River Cruise holidays can often raise a lot of questions around booking, on-board packages, dress codes and more. We've tried to cover as much as possible in our below frequently asked questions, including some of the most popular questions we receive.
Got a question we’ve not covered? Speak to us via live chat or call our team today and they will be happy to assist.
You can make a payment over the phone, by bank transfer or online here
We accept payment by Bank Transfer – please use your WOR reference as the reference.
Santander Bank
WTH (UK) Limited
Sort Code 09-02-22
Account number 11163387
International Bank Details
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IBAN GB43BUKB20698583624439
Barclays Bank
Fishergate
Preston
By Phone via Our Customer Service Team 0808 250 0913
Monday-Friday 9am-6pm
Saturday 9-5.30pm
Your flight details will be confirmed by your concierge when you book. The following information can also be found on your booking confirmation:
You can find your flight locator/PNR on your invoice. You will need this in order to access your booking with the airline and complete your check in, prebook seats etc.
If your flights are organised by the cruise line and you want to pre book your seats please email your dedicated Concierge. Alternatively, you can call our Service Team here
Sometimes you can only prebook your seats 45 days before departure as this is when the airline will ticket the flights. If you want to prebook earlier you will need to have paid your balance and then contact your concierge to request for the flights to be ticketed early so you can pre book your seats.
Your Concierge will confirm your luggage allowance to you at the time of booking. RiverVoyages.com will usually book a minimum of 20kg. For internal flights within the USA, luggage allowance may not be booked and will be an additional charge however you will have been informed of this at the time of booking. For further information, please visit the relevant airline’s website.
Unfortunately, sometimes there are changes to scheduled flight times. Usually these are minor and will not affect you joining your cruise on time. If your flight has a minor schedule change we will update you via email.
If your flight has a more significant change that would affect you joining your cruise our dedicated flight team will contact, you to discuss alternative options.
If your flight is cancelled on the day of travel and your flights are organised by the cruise line you will need to contact them. You will find the emergency phone number for the cruise line and it is their responsibility to reschedule your flight and get you to your destination as quickly as possible.
If you want to upgrade your flight our Customer Service team would be happy to assist with this (link to contact us page). All upgrades are subject to availability and changes to your flight will depend on the type of airfare that has been booked, and the terms and conditions set out by the supplier.
In order to get your boarding passes you will need to check in for your flights directly with the airline via their website. To do this you will need your flight locator (PNR) which can be found on your booking invoice.
Once you have checked in for your flight you will be able to download your boarding passes from the airline.
It is essential that you make your concierge aware of any mobility needs when making your booking. This is particularly important if you are planning on taking a powered mobility device with you as airlines have very strict policies regarding the carrying of these items.
If your situation has changed since booking and you need to add special assistance please contact our Customer Service team at the earliest possible opportunity (link to contact us page).
For customers who have flights organised by the cruise line transfers are usually included between the airport and the port. You will have been advised by your Concierge if transfers were included and you can also check this on your invoice.
If you have booked your flights independently you will also need to organise your own transfer to and from the airport.
If your transfers are provided by the cruise line details on these can be found on your ticket documentation. Usually after landing in destination the cruise lines have staff at the airport to direct you to your transfer.
You can check if your passport is valid by reviewing the GOV.uk website and visiting the entry requirements of the country you’re visiting. You can find that information here.
All countries have their own rules for passport validity and expiration, and you should make sure that your passport meets these rules ahead of travel.
ETIAS is currently not in operation and no applications are collected at this point. We expect this to be in place by October 2026.
ETIAS is the European Travel Information and Authorisation System.
Over 60 visa-exempt countries across Europe will be required to have a travel authorisation in order to enter Europe. This document is linked to a traveller’s passport and is valid for up to three years, or until the new passport expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you will need to get a new ETIAS travel authorisation. ETIAS are expected to go into effect mid 2025.
What is ETIAS?
With an ETIAS travel authorisation, you can enter the territory of selected European countries as often as you want for short-term stays (normally up to 90 days in any 180-day period). This does not guarantee entry to the countries listed, and usual border security checks will apply.
You can find the countries listed which will require ETIAS authorisation here.
Who needs to apply for an ETIAS?
As a general rule, you will need an ETIAS travel authorisation if you meet all the following criteria:
You can find out more about who should apply for an ETIAS here.
How to apply for an ETIAS?
Applications are processed within minutes, though some can take up to 14 days. The application costs 20 Euro, though some travellers may be exempt from this fee. You can complete the application either on the official website or the mobile application.
You can find out more about how to apply for an ETIAS here.
