Flight Guidelines

To report delays en route (flight/weather)
US & Canada only 800-545-0008
Outside US & Canada 661-284-4410

Airport to first hotel transfers
If you purchased a transfer through Princess, you must provide your air arrival information to ensure that we are able to meet and transfer you. Please add air arrival and departure information into the Cruise Personalizer.

Accessibility

Princess requires notification in advance if you will be traveling with a wheelchair. In general, we request that non-ambulatory guests be accompanied by someone who is able to assist them throughout the duration of their tour. There are no lift-equipped motorcoaches available and hotels may not have wheelchair accessible rooms. It’s imperative that you bring your own collapsible wheelchair if needed; wheelchairs with air filled tires are better for uneven surfaces which are prevalent in Europe.

If you have special requests or questions regarding accessibility, please have your travel consultant contact Princess Cruises at 1-800-774-6237.

On Land in Europe

While in Europe, exercise the same common sense you would in any large city or unfamiliar place. Carry only small amounts of cash, and keep it in several locations. We recommend that you leave your valuable jewelry, keys and address books at home. Take the necessary safeguards against petty street crime, as it is not uncommon in tourist areas. Essentials like your passport, credit and ATM cards, cash, and travel documents should be kept in a money belt and in your possession at all times or in the hotel safe.

Time Zones

Europe's Imperial Treasures - Central European Time +9 hours Pacific Time
Classic Italy - Central European Time +9 hours Pacific Time
Ring of Kerry - Irish Standard Time +8 hours Pacific Time
Swiss Splendors - Central European Time +9 hours Pacific Time
Paris & the French Countryside - Central European Time +9 hours Pacific Time

Currency

Swiss Splendors	Currency Used
Switzerland	Swiss Franc

Europe's Imperial Treasures	Currency Used
Austria	Euro
Czech Republic	Crown (Koruna)
Germany	Euro
Hungary	Forint

Classic Italy	Currency Used
Italy	Euro

Ring of Kerry	Currency Used
Ireland	Euro
England	Pound Sterling

Exchange rates fluctuate daily; we suggest you check for the most current exchange prior to your departure.

Cash Expenses
Unlike cruising, cashless travel does not apply on land. Make sure to have cash and/or a credit card and valid ID on hand. Additional expenses will include and are not limited to: non-included meals at your hotel and elsewhere, room incidentals, shuttle services, laundry, non pre-purchased optional land excursions and gift shop purchases. If you wish to charge incidentals to your hotel room, stop by the front desk upon arrival at your destination to establish credit.

Meals/Dining
Daily breakfast is included in your tour, along with select lunch and dinners. Visit the Cruise Personalizer® for your detailed itinerary regarding specific inclusions for your tour. Your tour director will be able to provide you recommendations for meals on your own.

Dinners & Lunches: Please check your itinerary to see where included. Unfortunately we cannot process requests for special meals. Some venues may be able to provide for a special diet, such as vegetarian or salt-free, but this cannot be guaranteed, and where provided, tends to be repetitive. Any special requests usually cost extra. Please advise your Tour Director at the beginning of the vacation of any food allergies or special requests.

To help you budget: Approximate cost of soft drink/mineral water/coffee Euro 2.40 - 4.00, sandwich Euro 4.80 - 6.40. Please note that soft drinks and mineral water are often as expensive, if not more expensive than wine or beer in Europe.

Tipping
Gratuities are a personal matter and an expression of appreciation for genuine, personal service provided by knowledgeable and creative professionals. Below are suggested ranges (in Euro) to assist you in determining what gratuity amount is appropriate.

Service	Gratuity
Meals	Average 10% gratuity for server, may be included on the bill
Motorcoach Driver	Included
Escorted Tour Director	€3 - €5 (per person, per day)

Electricity Information
Voltage requirements can vary throughout Europe. Most continental countries visited will use 220 volts (AC) with two round prongs. England and Ireland use 240 volts with three thick, flat prongs. An international adapter and power convertor is recommended.

Cell Phone Coverage
Ask your tour director for information, as long-distance calling cards (AT&T/MCI/Bell/Telstra/Telcom, etc.) are not always your best option. If you do use them, please be aware that different access codes apply, depending on the country you are calling from (remember to bring this information with you from home). Hotels will probably make a connecting charge even to toll-free numbers. Various international long distance calling cards or local phone cards may be available at tobacco stores/kiosks/post offices.

