Useful Information

This page should answer any questions you may have about cruising aboard MV Spirit of Adventure. If you need additional information, please email us at ask@spiritofadventure.co.uk or call us free on 0800 015 6984.

How active are the cruises?

You will have plenty of time to relax and enjoy the food and entertainment aboard MV Spirit of Adventure but when you arrive in port we find that the customers who most enjoy themselves are those who are able to participate fully in the exciting excursions we offer and who are physically fit and able to manage the considerable walking, steps and poor terrain that some of our tours include. If you are unable to climb stairs unaided or if you would struggle to keep a brisk pace on a walk of at least half a mile, then the shore excursions on MV Spirit of Adventure may not be for you.

Travel arrangements

Airport hotels and car parking

Holiday Extras is the UK market leader in airport hotels and car parking and offers the best choice, service and prices. Customers can now choose from over 100 hotels and 40 car parks and enjoy an exclusive 5% discount*, which means that booking with Holiday Extras through us is cheaper than going direct. If you find the same product for less within seven days of booking, then Holiday Extras will either match that price or refund the difference. Call Holiday Extras FREE on 0800 083 2835 between 8am and 11pm weekdays or 8.30am and 8pm at weekends.

*BAA, British car parks and IHG hotels excluded from discount.

Money matters

Currency on board

Sterling is the official currency on board MV Spirit of Adventure. The Purser's Office offers a limited foreign exchange service with no commission and competitive rates. Currency can be bought on board with traveller's cheques or UK bank notes or personal cheques supported by a bank card. Please note that only bank notes and coins can be exchanged. We regret that we cannot accept credit cards when buying foreign currency.We operate a convenient cashless system on board whereby on-board purchases are charged to an account that you settle at the end of your cruise. Please also see the section entitled 'Shipboard account'.

Currency ashore

When going ashore, it is advisable to have some local currency with you. The purser's office offers a limited foreign exchange service, although not all currencies are available and some currencies are restricted and cannot be sold onboard.

Major credit cards are accepted in most parts of the world, and you can draw cash from ATM machines using your PIN number. However, in some of our smaller and more unusual ports of call, access to ATM machines may be limited or not available.

If you wish to buy foreign currency other than Euros and US Dollars prior to embarkation, it is advisable to do so with your local bank or exchange bureau.

Life on board

Air-conditioning

MV Spirit of Adventure is heated and air-conditioned throughout, with individual temperature controls in each cabin.

Binoculars

Binoculars are provided in every cabin. Please ensure that these are left in the cabin for the use of future passengers.

Cabins

All cabins have a television, DVD player, telephone, a hairdryer, private en suite facilities with soap, shower gel, shampoo and other toiletries.

Card tables

Card tables are available in the Briefing room at certain times during your cruise. The daily programme, 'Today', will give card players a time to meet.

Cinema

On selected evenings during your cruise the Top of the Yacht will be transformed into an open-air cinema playing a series of modern and classic films (weather permitting).

Clothing

Pack comfortable, casual clothes for daytime on board and trips ashore, bearing in mind the time of year you are travelling and the climate of your destination. Early in the season, for example, areas of the Mediterranean can be cool and you should take warm clothes and an overcoat, while in summer light cotton clothes are best. A useful tip is to dress in layers.

We also recommend flat, sturdy shoes and a light waterproof jacket or coat for shore excursions and rubber soled shoes for deck games. Sunglasses, sunscreen and a sun hat are essential in hot countries. You should also bear in mind that in some countries you may be required to cover up when visiting religious sites and monuments, and that shorts, sleeveless tops and swimwear are not appropriate. Please also see the section entitled 'Dress code'.

Communications

Each cabin has a telephone which you can use to dial anywhere in the world via satellite, as well as locations throughout the ship. The Guest Services directory in each cabin details the services available and any charges that may apply. In addition, you can send faxes from Reception.

