Journey from Porto to the Douro Valley

The Captain and Croisieurope reserve the right to alter/modify an itinerary at any time, should safety or external circumstances make this necessary, changes are also subject to tides. This also means that included excursions will alter/modify to match the cruise itinerary. Some of the highlights may only be seen on optional excursions at an additional cost, or by exploring independently.

In the unlikely event that your cruise does not operate, then you may be asked to change to a different date. A full refund will be made available, should the alternative dates offered be unsuitable insurance

If booking more than 12 weeks before departure a deposit of £295.00pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 12 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 12 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.

It is your responsibility to check your passport validity. To enter Portugal your passport must: have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive and have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave. Sources of information include; https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

Please note your final documentation will be sent to you approximately 21 days before departure. Check in baggage is included with your flight. Weight restrictions will be finalised on your final documentation. Should you wish to take additional luggage you will need to pay extra at check-in. Check-in should be at least 3 hours before departure. If you wish to arrange Airport car parking or accommodation at preferential rates, we recommend you book this in advance with Holiday Extras on 0333 188 0407, quoting HX313.

IMPORTANT: A printed E-ticket is no longer required at check-in, all you need to do is present your passport to the staff at the desk and your boarding pass will be given to you. Please note that you should carry your invoice with flight details on it as you will need to show this at the airport.

We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras, including up to a 20% discount, which is given to all Mercury Holidays customers. To arrange your insurance with Holiday Extras, please visit https://www.mercuryholidays.co.uk/info/insurance for more details. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24 hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.

It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, www.travelhealthpro.org.uk, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.

This river cruise is accessible to most people with an average level of fitness and normal mobility. It involves getting on and off the cruise vessel managed by gangways and climbing stairs on all decks on board the vessel. On moderate days the level terrain on walking excursions are cobbled streets. This cruise is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.

The currency in Portugal, as well as onboard, is the Euro (EUR). We recommend that you exchange currency before you leave the UK, however cash machines are available in most towns and cities to withdraw money in the local currency. It is important that you budget carefully and ensure you have the right form of currency before you arrive in the country

Credit cards are accepted on board ship and throughout all major cities.

This cruise is on an All-Inclusive, so you will only need to take a little extra money with you to cover any premium drinks on board and souvenirs, drinks and snacks purchased when off the ship, as well as any optional excursions you wish to book

Tipping is at your discretion. There is an envelope in your cabin for these purpose that can be handed to reception at the end of your cruise.

Your cruise and excursions are not exclusive to Mercury Holidays and will be shared with other international travellers.

An English-speaking Cruise Director will be on board your cruise to help with any queries that you may have. While on excursions included in your itinerary, you will be accompanied by an English-speaking local tour guide. When exploring locally during your leisure time you will not be accompanied by a tour guide.

Your accommodation is selected for convenience, location, comfort, or character. Cruise accommodation is generally rated as a local 4- or 5-star rating. Please note differences in facilities and quality do exist between the UK and Europe destinations.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily are taken onboard the ship. Tables seat 6 people, so you’ll be able to converse and socialise with new friends, whilst never feeling crowded together. Tea and coffee are available on board the cruise vessel as well as unlimited soft drinks and alcoholic drinks, including a variety of wines and beer, both during meals and at the bar. (Premium brands are available at an extra cost).

It is not recommended to drink the tap water, even in developed countries water may contain unfamiliar elements that can cause upset stomachs. In less developed countries water is not filtered in the same way.

Please contact Customer Experience for questions about other dietary requirements or allergy information

On your arrival in Porto you will be met by a representative from our local agent, CroisiEurope, holding a sign displaying: “Mercury Holidays/CroisiEurope”. The Mercury Holidays/ Croisieurope representative will show you to your transfer vehicle and escort, you to your boat.

Embarkation Time: 6pm

If your arrival is before this time, you will be transferred to the docking area where you will be able to leave your luggage. You are then free to explore the city at your own pace until it is time to board your ship.

Disembarkation Time: 9am

If you have a late return flight, you may leave your luggage onboard the ship and spend your time exploring the city until your return airport transfer.

If you need to contact Croisieurope, during your stay the details are:

CroisiEurope

Amalia de Rodriguez - 003519 13 03 22 51 Torga - 00351 967 013 504

• Suncream and a hat with a big brim for sunny days
• Sunglasses
• Ruck sack or light bag per person
• Personal toiletries
• Insect repellent
• Personal first aid kit containing travel pills, rehydration powder, plasters, stomach settlers, antiseptic creams, aspirin etc
• Comfortable walking shoes such as trainers for sightseeing excursions