re-boarding the tour coach, we continue to Ca’n Costa, a 400-year-old country house. Our guided tour here will take in the special features of architecture in Ibiza, including thick walls, small windows, and wooden, usually juniper roofs, which fit together to provide a cool environment in summer and warmth in winter. At Ca’n Costa we will have an opportunity to sample typical products of the island including cheese, sausages, dried fruit and wine.


SOUTHERN IBIZA SIGHTSEEING  -  4 hours  -  £35 to £45 per person

The area was originally a large lake, but has since been divided into 40 pools. Salt is one of the oldest industries on the island. During their occupation, the Romans realised the importance of this commodity and developed a commercial business in it, shipping much of it back to Rome. Today more than 100,000 tonnes of salt is produced here each year. Once the salt is extracted from the pans, it is loaded onto a train (the only one on the island) to be transported all over the world.

Next we proceed to San Jose. This small mountain village boasts an attractive 18th century church, located in picturesque surroundings. Following a visit to the church, we shall have some free time to explore the village, which is noted for its handicrafts.

Following our visit, we travel to San Antonio. Once a quiet fishing village, San Antonio is now a lively, bustling port. We shall have some time to browse at leisure, before re-boarding our tour coach for the return journey to the quayside.

 

Day 7

Early morning arrival in Cartagena, Spain

ALICANTE CITY  -  TOUR F  -  5 hours  -  £ per person

Alicante was founded by the Romans, who named it ‘Lucentum’ (‘the city of light’). Located in the heart of the Mediterranean, it is a vibrant cosmopolitan city, with wide esplanades and numerous cafés and terraces to relax in and soak up the Mediterranean sun.

Upon arrival here, we begin our walking tour of Alicante’s historical district, located in the area around the Calle Labradores and the Rambla de Méndez Núñez, a street where the river once flowed. We shall see the famous Esplanada de España, a beautiful walkway made of more than six million black, red and grey tiles that form waves. During our city tour, our guide will provide us with the history of the city while we pass by the Town Hall Square, and Alicante Cathedral, better known as the Church of San Nicolas de Bari. The Cathedral has an impressive façade, considered to be one of the finest examples of the Spanish religious Baroque period. On the front of the steps is a disc, which indicates the sea level and is used as a gauge for all of Spain.

Next, we make our way to the Castle of Santa Barbara, one of the largest in the Mediterranean, which was built by King Phillip II in the 16th century.

The Castle, which is approximately 200 metres above sea level, rises above the city and offers wonderful views of Alicante. The Castle has three differentiated areas. The highest part contains remains from the 11th to 13th century, including the Baluarte de los Inglese (‘Rampart of the English’), the Sala Noble (Hall of Nobles) and the Governor’s House. The intermediate section comprises buildings that were constructed in the 16th century –the Room of Phillip II and the Baluarte de la Reina (Queen’s Rampart), while the third part of the Castle was added in the 18th century. Here we can see the angular embankment and the monument to the famous soldier Félix Berenguer de Marquina, from Alicante. Following our visit, we make our way back to Cartagena and our awaiting ship.


HUERTO DEL CURA BOTANICAL GARDENS  -  4 hours 45 mins  - £45 to £55 per person

Our tour today to the Huerto Del Cura Botanical Gardens invites us to experience more than 2,000 years of history.

We begin our tour with a drive to Elche, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 for its Palmeral and Misteri Festival. The city is worthy of special interest on account of its spectacular surroundings, wealth of monuments and its architecture, which is steeped in history. Upon arrival, we will see the 17th century Church of Santa Maria, with its blue-tiled dome. We shall also visit Municipal Park, which covers an area of six hectares. Here we can see the palm trees, for which Elche is famous, in all of their glory.

