What you need to know for your cruise vacations

Travel documents

Each guest is responsible for bringing all required travel documents for boarding our vessels in the country of embarkation. Document and health requirements vary according to cruise destination and are subject to change without notice.

You must be in possession of a valid passport and visas required for your cruise itinerary. Please note that you are responsible for securing necessary visas and immunizations. Do not pack passports and cruise documents in your checked-in luggage, as you will need them at the airport and embarkation.

Passports: United States Citizens require a valid passport for all our cruises. Your passport should be valid for at least three months after the end of your trip.

Please consult your travel agent if in need of a new or to renew your old passport and allow several weeks for processing. Non U.S. Citizens should consult the appropriate consulate(s) for information on their passport requirements.

Clothing

Dress Code: Light weight and preferably cotton clothes are recommended to suit the weather conditions of the countries you will visit. Do not forget to pack your toilette bag, a spare pair of spectacles or contact lenses if you use them. A hat and sunglasses are always recommended. A pair of binoculars is also recommended; you will enjoy your sailing and excursions more.

On shore: Comfortable shoes are strongly recommended when you are on excursions as they often include some walking. Bring a light sweater with you in case of rain or the coach air-conditioning is too cold. If you visit places of worship, shorts are not allowed and the shoulders must be covered.

On board during the day: Dress code is casual; shorts, t-shirts etc. Remember to pack your swimsuit. When in public areas or the restaurants, swimsuits are not allowed. If however you wish to have lunch in your swim attire you can enjoy a buffet meal on deck.

Evening dress code: Your daily program will inform you of the daily dress code on board after 6.00 p.m. On each cruise we'll organize some casual, some informal and some formal evenings that will be communicated to you day by day on the daily program.

Formal night: Gentlemen are required to wear DJ and black tie or dark lounge suit and the ladies evening dress or smart suit. Informal night: Suit or jacket and tie for gentlemen and cocktail dress, skirt or pantsuit for ladies.

Casual night: Comfortable simple clothes are suggested. Trousers, jeans, shirts or tshirts for both ladies and gentlemen.

Securing your properties

We strongly recommend the use of security locks for your luggage for any journey. Always pack in your hand luggage all your personal belongings i.e. jewelry, medication, travel documents and identity card/passport. Do not forget to specify your name and cabin number on the luggage labels you will find among all your travel documents.

Valuable items: Safety boxes for your valuable items, jewelry, money and documents are available on board all our ships. The company is not responsible for any theft or loss of any items not kept in the safety boxes. The company does not accept responsibility for loss or theft of cameras, video cameras, chargers and other valuable electrical items which are your responsibility at all times.

Passengers' health

Health and Medical Requirements: We suggest consulting your travel agent and Public Health officials regarding vaccinations, immunizations, etc. for your cruise itinerary. Health requirements vary depending upon the countries you will be visiting. Guests are required to report any physical disability that may require special attention or treatment to Louis Cruise Lines at the time of booking.

Your medication: If you are taking any medication and you are under any medical supervision, please bring a copy of your doctor’s notes with you. If your medication requires a special cold storage, please inform your travel agency or our office no later than two weeks prior to departure.

Pregnancy and babies on board: Pregnant ladies who are 6 months and over are not allowed on board due to safety reasons. Until the fifth month of pregnancy, you are required to present to our onboard doctor a statement from your physician that you are allowed to travel. If you need a baby cot, please inform us through your travel agent at least one month before sailing. You are kindly requested to bring with you any special food for your baby as we do not provide it on board.

Animals: For health reasons, animals are not permitted onboard our ships.

Upon arrival

Transfers: Before arriving at the embarkation port, please check the sailing times and allow enough time to reach the ship in good time. Allow sufficient time from your flight arrival at the airport to the port taking into consideration the possible traffic jams on the way.

Lost, stolen or damaged luggage: The company is not responsible for any loss or damage to your luggage during transit to the ship. In case of loss or damage advise the carriers involved and your insurance company.

Embarkation Procedure: Due to security reasons and for easier embarkations/disembarkations, the ship's staff at your first point of embarkation will keep your identity card/passport for the whole cruise.They will return it to you the last day. They will also give you various forms which you are required to complete and hand back to them the first day of your cruise. This will make all formalities easier and quicker.

