TRANSPORT
Checking in at HARWICH - Check-in at Harwich will generally begin about three hours before the ship is due to sail.
Travelling to the AIRPORT - Approximately 10 weeks before departure we will send you details of long-term parking and accommodation at your departure airport.
FLIGHTS
Mediterranean, Red and Black Sea cruises - Our aircraft are usually chartered exclusively for our cruise programme*.Where possible we operate a direct aircraft-to-ship luggage transfer at most airports. This means that once you have checked your luggage in at the UK departure airport, you will not see it again until you reach your cabin. However, with increased security concerns, it may not always be possible to operate this system. In these circumstances you will be required to collect your luggage and proceed through immigration and arrivals. We will have porters waiting to collect your luggage, load it onto lorries and transfer it to the ship where it will be delivered to your cabin. We aim to advise you which system will be in operation when we send your tickets and final details.
For the return journey the check-in may be completed on board ship, with your luggage taken under customs escort directly to the plane for your journey home. However, for security reasons, it may prove necessary to operate a normal checkin at the overseas airport. Flight times shown in the itineraries are local and approximate. They are subject to change and slot co-ordination. The airlines likely to operate our special flights are First Choice, Thomson Fly, Excel, Thomas Cook and Monarch using Boeing 737, 747, 757, 767, Airbus A300, A320, A330 and A321. Other airlines and aircraft may also be used.
*We may occasionally use additional scheduled or ad hoc flights to connect with our cruises, in which case check-in and luggage transfer arrangements will differ from those detailed above.
FLIGHTS
We use a mix of scheduled and charter flights, however, we are not always in a position to confirm full flight details at time of booking and any information that may be provided at that time is subject to change. Any deviation (if available) from flight sarranged by Voyages of Discovery will be subject to additional charges, irrespective of class of travel. Details on request. Baggage allowance is 20kg on charter flights and most scheduled flights, although it may vary according to the carrier and class of travel. Please note that your baggage allowance may not be the same for each sector of your flight schedule. All flights are non-smoking. Voyages of Discovery recommended travel insurance includes cover for travel delays and lost or damaged luggage. In some countries, local airport departure taxes cannot be included as part of your air ticket and must be paid locally by the passenger. e.g. Buenos Aires US $18, Lima US $18, San Jose US $26, Havana CUC $25, Quito US $38, Santiago US $25, Barbados B $25. To avoid queues at the airport, if our local agents are able to obtain these on your behalf in advance, they will do so and the cost will be added to your on-board account.To avoid queues at the airport, if our local agents are able to obtain these on your behalf in advance, they will do so and the cost will be added to your on board account.
You must check-in at airports at least 2 hours before your flight is due totake off. If you do not check-in on time, the airline may not allow you to board the flight. We cannot accept responsibility if such situations arise and, whilst we will do our best to arrange alternative transport, any resulting costs will be your responsibility.
LOCAL CONNECTING FLIGHTS (Winter 2009/10 cruises only – from November 28, 2009 up to and including April 15, 2010)
Regional flights are provided without additional charge from Aberdeen, Belfast, Cork, Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Guernsey, Inverness, Isle of Man, Jersey, Manchester, Newcastle, Newquay and Plymouth, but are subject to availability. Any hotel accommodation required to make connections will be at passenger’s expense.
Important: we aim to leave a minimum of four hours between any connecting flights, to allow for potential flight delays and increased airport security and suggest you do so if making your own flight arrangements.
NOTES ABOUT FLIGHTS
Please note that Voyages of Discovery reserve the right to change carriers when necessary and that sometimes you may travel out and back on different carriers. For all flights, Voyages of Discovery reserve the right to determine the flight routings, which may not necessarily be direct or non-stop. On our long haul routes it may benecessary for the aircraft to stop en route for operational purposes. Please note that for all pre and post-cruise tours and stays, travelling to join or return from your tour or stay will be by scheduled carrier, to or from London. Your seat will be allocated upon check in at the airport, so we recommend that you arrive early to secure your choice of seat.
FLIGHT DELAYS
It is unfortunately impossible to guarantee that all flights will take off exactly on time, as travel delays can occur for any number of reasons. The policy of this company in the event of a delay in departure from an airport, for reasons other than those which are the responsibility of the airline, is to arrange for our passengers to be provided, whenever practical, with the following welfare arrangements: 3-5 hours delay - light refreshments; over 5 hours delay - a main meal.
INDEPENDENT AIR ARRANGEMENTS
The Company will have no responsibility, financial or otherwise in regard to air, hotel, transport or any other arrangements made by passengers or third parties. Passengers should ensure any such arrangements are transferable or refundable, or covered by their travel insurance, in the event of delay, amendment or cancellation of any of these independent arrangements, or of your cruise.
PREGNANCY
Regulations vary from airline to airline, but some will refuse to carry women who will be 28 weeks pregnant on the date of return travel. If you are in doubt, please check with the airline concerned and we would recommend that you consult your doctor in any case.