The EES (Entry/Exit System) is a new electronic border control system being introduced by the European Union (EU). It is expected to launch from 12th October 2025, and it will apply to non-EU nationals traveling to most EU countries (this includes British citizens). The scheme will be gradually rolled out and should be fully operational by 10 April 2026.
What does EES do?
The EES replaces the manual passport stamping process with a digital registration system. It will:
How will EES affect travelers?
If you're a UK, US, Canadian, Australian, or any other non-EU passport holder, here’s what to expect:
Do I need to do anything before I travel?
No special application is needed for EES. However, starting from October 2026, most travelers will also need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorization, a separate system (like the US ESTA). We'll update you when it's time to apply.
Which countries are affected by EES?
All countries in the Schengen Zone and some associated non-EU states (like Switzerland, Norway, Iceland) will use EES.
I am flying to Europe to join a Cruise. Where will EES checks be done?
For Fly Cruises, the EES checks will be carried out at the arrival airport.
My Cruise starts and ends in the U.K, but visits ports in the E.U. Will EES checks apply?
No, EES checks will not apply as you are regarded as a transit passenger.
My Cruise starts in the U.K but ends in a European Port. Will EES checks apply?
Yes, EES checks do apply and will be carried out at the departure airport prior to you flying home.
The USA has a visa waiver programme, which lets British tourists visit for up to 90 days without a visa. You must get an authorisation from ESTA – the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation – before you travel, otherwise you’ll be refused entry. You can register through the ESTA website, applications currently cost $14 and are subject to change. The USA also has specific passport requirements, so it’s a good idea to check that your passport will be accepted. For the most up-to-date passport and visa info, visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/usa/entry-requirements.
Travel advice is contained within our FAQ’s along with links to third party sites that can ensure you are up to date and ready for your cruise holiday. Please refer to the FAQ’s contained in the “Passports / Visas / other travel documentation requirements” section of this page. This contains up to date information on Passport and Visa requirements, including information regarding the new EU Entry and Exit scheme. It also contains information on Travel Insurance requirements and health and safety information. We advise you to read the Travel Advice as it is your responsibility to ensure you are aware and can meet all requirements. The Travel Advice section can be accessed by visiting our website and clicking My Booking and then Travel Advice – it is listed in the main menu.
The EU is looking to implement new border rules from October 2026. This will require you to obtain an ETIAS visa waiver. The cost of this is approximately 20 Euros Per Person and it must be purchased in advance through the ETIAS website. It is required to enable you to enter most European countries. Please note that ETIAS is not live yet, but we expect it to be live from October 2026.
You may need vaccinations to visit some destinations. Speak to your doctor at least 2 months before you are due to travel. Some treatments, for malaria for example, should begin well before you go. If you are booking within 3 weeks of your departure, speak to your doctor before you book. For more information on vaccination and health requirements, visit here.
We advise that, whenever possible, you take out adequate travel insurance at the time of booking your holiday. Cruise lines require all passengers to have adequate travel insurance covering medical and repatriation, and boarding could be refused if evidence of travel insurance cannot be provided.
To get an online quote for travel insurance, please click here.
Note: These are suggested referrals only and RiverVoyages.com does not recommend any specific insurance companies.
It is important to ensure you are up to date with the latest travel advice for your destinations and cruise line.
For additional information and up to date travel advice you can visit here.
For more on security, local laws and general travel advice see here.
You can ensure you are up to date with current travel health news by visiting here.
If you need to amend your booking will need to contact our Customer Service Team via live chat or by phone on 0808 274 7745.
Monday-Friday 9am-6pm
Saturday 9-5.30pm
Amendments are subject to the terms and conditions of the cruise line, for more information on these please click here.
Please note some cruise lines do not permit amendments after balance due date.
We will charge a £50 per person fee when you request an amendment to your booking. Amendments can include:
This fee will be charged in addition to any changes in fare or fees applied by the supplier.
Yes, there may be occasions before departure when the cruise line have to change your itinerary before departure. This could be due to a few reasons such as inclement weather, port closures and scheduling conflicts.
If your booking is affected by an itinerary change our team will contact you via email to notify you.
You may be able to transfer your sailing to a different date. This would be subject to the booking terms and conditions and fees/additional costs may apply. Please be aware that most cruise lines would not permit a change within 14 days of sailing.
If you would like to change your sail date please contact our Customer Service Team on 0808 274 7745 who would be happy to help.
Yes, there are charges to cancel a booking and these depend on the terms and conditions of your booking. Click here to view the terms and conditions of the suppliers.
If you cancel your booking we will charge a cancellation fee of £50 per person in addition to the supplier cancellation fees.