Next, we make our way to the Huerto Del Cura (‘Priest’s Garden’) Botanical Garden, which is home to the Imperial palm tree, and is the greatest treasure of this palm grove, the largest in Europe. Considered to be the cultural crucible of this city, this area of 13,000 square metres is home to 700 palm trees and 500 other species of plants and flowers. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city we will find tranquillity and beauty, and a mixture of Mediterranean and tropical plants – both rare species and typical trees of this area, including cactus, lemon, orange, carob, pomegranate and jujube trees. We can enjoy some free time here, to enjoy a walk through the gardens, before re-boarding our tour coach for the return journey to the quayside and our awaiting ship.


MURCIA HIGHLIGHTS  -  4.5 hours  -  £45 to £55 per person

Founded by the Arabs approximately 1,200 years ago, Murcia, the capital of the region, is located in a fertile valley, which was converted into the Garden of the Segura. Here we can find an interesting fusion of cultures and artistic styles, particularly in its splendid Cathedral.

Departing the quayside, we drive to the centre of Murcia, where we begin our tour with a visit to the Cathedral – the most important and emblematic building in Murcia. Construction originally began in 1394 on the site where an Arab mosque once stood. It demonstrates architectural styles from more than five centuries, including a bell tower, which is more than 95 metres high – the tallest in Spain – and took over 200 years to build. The interior of the Cathedral, which is in a Gothic style, is just as rich as the Baroque façade. We shall also visit the Monastery of Santa Clara.

Next we can enjoy some free time in the centre of Murcia, before continuing to the Sanctuary of La Fuensanta, situated in the mountains. Built between the 17th and 18th centuries, the Sanctuary consists of a Murcian Baroque temple, which has three naves, and the façade has two towers. From here, we re-board our tour coach for the return journey to Cartagena and our awaiting ship.

 

Day 8

Full days cruising.

 

Day 89

Early morning arrival in Lisbon, Portugal

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

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

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 & CASCAIS  -  4 hours  -  £ per person

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

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 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. Next 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

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.

 

Days 10 & 11

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

Day 12

Morning arrival into Dover.

 

Cabin grades & costs

 

Prices are shown per adult and include all port taxes.  Availability of cabins is limited and prices can be subject to change.  Cabin grades that are sold out do not appear in the price grid.

 

 

GRADE
DESCRIPTION
HPB PRICE
OW
Owner's Suite
£3,216.50
SS
Superior Suite
£2,066.50
BS
Balcony Suite
£1,866.50
DC
Deluxe Balcony Cabin
£1,676.50
BA
Superior Balcony Cabin
£1,496.50
BC
Balcony Cabin
£1,636.50
LA
Large Superior Outside Twin
£1,346.50
A
Superior Outside

£1,286.50
B
Superior Outside
£1,256.50
C
Superior Outside
£1,226.50
D
Outside
£1,096.50
E
Outside
£1,056.50
F
Outside
£986.50
G
Inside
£956.50
H
Inside
£876.50
I
Inside
£826.50
JB
Single Balcony Suite
£2,546.50
J
Superior O/S Single
£2,096.50
K
Outside Single Cabin
£1,956.50
L
Outside Single Cabin
£1,776.50
M
Inside Single Cabin
£1,456.50
N
Inside Single
£1,396.50

 

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

  

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.

BOOKING CONDITIONS

Your contract is withFred.Olsen Cruise Lines 2010/11
a member of ABTA.

 

 

These terms and conditions should be read carefully. Any booking for a Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Ltd. (‘FOCL’) cruise holiday is accepted subject to these terms and conditions. Please inform FOCL directly if at any time you wish to raise any objection to any part of these terms and conditions.
Please note that where a FOCL cruise is provided by another holiday operator, the terms and conditions of your contract with that holiday operator apply to the whole holiday. However, whatever is provided by FOCL is supplied to that holiday operator on the basis that these terms and conditions, save for those that provide that your contract is with FOCL, apply as far as FOCL is concerned.

How to book
1. A booking for a FOCL cruise holiday can be made with your Travel Agent. Prior to making a booking you should ensure that you have read and are prepared to accept these terms and conditions, and have available the information required to make the booking.

