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The information below applies in general to Vantage European river cruising.
For information about specific river ships or river cruises, click
European River Cruises in the menu to the left.
Briefing sessions [top]
Prior to arriving at most ports, your Vantage Program Manager will conduct an
informative briefing concerning the daily schedule, local customs, and the
included features of the program. It is strongly advised that all tour members
attend the briefings.
Extending Your Trip [top]
Vantage offers specially arranged pre- and post-extensions on many of our river
cruises. See specific river cruises for details.
Additionally, if you would like to do some exploring on your own, either before
or after your river cruise, Vantage can help arrange the details. In most
cases, your flights can be adjusted for an earlier arrival date or a later
return date. When possible, we will also be glad to arrange your stay at a
Vantage preferred hotel. A non-refundable administrative fee will be assessed,
plus any additional costs that may apply to the air ticket and hotel. Transfers
to and from your hotel are not included when travelling independent of a
Vantage group. Please ask a Vantage Sales Representative for additional
details. Note also that some airline contracts may exclude changes to routing.
NOTE: Should you wish to make any changes to your plans to extend your trip,
please do so no later than 60 days prior to your scheduled date of departure.
Change and cancellation penalties apply to changes made after airline tickets
have been issued.
Your Health & Comfort [top]
Vantage wants you to have a safe, healthy, and happy journey. Our river cruises
are planned to combine just the right amount of activity and leisure.
For personal medical attention while on your river cruise, your Vantage Program
Manager can refer you to reliable physicians in the cities on your tour.
Please note that Medicare and U.S health insurance are generally not accepted
in foreign destinations. If you have an insurance claim, it should be made upon
your return to the USA and filed through your health insurance provider or
through the Vantage Travel Protection Plan if you have purchased it. Keep
relevant receipts and doctors' reports for processing your claim.
Jet Lag Precautions
When you cross several time zones to reach your destination, you often lose
many hours of regular sleep. Upon arrival your body must quickly adjust to new
sleeping and eating patterns. The result is jet lag. Its symptoms may include
fatigue, irritability, and vague disorientation. You cannot completely avoid
jet lag but you can minimize it. Here's how:
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Try to sleep on overnight flights
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Avoid heavy eating and drinking caffeine or alcoholic beverages right before -
and during - your flight
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Drink plenty of water and/or fruit juice while flying
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Try to stay awake your first day until after dinner
Pace of the River cruise
Vantage river cruises are planned to provide a well-balanced mix of activities
and free time. Certain river cruises, however, may prove to be more challenging
than others, particularly for passengers with physical limitations.
Passengers with physical difficulties or concerns about the pace of the travel
program should contact their Vantage Customer Relations Representative for tips
on which travel programs best suit their individual needs and abilities. See
also Medical Issues, below.
Your Personal Safety
Please keep in mind that in any tourist destination, you need to be aware of
your surroundings. We recommend that you use a money protector that can be worn
around your neck. Flashy jewelry should be left at home. Never place your
camera or purse down, or hang it on the back of your chair. Although incidents
of theft and pickpocketing while on tour are rare, it is important to be
cautious and aware.
Medical Issues
Click here to read important
information about travelers with physical, emotional, or mental conditions that
may require professional attention or the use of special equipment. "Medical
Issues" information also appears in the "Tour Participation Agreement - Terms
and Conditions" bound into Vantage catalogs and printed on the back of your
Vantage invoice.
Hotels [top]
If your Vantage river cruise includes a stay in a hotel, please note that
Vantage makes every effort to reserve only hotels that offer well-appointed
rooms and a convenient location. We remind you that quality of accommodations
may vary from destination to destination. Vantage strives to provide the best
hotels available that meet our standards of quality.
How We Rate Our Hotels
While some tour companies devise their own ratings systems (based on their
particular standards), Vantage ranks hotels based on the industry-accepted
classifications published by the Hotel & Travel Index (www.hotelandtravelindex.com)
- the travel industry standard.