For your mobile phone to function abroad, remember to activate "roaming" or global network-searching option (but find out the possible tariffs before you leave home, as this commodity can be very expensive).

Traveling with Children
Due to heightened security, many countries have adopted practices to prevent international abductions of children. If a child will be traveling with grandparents or with only one parent, it is recommended that a notarized letter be written by the parents or non-traveling parent stating the dates of travel and granting authorization to travel. We suggest that you also contact the appropriate consulates and airlines, who may have additional requirements.

The CDC recommends that you speak with your child's doctor about your travel plans outside of North America. He or she can give you recommendations on which vaccines or medicines are safe for your child. You may also want to consider bringing your child's car seat, as the availability and quality of such seats abroad may be limited.

Climate
This average low/high temperature chart will give you an idea of what to expect on your cruisetour.

Average Low/High Temperatures (degrees Fahrenheit)

Destination	May	June	July	August	September	October	November
Budapest	71/53	77/58	81/61	80/60	72/54
Vienna	71/56	76/61	79/64	79/64	69/56
Prague	67/47	72/53	75/56	76/56	67/49
Munich	65/46	70/51	74/54	74/54	66/48
Berlin	66/49	71/55	75/58	75/58	66/52
Venice	71/56	77/62	82/66	83/65	75/59	65/51	53/41
Florence	75/54	83/61	89/65	89/65	80/59
Rome	73/54	79/61	84/65	85/66	79/62	72/56	63/48
Como		75/59	79/64	79/64	72/57	61/50
Ireland		62/50	64/53	64/53
Zurich		82/42	85/46	84/45	76/40	68/32
Interlaken		68/50	75/55	73/54	68/50	57/43

Optional Land Excursions

Optional Land Excursions are available upon arrival in each city via your Tour Director.

What to Bring

We recommend that you bring casual, comfortable, easy-care clothes for the land portion of your cruisetour. Please be aware that when visiting places of religious importance, certain dress codes are required. Kindly show your respect and avoid wearing shorts, bare shoulders, low-cut tops and short skirts (above the knee) if scheduled to visit religious sites. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. An umbrella or rain gear may come in handy. Dress for evening excursions is smart casual; no formal dress required.

Luggage

All Princess cruisetours include our hassle-free luggage handling service every step of the way. During the land portion or your vacation, your luggage will be transported via motorcoach and delivered to your hotel room. Please check with your airline carrier for luggage allowance/restrictions and guidelines prior to departure.

Follow these important luggage reminders:

Essential medicines, travel documents, valuables and breakables should be hand carried in your possession at all times.
Princess will make every effort to assist you in safeguarding your belongings. But remember, you are responsible for your things at all times. Princess is not responsible for money, jewelry, cameras, binoculars, documents or any other articles you retain in your personal control.
All luggage should have a sturdy personal identification tag that will not be lost or damaged in the course of typical airport and trucked luggage handling.
On journeys including air travel, luggage will be subject to a considerable amount of handling and we would recommend that your luggage be of sturdy construction.
Princess recommends that your travel protection is adequate enough to cover any possible loss or damage which may occur. Any loss or damage caused by Princess or an airline must be reported immediately to the responsible party.

Luggage needed during Land Tour

Pack one bag and place luggage where instructed by your tour director. The bell staff will pick it up and deliver it from your room to the coach each morning you depart your hotel.
This bag will be transported separately from you and will not be accessible during transit.
Items to put in this bag include clothing, sleepwear, nonessential toiletries, extra shoes and anything else you might need at your hotel but do not need access to during the day.

Luggage not needed during Land Tour

Guests who cruise after their land tour should pack a separate bag for items they will not need on land.
This bag is perfect for the items you may need on your cruise but will not need on your land tour, such as formal wear, dress shoes, or dinner jackets. On the land portion of your cruisetour, the dress code is always casual so there is no need for any formal wear.
All luggage is delivered to the first destination on your land itinerary. Upon departure from that city, the bags will be securely stored and returned to your hotel room the final night of the tour.

