Before Your Trip

What’s included and what’s not

Your fare includes: your cabin, meals, house wine with dinner, tours and excursions listed on your itinerary, Olivia entertainment and Olivia staff assistance.

The following items are not included: airfare, insurance, soft drinks, bottled water, alcohol (except where indicated), onboard incidentals, tips for tour bus drivers and tour guides, telephone, fax, internet access, shore excursions not indicated in the itinerary, and medical attention.

Travel documentation and identification

You will need a passport that is valid for six months past the date of the trip. If you are not a US citizen, please check with both your country’s consulate and the consulates of the countries on your itinerary to make sure that you do not need an entry visa or other additional documentation.

Vaccinations

Please check with your local Public Heath Department or personal physician regarding immunization requirements for all countries on your itinerary. You may also check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Web site at: www.cdc.gov. Just click on “Traveler’s Health” and then “Vaccinations.”

Travel insurance

We encourage all guests to purchase additional travel insurance. We recommend Travelex (www.travelex-insurance.com). In order to receive the most comprehensive coverage, please purchase your Travelex insurance within 21 days of your initial invoice. If you have questions about their coverage or pre-existing condition waivers, please contact Travelex directly at 800.228.9792 and refer location to number 05-0095.

Joining the Olivia.com trip group

If you’d like to chat with people who are going on the trip, sign up for the official Olivia trip group, Tulips and Chocolate Rhine Tour.

About Our Destination

Currency

The local currency is the Euro.

Languages

Dutch, German and French are the main languages spoken where we will be touring. You will find that lots of people also speak English as a second (or third) language.

Time Zone

Amsterdam, Zurich and Basel are 6 hours ahead of East Coast time (EST) and 9 hours ahead of West Coast time (PST) in the US.

Travel and arrival

Air travel

Where to fly into/out of

You will need to fly into Amsterdam (AMS) and out of Zurich (ZRH). We encourage all passengers to arrive a day early to avoid the stress of unexpected delays.

Suggested arrival/departure times

Flights should be made into Amsterdam and need to arrive by 4PM on April 12. Returning flights may depart from Zurich anytime after 11AM on April 19. Transfers from the ship to Zurich will be available for purchase as we get closer to the trip.

Discount airfare offer

Olivia travelers enjoy a 7% discount on American Airlines for flights to and from this trip. Travel is from US to Amsterdam (AMS) and from Zurich (ZRH). This code allows an open jaw between Zurich and Amsterdam. Dates of travel are April 2, 2009 - July 25, 2009. When you book your trip, you will receive a discount code that can be used by calling American Airlines at 800-433-1790 or go to www.aa.com.

Luggage allowances

While there is no luggage limit on the cruise itself, airlines often restrict (or charge) for excess baggage. Because each airline is different, and the regulations change over time, please check with your airline for baggage allowances.

Transfers and meeting up with Olivia

Getting to your ship

To overcome the issue of finding the ship and lugging bags, we will designate a gathering hotel on the day of embarkation. Coaches will take guests and luggage to the ship for the 4PM embarkation. Additional information will be sent to you in your trip information package.

Transfers after your trip

see below

Check in

Ship

Embarkation begins at 4PM. Additional information on the check in procedures will be sent to you in your trip information package.

If online check-in becomes available for your trip, this information will be posted on your Trip Itinerary page for this trip approximately 30 days prior to the embarkation date.

During your trip

Amenities

In-cabin amenities include: outside view, private bathrooms with showers, TV, hairdryer, safe and individual climate control.

On board amenities include: Sun Deck with 360-degree views, restaurant, lounge and bar with panoramic windows, library, on board shop, attentive English-speaking staff, laundry and massage services. (Some amenities entail an additional fee.)

Dining

Seating policy

Seating in the dining room is open. There are no assigned seats or reserved tables.

Times

Times will be adjusted for tour departures, but in general, they are: breakfast from 6:30AM - 8:30AM; lunch from 12:00 noon - 1:30 PM; and dinner from 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM.

Restaurants

There is one restaurant on board. Breakfast and lunch are buffet style and dinner is a menu service.

Electricity

The cabins have 220 volt electricity. You will need a plug adapter (German) and voltage converter.

Excursions

Some shore excursions are included; you will find more information on included tours in your trip package.

Gratuities

Gratuities are included in the cost of the cruise, with the exception tips for tour bus drivers and tour guides. Gratuities are provided for your cabin steward, dining room steward, bus person, maitre'd and other-behind-the-scenes crew members.

Internet/e-mail/fax

Public Internet terminals are available on the ship, however, they are best used for checking e-mail as the connection can be slow. The ship has wireless Internet access (fee-based) that you can use with your laptop. Faxes can be sent from the reception desk at a cost of approx. 2-6 euros per minute.

Laundry and dry cleaning

Laundry is available for a fee. Dry cleaning is not available. For safety reasons, irons are not allowed in the cabins.

Medical services

Medical services are available in port.

Money: Paying for things on board and in port

The onboard currency is the euro. All onboard purchases are billed with a guest check and added to your personal shipboard account. At the end of your trip, you may pay in cash (U.S. dollars or euros), or by credit card (your bill will be converted at the current exchange rate). The ship cannot accept travelers’ checks for payment of your shipboard account.

American Express, Visa, MasterCard, and Euro Card are widely accepted. ATM machines are widespread in large cities but can be hard to find in smaller towns. They dispense local currency. Please check with your bank to make sure your card and pin number will work abroad. It’s also a good idea to notify your credit card company that you will be traveling.

Phone

Each cabin has a phone. There is an additional fee to use this phone; please check your final informational packet for details.

Smoking policy

Smoking is only permitted on the Sun Deck. Smoking is not permitted in cabins or any indoor areas on the ship.

After your Trip

Transfers to the airport

Transfers to the airport are included on the day of disembarkation (April 19, 2009). In order to provide you with a transfer, we will need your departing flight information. More specific information will be sent in your final informational package.

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