If you need to cancel your booking please contact your Concierge or our Customer Service Team on 0808 274 7745.
If your cruise has been cancelled by the cruise line we will contact you as soon as possible.
Usually, cruise lines provide various options in this situation such as an alternative sailing, a future cruise credit or a full refund. We will advise you of the options available when we contact you.
It is essential that you inform your concierge of any mobility needs when booking your cruise. Especially if you will be travelling with a manual wheelchair, powered mobility device, or any mobility aid. This is because cruise lines have very strict polices surrounding mobility and accessibility and failure to adhere to these could result in you being denied boarding.
If your situation has changed since booking and you need to make us aware of any mobility needs please contact our Customer Service team as soon as possible (link to contact us page).
If you are taking a wheelchair scooter or walking aid with you when you travel, you will be asked to provide your cruise line supplier with the following information:
Is the wheelchair;
Is the scooter;
Dimensions required: width, height, length
If your mobility aid is collapsible, you may be required to provide both folded and unfolded dimensions.
Further information which may be required by the cruise line: make, model, weight
Battery type: Wet Cell, dry cell or gel cell
We offer several different options for airport extras separate to the official airport site, please call our service concierge if you would like a price for parking at a UK airport or other extras such as lounge passes and airport hotels. Alternatively, please find below the useful links to divert you to pre booking your official car parking at the most popular UK airports.
For official London Heathrow onsite car parking please visit:
https://www.heathrow.com/transport-and-directions/heathrow-parking
For official London Gatwick onsite car parking please visit:
https://www.gatwickairport.com/parking
For official Manchester Airport onsite car parking please visit:
https://booking.manchesterairport.co.uk/parking/dates/
For official Liverpool Airport onsite parking please visit:
https://www.liverpoolairport.com/parking
For official Glasgow Airport onsite parking please visit:
https://www.glasgowairport.com/at-the-airport/airport-services/parking
For official Edinburgh Airport onsite parking please visit:
https://www.edinburghairport.com/edinburgh-airport-parking
For official Southampton onsite parking please visit:
https://www.southamptonairport.com/parking
For official Belfast onsite parking please visit:
https://www.belfastairport.com/car-parking
Unfortunately, due to safety and fire regulations, items such as irons or kettles are not permitted to be brought onboard.
For kettles, most cruise lines do have tea and coffee-making facilities in the cabin and if not, there are facilities located around the ship- usually in the buffet area and often 24 hours.
Irons and travel irons should not be taken onboard as they are considered a risk to fire safety and therefore prohibited. Laundry, dry cleaning, and pressing facilities are available onboard most ships for a charge. A lot of ships will have a launderette facility available onboard, so that guests can wash and dry their own items of clothing.
Most cruise lines will allow hair straighteners to be taken onboard, but we advise you to check the website of the cruise line you are travelling with for a definitive answer. You should consider the voltage used on the ship to ensure it is suitable for your equipment and when finished, always ensure you unplug any items like this and leave them in a safe location.
Cruise ship cabins could be fitted with UK, US or European electric plug sockets. Most cruise lines have at least two varieties but it’s always best to check what type of plug adaptor you’ll need if required before you travel. Newer ships may also have USB sockets in the cabins, but older ships are unlikely to.
Cruise ship plug socket varieties:
All cruise lines operate a cashless system for purchases made onboard. You will be required to register a payments card (credit or debit) prior to departure as part of the online check in process. Please be aware that cruise lines may take a pending payment from the card that you register. Once your final onboard account has been settled the pending payment will be refunded to your card. However, this may not be processed until after you arrive home from your cruise.
Every time you make a purchase onboard you hand over the keycard issued to you by the ship and the purchase is added to your account.
You can often keep track of the spending on your onboard account via your TV on board or you can ask for a print out from Guest Relations. Some cruise lines also have an app you can track your on board spend. Any concerns about the items listed should be raised with Guest Relations onboard.
The bill will be settled against the Payment Card you registered during Online Check-In. If you have a card issued in the UK using Pounds Sterling but your cruise line operates in a different currency onboard, you may be charged a transaction fee for the currency exchange.
You will find some cruise lines provide an area on an open deck for smokers as well as designated cigar lounges inside.
It’s important to note that failure to follow the cruise line smoking policy can result in a charge to cover cleaning costs as well as a fine for disposing of your cigarette anywhere but the designated bin.
Non-smoking areas prohibit the use of cigarettes, cigars, pipes and electronic devices such as e-cigarettes.