Cocktail lounges

Each of the cocktail bars aboard MV Spirit of Adventure has its own special ambience and offers waiter service of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

Sirocco Lounge	Main Deck	aft
Yacht Club	Promenade Deck	midships
The Verandah	Promenade Deck	aft

Deck plans

Deck plans of the ship are available from Reception on A Deck. You can also view them here.

Dietary requests

Please inform our Travel Consultants prior to your cruise if you require a specific diet. We can cater for diabetic, vegetarian, vegan, low cholesterol, gluten free and fat free diets.

Dining Room

Meals are served at a single sitting in the Dining Room and in The Verandah. The Maitre d'Hôtel will welcome you to the restaurant and answer any questions you may have. Meal times are detailed in 'Today', the daily programme and are determined by the ship's arrival in port, excursion departure times and other shipboard activities so may vary from day to day. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are open-seating so you can meet more of your fellow guests.

As a general guideline, meal times are as follows, and passengers are welcome to arrive at the Dining Room at their own convenience between the times shown.

Tea and coffee	Verandah	24 hours a day
Breakfast	Dining Room	0800-1000
Breakfast	Verandah	0700-0930
Lunch	Verandah	1200-1400
Lunch	Dining Room	1230-1400
Dinner	Dining Room	1900-2100
Dinner	Verandah	1900-2100

Disembarkation

Disembarkation at the various ports of call takes place as soon as the ship has been cleared by local customs. The ’Today‘ daily programme and public address announcements will advise of the anticipated times of disembarkation. Please carry your security pass at all times and do not crowd the gangways, as this will only delay the process.

Dress code

In the more informal Verandah restaurant the dress code is casual - we suggest an open-neck shirt and trousers for men and skirts or trousers and casual tops for women. In the dining rooms the dress code is casual on most evenings, but there will be occasional formal nights (approximately three on a 14-night cruise).

On formal nights gentlemen may wear a lounge suit, or dinner jacket if they prefer, whilst ladies are asked to wear a dress or evening trousers and a smart top.

Electricity

Regular voltage on board is 220 volts (with 115/230 volt outlets in the bathrooms for electric razors). Sockets are 2-pin European-standard. Your cabin steward will be able to answer any questions you may have.

Enquiries

Any queries should be made to Reception on A Deck. It is open 24 hours a day.

General health

When travelling abroad, you should always heed the advice about drinking the local water and take care in the sun. Allow yourself a few days before trying too many new or unusual foods or being more active than usual. Remember, the sea reflects the sun and a sea breeze will create a cooling effect so the temperature may be much higher than you think. Drink plenty of water, especially when on shore excursions in hot countries. Some water is provided aboard coaches but it is advisable to carry a bottle with you. Please read the Department of Health guidelines that form part of your invoice carefully, and follow the advice given.

Gratuities

A no-tipping policy is operated aboard MV Spirit of Adventure, so you need not worry about who and when to tip.

Guest lecturers

The principle entertainment onboard is provided by the expert guest speakers. They will help bring to life the diverse places that you visit, enriching your holiday with their own stories, experiences and knowledge. All of our lecturers are passionate about their areas of expertise and will be keen to share their enthusiasm in an accessible and friendly way.

Hairdressing and beauty salon

Beauty treatments and men's and women's hairdressing is available. You are advised to make an appointment at the beginning of your cruise.

Landing by tender

When the ship has to anchor offshore, passengers are taken ashore aboard a tender. The ship's crew are on hand to offer assistance - for your own safety you should follow their instructions carefully, and it is advisable to wear rubber-soled shoes. A continuous shuttle service operates between the ship and shore for which there is no charge for this service. Unfortunately, passengers in wheelchairs are not permitted to go ashore by tender. The ship has inflatable zodiac craft which may be used at some ports as an alternative to the ship's tenders.

Laundry service

There is a laundry and pressing service and dry cleaning services are available on board. Your cabin steward or stewardess will be able to give you details and prices. There is also a free self-service launderette and ironing facilities on B Deck aft.