Hand-Carry Tote/Backpack

You'll want this bag with you every step of the way, so include only the essentials.
Items to pack in this bag include travel documents, photo ID, important medication, toiletries, camera, and any extra layers of clothing such as jackets or hats.
Your hand-carry tote bag should be a size that is comfortable to carry and should be able to be stowed under your seat. We recommend soft-sided tote bags or backpacks no larger than 17" x 14" x 4" with a zip enclosure.
Wheeled carry on cases that are used to carry-on luggage on airlines are too large and are not suitable as hand-carried luggage on motorcoaches and trains.

Classic Italy Cruisetour
All of your luggage will travel with you throughout your land tour. Your Tour Director will provide further instructions. Your luggage will be delivered to your stateroom within a few hours of embarking the ship.

Imperial Treasures Cruisetour
All of your luggage will travel with you throughout your land tour. Your Tour Director will provide further instructions. Your luggage will be delivered to your stateroom within a few hours of embarking the ship.

Paris & French Countryside Cruisetour
All of your luggage will travel with you throughout your land tour. Your Tour Director will provide further instructions. Your luggage will be delivered to your stateroom within a few hours of embarking the ship.

Ring of Kerry Cruisetour
Please note that the luggage allowance on the flight from Cork to London is 44 pounds per person. You will be required to pay for excess weight at check-in if the luggage accompanies you on the flight. Please have a credit card or other funds available for this process. Excess baggage fees range from 10-11 USD per pound. Air tickets for this flight will be given to you by your Tour Director. As an alternative, excess luggage may be transported separately by land and sea from Ireland to Southampton by the tour operator. If you choose this complimentary option, your excess luggage will be collected on your final morning in Killarney and will meet you in your stateroom after embarkation.

Swiss Splendors Cruisetour
All of your luggage will travel with you throughout your land tour. Your Tour Director will provide further instructions. Your luggage will be delivered to your stateroom within a few hours of embarking the ship.

Service

An experienced and knowledgeable tour director will personally join you on your travels on the land portion of your vacation, taking care of all the details. A welcome letter with further details will be provided with your room key upon arrival at your first hotel indicated in your itinerary. It should be noted that the tour director does not accompany you on the cruise portion of your vacation. Local guides are used as well for their unique perspective and experience in their areas of expertise.

Transportation

Motorcoach Travel

Princess contracts with trained and knowledgeable drivers for your motorcoach travels.
Seating aboard the coaches is rotated daily.
Ample stops are made for photo and rest breaks.
Coaches are equipped with restrooms. Due to limited maintenance facilities, we ask that the restroom be used for emergency situations only.

Accommodations

Hotel Stays
While we communicate specific requests, bed types and room locations can be limited; therefore room assignments are at the discretion of hotel management. While the requests are communicated, non-smoking rooms are not guaranteed. As a general rule, check-out is before noon and check-in is after 4:00 p.m. Air conditioning is not available at some hotels.

Shopping
Sales tax or VAT (value added tax) is already included on price tags; VAT refunds, if applicable, may take up to three months to process. In order to obtain VAT refunds, special forms usually have to be stamped by customs. Please check with stores at time of purchase for information.

Shopping Specialities:

Austria: Swarovski silver crystal, Viennese enamel jewelry, Geiger lodenware
Czech Republic: Bohemian crystal, artistically designed multicolor glass, linen, classical music CDs
Germany: wood carvings and religious items (Bavaria), cuckoo clocks (Black Forest), glass, crystal, Meissen and Rosenthal porcelain, knives and scissors (Solingen), Christmas decorations (Saxony), toys (Nürnberg)
Hungary: peasant embroidery, Herend porcelain, paprika
Italy: craftwork, designer goods
Ireland: Aran sweaters, Donegal tweed jackets, Waterford crystal

Note: Anyone purchasing counterfeit items such as CDs/DVDs, bags, wallets, watches, sunglasses, etc. risk a substantial fine (equivalent to thousands of dollars); plain clothes policemen circulate in crowds.

More Frequently Asked Questions

Pre-Cruise FAQ

Onboard FAQ

Post-Cruise FAQ

Cruisetours FAQ

Common Questions and Topics