APT Solara

Our ships utilise the most advanced and environmentally friendly technology currently available, which has earned us Green Award 'Gold' status. We champion eco-conscious best practices with no single-use plastics, and menus that minimise food waste.

A high crew to guest ratio offers impeccable onboard service and all suite categories feature indulgent in-suite dining. Your ship will have a dedicated Cruise Director aboard, superb entertainment and a wellness host.

APT requires you to advise us of any allergies or dietary requirements both when booking and upon arrival with your Tour Director. Most suppliers need advance notice to cater to your allergy and dietary requirements. While APT will pass on your requirements to the relevant suppliers, they cannot guarantee that all requests will be met but will do their best to accommodate them. Please note that you may be required to fill out an allergy form for our third-party suppliers.

All river ships offer internet facilities. On board APT’s river ships each suite has free internet access, and select ships are equipped with a monitor and keyboard (a USB port is not available). Remember to take all logins and passwords with you to enjoy easy access to your favourite websites.

On all ships, wireless internet is also available. However, you will need to bring your own laptop or tablet to gain access. As all ships use a satellite system, routing may cause reception to be restricted at times.

Smoking is not permitted anywhere inside the ship, including balconies. Smoking is only permitted in designated areas on the Sun Deck. The same policy applies for electronic cigarettes. For the safety and comfort of guests, your cooperation in observing the no-smoking policy is appreciated.

Medical services are not available on board, as there are no medical personnel. However, medical assistance can be arranged from shore at your own expense.

We recommend packing a variety of light- to medium-weight clothing, plus waterproof garments in case of cooler or wet weather. Layers are a good option to cover a range of temperatures and to suit changing conditions. Comfortable footwear is a must, as some excursions involve walking on steps or ramps to embark and disembark.

The dress code is casual. Light, comfortable clothing is ideal for during the day, and we recommend smart casual clothing for evenings on board the ship. You may wish to bring something a little dressier for the welcome and farewell dinners. There will be no black tie or formal evenings.

If your sightseeing includes visits to churches, monasteries, synagogues, or mosques, dress casually while ensuring your clothes are clean and provide sufficient body cover (for example, cover your shoulders and wear trousers or a knee-length dress).

Luggage

As a general rule, passengers in Economy Class are allowed to check one piece of luggage with a maximum size of 160cm and weight of 20kg. We recommend contacting your airline carrier or travel agent for specific information prior to departure, as size and weight limitations may vary and are subject to change. Each passenger is permitted to bring one piece of luggage on your APT cruise or tour that does not exceed these specifications. Please limit your hand luggage to one bag with a maximum weight of 7kg.

Valuables and Security

Do not take anything with you that will create emotional or financial hardship if lost or stolen. Carry all documents, money, passport and tickets with you — not in your suitcase. You may find a money belt, worn inside clothing, useful while travelling. Never leave hand luggage unattended or out of sight in hotel lobbies or dining rooms. Avoid solo exploration of unfamiliar streets or areas. You should also avoid excessive displays of jewellery or cash. When sightseeing, keep all valuables locked in the safe in your room or suite.

We believe the below list will be useful when packing:

• Waterproof jacket.
• Sturdy and comfortable walking shoes or runners with a good grip.
• Sunglasses, sunscreen and a sun hat.
• Insect repellent.
• Umbrella.
• Passport wallet and money belt (cash, credit cards, bank cards, identification).
• Binoculars.
• Batteries/charger and spare memory card for your camera.
• A universal adaptor.
• Small backpack for day use.
• USB drive for sharing photos and images.
• Travel alarm clock and ear plugs.
• Personal first aid kit.
• Local language phrase book.

Although you will be provided with basic toiletries (i.e. shampoo, conditioner, soap, body lotion) in your suite on board the ship and in hotel rooms, you may want to bring your own brands or additional items to suit your personal needs. Packing travel-size toiletries is a good idea to reduce luggage weight. Store them in plastic bags toavoid leaks.

APT cruises and tours are not physically demanding, however, due to the nature of many of the sites you visit, some tours will require a good level of fitness and health to participate. Some trips may not be appropriate for guests with certain medical conditions and physical restrictions. Walking tours are often on uneven ground or cobblestones, and may include stairs or steep inclines. You should be able to stand on your feet for extended periods, whether visiting museums and other sites, or during check-ins for flights, cruises, and at customs and immigration.

Guests may have two garments laundered per person daily, with additional laundry services available at suite-listed prices. Dry cleaning and self-service laundry are not available, and irons cannot be used in suites for safety reasons. Due to the cruise’s remote location, laundry prices may be higher than usual.

When visiting countries where you are unsure about general hygiene practice, please take care if buying food from street vendors or in small restaurants away from your hotel, cruise ship or recommended venues. At these places, avoid raw fruits and vegetables, dairy products (including ice-cream) as well as meat and fish not properly cooked. It is generally safe to eat cooked meats and vegetables prepared in hotels and restaurants in tourist areas. Fruit that you peel yourself is considered safe.

You can feel safe eating anything served to you at the tour hotels and while on board your cruise. Do not buy alcohol from street vendors.

Sun Exposure and Dehydration

The weather can vary on your tour. Drinking plenty of water is important to prevent dehydration. A hat and good sunscreen are important for preventing sunburn, even on overcast days.