CURRENCY AND PAYMENTS
On board mv Discovery all prices are in £ Sterling for summer cruises and US Dollars for winter cruises. Please note that for winter cruises, UK passengers may settle their account in Sterling at the rate of exchange published at the start of the cruise.
For the following countries a supply of small denomination US dollar bills or Euros is always useful: EGYPT, JORDAN, RUSSIA, POLAND, ESTONIA, LIBYA, GEORGIA, BULGARIA, UKRAINE & TURKEY. The Euro is in general circulation in the following countries: Greece, Spain, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, France and Finland. In Norway, Spitsbergen, Sweden, Greenland, Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Iceland, local currencies will be required.
There are limited foreign exchange facilities on board, although we would recommend that you purchase any currency requirements you expect to need before you travel. There is little opportunity to visit banks whilst on tour, although guides will normally help exchange small amounts if necessary. For purchases ashore, many shops accept most Travellers’ Cheques and major Credit Cards. A cashless system operates on board with passengers settling accounts at the end of the cruise.
Visa and MasterCard credit cards and Travellers’ Cheques are accepted for payment of shipboard accounts. Debit cards such as Switch, Delta or Connect and personal cheques are not accepted.
MEDICAL ATTENTION
We hope you will find it unnecessary to use the ship's medical facilities during your voyage. If, however, the occasion does arise, it is comforting to know that we do carry a fully qualified doctor and nurse. The National Health Service does not cover treatment on the ship and the doctor or nurse will make a small charge for their services and will require payment for any medicines or drugs needed. Such charges are normally reclaimable under your travel insurance, less any policy excess.
BARS AND ALCOHOL
Please note that bars may have to be closed for the sale of alcohol and cigarettes in Libyan waters. Please note that on all cruises only alcohol purchased in the ship's bars and restaurants may be consumed on Discovery.
DINING ARRANGEMENTS
Breakfast and lunch are arranged on an open-sitting basis and may be taken in the Seven Continents Restaurant or ‘al fresco’ at the Lido Buffet on Sun Deck. Continental breakfast is also available in your cabin. In the evening, there are two sittings for dinner in the Seven Continents Restaurant. The timings will depend on the day’s programme, but usually early sitting is 6.15pm, main sitting is 8.15pm. Your preference should be indicated at time of booking, and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis, but cannot be guaranteed. On selected evenings the Yacht Club, situated forward on Sun Deck, offers an alternative dinner menu at no extra charge. You will be invited to dine here at least once per cruise and reservations must be made on board.
VOLTAGE ON BOARD
This is 220 volts A.C. You will need a continental two-pin adapter, easily available in electrical shops.
LAUNDRY
A laundry and pressing service is available on board, as well as dry cleaning.
WHAT TO WEAR
As a general rule, for days on board and ashore, summer clothing/sports wear is the order of the day. It should be light, casual and easy to care for. A sweater and jacket for cooler evenings and a light raincoat are also advisable.
On cruises to northern latitudes warmer clothing will be necessary. In certain countries, shorts, short skirts, bare arms and shoulders will not be appreciated locally and you may be prohibited entry to certain sites. Advice will be given beforehand on board. On more southerly cruises the weather will usually be suitable for sunbathing, so don’t forget your wrap, bathing suit, sun glasses and sun screen. For trips ashore and for getting into and out of the ship’s tenders, comfortable, sturdy walking shoes are a must. You may also want to bring with you a camera, binoculars, umbrella, sun hat and insect repellent.
In the evening, there is a recommended dress code and some passengers may wish to dress traditionally in ‘black tie’ and evening dresses for formal nights such as the Captain’s Welcome Cocktail Party and Dinner. However, a lounge suit or blazer and tie would be fine - the choice is yours. On other evenings the dress code will be semi-formal or smart/casual. Details will be given in the daily programme on board.
In Antarctica, wearing several layers of lighter clothing is more effective than one or two heavy garments. We’ll issue you with a complimentary expedition parka perfectly suited to the task and the environment. Before you travel, we’ll send you tips and information on what to pack for your holiday, for those trips ashore as well as what to wear on board; from sun visors and woolly hats to UV sunglasses and sunscreens, windcheaters and waterproofs, right down to walking shoes and Wellington boots.
SMOKING
Passengers are not permitted to smoke inside any part of mv Discovery, or on Sun Deck when food is being served, and are requested to smoke only in designated areas of Sun Deck and other open decks. Smoking is not permitted on excursion coaches.
EMERGENCY DRILL
Before the ship sails or early in the cruise, there will be a full muster stations drill. This exercise is to give all passengers precise information on the correct route from their cabins to the places where they should muster in an emergency, together with instructions about life jackets and emergency procedures. ALL passengers must attend.