Deluxe/Moderate Deluxe *****
Outstanding accommodations in every way, offering superior service, facilities,
and location.
Superior First-Class ****+
Above average accommodations, with many special amenities, including more
restaurants, shops, and usually a fitness center.
First-Class/Moderate First-Class ****
Comfortable, well-equipped standard rooms with private bath and attractive
public areas and amenities.
Please Note: In some areas where the hotels aren't rated, it's often due to the
fact that the hotel may be too new, too remote, or too small. However, the
hotel where you stay has been inspected and approved by Vantage personnel.
Religious Services [top]
At Vantage, we count individuals from all walks of life and all religious
denominations among our customers. Although we do not offer religious services
on our travel programs, services may be available in the cities and towns you
visit while on tour. Your Vantage Program Manager can advise you when religious
services are available. Please keep in mind that not all religious
denominations have a presence in every travel destination. We cannot guarantee
the availability of religious services.
Shopping [top]
Shopping for local merchandise is always a part of the travel experience. We
are aware that local guides do recommend shops on their tours. Always keep in
mind that a purchase is between the buyer and the seller. Always keep receipts
and credit card copies. Shipping should always include insurance in the event
of breakage. Some credit cards such as American Express also include insurance
protection for purchases, but it is best to check with your card issuer for any
insurance that may be included when you use your card.
Sightseeing & Cultural
Connections [top]
Vantage offers a variety of included sightseeing tours and special cultural
events to enrich your travel experience and bring you "closer to the world."
Our tours are specially designed for Vantage travellers. They let you feel the
atmosphere, gain a cultural understanding, and become a part of the area you
are visiting. They include all transportation and the services of expert local
guides.
Optional Excursions
Vantage makes every effort to provide the right balance of both included
activities and time for exploring on your own. We've found, however, that many
of our passengers prefer an additional guided activity in lieu of free time.
For that reason, some of our river cruises may include a limited number of
optional tours and activities, which you may choose to take at a moderate fee.
In no case do we replace an included sightseeing tour with an optional tour.
Optional tours are strictly voluntary, providing you with the opportunity to
visit an attraction that you may not see otherwise.
Transfers [top]
All transfers between airport and hotel/pier are included when purchasing
Vantage air. However, travellers purchasing their own airline tickets will be
responsible for their own round-trip transfers to and from the
airport/hotel/pier based on the itinerary.
Travel Itinerary [top]
Each Vantage River Cruise is planned with two criteria in mind: It must be an
interesting destination and the tour must offer good quality at an exceptional
value.
Although everything is planned well in advance of your departure, our ultimate
goal is to ensure that each departure is enjoyable, interesting, and safe.
Therefore, the day-by-day itinerary provided is subject to change depending
upon local conditions. If any significant changes occur in advance of your
departure, Vantage will notify you by phone or by mail. If changes occur while
on tour, your Vantage Program Manager or local representative will notify you.
Your Vantage Program Manager / Local
Representative [top]
During your river cruise you'll be accompanied by an experienced,
English-speaking Vantage Program Manager - at least three on every Vantage
River Cruise ship. You will also benefit from the insights of expert Local
Representatives. Both your Program Manager and Local Representatives can give
you suggestions on the best restaurants, shops, and local sights; help
coordinate optional tours and excursions; and assist in any manner possible.
Vantage Hospitality Desk [top]
For your convenience, a Vantage Hospitality Desk will be available during
scheduled hours aboard your river cruise ship (staffed by an experienced team
of local travel professionals or by your Vantage Program Manager). The desk
hours vary, depending on your daily scheduling. Tour members will be advised of
the desk.
Water Levels [top]
River cruising is one of the easiest, most enjoyable forms of travel. However,
please be aware that European weather conditions occasionally cause excessively
high or low river levels that may require adjustments to your itinerary.
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