The contract
2.1 Once FOCL has accepted the booking and all payments due at the time of making the booking, a contract exists on these terms and conditions and covers each and every passenger in respect of whom the booking is made (collectively referred to as ‘you’ in these terms and conditions) and cannot subsequently be amended or transferred to a lower priced fare. Bookings must be accepted by FOCL and cannot be accepted by any third party. FOCL has the right to refuse to accept any booking even if a deposit had been paid.
2.2 FOCL has its registered offi ce at 2nd Floor, 64-65 Vincent Square, London SW1P 2NU. FOCL is a bonded member of ABTA (No. WO637). It is bonded as a tour operator and holds an Air Travel Organiser’s Licence issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (ATOL No. 5016). This ensures that where the holiday includes flights, in the unlikely event of insolvency of the licence holder, the CAA will arrange to refund money paid for an advance booking and ensure that passengers are not stranded abroad. In Ireland FOCL is bonded as a tour operator and holds a Tour Operator’s Licence no. T0212 issued by the Commission for Aviation Regulation. FOCL is also a member of the Passenger Shipping Association.
2.3 Any cabin, room or seating booked or notified may be changed to another of equivalent or higher standard to that booked at the sole discretion of FOCL or any other party acting as operator.
2.4 Where organised shore tours, excursions or programmes are available during a cruise holiday, they are not part of the holiday booked. Where FOCL makes such shore activities available, it does so as agent for the operator of the shore activities and any amount paid is not part of the holiday price, whether or not the shore activities are booked or paid for at the same time as, or before or during, the cruise holiday. However, should FOCL, its employees, servants, agents or sub-contractors, the owner and operator of the ship or any other person involved in the supply of services in connection with this contract be deemed to have any liability in connection with such shore activities, this shall in all cases be subject to these terms and conditions. Shore activities operate subject to minimum numbers of participants. If any shore activity does not operate, a refund of any money paid in advance may be made, but otherwise no compensation shall be payable.
2.5 Where flights are taken in conjunction with the holiday but are not provided by FOCL, then they are not part of the holiday booked and FOCL has no liability whatever in respect of such flights.
2.6 Cruise holidays are planned far in advance and the contract is for the cruise holiday booked subject to alterations that may be made as a result of events, changes of circumstances or other factors that have occurred or arisen since the cruise holiday was planned. This is dealt with further below under Alteration and Cancellation by the Operator.
2.7 The person making the booking warrants authority to contract on behalf of all those in respect of whom the booking is made. FOCL, its employees, servants (including medical staff ), agents and subcontractors, the owner and operator of the ship and any other party involved in the supply of services in connection with this contract shall all have the benefit of all rights, exemptions and limitations in these terms and conditions. In no circumstances will the total liability of all such parties exceed that of FOCL.

Deposit, alterations and final payment
3.1 The full specified deposit must be paid to FOCL at the time the booking is made. Other payments may also be due at the time of booking. Money paid to a travel agent for a FOCL holiday is held as agent for FOCL, whether or not that travel agent is otherwise acting as your agent or as agent for FOCL. However, payment to or acceptance of any money by a travel agent or other third party, even if an agent of FOCL, does not constitute acceptance of a booking by FOCL. Prior to acceptance of the booking and all payments then due FOCL has no obligation to the passenger and may return or authorise the return of any payments made with no penalty and without providing a reason.
3.2 If your booking is altered after acceptance of your deposit as a result of a request by you that has been accepted by FOCL, a minimum service charge of £50.00 per person is payable to FOCL. In the case of a name change, more than 8 weeks before departure this will be charged at £50.00 per person per change; within 8 weeks of departure the charge is £100 per person, where accepted. In addition to this, for fl y-cruises any associated costs imposed by the airline will also be due. A name change is not permitted for the lead passenger. A request to transfer your booking to an alternative cruise may be accepted by FOCL on one occasion provided it is made more than 56 days before departure. However, any subsequent request will be treated as a cancellation. If an alteration would result in a reduction of the price of the holiday of more than 25% then this will be treated as a cancellation (see under ‘Cancellation by You’).
3.3 The balance of your fare is due to be paid to FOCL 8 weeks before departure and money must be paid in sufficient time for funds to reach FOCL. After this the full fare must be paid at the time of the booking. Special payment conditions may apply to special or discounted fares. If, for any reason, any payment due after booking is not received by FOCL by the date due, FOCL has the right to cancel the booking, retain the deposit paid and charge a cancellation fee of the amount shown in the scale under ‘Cancellation by You’ applicable at the date of FOCL’s decision to cancel. If, after a booking is made via an agent, FOCL has reason to believe that the agent may be unable to meet its financial obligations then FOCL has the right to move the booking to another agent or take the booking direct.
3.4 If a direct booking with FOCL has been made and accepted, and all payments due at the time of the booking have been made, the booking may be transferred to a travel agent provided that FOCL is notified within 21 days of the booking and does not object.
3.5 A 2% surcharge will apply to payments by credit card.

