Before You Go

Helpful hints before you go

Passengers who have never cruised before, or who have not cruised with Voyages of Discovery, will no doubt have many questions to ask about the ship, our operation and other matters. This has been written to give you some general information about cruising with us, and we feel sure you will find it useful both before and during the voyage.

Our aim is the complete enjoyment of your cruise vacation, and all of our staff, both ashore and afloat, together with the ship’s crew, will do all they can to ensure this. The information given here is correct at the time of printing (July 2006), but is subject to change without notice. If you have any queries about your booking, we will always be pleased to help you. Please feel free to telephone us toll-free on 1-866-623-2689.

WHAT TO WEAR & PACK

As a general rule, for days on board and ashore, summer clothing/sports wear is the order of the day. It should be light, casual and easy to care for. A sweater and jacket for cooler evenings and a light raincoat are also advisable.

On cruises to northern latitudes warmer clothing will be necessary. In certain countries, shorts, short skirts, bare arms and shoulders will not be appreciated locally and you may be prohibited entry to certain sites. Advice will be given beforehand on board. On Mediterranean, Caribbean and Pacific cruises, the weather will usually be suitable for sunbathing, so don’t forget your wrap, bathing suit, sunglasses and sunscreen. For trips ashore and for getting into and out of the ship’s tenders, comfortable, sturdy walking shoes are a must. You may also want to bring with you a camera, binoculars, umbrella, sun hat and insect repellent. In the evening, there is a recommended dress code and some passengers may wish to dress traditionally in ‘black tie’ and evening dress for formal nights such as the Captain’s Welcome Cocktail Party and Dinner. However, a lounge suit or blazer and tie would be fine – the choice is yours. On other evenings, the dress code will be semi-formal or smart/casual. Details will be given in the daily program on board.

Antarctica - What to Pack

The importance of having the “right” clothing.

In Antarctica, wearing several layers of lighter clothing is more effective that one or two heavy garments. Clothing should allow you to move freely, be comfortable and allow for the free movement of perspiration so that you remain dry. Your layers should include:

Base layer: Clothing should be soft, comfortable and allow perspiration to pass through freely so that you will remain dry. There are many synthetic materials that are perfect for these conditions and some are treated so to prevent the build up of bacteria that make sweaty clothing smell.

Insulating layer(s): Several lightweight layers offer greater flexibility and better insulation than one or two thick, heavy layers because of the extra air that gets trapped within the layers. Whereas you may prefer to stick with traditional wool sweaters and natural fiber pants, you may want to try some more modern fabrics such as polypropylene fleece or pile fiber. Clothing designed with zippers, collars and drawstrings are easier to open when you are walking and exerting energy and can be easily closed when you are resting.

Outer layer: As this layer is exposed to the elements, it is essential that this garment be fully waterproof and act as a windbreaker. Discovery World Cruises will supply you with a complimentary expedition parka perfectly suited to the task and the environment.

Additional items you will need:

Wellington Boots or similar brand (knee high rubber boots) - necessary for keeping your feet dry and warm while embarking and disembarking the Zodiac landing craft and while onshore.

Nylon rain pants - thin nylon pants with elastic waist to go over your own clothing; good way to keep dry while on the Zodiac.

Gloves & mittens (2 or 3 pairs) gloves should preferably have with long wrist cuffs and if possible, reaching up the forearm; whereas gloves are easier work with, mittens can sometimes offer more warmth

Hats - insulated hat or woolen cap

Scarf or neck gaiter to insulate the neck and prevent warmth from leaving the body

UV Sunglasses - the glare from the ice can sometimes be uncomfortable

Long pants - these should be thick and made of either natural fiber such as moleskin or synthetic fiber such as fleece or pile fiber

Thermal socks (to be worn over thin socks)

Evening wear for formal nights

Other suggested things to pack:

Binoculars (1 per person)

Camera (lots of film), batteries

UV Sun Screen

Facts you should know about staying warm in cold weather:

Up to 20% of your body's heat can be lost through your head. Keep it covered.

Layer your hands and feet just as you do your body. Heat is most easily lost through the extremities including hands and feet.

Contact your local sporting goods store to locate these items.

PASSPORTS AND VISAS

All US Citizens will require a passport, valid for the countries visited, which must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date. At time of printing, visas are not required for any countries visited on our cruises, except Brazil, Libya and Turkey. Passengers joining our organized tours in Russia do not at the present time require individual visas. However, if regulations should change and individual visas are required, it will be the responsibility of each passenger to obtain and purchase their own. Currently passengers who wish to go ashore independently at any time in Russia will require a visa purchased and issued before arrival in the country. The procedure for obtaining a visa for Russia is very complicated and costly.