Dining Room Reservations: Upon embarkation, the Maitre d’Hotel will take your dining room reservation. You will have the choice, depending on availability, of 1st or 2nd sitting. Times vary depending on the arrival and departure times at the ports of call but they are always mentioned in the Daily Programme. Breakfast and lunch do not require any reservation; they are open sittings and therefore you can choose between the buffet on the open deck or the restaurant. For dinner, we kindly ask you to respect the opening time of the restaurant.

On board

Luggage assistance: Your luggage will be taken outside your cabin door. Please allow 1 - 2 hours which is the time taken to deliver all the luggage to the cabins. If you have not indicated the cabin number on your luggage, please go to the Reception to identify it. A steward will take it to your cabin.

Communications

Satellite fax and telephone: While on board you can be contacted on the following numbers:

• Aquamarine
  Telephone: 0011 954 5384232
  Fax: 0011 954 5384233
• Sapphire
  Telephone: 0011 9545386152
  Fax: 0011 9545386154
• Calypso
  Telephone: 0011 51407255 (4 lines)
  Fax: 0011 51407256
• Perla
  Telephone: 0011 51407250 (4 lines)
  Fax: 0011 51407251

Gratuities and personal expenses

Gratuities: The gratuities are equally divided among the stewards, the bar and restaurant personnel. We suggest an amount of $9.00 dollars per passenger per day for the Sapphire and Aquamarine cruises, while for the Perla and Calypso cruises we suggest an amount of $10.00 dollars per passenger per day. Individual tips are not permitted on board.

Personal Expenses: The currency on board is the Euro. The ship has a cashless system for all transactions made on board except in the Casino. Every charge for purchase and/or services will be made with your magnetic card that will be delivered to you at the moment of the embarkation.

The magnetic card has also the function of an ID for leaving and entering the vessel during your cruise. Upon embarkation you must contact the Purser’s Office in order to open your personal account.

We recommend all credit cards holders to use their card to settle their account in order to ensure a smoother checkout. The credit cards accepted on board are: American Express, MasterCard and Visa. For those passengers wishing to pay in cash we accept traveller's checks.

At the end of the cruise you will receive in your cabin an invoice itemizing all your expenses. Note: All expenses incurred the last day of the cruise will be paid in cash.

For your information

Daily Program: Every evening, a programme for the following day will be delivered to your cabin. This will include excursion departure times, arrival and departure times, social activities, meal times, opening hours of the onboard services, evening dress code and other useful information. Please read it carefully.

Information Office: Our onboard personnel will be pleased to help you and answer all your questions. The Information Office is open 24 hours a day.

Electric Current: The electric current on board our vessels is 11OVAC and plugs are of two round holes (see ship specs). Passengers from the USA need only plug adaptors. Please remember to bring appropriate plug adaptors.

Smoking/Non smoking policy: All our lounges are divided into smoking and non smoking areas. The dining room is a non smoking area. Cigar smokers are kindly requested not to smoke during the shows. Cigarettes are available for purchase on board (duty free).

Laundry and pressing: A laundry and pressing service is available on board our vessels (you will find a price list in your cabin). Leave your clothes in the laundry bags provided in your cabin, your cabin steward will do the necessary and return them to you the following day.

Pool towels and dressing gowns: Pool towels (in all cabins) and dressing gowns (only in the suites cabins) are placed in your cabin and will be removed the night before your cruise finishes. If you would like one of your own, you should contact the Reception and they will debit to your cabin account the related amount.

Visitors: Due to security reasons and other guests comfort, visitors are not allowed on board.

Shipboard services

Duty Free shops: Discover the fine selection of items in our duty free shops. From toilet cases to perfumes, from liquors to cigarettes and of course, many Louis Cruises souvenir items. The on board shops are opened only during sailing time.

Photography Services: All your unforgettable experiences on excursions and on board, will be photographed by our professional team of photographers. All photos will then be displayed at the Photo Gallery.

Casino: During your cruise, try your luck at the tables with roulette or Bingo. Due to legal reasons, guests under the age of 18 are not allowed in the Casino. Open only during sailing times.

Medical Facilities: All our vessels are equipped with a surgery and doctor who will see patients during opening hours. Emergencies are, of course, attended immediately. A customary fee is charged for the services and medication.

Hairdresser: The hairdresser on board will take care of all your coiffure needs. We however suggest you make an appointment.