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

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 Holidays Extras will either match that price or refund the difference. Call Holidays Extras FREE on 0800 083 2835 between 8am and 11pm weekdays or 8.30am and 8pm at weekends.

*BAA products excluded from discount

Money matters

Currency on board

Sterling is the official currency on board Spirit of Adventure. Our 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. Personal cheques are acceptable provided they are supported by a bank card.

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. Usually, the easiest way to obtain local currency is to buy it on board Spirit of Adventure. The purser's office offers a limited foreign exchange service, although not all currencies are available to the vessel prior to arrival in the port.

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.

Clothing

Day wear

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.

Evening 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 ladies. In the dining room, 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.

Life on board

Air-conditioning

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

Cabins

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

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 Spirit of Adventure has its own special ambience and offers waiter service of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

Card tables

Card tables can be made available in the Dining Room at certain times during your cruise. The daily programme, 'Today', will give card players times to meet. Alternatively, passengers may request this service with the Cruise Director on board.

Deck plans

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

Dining Room

Meals are served at a single sitting in the Dining Room and in the Verandah Restaurant. 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	0730-1000
Breakfast	Verandah	0800-0930
Lunch	Verandah	1230-1400
Lunch	Dining Room	1200-1400
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 authorities. 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.

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 mineral 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 Spirit of Adventure, so you need not worry about who and when to tip.

Guest lecturers

The mainstay of onboard entertainment is the host of expert guest speakers invited to 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 as well as men's and women's hairdressing are available. You are advised to make an appointment at the beginning of your cruise.

Landing by tender

When Spirit of Adventure has to anchor offshore, passengers are taken ashore aboard a tender. The ship's crew are on hand to offer assistance and 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 and there is no charge for this service. Unfortunately, passengers in wheelchairs are not permitted to go ashore by tender.

Laundry service

Laundry, pressing 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. This is also the place to borrow playing cards and board games, as well as holding an extensive DVD collection. It is open 24 hours a day and is staffed during selected times should you need any assistance.

Lift

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 is 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 for short-haul charter and scheduled economy flights, 30 kilos (66lbs) per person for long-haul charter and scheduled flights, 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. 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 glasses 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 eight 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 and offers the facilities for you to cash travellers' cheques and personal cheques (drawn on UK banks and supported by a cheque guarantee card), purchase the 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 Spirit of Adventure. The 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.

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. The simplest way to settle your account is by credit card. If you intend to pay by credit card, 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

The ship's shop is located on Promenade Deck and sells a range of souvenirs and giftware as well as films, toiletries, magazines and 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 Shore Excursion Desk shortly after embarkation.
Please note that we have a worldwide policy of no smoking on coaches.

Smoking

Many areas aboard Spirit of Adventure are designated no smoking. These include the dining room, Verandah restaurant, Sirocco Lounge, library, briefing room, pool and fitness area and the lounges during lectures. Where smoking is allowed this is permitted in the designated areas located on the port side of the ship. In addition, we ask you to use extreme care when smoking on the open decks. Never toss a match or lighted cigarette overboard, as these can get caught in updraughts and land back on deck. Keep in mind that the most serious hazard on board a ship is fire. You will find plenty of ashtrays around the ship in designated areas. For the comfort of others we ask you to refrain from smoking in your cabin.

Special 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.

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 due to weather and water status, and the pool may not always operate when the ship is in port.

Tender ports

Arrival times shown in itineraries are the times we anticipate that Spirit of Adventure will arrive at anchorage to commence tendering. Depending on the number of passengers wishing to go ashore, this will generally commence about one hour after arrival time.

Time

As a time check, the ship’s bell is sounded at noon 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 and availability of card tables in the Dining Room.

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. However, visitor request forms are available at the Purser's Office and are subject to the Captain's approval based on information supplied by our local agents. Therefore we suggest you bring contact details with you of any potential visitors to the ship.

Weather

Daily weather forecasts are posted on board.

Who's who on-board

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 in close liaison with the Captain and wears four stripes.

Hotel Director

As head of our 'floating hotel', 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 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

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 the ship.

Telephone/Fax:	(from UK)	0911 1011218
	(from abroad)	0044 1303 774739

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

Insurance is included in the price of every cruise aboard Spirit of Adventure and provides cover for the loss of luggage or money, medical expenses, personal accident and personal liability. You must obtain your doctor's written permission to travel if you are, or have been, suffering from a serious illness. If you do not require our included insurance, please check that your own policy is adequate for your needs and is valid from the day you book until you return from your holiday, since Saga's insurance and cancellation cover will not apply if you have received a discount.

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.

IMPORTANT: If you booked your cruise prior to December 28, 2005, the interim cost of very high medical expenses (e.g. hospital costs) in other countries will be covered by International Medical Rescue under the terms of your holiday insurance. If you booked after December 28, 2005, cover is provided by CEGA. However, visits to the doctor and other minor bills will have to be settled on the spot and reclaimed from your insurance after your holiday.

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'.

Claims

Costs incurred for loss or damage to luggage, loss of money or other costs, which may be the subject of a claim must be met by yourself and claimed on return as instructed in the insurance leaflet. Losses should be reported to the local police within 24 hours, and claims for expenses incurred should be accompanied by receipts and a copy of your confirmation. If Spirit of Adventure is at sea any losses should be reported to the Hotel Director. There is an excess on the insurance which is not refundable.

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.

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