Money on Shore

When travelling, it is always a good idea to have money in various formats – cash, credit card, and traveller’s checks should you desire, though these are becoming more and more rare and banks seem reluctant to deal with them. Never keep all of your money in the same place. Be sure to stash it in various places to avoid disasters should unwanted accidents, theft, or pickpockets cross your path. It is best to have a little cash on hand in the local currency when you arrive in the country, which can usually be ordered from a bank in your home country. However, for the most favourable currency-exchange rate, it is best to withdraw money with a credit/debit card from a distributor shortly after arrival.

The Euro zone currently includes Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. The newer EU member states of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland may implement the Euro in 2007 or 2008 and in some tourist areas they are accepted, though you will receive change back in the local currency.

Facilities and Activities on Board

Facilities and Activities on River ships

River ships are equipped with air-conditioning in all passenger areas, plus a variety of on-board facilities, providing a multitude of possible activities. These vary from ship to ship, but can range from small pools, workout rooms and fitness classes, to spas, hair and nail salons, and boutiques. Activities often include board- and card-games, a library (with a mixture of novels, literary works, and travel guides), and possible on-deck games, such as table tennis or shuffleboard.

Facilities and Activities on Barges

Barges are more intimate in size than river ships, and though air-conditioning is standard in all indoor passenger areas, the facilities are usually not as elaborate as on river ships. Nevertheless, some of the more luxurious barges may have a small pool, Jacuzzi, and/or a workout room. Typically the activities on board a barge consist of relaxing on deck and watching the scenery go by, enjoying a variety of board and card games, chatting with the crew, reading -usually there is a library which people can peruse, borrow from, or add to, and essentially take it easy. Additionally, depending on the canal or waterway, it may be possible to hop off at a lock and walk along the canal on the towpath, go for a cycle with one of the barge bikes, try a hand at fishing.

Smoking Policy

Many people smoke in Europe, Russia, and Egypt and there will be provisions made on board for smokers with smoking rooms or sections. Though smoking is generally not permitted in staterooms, on river cruise ships of mixed nationalities, there will be smokers who wish to indulge at the bar or possibly in the restaurant and designated smoking areas. For a non-smoking environment, it is best to book a river cruise with a North-American company as they cater to non-smoking passengers. On barges, smoking is generally not permitted indoors, though smokers can generally light up on deck. Address any smoking or non-smoking policy questions to the travel agent or river cruise ship or barge manager when booking your holiday.

Telephones and the Internet

River ships, especially the more modern ones, have satellite telephone systems. It is generally best to have a cell phone with you, set up for roaming, as the satellite telephone charges can be horrendous. However, check with your provider, as the roaming charges can also be rather heavy. There is telephone coverage throughout most of Europe, Russia, and Egypt, though there are some pockets or sections of waterway in which there is no signal. In this case, patience is key. Wait for the boat to go through the gorge, past the mountain, or around the bend and eventually you will be able to receive a signal.

For the internet, some of the most modern ships may have satellite or wifi systems installed, which makes accessing email very convenient; If this is not the case, the best bet is to find a cyber café or cyber station in one of the ports of call along the way. Most mid to large towns will have them, but in small villages they can be much more difficult to find. In small towns in France it is a good idea to check the local post office as sometimes they have cyber stations for public use, with the purchase of a card.