Lectures and activities

Lectures and activities will be available throughout the cruise, particularly during days at sea. They are held in the public rooms and on deck, and details appear in the 'Today' daily programme.

Library

Our large library offers over 3250 reading and reference books and is free of charge. Here you can sit back and relax on comfortable sofas and learn about your next port of call or perhaps simply browse through the latest literature. This is also the place to borrow playing cards, board games and DVD's so you can take away a film to enjoy in the privacy of your cabin. The library is open 24 hours a day and is staffed during selected times should you need any assistance.

Lift

MV Spirit of Adventure has one main passenger lift linking all decks except Bridge Deck, Sun Deck and the pool and fitness area on D Deck.

Lost and Found

Lost and Found is located at the Purser's Office on A Deck.

Luggage

Your luggage will be delivered to your cabin shortly after embarkation. Make sure your name and cabin number are displayed clearly on each piece of luggage. Storage space is limited and varies from cabin to cabin, but large items can be stored separately. It is advisable to bring soft-sided luggage that stores easily. Weight and dimension restrictions will be applied by the airlines who normally allow a maximum baggage allowance of 20 kilos (44lbs) per person, plus one piece of hand luggage 5 kilos (11lbs) in weight. You are advised to keep valuables in your hand luggage.

Medical

It is helpful if you prepare a list of any medication you take, keeping it in a sealed envelope. This information will be of great assistance should you need the services of the ship's doctor or nurse during your cruise. Please ensure you bring adequate supplies of any medication you need with you and, as a precaution, ask your doctor for a copy of your prescription and keep this with you, together with your doctor's telephone number. If you are unsure whether you are a good sailor, it is worth bringing a supply of motion sickness tablets or wristbands with you. In case of illness or injury, contact Reception immediately and staff will help you. Keep medical certificates and receipts if you need to make an insurance claim. MV Spirit of Adventure has a well-equipped medical centre on board and opening hours are indicated in the 'Today' daily programme. The private doctor onboard makes standard charges for his services. It is also a good idea to bring a spare pair of spectacles with you.

Pool and fitness facilities

The pool and fitness area on D Deck offers a small selection of fitness/exercise machines together with a compact indoor pool. There are also five mountain bikes and helmets available free of charge for use at selected ports of call.

Purser's Office

The Purser's Office is located at reception on A Deck offers bank facilities for you to cash travellers' cheques and personal cheques (drawn on UK banks and supported by a cheque guarantee card), purchase available foreign currency, post mail, request wake-up calls, borrow electrical adaptors and make use of the safety deposit boxes.

Questionnaire

At the end of your cruise you will receive a questionnaire and we would be grateful if you would complete it and post it at Reception. Your comments are an important source of new ideas and improvements that help us maintain the quality and value of our cruises.

Religious services

When the ship is at sea inter-denominational services will be held each Sunday. Details appear in your 'Today' daily programme.

Room service

24-hour room service is available. There will be a menu card in the Guest Services directory in your cabin.

Safety at sea

Safety is paramount aboard MV Spirit of Adventure. Our ship has the latest fire fighting equipment and fully complies with the strict provisions of the 1974 International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea Act and its 1981, 1983 and 1988 amendments. All officers are specially trained in emergency procedures and regular drills are held to instruct the crew in their emergency duties. For passengers, a lifeboat drill is held within 24 hours of embarkation. ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY. Every cabin has life jackets for each of its occupants and life-saving equipment aboard is more than adequate to accommodate everyone.

Security for valuables

There are safety deposit boxes at Reception, for which there is no charge. Each cabin has a lockable drawer.

Security swipe card

You will be issued with a security swipe card on embarkation and you should carry this with you at all times. You will need to show your pass as you go ashore and re-embark the ship. Contact Reception immediately if you lose your pass.