At time of printing, individual visas are required for Libya. Passengers must ensure that it is valid for all calls i.e Benghazi, Al Khums and Tripoli. Visas for Turkey are vailable at the airport if arriving by air and onboard if arriving by sea. Contact Zierer Visa Services for assistance with obtaining necessary visas by e-mail on: cruise@zvs.com or by telephone at 1-866-788-1100. For cruises visiting Libya, passengers with an Israeli stamp already in their passports who wish to go ashore must obtain either a replacement or a second passport before boarding Discovery.

Any non-US passengers will require passports valid for the countries visited. It is the responsibility of each passenger to check with the various embassies or consulates involved for their particular cruise, ensuring that they have the necessary documentation/visas to enter all countries visited. Any passenger arriving at the departure port/airport without a passport or necessary visas will be refused permission to board the ship/aircraft. Failure in this respect is not covered by the insurance and no refund can be claimed.

The ship’s purser on board deals with all immigration formalities. Where visa charges are payable locally these must be paid by the passenger. Advice will be given with your final details when this is necessary. To avoid queues at the airport, if our local agents are able to obtain these on your behalf in advance, they will do so and the cost will be added to your final invoice or on-board account. At least 60 days prior to departure we must have the following information relating to each passenger: name in full (as it appears on the passport), address, nationality, date and place of birth; plus passport number, expiration date, and date and place of issue. Passengers cannot be included on group visas if this information is not supplied in time.

HEALTH, VACCINATIONS AND MEDICAL INFORMATION

As health regulations are everchanging, we suggest you consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta or your local public health department. Please check the requirements of the countries that you will be visiting at least 8 weeks before your intended departure. At time of going to press, November 2006, Yellow Fever vaccinations are mandatory for passenger visiting Brazil. . If you do not normally enjoy good health, you should consult your doctor regarding the advisability of taking a cruise and being away from the usual medical and hospital facilities. The company must be advised of any pre-existing condition at the time of booking and of any conditions arising subsequently prior to departure.

CHILDREN

There are no recreational facilities for children aboard the mv Discovery and reservations for those under the age of eleven are not advised.

PASSENGERS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Discovery World Cruises will always try to accommodate passengers with special needs.

However, the following conditions apply:

Medical Situations: Any physical disability or medical condition that requires special treatment or medical apparatus must be reported to the company’s Reservations Manager in writing along with the first deposit, which is due at time of booking. These include, but are not limited to, wheelchairs, oxygen therapy, dialysis, guide dogs, etc. Failure to disclose a medical situation at time of booking may result in your being denied boarding at port of embarkation.

Health Care Companions: All passengers with special needs must be self-sufficient and must be accompanied by a passenger who will take full responsibility for any assistance needed during the cruise and in the event of an emergency.

Pregnancy: We will not accept reservations for women who will be 24 weeks pregnant or more at the time of their travel.

Disabled Passengers: We feel we should point out that we are not specialists in catering for the disabled or those with serious medical conditions. If you or any person traveling with you suffers from a disability or serious illness, you must contact our office for advice before you make your booking. However, we must respectfully point out that at all ports of call featured in this cruise program (with the exception of Harwich), passengers are required to walk up or down the gangway when embarking or disembarking the ship.

Wheelchairs: Passengers confined to wheelchairs must provide their own collapsible chair. Please note that in cabins aboard the Discovery there is a 5" riser to bathrooms, except in cabin no.’s 4140 and 4144 on Bali Deck, which have been adapted for wheelchair use. Some ports require tenders to go ashore and conditions may preclude a wheelchair passenger from leaving the vessel; this decision must be made by the ship’s captain and is binding. Passengers should also be aware that facilities for the handicapped in some exotic destinations may be very limited. Getting about once on board Discovery is relatively easy, however, you may find certain parts of the ship inaccessible.

Special Diets: We can usually make provision for special diets provided that sufficient notice is given. A good vegetarian choice is available on board ship. Please indicate any requests at time of booking. We will make every effort to satisfy your request, although this cannot be guaranteed.

Note: The company has the right to refuse or revoke passage to anyone who, in its judgment, is in a physical or mental condition unfit for travel, or who may require care beyond that which the vessel can provide.

If you do not normally enjoy good health, you should consult your doctor regarding the advisability of taking a cruise and being away from the usual medical and hospital facilities. The company must be advised of any pre-existing condition at the time of booking and of any condition arising subsequently prior to departure.