Fares and other charges
4.1 Fares are based on operating costs and market conditions at the date they are published and may be revised upwards or downwards at any time.
4.2 Once you have booked, no increase or decrease in the fare will be made except as follows. If there is an increase in the cost of providing the cruise holiday of more than 2% caused by an increase in: transportation costs, including the cost of fuel; dues, taxes or fees for services at ports and airports; or exchange rates, then a surcharge may be levied and may include an amount to cover agents’ commission. If this means paying more than 10% on top of the cruise holiday price quoted at the time of booking, you will be entitled to cancel your cruise holiday with full refund of all monies paid except for any premium paid for insurance and amendment charges. Such cancellation must be made within 14 days of the issue date printed on the surcharge invoice. If a surcharge is made it will be demanded in writing. Failure to pay a surcharge within 14 days may be treated as cancellation by you of the booking in which case a cancellation charge of the amount shown under ‘Cancellation by You’ applicable on the date of FOCL’s decision to cancel will be made. No surcharges will be made less than 30 days before the cruise holiday is due to begin but bookings received within this period may be charged at the published price plus the surcharge. A signifi cant decrease in the cost of providing the cruise holiday may be passed on to you at the discretion of FOCL.
4.3 Most port and airport charges and taxes are included in the cost of the cruise holiday. Where these are not included, you will be advised separately. Some overseas charges and taxes may have to be paid locally by you.
4.4 Medical services provided on board are outside the scope of the UK National Health Service and a charge is made for these services and for drugs and other medical provisions.
4.5 All accounts for services and goods provided on board ship and any other amounts due which are not included in the cost of the cruise holiday, including amounts for shore excursions, tours and programmes, must be settled before you leave the ship. A 2% surcharge will apply to payments by credit card. An administration charge of £75 will apply if you fail to fully settle your on board account before you leave the ship.

Cancellation or curtailment by You
5.1 You may cancel your booking subject to notice to FOCL in writing and payment to FOCL of a cancellation fee in accordance with the following scale: 57 days or more before departure - amount of deposit; 56 to 42 days - 45% of the holiday cost; 41 to 16 days - 75% of the holiday cost; 15 to 5 days - 90% of the holiday cost; and less than 5 days until day of departure or failure to travel - 100% of the holiday cost. The eff ective date of cancellation is the date of receipt of written notice by FOCL. For the avoidance of doubt, these charges will apply whatever the reason for your cancellation, including illness, incapacity, death or any other intervening event. If you have already started your cruise holiday and are unable to continue for any reason whatsoever including repatriation, illness, incapacity, death, or any other intervening event, FOCL may resell any unused services or accommodation, but no refund will be made. Cancellation fees may be insurable. Holiday insurance premiums cannot be refunded in the event of cancellation.
5.2 Cancellation of land tours purchased as add-ons to Voyage Sectors will incur 100% charges if cancelled within 56 days of your holiday departure date.

