Dont be shy

Greetings cruiser

Hope you are all well and making the most of the continuing warm temps here in the UK. As usual at this time of year, as the temperature drops many of us are thinking about cruising to warmer climates and exotic places. I have recently seen a spike in bookings and if you are thinking of booking a cruise get in now as berths are now selling well.

Anyways what I really wanted to discuss was how important it is when you confirm your cruise with your travel agent that you ask the right questions and that the agent also does the same thing. We are seeing a small increase in problems later down the line which could of easily been sorted at the time of the booking, sometimes this can be the difference between enjoying your cruise or having to cancel with no refund whatsoever, something I am sure you you would not be very happy about.

So with that in mind, please always make sure the 3 most important questions are asked……….

*** Do you have any dietary requirements

Special diets should be disclosed to us before booking; however, it is not always possible to expect special diets to be catered for in some of the destinations we feature. We will advise the cruise line/operator/airline/hotel of your request but we cannot guarantee their availability. If you have an airborne nut allergy you must make us aware at the time of booking as most airlines require this information in advance of travel. Please note that all special meals for flights must be requested at least 48 hours in advance.

***Do you have any mobility requirements

Many destinations may be unsuitable for those who use a wheelchair, scooter or have a lack of mobility &/or have dietary or medical requirements. However we can discuss creating a tailor-made itinerary for your level of mobility & may ask you to complete a short questionnaire. You must advise us before booking if you do have any disability, pre-existing medical condition or pregnancy or any special requirements which may affect your holiday & provide details in writing whenever any change in the condition or disability occurs. On our tours with guides, they are unable to offer additional assistance to passengers with limited mobility & help will need to be provided by whoever the passenger is travelling with. We may request that you provide a letter from your doctor confirming your fitness to travel.

***Do you have any pre existing medical conditions

It is essential that you visit your GP or a travel clinic well in advance of travel, preferably at least six weeks ahead, to make sure that you have taken all the necessary health precautions. Some vaccinations require more than one visit with a period of weeks between injections, and some may be incompatible with certain medicines or medical conditions. It is therefore important that your own individual medical history is taken into account. For up-to-date medical advice you may wish to use the Medical Advisory Service for Travellers Abroad (MASTA)

There are of course other questions that your agent may ask you but the above are the 3 main questions you should be hearing before you make your big decision.