On Board

CURRENCY AND PAYMENTS

On board mv Discovery all prices are in British Pounds.

Foreign exchange facilities on board are very limited, so we would recommend that you purchase any currency requirements 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, MasterCard and American Express (2% surcharge applies to Amex) credit cards, cash and Travellers’ Cheques are accepted for payment of shipboard accounts. We also accept UK debit cards bearing the VISA or MasterCard logos. Personal cheques are not accepted.

GRATUITIES AND SERVICE CHARGES

Unlike many other cruise operators, gratuities and service charges are included within the prices shown for UK passengers on mv.Discovery, however, you may wish to recognise special service at your discretion.

BARS AND ALCOHOL

Only alcohol purchased in the ship’s bars and restaurants may be consumed on Discovery. The serving of alcohol may be restricted in certain countries.

DINING ARRANGEMENTS

Breakfast and lunch are arranged on an open sitting basis and may be taken in the Seven Continents Restaurant or ‘alfresco’ 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 8.30pm. 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 able to dine here at least once per cruise and reservations must be made on board.

A limited room service menu is available most days from 7.00am to 10.00pm.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS/IT

Our on board telecommunications systems mean that you are never more than a phone call away from home or office. All cabins feature direct-dial telephones, whilst fax facilities are available at the Purser’s Desk and computer facilities in the Internet Centre. Wi-Fi connections are available at two locations on board (charges apply), however, connection difficulties can occur in some areas of the world and internet speeds may be significantly slower at sea compared to on land. Mobile phones usually get a signal but only via satellite.

ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES

Cabins and suites feature 110 and 220 volt current. Plug sockets are European two pin format and you may require adaptors. Any questions regarding the use of electric rollers, curling irons, electric shavers and other small appliances should be directed to reception. For safety reasons the use of travel irons and any tea/coffee making equipment is definitely not allowed. Each cabin is equipped with a hair dryer.

LAUNDRY & DRY CLEANING

A service is available for laundry, dry cleaning and pressing. A laundry bag and order form are provided in your cabin. For passengers taking two or more consecutive cruises, there is a 50% discount for laundry and pressing (but not for 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. 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 on board.

For trips ashore and for getting into and out of the ship’s tenders, comfortable, sturdy footwear is recommended. 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. Passengers may wish to dress 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.

SMOKING

Passengers are not permitted to smoke inside 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, subject to national government laws when in port. 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 for each and every cruise.