Young Travelers
Avalon Cruises is an adults only tour and cruise product. No children under the age of 16 will be allowed to register for the tour or river cruise.

Due to heightened security, many countries have adopted practices to prevent international abductions of children. If a child will be traveling with adults other than the parents or with only one parent, it is recommended that a notarized letter be written by the parents or non-traveling parent granting authorization to travel, including the dates of travel. We suggest that you also contact the appropriate consulate and airlines because they may have additional requirements.

Smoking
Smoking is not allowed on transportation that is exclusively provided by Avalon Waterways nor in the interior of Avalon Waterways’ vessels in Europe

Visas and Passports
For vacations requiring visas for U.S. citizens, detailed visa information will be mailed or faxed. You are responsible for obtaining and payment of all visas and entry documents prior to travel, and for meeting all health and other requirements and any documents required by laws, regulations, orders, and/or requirements of the countries to be visited. Non-U.S. citizens must consult with appropriate consulates to determine if any visas are needed and are responsible for obtaining all visas and entry documents independently. All passengers traveling internationally are required to have a passport. Most countries require that the passport be valid for at least six (6) months beyond the conclusion of your trip. It is recommended you have a minimum of three blank pages in your passport when traveling as many countries require blank pages. Multiple-entry visas are required for some vacations. You will need to check with your consulate to verify all requirements.

Baggage Allowance
Porterage for one suitcase is included in the vacation price. Airport porterage at the beginning and end of the vacation is not included. Due to limited coach capacity, bags should have dimensions not exceeding 30"x21"x11" and weight not exceeding 50 lb (22kg) or less if your air carrier has stricter weight/dimension limitations. Size and weight limitations for carry-on and checked baggage vary from airline to airline and even according to destination, and are becoming more restrictive. Avalon Waterways is not responsible for additional fees imposed by air carriers regarding baggage. Regulations within most airports require that travelers handle their own luggage through customs. No responsibility is accepted for loss of or damage to baggage or any of the traveler’s belongings. Baggage insurance is recommended. See our Web site for an all-inclusive Travel Protection Plans.

Carry-on bags, should not exceed the dimensions of 12"x11"x6". For safety reasons, wheeled carry-on bags are not suitable as hand luggage on motorcoaches and mini-buses.

Travel Documents
Travel documents, including any paper air tickets or e-ticket itineraries, are sent by regular ground delivery approximately two to three weeks prior to departure, provided full payment has been received.

Air Conditioning and Heating
All rooms on the ships are air conditioned and heated. All ships have individual controls in the staterooms.

Beverages
Wine is included with all onboard dinners and there is a non-alcoholic alternative. Alcoholic beverages and sodas are available for an additional charge. In Europe, coffee and tea are available free of charge throughout the day from “early riser” breakfast through dinner.

Clothing
Dress aboard and on shore is casual. Please bring comfortable walking shoes for sightseeing. Dinner attire is casual—open-neck shirts, slacks, dresses. Coats and ties may be worn. The Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Dinners are dressy, but not formal.

Cruise Director
A professional, experienced, English-speaking Cruise Director accompanies every departure.

Cuisine
All meals on board are prepared by accomplished chefs and consist of local food adjusted for North American tastes. There is a full buffet breakfast, and in Europe a buffet lunch including choice of soups and main courses with appetizer, salad or sandwich, and dessert. Dinner is a multi-course meal with a choice of entrées.

Currency and Credit Cards
In Europe:
Most of the countries you will be visiting in Europe use the Euro. Exceptions are Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia; they all have their own currencies but the Euro is accepted in many establishments. Many locations accept major credit cards; however in small towns they are not widely accepted. In these cases and for incidentals or small vendors, you will need some local currency. ATM machines are located on shore at some stops. Prior to your departure, confirm with your bank that your ATM or credit card and PIN number will work abroad. All purchases on board are charged to your room account. The onboard currency is the Euro. U.S. currency and traveler’s checks may be exchanged for Euro. For payment of shipboard accounts, Euro and U.S. dollars are accepted as well as American Express, Visa, Mastercard and Diner’s Club. A fee is charged for the use of traveler’s checks. Personal checks cannot be cashed on board.

Dining
There is a single sitting at meal times and open seating arrangements.

Electricity
Electricity on board is 220v. The bathrooms have a dual 220v/110-120v plug for shavers and small appliances. You will need an adapter or converter to use in other outlets in the stateroom for any small personal items such as a razor, curling iron or alarm clock.

Gratuities
Gratuities on board and on land are not included in the cruise price. Tipping is a personal way to show your satisfaction for good service and is always appreciated. It is recommended that tips be paid in cash.

Hair Dryers
All ships have hair dryers for passenger use; please ask at the reception desk if one is not in your stateroom.

Laundry
Laundry service is available on board for a modest fee. Check the price list in your stateroom. Clothes cannot be dry cleaned on board. For safety reasons, we ask that passengers do not iron their clothes in the staterooms; the laundry service will do pressing for a fee.

Library
You may check out books from the ship’s library free of charge. We ask that you return them before your cruise ends.

Medical Services
Due to the proximity to land, medical services can be called from shore rapidly. In the Galápagos, there is a physician on board.

News
The onboard daily newsletter features information about daily activities, shore excursions and tour departure times.

Onboard Language
The language on board is English. All staff, crew and tour guides speak English. All announcements and commentary will be in English.

Onboard Shop
Each ship has a shop area offering accessories, film, souvenirs and some select personal and toiletry items.

Safes
Ships have in-room safes.

Smoking
In Europe, all ships have non-smoking interiors. Smoking is only permitted on the Sky Deck. On the Victoria Anna and Royal Lotus smoking is limited to certain areas of the ship.

Special Occasions
Passengers celebrating special occasions, such as anniversaries or birthdays, should alert ship personnel upon boarding the ship.

Telephones
Each stateroom has a direct dial telephone which may be used to call between staterooms. Ship-to-shore calls are also available. Any charges are placed on your shipboard account.

Television
Each stateroom has color satellite TV and will receive some English programming. There is a shipboard information channel and a channel with entertainment videos or movies.

Your Shipboard Account
For your convenience, all purchases and paid services on board are billed with a guest check and added to your personal shipboard account. At the end of your cruise, you will receive a total which can be paid with cash or charged to a credit card.