PASSPORTS AND VISAS

All British citizens require a full 10-year passport valid for at least six months after the date of travel for all countries to be visited and with spare pages.
It is the responsibility of each passenger to check with the various embassies or consulates involved in their particular river cruise to ensure that they have the necessary documentation to enter all countries visited. Any passengers arriving at the departure port/airport/train terminal without a passport or correct documentation will be refused permission to board the boat/aircraft/train. Failure in this respect is not covered by insurance and no refund can be made. The boat’s purser deals with all immigration formalities on board.

HEALTH, VACCINATIONS AND MEDICAL INFORMATION

As health regulations are ever changing, we recommend that you consult your G.P., or telephone MASTA (Medical Advisory Service for Travellers Abroad) on 0906 822 4100 at least 12 weeks before your intended departure to check the latest requirements of the countries you will be visiting. In addition, an information leaflet is published by the Department of Health and can be obtained by calling 0870 155 5455.
At time of going to press, January 2008, there are no mandatory vaccination requirements for destinations featured in this brochure.
If you do not normally enjoy good health, you should consult your doctor regarding the advisability of taking a cruise and being away from the usual medical and hospital facilities. Your insurance company must be advised of any pre-existing condition at the time of booking and of any condition arising subsequently prior to departure, otherwise your insurance may be invalid. We ask you to advise us on the Booking Form of any disability or illness so that we can advise our on board team.

CHILDREN

There are no recreational facilities for children aboard our river cruisers and reservations for those under the age of eleven are not advised.

PASSENGERS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Swan Hellenic will always try to accommodate passengers with special needs. However, the following conditions apply:
Medical Situations: Any physical disability or medical condition that requires special treatment or medical apparatus must be reported to the company’s Reservations Manager in writing along with the first deposit, which is due at time of booking. These include but are not limited to wheelchairs, oxygen therapy, dialysis, etc. Failure to disclose a medical situation at time of booking may result in you being denied boarding at port of embarkation.
Health Care Companions: All passengers with special needs must be self-sufficient and must be accompanied by a passenger who will take full responsibility for any assistance needed during the cruise and in the event of an emergency.
Pregnancy: Regulations vary from airline to airline, but some will refuse to carry women who will be 28 weeks pregnant on the date of return travel. If you are in doubt, please check with the airline concerned and we would recommend that you consult your doctor in any case.
Disabled Passengers: We feel we should point out that we are not specialists in catering for the disabled. If you or any person travelling with you suffers from a disability, you must contact our office for advice before you make your booking. At all ports of call featured in this cruise programme, passengers are required to walk up or down the gangway when embarking or disembarking the vessel.
Please note: The configuration of the river cruisers and the difficulties which may be encountered with embarking and disembarking when the vessels are double-berthed preclude the use of wheelchairs on board.
Special Diets: We can usually make provisions for special diets provided that sufficient notice is given. A vegetarian choice is available on board and vegetarian meals are also available on flights. Please indicate any requests at time of booking. We will make every effort to satisfy your request, although this cannot be guaranteed. Note: The company has the right to refuse or revoke passage to anyone who, in its judgement, is in a physical or mental condition unfit for travel, or who may require care beyond that which the vessel can provide. 

SHORE EXCURSIONS

Shore excursions are included in your cruise fare in every port of call, where available. Please note that the company reserves the right to amend, cancel or substitute an included shore excursion and in these circumstances is under no obligation to make a refund.
Additional excursions, including some as mentioned in the brochure, may be available at supplementary cost. At the time of going to press, January 2008, the exact content of the supplementary shore excursion programme has not been finalised.
All excursions can be pre-booked although it is also possible (subject to space) to book your tours on board. Shore excursion details will be sent to you approximately 12 weeks before departure. Please note that it is not possible to credit the non-use of an included shore excursion against the cost of a supplementary shore excursion. The excursion programme will be operated by Discovery Shipping Limited.