Shipboard account

The ship operates a convenient cashless system so you do not need to carry cash around with you. Simply sign for everything you purchase during your cruise, such as drinks, gifts and laundry service and settle your account at the end of your holiday. Your shipboard account is automatically opened on embarkation. If you intend to pay by credit card or debit card, simply register your card on the first day of your cruise, ensuring your credit limit is sufficient to cover your estimated expenditure. You will receive an interim account during your cruise, and on the evening before disembarkation you will receive a statement of your final expenses. Your account will be automatically debited to your credit or debit card after disembarkation but can take up to 6-8 weeks to appear on your statement. Unfortunately American Express and Diners Club are not accepted on board.

Shopping on board

There is a shop located on Promenade Deck that sells a range of souvenirs and giftware as well as camera film, toiletries other essential items.

Shore excursions

A selection of interesting shore excursions are available at most ports of call. Your excursion tickets will be waiting for you in your cabin upon embarkation. If you wish to reserve additional shore excursions on board, take your booking form to the Tours and Travel Office shortly after embarkation.
Please note that we have a worldwide policy of no smoking on coaches.

Smoking

Smoking is only permitted on open decks in designated areas. All inside areas of the ship, including your cabin, are designated no smoking areas.

Sun loungers

There are plenty of sun loungers available free of charge. Please do not reserve the loungers by placing a towel or other personal items on them. Any unattended items will be handed into lost property at Reception.

Swimming pools

The ship has two pools. One is located on the Promenade Deck aft, the other located in the spa on D Deck. Towels are provided. We cannot guarantee that the pools will be filled at all times as weather conditions and water status may affect this, and the pool may not always operate when the ship is in port.

Tender ports

Arrival times shown in the itinerary are the times we anticipate that MV Spirit of Adventure will arrive at anchorage to commence tendering. Depending on the number of passengers wishing to go ashore, this will generally begin about one hour after your arrival time. For safety reasons, wheelchair users are not permitted in the tender , and unfortunately must remain onboard in anchor ports.

Time

As a time check, there is a noon announcement each day when the ship is at sea. There are a number of clocks around the ship and time changes are posted in the ’Today‘ daily programme. The ship operates a 24-hour clock.

'Today' - your daily programme

Each evening, 'Today', a daily programme for the following day's activities is delivered to your cabin. It lists the day's events along with details of shore excursions, meal and lecture times as well as the opening hours of the bars.

Visitors

Port security arrangements can be very strict in the ports and as such visitors are sometimes not permitted in either the terminal building or onto the ship. Visitor request forms are available at the Purser's Office, however, these are subject to the Captain's approval based on information supplied by our local agents. We therefore suggest you bring contact details of any potential visitors with you to the ship.

Watercolour Painting

On most cruises an artist will be onboard to take watercolour painting classes during 'at sea' days. A set of painting materials - paint, paper and brushes - is available for purchase onboard.

Weather

The daily weather is displayed on channel 9 of the cabin television along with the ships current position.

Who's who aboard Spirit of Adventure

Captain

The Captain is in charge of the entire ship and maritime law gives the Captain, or Master as otherwise known, total control over the ship and those on board, including officers, crew and passengers. As well as overseeing the ship's navigation, the Captain attends many social functions on board. The Captain wears three ordinary stripes and one broad.

Staff Captain

The Staff Captain is second in command to the Captain and wears four stripes. A fully qualified Master, the Staff Captain is in charge of personnel matters including crew discipline and training.

Chief Engineer

The Chief Engineer is responsible for all engineering aspects of the ship, and overseeing the main and auxiliary engines as well as the air-conditioning, refrigeration, electrical supply and plumbing. The Chief Engineer works closely with the Captain and wears four stripes.

Hotel Director

As head of the Hotel Department, the Hotel Director oversees two thirds of the crew and has overall control and managerial responsibility for all passenger services. This includes the food and beverage operation, housekeeping, shore excursions, gift shop, Salon and Spa, and the Purser's office. The Hotel Director also wears four stripes.

