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Practical guide for Black Sea Cruises


Art-conditioning E-mail Pets
All aboard Facilities Photography
Announcements Hairdresser Port addresses
Board guides Land excursions Safety on board
Cabin keys Language Sauna
Cruise director Laundry Servicing of cabins
Currency exchange Library Ship account
Daily programme Lift jackets Shower
Deck chairs Lost and found Steps and staircases
Deposit box Mail Telephone
Diets Money Tipping
Desablet facilites Meals Visa
Disembarkation Medicines Visitors
Doctor Mooring Wake up call
Dress code Optional excursions Window
Drinking water Payment  


AIR-CONDITIONING
The vessel is fully air-conditioned. The controls can be adjusted to suit your personal requirements. Please note that air-conditioning works properly only with closed doors and windows.


ALL ABOARD!
Each time the ship is scheduled to set sail, there will be an all aboard time. Passengers are requested to be on board ship and in possession of their cabin key by all aboard time.


ANNOUNCEMENTS
There will be announcements in German and English for main daily events: meals, entertainment programme, shore excursions


BOARD GUIDES
Each group on board the ship will be accompanied by a board guide who will assist the tour leader of the group on board and accompany the guests during the shore excursions. In case the clients are traveling as individual travelers or the group doesn’t have its own tour leader, our board guides will act as the tour leaders.


CABIN KEYS
You get your cabin key at the reception upon your arrival onboard. When you go on excursions please don’t forget to leave the key at the reception and pick up your boarding pass.


CRUISE DIRECTOR
The Cruise Director/Hotel Manager of the shipping company is at your service during the journey. He/She will be happy to provide any additional information you require.


CURRENCY EXCHANGE
There is no money-changing service onboard.


DAILY PROGRAMME
Every day a sheet with the next day’s programme will be placed in your cabin. It will contain information about starting times and other events as well as schedule for all onboard services.


DECK CHAIRS
There are plenty of chairs on the sun deck.


DEPOSIT BOX
There is a deposit safe on board the ship available for an additional charge.


DIETS
Special dietary requests such as vegetarian, low salt and low cholesterol should be made prior to departure. However, we recommend that you contact the restaurant staff once on board to reconfirm your requests. We regret that the ship is unable to guarantee special requests and is not equipped to prepare or serve kosher or halal cuisine.


DISABLED FACILITIES
The ship is not designed for those with severe mobility restrictions or wheelchair dependent passengers and is unable to accept wheelchairs, motorized scooters, or walkers. Cabin bathrooms have high thresholds which must be stepped over. Additionally, most shore excursions involve some walking and some excursions are walking tours only. There are no elevators or chair lifts aboard.


DISEMBARKATION
All guests should vacate their cabins not later than 09:00 am on the day of disembarkation. Please put your luggage in front of the cabin’s door – your luggage will be delivered to the transfer bus by the shop staff. The time of the transfer will be announced in the daily programme.


DOCTOR
A Ukrainian doctor is available on board. First aid is provided free of charge. However you will need to pay for any medicines prescribed by the doctor.


DRESS CODE
There is no requirement for formal dress. Please take comfortable and practical clothing, light cotton garments for hot days and warm woollens for cooler weather. Please do not forget to pack a warm jacket and some waterproofs in case of inclement weather. Smart casual attire is recommended for the Captain’s Dinner – a jacket & tie for gentlemen and a dress for ladies will be fine. “Black tie” is not necessary.


DRINKING WATER
It is recommended that you do not drink the tap water from your cabin. Bottled water is available for purchase from the bar.


E-MAIL
E-mail connection will be available during the cruise from the ship. The e-mail address of the ship will be given separately.


FACILITIES
  • Two bars, two restaurants.
  • Doctor and nurse
  • Hairdresser
  • Laundry
  • Massage
  • Sauna
  • Souvenir shop

HAIRDRESSER
There is a ladies/gents hairdressing salon onboard. If you require the hairdresser’s services, please make an appointment. Charges are displayed onboard.


LAND EXCURSIONS
Details of all land excursions will be included with your travel documents. If you need any further information, please contact the Cruise Director.


LANGUAGE
Mainly German, English, Russian.


LAUNDRY
Laundry service is available and is handled by your cabin stewardess. For a laundry price list contact the Reception Desk. Please, fill in the form; place your laundry and form on the bed. Payment is made directly to your cabin stewardess in dollars, euros or hrivnas (cash).


LIBRARY
There is a small library on the upper deck in the TV salon.


LIFE JACKETS
Can be found under your bed or in the closet. In an emergency put them on and follow the instructions of the crew.


