Tourist Memo: Visas and Travel

Tourist Memo

Included in the cruise cost:
• accommodation in a cabin of the selected category;
• use of bedding;
• services specified in your tourist service agreement (meals, excursion program, etc.).

Not included in the cruise cost:
• costs associated with travel to the ship boarding point and from the disembarkation point;
• additional paid services on the ship and additional excursions;
• tips (the amount of gratuity remains at your discretion).

Additional paid services on board the ship
• use of bars;
• laundry services;
• issuance of additional bedding;
• rental of sports equipment (at stops), binoculars, etc.;
• issuance of beach towels*;
• use of billiards, table tennis*;
* if these services are provided on board the ship

What clothes to take with you on a cruise
A casual style of dress is accepted on board the ship (jeans, t-shirt, shirt, shorts, etc.). For excursions in ports of call, take comfortable shoes. We also recommend taking warm clothes (sweater, windbreaker): it can be cool on the river even on hot days. We recommend taking sun protection and mosquito repellent with you. If your cabin doesn't have a shower, it's advisable to take rubber slippers for visiting the shower room.

Mobile phone and other devices If you're taking a mobile phone, audio player, laptop, camera, video camera, or other equipment on your trip, don't forget to take charging devices with you. The vast majority of cabins on modern ships have 220V electrical outlets, but when purchasing a tour, make sure there's an outlet specifically in your cabin. Before departure, top up your mobile phone balance. Remember that at stops along the ship's route, there isn't always the opportunity to top up your balance. Additionally, searching for a payment terminal during the cruise can take up precious time that's better spent sightseeing.

Boarding the ship If you're departing on a cruise from a city other than your own, we recommend calculating your arrival time in that city taking into account possible transport delays on the way to the river station. Boarding and registration usually begin two hours before the ship's departure. The registration procedure takes several minutes, during which you'll receive your cabin key, as well as learn your table number in the restaurant and your excursion group number. At registration, you need to present your tourist voucher and identification documents. We recommend being on board the ship twenty minutes before departure. Responsibility for timely arrival at the ship lies entirely with the tourist. In case of delay or failure to appear for boarding for any reason, the cruise is cancelled and the cruise cost is not refunded. If you still didn't make it to the ship for any reason, contact representatives of your travel agency. In most cases, there's the possibility to catch up with the ship and board it later along its route.

Rules of conduct on board the ship and in ports of call Throughout the entire cruise, passengers are required to comply with internal regulations, observe safety rules, and follow all orders of the ship's crew and cruise directorate. This is one of the most important conditions for your safety and that of other passengers. Maintain cleanliness on board the ship and on the streets of visited cities, treat historical and cultural monuments with care. Respect other passengers, maintain silence. We strongly recommend paying special attention to water safety rules.

Ship captain and cruise directorate The captain is the commander on the ship, so everyone on board during the cruise is required to follow the captain's orders within his authority. You can always contact the cruise directorate with any questions or requests.

Excursion service In addition to standard excursions, which are already included in the cruise cost in most cases, additional excursions are offered to tourists in some cities, the list of which will be provided to them in the first days of the journey. Tickets for additional excursions can be purchased from the cruise director.

Meals on board For the convenience of tourists, one or two meal shifts may be provided in the restaurant on board the ship. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner times may vary depending on the ship and route. Additionally, one or several bars are open on board the ship, offering a wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, light snacks, coffee, and tea.

Purchase of souvenirs and other products Remember that on central streets, near river stations or piers, on monastery grounds, museum complexes, souvenir prices are inflated. The same souvenirs can sometimes be bought much cheaper in any store or stall, just slightly off the "tourist trail". Also remember that you shouldn't buy food products (berries, mushrooms, fish) at piers, as the quality of their preparation remains on the conscience of the sellers.

Information on board The cruise schedule, route, excursion program, ship layout and description, and other useful information are usually posted on a stand in the main hall of the ship. The ship's methodologist regularly provides travel information via radio broadcast, talks about attractions and interesting objects that tourists can see during the cruise.

Entertainment program Animators and artists on board the ship will do everything to ensure you don't get bored. You can participate in daytime and evening mass events: competitions, quizzes, live music concerts. A disco is held on the ship in the evenings. Young travelers are engaged with by a children's animator on board: various games, drawing and singing classes, concert preparation are conducted.

Medical service There's a ship's doctor on board the ship. First medical aid is provided free of charge. Just in case, it's advisable to have a set of standard medications with you: headache remedies, stomach upset remedies, bandages, adhesive tape. If you like to sunbathe, take sunscreen.

Insurance Mandatory state life and health insurance according to the Russian Federation Inland Water Transport Code is already included in your tour cost. You can additionally insure your life and health. You can get more detailed information from Veles company.