Chartered Cruise Information
1. Will I need a visa?
US Citizens do not need a visa to travel to Greece or Italy. Visas are required for Turkey. These will be handled by the cruise line* and there is nothing you need to do in advance. It is the responsibility of non-US citizens (including green card holders) to ensure they have the proper paper work to enter these countries.
*Passengers taking a pre or post tour that begins or ends in Turkey will have to purchase a Turkish visa upon arrival into Turkey or disembarkation from the ship. They are $20 and must be paid in cash in US dollars.
2. How soon do I need to choose a pre- or post-tour?
Immediately. These tours can be added if spaces is available up to 90 days prior to departure. If you participate in a pre-tour without the rest of your group, you will met your group when you board the ship.
3. When are payments due?
$400 is due at the time of registration. $1000 is due at the time of registration if the registration is received within 6 months of the departure. A total of $1000 is required on your account by 6 months prior to departure. Final Payment for the trip, including optional insurance premium if applicable, is due 105 days prior to departure. Thereafter, a late payment fee of $100 will be assessed.
Please note: Insurance cannot be added after your final payment is made. Once the insurance premium is paid, it is non-refundable.
4. What airline will be used?
We have used many airlines, including Lufthansa, Swiss International, Delta, Alitalia, Air France, British Airways, Continental, Iberia, etc.
5. What is the time difference in our time zones?
Greece, Turkey and Israel are seven hours and Italy is six hours ahead of Eastern time.
6. What meals are included in my journey?
Breakfast and dinner are provided during all hotel stays, whether they are a part of your basic tour or a pre or post-tour option. Three meals daily will be served during the cruise (with an occasional exception in specific locations that will be listed on your brochure. If, due to the shore excursion schedule you will be off the ship during lunch, your lunch may be provided in a local restaurant or by means of a boxed lunch prepared by the ship. Dining room menus offer several selections for each course. You may choose to eat on your own when the ship is in port if time permits.
7. How long is the typical sightseeing day?
On some days, you will depart the hotel or ship between 7:00-9:00AM and return in the late afternoon around 5:00-6:00PM. While on land, your guide will announce the sightseeing schedule. Other days will be shorter with later departures and/or earlier afternoon returns to the ship.
NOTE: On the ship, a daily program outlining the details of the following day will be placed in your cabin during the early evening.
8. What are the rest rooms like in Greece, Turkey and Italy?
You will find mostly American-style restrooms. Occasionally in Greece and Turkey, men and women will find porcelain-rimmed holes in the floor. You should travel each day with tissues and/or wipes. You may also be required to pay a small fee to use the rest room in some areas.
9. How much money should I bring?
Most everything has been included in your tour cost with the exception of lunches (pre and post tours only), shopping, optional tours (where applicable). A love offering will be collected for guides and drivers (see #13 below). Having plenty of small bills is advisable.
10. What type of currency is used?
- For Paul's 2nd & 3rd Journey:
Greece: the official currency is the Euro.
Turkey: the official currency is the Turkish Lira, they will accept Euros and US dollars.
- For Paul's 4th Journey:
Greece: the official currency is the Euro.
Italy: the official currency is the Euro.
Malta: the official currency is the Maltese Lira.
- For Paul's 1st Journey:
Greece: the official currency is the Euro.
Turkey: the official currency is the Turkish Lira, they will accept Euros and US dollars.
Cyprus: the official currency is the Cyprus Pounds
Israel: the official currency is the Shekel, though US dollars are widely accepted.
11. Should I exchange some money before departure?
Before leaving the US, you may wish to exchange a small sum of Dollars into Euros as this will be the main currency used on your trip.
12. Will US currency be accepted for extra expenses?
In some cases US dollars will be accepted, but the Euro is always accepted.
13. What can you tell me about the "love offering" for our guides and drivers?
Our suggested amount for the voluntary love offering is $3.00 per person/per day for your guide and $2.00 per person/per day for your driver (these amounts are per person and can be paid with US dollars or Euros). Your Bus Captain will pass an envelope daily as your guides and drivers can change daily at each port. Having plenty of small bills is advisable.
14. Are there any other "tips" I need to pay?
Rendering gracious, attentive service is an honor for the ship's crew. While tipping on board a ship is a long-standing tradition, it is also an individual way of saying "thank you" to the personnel who serve you. By paying your account in full, you have already paid the standard tip amounts for all those on board who will be serving you. However, should you receive service you believe is "above and beyond" the norm, or ask for extra services (such as room service), please feel free to tip personally anyone you feel necessary.
15. What will the weather be like?
Check
www.weatherbase.com for information or we can offer the following averages:
- March - April: Athens: 65/50 Israel: 83/50
- November: Athens: 64/52 Rome: 63/46
16. What type of clothes should I bring?
Layer clothing as the mornings and evenings may be cool. Bring a compact raincoat, a small umbrella, and a hat to protect you from both the rain and sun. For shore excursions, wear loose, comfortable cottons or other lightweight clothing that can be layered. Some of the tours involve long bus rides and/or considerable walking, so comfort is essential. Comfortable walking shoes are a must! On tours that include places of worship, shorts and bare shoulders are not permitted.
