Enchanting Rhine

A handy checklist of what to bring on your trip can be downloaded here.

We very strongly recommend the purchase of appropriate travel insurance for any trip outside of Canada. Information on travel insurance options can be found here.

Not permitted anywhere indoors. There are designated areas on the outside decks.

March-April: Cool with occasional rain. Weather is typically in the mid to high 10s

May-June: Warm days and dryer. Low to mid 20s. Night time in the high 10s.

July-August: Daytime usually in the mid to high 20s, sometimes warmer.

September-October: Typically in the mid 20s during the day. Often cooler into the mid to high 10s at night

November – December: Cool with occasional precipitation. Mid 10s during the day and in the single digits at night.

Upon booking, we will provide detail instructions on how to meet your ship on embarkation day. If you have not made any pre or post tour arrangements with us, you will have to arrange your own transportation to and from the port of embarkation. We are happy to provide advice or to assist in arranging transfers.

The ship will not be ready for check-in before mid-afternoon. If you have luggage that you need to deposit so you can enjoy some free time in port, the purser may be able to accommodate you provided we know in advance.

The cruise will finish in the morning (usually around 8-9am) on the final day. It is necessary to have settled your onboard account and to have disembarked by this time as instructed by the cruise director on the day before.

The currency is the Euro except in Switzerland where it is the Swiss Franc.

Credit cards are acceptable for larger purchases in retail shops, but often not in restaurants or cafés.

ATM’s accepting most international debit and credit cards can be found in abundance.

Gratuities suggested by the cruise line are:

EUR 3.00 per guest per day for the cruise director

EUR 12.00 per guest per day to be divided amongst the entire crew.

Laundry service is available for a small fee. Regrettably, dry cleaning is not available.

Most of our programs include a full complement of excursions. Some additional excursions may be available on board at an extra cost. Please check with us or consult the purser onboard for additional information.

Excursions will usually involve a lot of walking, often on cobblestone streets. If you have difficulty walking any distance, please let us know in advance and we will advise how best we can accommodate you.

Regrettably, most of our excursions are not suitable for guests in a wheelchair.

Light – At most, participation in the shore excursions requires the ability to walk reasonable distances and some stairs.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all included in your cruise fare so you shouldn’t be too hungry. It is worthwhile to sample the local cuisine though.

Switzerland is known for its cheese. If you have the opportunity, try the real cheese fondue or raclette.

Germany has of course fantastic sausages. Try a bratwurst or a ‘Augsburger’ which are mini sausages that are very delicious. Of course while passing through the Black Forest, the cake named after this region is not to miss.

When in the Netherlands, you must try the cheese for which they are so famous. You could give the local ‘Pannenkoeken’ a try. Basically they are pancakes filled with either sweet or savoury ingredients like bacon, cheese or apple sauce and vanilla.

Your shipboard staff all speak English of course, but when you are wandering through the shops in small villages, the local folk may have little English so some phrase books will come in handy, specifically German and French. In the Netherlands most people speak very good English.

There are no medical personnel onboard the ship. However, the purser can contact onshore medical people for emergency and non-emergency situations and rapid evacuation can easily be facilitated in the most urgent cases.

There is a phone in each cabin. As is typical, the charges for overseas calls are relatively high.

Free Wi-Fi is available in the main public areas of the ship but not necessarily in all cabins. As internet is provided through a mobile network, bandwidth (speed) will vary depending on the number of concurrent users, the proximity to a cell tower and other factors.

If you would like to have regular data and phone connection, we suggest either arranging an overseas roaming plan with your mobile operator, or pick up a local SIM card if you have an unlocked phone.

There are no vaccinations required to travel to these European destinations . As always, we recommend being in good health prior to any long distance travel. Consult your physician with any specific concerns in regard to this program.

Despite recent events in Europe it is considered a safe and secure place to visit. This being said, being constantly aware of your surroundings and not taking unnecessary valuables with you is always recommended. Leave your passport, extra money and any other belongings you do not need during the day in the safe in your cabin.

https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/