Alteration and cancellation by operator
6.1 Published details of your holiday and details at the time of booking may be subject to alteration as a result of events, changes in circumstances or other factors that have occurred or arisen since the holiday was planned. FOCL’s priority is to provide you with your holiday as far as possible during the period booked. Alteration may include omitting, substituting or adding ports of call or otherwise changing the itinerary (including routing of cruise ship or fl ights and port of embarkation and disembarkation), schedule, cruise ship or other arrangements that form part of the holiday. Alteration of the holiday may be made of necessity or because it appears to FOCL desirable for the safety, comfort or enjoyment of passengers or the operational efficiency of the holiday. Where possible and appropriate FOCL will try to ensure that any changes are as limited as practical. Such alteration will not amount to material alteration of the holiday contract.
6.2 Where before departure it becomes impossible to provide your cruise holiday (even by making changes) then FOCL will give notice of cancellation of the holiday as soon as practical and you will be off ered a refund of all monies paid under the contract or, where possible, the choice of a replacement holiday.
6.3 FOCL has the right up to 56 days before departure to cancel the cruise holiday or any part of it because the minimum number of passengers needed has not been achieved.
6.4 Where after departure it becomes impossible to provide any part of the holiday, FOCL or any other party acting as operator will make suitable alternative arrangements at no extra cost to you. If this is not possible equivalent transport will be provided back to the place of departure or on to the final destination and where the cruise holiday is curtailed, then for each whole day lost you will be reimbursed an amount equivalent to the daily cost of the cruise part of the holiday.
6.5 Where delay occurs during the holiday due to fault on the part of FOCL or any other party acting as operator then alternative arrangements will be made where required to ensure the continuation of the holiday.
6.6 In the event of cancellation, alteration or delay (including prolongation of the holiday) FOCL will not be responsible for individual circumstances or arrangements, or losses arising from individual circumstances or arrangements.

Conduct, safety and security
7.1 If it appears that you are or are becoming for any reason unfit to travel or likely to endanger or prejudice the health or safety or comfort of yourself or anyone else then a duly authorised representative of FOCL or any other party involved in the supply of services under this contract may transfer you from one cabin or seat to another, restrain, confine or otherwise deal with you as may be considered necessary or refuse to embark or disembark you at any port or place. In such circumstances, you will not be entitled to any refund, compensation or contribution to or reimbursement of travel costs or expenses of any kind and you shall be liable to pay any fines, losses, compensation or other amount due to any third party. In no circumstances shall FOCL have any liability for prevention of boarding of any form of transport due to a decision made by any party other than FOCL.
7.2 FOCL has the right to make, enforce and change (without prior notice) rules and policies for the conduct of passengers on board relating to matters including, but not limited to, dress, behaviour, alcohol and food. No animals, dangerous articles, or controlled or prohibited substances may be brought on the holiday.
7.3 For your safety and security, or that of other passengers, it may be necessary for servants or agents of FOCL to search passengers, their cabins or their luggage. You will allow this to take place when authorised by the Captain or a security or other officer of the ship.
7.4 You will be responsible for any loss or damage caused by you during the holiday to any property or person or other third party or FOCL, no matter how that loss or damage is caused. If you cause such loss or damage then FOCL may require you immediately or at any time to pay to FOCL an amount sufficient to cover, or on account of, any loss or damage so caused.