Clothing on board:
A: Day-Casual clothing is the most practical. For ladies, slacks, skirts, jeans and loose attire are comfortable for daytime. Men will find jeans, slacks and sport shirts popular daytime attire. The dining room dress code for breakfast and lunch is casual.
B: Evening dress - There will be two gala dinners during your cruise for which men may want a jacket (tie is optional) and for the ladies a church dress or nice pant suit would be appropriate.
17. I have limited mobility. What special facilities are available?
Due to the lack of handicapped accessible facilities in Greece, Turkey, Italy and on the cruise ship, persons confined to a wheelchair or in need of ambulatory assistance will find travel on this program nearly impossible. The cabins on the ship are not wheelchair accessible and there are barriers between public rooms on board. The ancient ruins of Greece, Turkey and Italy are covered with many loose, uneven stones and most are only accessible by foot. Access to and from the ship is via gangway. Sometimes it is at the level of the pier and sometimes the use of stairs is required. We require that anyone traveling with a portable wheelchair for use on excurions have a capable companion to accompany/assist them during their travels.
Please Note: Due to liability, EO staffmembers and ship's crew members are not allowed to assist passengers who are using mobility devices, including wheelchairs, or who need ambulatory assistance.
18. What cruise line/ship are we using?
The mv Cristal is a Greek operated cruise ship with a multi-national crew owned by Louis Cruise Lines.
19. What is the procedure for boarding the ship?
Upon arrival at the cruise terminal, you will check in with the cruise line. At that time you will surrender your passport for the duration of the cruise. You will then be issued a boarding card that will swiped by ship's security each time you embark and disembark the ship.
20. Why must I surrender my passport?
Passports are held at the Purser's Office throughout the cruise to expedite immigration processing when the ship arrives in foreign ports. You will pick up your passport on the final day of the cruise.
21. How does my luggage get to my cabin? As always, you will be responsible for your carry-on bag.
22. How is money handled on board ship?
A shipboard account will be set up for you upon registration of a credit card or with a cash deposit onboard. Your boarding card will be used for all onboard purchases which are in Euros. If you register a credit card, your account will automatically be settled at the end of the cruise. With a cash deposit, your account can be settled with either Euros or US dollars. You may use Visa, MasterCard or American Express. The ship is unable to accept personal checks.
23. What else can you tell me about the ship?
- Air Conditioning: The ship is fully air-conditioned.
- Full Service Beauty Salon and Spa: We recommend passengers book their appointment as soon as possible after embarkation. Special discounts will be offered for various treatments during the cruise.
- Cabin Service: Room service is available 24 hours a day for a fee. You will find the menu/price list in your cabin.
- Deck Chairs: Deck chairs are complimentary and available without reservation.
- Electric Current: The mv Cristal is equipped with 220 volt outlets. Adapters are needed. Adapters can be borrowed from reception for your stay onboard.
- Hairdryers: Hairdryers are provided in all cabins regardless of category.
- Laundy and Pressing: The ship offers pressing and laundry services for a fee. There are no self-service washers or dryers onboard.
- Medical Services: A qualified physician will be aboard the ship. Office hours are posted in the daily program, but emergencies are attended to immediately at all times. A customary fee is charged for most services and medications.
- Smoking: Smoking is not permitted inside the ship at any time. Smoking is only allowed on the outside decks.
- Valuables: Our best advice is to leave valuables at home. For your convenience, each cabin contains a mini-safe.
- Internet Services: Internet services are available on the ship at a rate of 10 euros per hour. There is no wireless service available onboard. There are also no connections for a laptop.
24. Should I make a dining room reservation?
Reservations for dinner are not necessary. Your assigned dining time will alternate between early and main dining. Since the vast majority of our passengers prefer first dining, this gives everyone an equal opportunity. Upon embarkation, you will find a dining card in your cabin with your table number and dining time for the first evening. Your table number will remain the same throughout the cruise. The alternating dining schedule will be listed in the daily program.
25. May I request a special diet?
The ship is fully prepared to satisfy requests for special diets if furnished in writing at least 60 days prior to the cruise.
26. Can my family contact me on the ship?
The satellite phone number for the ship will be provided in your final itinerary package. The rate for this service is much higher than radio communication and regular long distance calling from shore. Tariff information may be obtained from your local telephone company. Since communication with the ship operates via satellite, you cannot be reached while in port. Contact should be made during the evening hours while you are sailing. In the event of an emergency, the best way for someone to reach you is to contact our office.
27. Will the services of hospitality or other EO staff be available?
The EO Cruise Director and the EO Charter Cruise Hospitality Team will accompany you on this tour and will have posted hours while on the ship.