Cruise Director

The Cruise Director is responsible for all entertainment, recreation and social activities on board, and heads a team of cruise staff and lecturers.

Chief Purser

The Chief Purser is a three stripe officer responsible for the on-board accounts of passengers and crew. The Chief Purser also deals with customs and immigration authorities for the clearance of the ship when arriving in port.

Chief Medical Officer

The three-striped Chief Medical Officer is a fully qualified doctor and attends to the medical needs of all passengers and crew. There are regular surgery hours and charges are usually made for consultation and medication.

Safety Officer

As well as being responsible for safety on board, the Safety Officer also oversees the safety training of all crew and the maintenance of safety equipment. The Safety Officer wears three stripes.

Bridge Officers

The bridge is manned 24 hours a day including when the ship is in port. As well as the Captain and Staff Captain, Bridge Officers include the Safety, First and Second Officers. Their task is to keep 'watch' under the orders of the Master. The Safety Officer wears three stripes, First Officers two and a half and Second Officers two.

Useful telephone numbers

Important numbers for family and friends

MV Spirit of Adventure is equipped with the latest satellite communications system, which allows direct calls and fax messages. Please use the numbers below for both telephone calls and faxes to Spirit of Adventure.

Telephone:	(from UK)	0911 1011218	calls are charged at £1.50 per minute from a BT landline, mobiles and other networks may vary
	(from abroad)	0044 1303 774739

Fax: 0911 1011219 (from UK) / 0044 1303 774741 (from abroad). 

Calls are received at Reception, and to save time the caller should ask for you by name and quote your cabin number.

Holiday advice

If you have any queries about your cruise, call our after-sales staff free on 0800 056 2485. For further information about passports and visas call free on 0800 525 290. These lines are open from 9.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday. For further copies of Spirit of Adventure brochures call our 24-hour request line free on 0800 300 456 or click here.

Additional information

Special requests

If you have any special requests, we will do our best to see that your wishes are met. However, we cannot guarantee that your requests will always be met and they do not form part of the confirmed holiday details.

Travelling with friends

If you have friends who would like to join you on your cruise, please ask them to give us your full name, the departure date of your cruise and your booking reference number when they make their booking.

Insurance

It is a condition of your booking that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance. Please check that you are covered for the country(ies) you are visiting and the duration of your stay, that it includes suitable cancellation cover and curtailment cover and is valid until your planned return date to the UK.

Medical expenses

Great Britain has reciprocal arrangements for free treatment within EU countries provided you hold a European Health Insurance Card. Details are available from your local Post Office.

Medical advice

If you suffer from a medical condition that might cause problems when on holiday, you should consult your GP before travelling and inform us in writing. We will be able to tell you if the ship is equipped to meet any special needs. Failure to do so could result in the Captain refusing passage and your insurance becoming invalid. Further advice on medical issues appears in the section entitled 'Medical'.

Complaints

Every effort is made to ensure your holiday is trouble free, but we recognise that on occasions things can go wrong. If you have any complaints please inform the Hotel Director as soon as the problem arises. However, if you feel you have not received satisfactory treatment and the Hotel Director was unable to rectify the situation, you should write to us as soon as possible and no later than 28 days after your return, giving full details of your complaint. Please address correspondence to Customer Relations Department, Spirit of Adventure, Enbrook Park, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 3SE.

Arbitration

Complaints are usually settled in a satisfactory manner, but if not we will be pleased to provide details of a special arbitration scheme administered independently by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. This offers a simple and inexpensive form of arbitration that deals with documents only. See the booking conditions for full details.

This page is only intended as a guide and certain information is subject to change. Amenities described are accurate at the time of publication but may not always be available. For example, the pool may be closed in bad weather or the entertainment programme altered due to illness. Eventualities such as these are beyond our control and we cannot accept responsibility for them.