LOST AND FOUND
Lost property is to be handed in and collected at the boat reception.


MAIL
You can hand in any mail at the reception. It will be posted at the next stop.


MONEY
If you prefer not to use credit cards (Visa and Master cards are acceptable onboard) we advise to take either Euros or Dollars.

Euros might be more preferable as you will be traveling along Eastern European countries where Euros are acceptable. Tip: do not to change into Bulgarian or Romanian currency but negotiate prices in Euros prior to purchase.

Changing British Pounds in the Ukraine can be very restricted.

We also suggest converting Euros or US dollars to Hrivnas in the Ukrainian towns for a much better rate than finally on the boat. Please convert a lot to allow for the tips at the end of the voyage and this can also be used during the voyage if any exceptional purchases need to be made.


MEALS
All meals are served in one sitting, i.e. all passengers eat together. Please check the exact timing in the day programme.
Seating policy: all the passengers will be assigned to one of the two restaurants for the duration of the cruise.


MEDICINES
If you require any special medications, please make sure you have sufficient supplies before leaving home. The onboard doctor has supplies for emergencies. Should any such medicines be required, a small fee will be charged.


MOORING
Docking space is allocated by the local river authorities. On occasion other river cruise vessels may dock alongside the ship. This may restrict cabin views, and you may find that embarking and disembarking necessitates walking through another ship's reception area, and/or for their passengers to do the same.


OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS
During your cruise you will have the opportunity to book optional excursions. A list of available excursions and prices will be available onboard the ship. Please note that the payment for the optional tours is accepted in hrivnas only or by credit cards (Visa & Master Card).


PAYMENT
The following payment methods are accepted for your onboard account: Ukrainian currency Hrivna, credit cards (Visa & Master Card). Please note that the ship is unable to accept any form of Travellers Cheques or Personal Cheques.


PETS
Pets are not allowed on board.


PHOTOGRAPHY:
Photography is generally allowed in most areas except for military installations and some museums. Further guidance will be given onboard. For some museums and other sights you will need to purchase a permit to film and take photographs.


PORT ADDRESSES
  • KIEV: Main River Terminal, Pochtovaya Square 3, Podol Kiev
  • ODESSA: Port of Odessa Terminal, Suvorova Street
  • NESSEBAR: 8230 Stary Nessebar, Port.

SAFETY ON BOARD
Please read the ‘Safety on board’ brochure in your cabin.

SAUNA
There is a sauna on the lower deck (deck 1). Should you require sauna, please ask the Reception Desk.


SERVICING OF CABINS
There is no room service for meals or drinks. Making beds, changing towels, etc. takes place in the morning. Bed linens will be changed every three days. Towels on the rack mean you will be using them again. Towels in the basin will be changed.


SHIP ACCOUNT
All expenditure in the bar and restaurant are added to your ship account. At the end of the cruise the closing invoice will be issued to passengers.


SHOWER
There is private “marine-style” bathroom with shower. The shower-head extends from the basin (can be attached to the wall) and is separated from the lavatory by a shower curtain, however there is nothing on the floor separating the shower from the rest of the room. While taking the shower please do not forget to draw the curtain.


STEPS AND STAIRCASES
BEWARE! Several of the staircases aboard are rather steep and those outside on decks can be extremely slippery when wet. ALWAYS USE HANDRAILS (where fitted) and be particularly careful in the area of the gangway.


TELEPHONE
To call on board please use following number: +38 095 272 66 81 (phone for clients use).


TIPPING
The amount of your tip is left to your discretion and should be seen as a reward for good service. Crew: subject to your satisfaction and to show appreciation for a good job we recommend a gratuity of €5 per person, per day. Local Guides/Drivers: if you enjoyed their services a €1-2 per person per tour tip will be appreciated.


VISA
No visa required for EU citizens and most other passports joining the cruise. Please note to enter Turkey British passport holders need to obtain tourist stamp either at the port of entry in Turkey for £10,00 or from the Consulate General for £68,00. The sticker visa obtained at the port of entry in Turkey will grant you 90 days stay with multiple entry to Turkey starting from the date of issue.

For more information please visit http://www.turkishconsulate.org.uk/en/visa.htm. Please contact your local Turkish embassy if you hold a non-EU passport as visa regulations may vary.


VISITORS
Visitors are not normally allowed onboard. Exceptions may be allowed in special circumstances. Please ask the Cruise Director.


WAKE UP CALL
If you would like an early-morning wake-up call, please notify reception.


WINDOW
To open the cabin window press the metal button in the middle of the handle and pull down. Please be sure to close the window while in a port and in the evening to prevent insects in when the light is on.