Prepare For Your Cruise
You've made a great decision and in a short time you'll be experiencing the wonder of small-ship cruising. In the meantime, below is some information that may be of help in your preparation for your small-ship voyage.
Arriving and departing
Within the Travel Wallet you will find an itinerary, boarding card and a map clearly showing departure place and time of boarding. If you made your own flight arrangements, it is especially important to notify us of your flight information (city of origin, flight departure and arrival times) prior to your arrival to ensure we know when you will be arriving.
Upon the conclusion of your voyage, you will be greeted at the wharf and arrangements made for your onward movements.
Luggage Handling
Your luggage will be transferred on and off the ship at boarding and disembarkation. All luggage must be tagged with the Island Escape tags included with your documents prior to your arrival. At the completion of your cruise you must take all personal effects with you. We request that you limit your luggage to one soft suitcase and one carry-on per person.
Specific disembarkation procedures will be announced onboard. If your friends or relatives are meeting you at the wharf, please note that disembarkation takes approximately 30 minutes after our scheduled arrival. Only guests and crew are allowed onboard the ship during disembarking.
Air Transportation
Due to new and heightened security procedures, especially at airports, you must carry government-issued picture ID, preferably a passport. Please keep your photo identification with you at all times. Do not pack it in your checked luggage.
Customs Inspections
Any passenger who do not have a valid passport should apply for one immediately. But passports are a good identification piece for ease of traveling. Please check to make sure your passport will be valid 6 months beyond your departure date. We recommend making a photocopy of the photo ID page and taking it on your trip, separate from your passport. If your passport is lost or stolen, the photocopy will help considerably for facilitating a replacement.
Immunizations
We strongly recommend checking with your personal physician once you have booked your cruise to see what, if any, immunizations may be required.
Special Needs
The Special Needs Form helps identify any special accommodations needed on your cruise or tour as the result of a disability or medical condition. Our primary concern is the health, safety and well being of our guests and crew. Due to limited medical facilities onboard our vessels, guests with serious medical conditions or women with pregnancy complications or in the third trimester of pregnancy should consult their physician to determine whether travel is appropriate.
Guests in need of services of a personal nature, such as assistance in eating, toileting, or dressing, are responsible for arranging for such services and are encouraged to travel with a companion for such purposes.
Special Dietary Needs
Our chefs will do their very best to address your dietary needs and concerns. Please keep in mind that due to many of the areas we cruise in may have limited food preparation facilities, and perhaps limited special product availability. We may have to adjust or alter your request, but will make every effort to meet your dietary needs.
Credit Card Payments
For all prices quoted in foreign currency rates, credit card charges will appear in New Zealand Dollars and your credit card charges will reflect the difference in currency. You are advised to check with a published currency converter prior to final charges being booked on your credit card. Island Escape Cruises will not issue refunds for currency fluctutaions. Overseas payments made by bank transfer can be made in Australian Dollars directly to our account without incurring any currency flucuations.