Liability
8.1 The liability of FOCL and any other party that may be involved in the supply of services in connection with this contract may be limited by international conventions including those relating to carriage by sea, including the Athens Convention 1974, carriage by air, including the Warsaw Convention 1929 or the Montreal Convention 1999 and hotel stays, including the Paris Convention 1962, and in the case of all such conventions, any applicable Protocols or other amendments. Where these or any other conventions apply to any service or accommodation supplied during any part of the holiday, whether or not directly supplied by FOCL, then insofar as FOCL may have any responsibility or liability, the limits of liability aff orded by such conventions apply to FOCL and any liability or responsibility of FOCL shall be determined accordingly.
8.2 Save as provided otherwise in these terms and conditions and subject to the provisions relating to liability, including limits, in these terms and conditions, all arrangements for the provision of transport of passengers, their baggage and personal property, accommodation and other services are in addition to these terms and conditions subject to the rules, regulations, and terms and conditions of airlines and owners or operators of any other ship or vessel used and all other services such as transfer operators, hotels, etc.
8.3 Unless otherwise provided for by force of the law or in accordance with these terms and conditions the liabilities, obligations and responsibilities of FOCL and any other party involved in the supply of services in connection with these terms and conditions shall be limited in accordance with the limits applicable to a carrier under the Athens Convention 1974 (Carriage of Passengers and Luggage by Sea), as modified and set out in parts I and II of Schedule 6 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.
8.4 The liability of FOCL or any other party that may be involved in the supply of services in connection with these terms and conditions for death or illness of, or personal injury to, any passenger, or the loss of or damage to the luggage of any passenger is limited to the maximum amounts specified in Articles 7 and 8 of the Convention save in the case of valuables (as defined in Article 5 of the Convention) where no liability is accepted unless such valuables have been deposited with the carrier for the agreed purpose of safe-keeping, in which case liability will be limited as provided for in Article 8(3) of the Convention.
8.5 No responsibility is accepted for loss or damage caused to you by failure to perform the contract, or improper performance of these terms and conditions, where the failure or improper performance happens without fault on the part of FOCL or other operator or supplier of services included in the cruise holiday booked because:
(i) it is attributable to your fault; or
(ii) it is unforeseeable and unavoidable and attributable to a third party who does not supply services included in the holiday; or
(iii) it is due to unusual or unforeseeable circumstances beyond the control of FOCL the consequences of which could not have been avoided by the exercise of due care, or an event which FOCL or other operator or supplier of services could not foresee or forestall including but not limited to unusual weather or sea conditions.
8.6 No liability is accepted in respect of arrangements or commitments made by you or on your behalf that are not part of the holiday contract, including, but not limited to arrangements that you make directly, or via FOCL acting as agent only, with a service provider other than FOCL.

Claims
9.1 Any matter which might give rise to a problem, complaint or claim must be immediately notified to the ship or hotel management, airline staff or other supplier of the services concerned. If the matter cannot be rectifi ed immediately, FOCL must be notifi ed in writing as soon as practical. In any event you must give notice of any claim in writing to FOCL within 30 days of the matter arising. Special extra provisions set out below apply to loss, damage or delay to baggage and to claims for illness or injury. Failure to give notice in accordance with these provisions may mean that the matter cannot be properly investigated or rectified and this may affect your rights.
9.2 In the case of any claim for loss, damage or delay to baggage please note that (1) you must claim against the carrier or carriers responsible for actually performing the carriage where the loss or damage happened immediately if and when the loss or damage is or becomes apparent, and in any event within 15 days from the date of redelivery, or when redelivery should have taken place;
(2) if you wish to make any sort of claim against FOCL, you must notify FOCL directly in writing with a copy of notification to the carrier or carriers responsible for actually performing the carriage and if asked to do so, assign your rights against such carrier or carriers to FOCL.
9.3 Any illness or injury caused by or that you think may be attributable to anything that happened during the holiday must be reported to the service provider or providers responsible for the relevant part or parts of the holiday and to FOCL (with a copy of any such notifi cation to any other provider or providers) immediately that the illness or injury becomes apparent.
9.4 Unless a longer period is provided for by force of law, any claim shall be time barred if
proceedings are not brought within 2 years of the end of the cruise.
9.5 Any claim or dispute arising out of or in connection with these terms and conditions or your cruise holiday shall be dealt with in accordance with English law and any proceedings shall be brought before the Courts of England and Wales.
9.6 Some disputes involving claims up to a limited amount may (subject to the agreement of you and FOCL) be referred to independent arbitration or conciliation under schemes devised by arrangement with the Passenger Shipping Association or ABTA. Details will be supplied on request. The schemes may not apply to claims arising out of injury or illness.