Guest Relations or Guest Services on a cruise ship are like Reception in a large hotel. There are staff members on duty at Guest Relations 24 hours a day and they are your point of contact for any assistance you may need whilst on board or for any information about things happening during your cruise.
Most luxury cruise lines provide basic wifi for one device. You concierge will advise you if this is included at the time of booking. If your chosen cruise line does provide complimentary wifi for one device, or you would like to upgrade to premium wifi or add multiple devices. cruise lines offer Wi-Fi packages that can added to your booking. Costs will vary between cruise lines and individual cruise ships. You can add Wi-Fi packages directly with the cruise line once you register with them. For more information on how to register with your cruise line click here (link to registering with your cruise line section in FAQ once that is created).
You can use your mobile on a cruise ship but your network providers roaming charges will apply. You also need to be aware that once the ship is clear of land you will like lose network connectivity.
The best way to stay connected onboard, and avoid data roaming charges, is to add a Wi-Fi package to your booking. For more information on this click here (link to Wi-Fi FAQ page when done)
Most Ships will have a medical centre, and doctors onboard should an emergency arise. The ship’s medical facility stocks basic supplies of emergency medications but a regular pharmacy service is not available. Please remember to bring sufficient supplies of any regular medications with you, to last at least 14 days beyond your holiday.
Any medical services administered at sea are chargeable. We once again remind our customers of the importance of a comprehensive travel insurance policy.
For the ultimate enriching cruise experience, most guests opt to take part in at least one or two excursions during their holiday. These can be booked through our partner Shore Excursion Group (link to Shorex). They offer satisfaction guarantees, high quality excursion experiences, lower prices when compared to going direct to the cruise line and a guaranteed return to ship policy.
You can also speak to their team 24/7 with a toll-free number available globally, ideal in the unlikely event that you encounter any difficulties.
We advise booking your shore excursion as soon as you can to ensure you secure your place, as these can get booked up very quickly.
Most cruise lines also offer a fantastic range of shore excursions suitable for different abilities, ages, and tastes. Full details of the cruise excursions they offer can be found by visiting your cruise line’s website or downloading their mobile apps. To book your excursion with your cruise line, you will need your cruise line booking reference to access your booking.
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It is very important that you have the correct travel insurance cover when you go on a cruise holiday. Cruise lines require all passengers to have adequate travel insurance covering medical and repatriation, and boarding could be refused if evidence of travel insurance cannot be provided.
Some cruise lines also need evidence of travel insurance ahead of releasing booking documentation, so it’s key to ensure you select the right cover for your holiday ahead of travelling. We advise you check with the cruise line’s specifically regarding their requirements for travel insurance to ensure you meet their requirements for any certain cover.
You may not be entitled to a refund if you are prevented from boarding or traveling due to not adhering to your travel insurance policy requirements.
We recommend that you take out travel insurance as soon as you confirm your holiday booking.
We do partner with Just Travel for travel insurance, to get a quote for travel insurance click here
ETIAS is currently not in operation and no applications are collected at this point. We expect this to be in place by October 2026.
ETIAS is the European Travel Information and Authorisation System.
Over 60 visa-exempt countries across Europe will be required to have a travel authorisation in order to enter Europe. This document is linked to a traveller’s passport and is valid for up to three years, or until the new passport expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you will need to get a new ETIAS travel authorisation. ETIAS are expected to go into effect mid 2025.
What is ETIAS?
With an ETIAS travel authorisation, you can enter the territory of selected European countries as often as you want for short-term stays (normally up to 90 days in any 180-day period). This does not guarantee entry to the countries listed, and usual border security checks will apply.
You can find the countries listed which will require ETIAS authorisation here
Who needs to apply for an ETIAS?
As a general rule, you will need an ETIAS travel authorisation if you meet all the following criteria:
You can find out more about who should apply for an ETIAS here
How to apply for an ETIAS?
Applications are processed within minutes. The application costs 20 Euro, though some can take up to 14 days. The application costs EUR7, though some travellers may be exempt from this fee. You can complete the application either on the official website or the mobile application.
You can find out more about who should apply for an ETIAS here
Some destinations and hotels charge certain fees locally when you arrive or check out. These may include things like resort fees, city taxes, or tourist fees that are set by the hotel or local authorities.
These costs are not included in your holiday price and must be paid directly to the accommodation.
These fees are usually collected directly by the hotel at check-in or check-out. They are often payable in the local currency and can typically be settled by card or cash.
In rare cases, certain government-imposed taxes or supplier charges may increase after your booking is confirmed. This could include things like airport taxes, port fees, or other third-party costs.
If a change affects your booking, we’ll contact you and explain what has changed and why.
