ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES

Cabins and suites feature 110 and 220 volt current. The use of hair dryers, electric rollers, curling irons, electric shavers and other small appliances should be checked with reception, but for safety reasons travel irons and any tea/coffee making equipment are definitely not allowed. Each cabin is equipped with a hair dryer.

CURRENCY AND PAYMENTS

US Dollars are used on board during Winter cruises; Pounds Sterling on Summer cruises. However US passengers on Summer cruises will be able to settle their account in US dollars at the rate of exchange advised at the start of the cruise.  There is little opportunity to visit banks whilst on tour, although guides will normally help exchange small amounts if necessary, and there are not always foreign exchange facilities on board. For purchases ashore, many shops accept most Travelers’ Checks and major credit cards. A cashless system operates on the ship with passengers settling accounts at the end of the cruise. Visa and MasterCard credit cards, Travelers’ Checks and cash are accepted for payment of shipboard accounts, but personal checks are not.

As of January 1, 2006, use of an American Express card for onboard account settlement will be assessed a 2% service fee.

 For the following countries a supply of small denomination  inUS$ bills is always useful: ARGENTINA, BRAZIL, CHILE, THE PACIFIC ISLANDS, EGYPT, SYRIA, LEBANON, JORDAN, RUSSIA, ESTONIA, LIBYA, GEORGIA, BULGARIA, UKRAINE and TURKEY.

The euro is in general circulation in the following countries: Greece, Spain, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, France and Finland. In Poland, Norway, Sweden, Greenland, Denmark, The Faroe Islands and Iceland local currencies will be required.

DINING ARRANGEMENTS

Breakfast and lunch are arranged on an open-sitting basis and may be taken in the Seven Continents Restaurant or ‘al fresco’ at the Lido Buffet on Sun Deck. Continental breakfast is also available in your cabin. In the evening, there are two sittings for dinner in the Seven Continents Restaurant. The times will depend on the day’s program, but usually early sitting is 6.15pm, main sitting is 8.15pm. Your preference should be indicated at time of booking, and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis, but cannot be guaranteed.  On selected evenings the Yacht Club, situated forward on Sun Deck, offers an alternative dinner menu at no extra charge. You will be invited to dine here at least once per cruise and reservations must be made on board.

BARS & ALCOHOL

Please note that bars may have to be closed for the sale of alcohol and cigarettes in Libyan waters.  Only alcohol purchased in the ship’s bars and restaurants may be consumed on mv Discovery.

TIPPING ON BOARD

We are often asked for guidance on this personal matter which is entirely at your discretion. We suggest about US$7.50 per person per day which would basically cover cabin and dining room staff.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Our onboard telecommunications systems mean that you are never more than a phone call away from home or office. All cabins feature direct-dial telephones. Fax facilities are available at the Purser’s Desk. Computer facilities are available in the Internet Centre, and Wi-Fi connections are also available at two locations onboard.

Telephone- To call from the United States, simply dial the following number: 011+47-5-140-7480.  This will be charged as an overseas call to Norway at your service provider rate.

Fax - The ship has a fax number IAC+47-5-140-7498  should it be necessary for documents or other material to be sent to the passengers. Any fax message should clearly indicate the passenger name and cabin number.  While the vessel will do all possible to deliver a fax as quickly as possible, we cannot be held responsible or liable for non-receipt or delay in the delivery of such faxes.

Mobile telephones - mv Discovery also has a GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) service.  This means that it is now possible to make and receive mobile telephone calls while at sea, no matter where the ship is in the world.  You will know when you have selected the ship GSM as the words "IS SIMMIN" will be displayed on your telephone screen.  As not all mobile telephones work in all countries, we recommend that you check the status of your particular phone with your network supplier.

E-Mail - It is not possible for the ship to receive incoming emails directly for passengers onboard.  However, internet connections (for the retrieval and sending of messages from passengers own e-mail account) can be made from the Internet Center onboard for which a charge will be levied.

MEDICAL ATTENTION

We hope you will find it unnecessary to use the ship’s medical facilities during your voyage. If, however, the occasion does arise, it is comforting to know that we do carry a well-equipped medical center staffed by a fully qualified doctor and nurses. All health and medical services and personnel are provided for the convenience of the passengers and work directly for the passengers and are not under the control of mv Discovery. A charge is made for their services and we will require payment for any medicines or drugs needed. Such charges are normally reclaimable under your travel insurance.

SMOKING

Passengers are not permitted to smoke inside any part of mv Discovery, or on Sun Deck when food is being served, and are requested to smoke only in designated areas of the Sun Deck and other open decks. Smoking is not permitted on excursion buses.

EMERGENCY DRILL

Before the ship sails or early in the cruise, there will be a full muster stations drill. This exercise is to give all passengers precise information on the correct route from their cabins to the places where they should muster in an emergency, together with instructions about life jackets and emergency procedures.

LAUNDRY & DRY CLEANING

Valet service is available for laundry, dry cleaning and pressing. A laundry bag and order form are provided in your cabin wardrobe.  For passengers taking two or more consecutive cruises, there is a 50% discount for laundry and pressing (but not for dry cleaning).