Assistance
10. At FOCL’s sole discretion FOCL may aff ord you assistance if you suffer illness, personal injury or death during the period of your cruise holiday. Such assistance may take the form of advice, guidance or initial financial aid where appropriate and subject to FOCL’s discretion. Any expenses reasonably incurred for you or on your behalf (including medical treatment and repatriation expenses) shall be repayable by you to FOCL in full on demand (whether or not you have insurance cover for some or all of the expenses). In any case where such assistance is necessary or provided you give FOCL authority to contact any 3rd party including your GP or other medical practitioner and/or your insurers to obtain any information or documentation.

Material facts
11. It is a condition of carriage, and insurance, that all material facts have been disclosed to FOCL as if FOCL was an insurer. A material fact is a fact likely to infl uence insurers in the acceptance or assessment of insurance (for example, details of your state of health or that of a close relative). Where there is doubt as to whether a fact is ‘material’ then it should be disclosed.

Mobility and special assistance
12. You must give written notice to FOCL at the time of booking of any disability, mobility problem, or any other condition requiring special care, attention or treatment. If any such condition arises after booking then written notice must be given to FOCL as soon as possible. It may not be possible satisfactorily to accommodate you with such a condition on board a FOCL cruise ship. Passage may therefore be refused to those with such a condition at the sole discretion of FOCL or the operator. Children less than 6 months old and women who will be more than 28 weeks pregnant at the end of the cruise holiday are not permitted to travel. Disabled passengers must be accompanied on board by an able bodied companion.

Documentary and medical requirements
13. A full valid passport is required for all holidays in this brochure, valid for at least 6 months after the date of return to the UK (a shorter validity may be acceptable on certain itineraries, please check at time of booking). You are responsible for ensuring compliance with all necessary visa and other documentary requirements for the entire holiday, and shall have received all medical inoculations necessary (notwithstanding that FOCL may provide advice on these matters from time to time). At any port or place FOCL or any other party involved in the supply of services in connection with your cruise holiday may refuse travel, accommodation, or disembark any passenger without compensation who in the opinion of FOCL or any other party involved might be excluded from landing at any destination by Immigration or other Governmental Authorities or who may be suff ering from contagious or infectious disease or whose presence may be considered
detrimental to safety or comfort of other holidaymakers or crew members.

Flights
14.1 This brochure is the sole responsibility of FOCL. It is not issued on behalf of, and does not commit the airlines mentioned or any other airline whose services are used during the course of the holiday.
14.2 Prices for fly/cruises quoted in this brochure are inclusive of specially negotiated airfares which are subject to availability. If no aircraft seats are available at such fares in conjunction with a particular cruise at the time of booking then the fly/cruise option will not be off ered. Flight upgrades/Premium seats for fly/cruises are limited in number. They will be allocated at the time of booking, subject to availability at the time of the cruise. Aircraft confi gurations are subject to change and in the event of a fl ight operator being unable to provide premium seats on any service then any payment of or towards an upgrade supplement will be refunded in full.
14.3 All published itineraries are based on current airline schedules or advised charter flights. You will be notified of changes. Details of which aircraft operator will be used for the holiday booked and the type of aircraft operated cannot always be given at the time of booking.

Data
15. Personal details will be held by FOCL as data to enable FOCL to fulfil the contract to supply your cruise holiday. This may involve passing these details on to third parties. Personal details supplied to FOCL may also be used for marketing purposes. Marketing communications from FOCL will allow you the opportunity to opt out of further communications. FOCL will not disclose your personal details to third parties for marketing purposes without your express permission.

Travel Insurance
16. It is a requirement that travel insurance is taken out before travelling on FOCL cruise holidays. This should cover all appropriate travel, cancellation, medical and repatriation liabilities for the holiday. Final cruise documents cannot be released until FOCL have received notifi cation of your insurance.