PS Australian Star

Luggage Requirements
Due to the limited space in your cabin, we recommend only packing your essential items. Please note there is a restricted luggage weight limit of 16kg per person. Luggage can be stored under your bed, giving you more space to enjoy your cabin.

Clothing

While personal preferences vary, we recommend considering the time of year you are travelling and packing a variety of warm and cool clothing to suit the climate. Bring enough lightweight, comfortable clothing to last for a week, along with appropriate footwear. We also recommend packing a pair of binoculars to make the most of wildlife viewing and scenic landscapes during your journey. Drip-dry clothing is easy to launder and requires no ironing. The dress code aboard the ship is relaxed. Light, comfortable clothing is ideal during the day, while smart casual attire is recommended in the evenings on board the ship. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for time spent ashore. If you bring a CPAP machine, pack an extension cord to ensure access to a power point.

It’s important for you to be as healthy as possible before you travel, and to maintain your health by applying good hygiene practices while on tour. Respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses, while usually minor in nature, can spread rapidly within a tour group, and have a major impact on everyone’s enjoyment. APT is committed to reducing the spread of infections on tours. We ask that you read and follow our recommendations to ensure a healthy, safe and enjoyable holiday for you and your fellow travellers.

See Your GP

Your GP or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventative measures. We recommend you consult your GP or local travel clinic for detailed advice to ensure maximum pre-travel preparation. Please take a copy of your travel itinerary with you to assist your GP with the recommendations of appropriate medication. It may be wise to ask your doctor to prepare your medical history for a doctor, should you need to see one on your cruise. It should include your name, address, emergency contact, blood type, medical history, current medications and dosages, drug allergies, reasons for prior hospitalisation and a list of vaccinations and dates. A copy of your prescriptions is vital in case you need medical assistance. Prepare a list of any medications you use, along with your name, dosage, prescribing doctor and their phone number. Pack sufficient medication for the duration of your tour. Your medication should be kept close at hand in your purse or carry-on bag. Remember to leave medication in its original container so it can be easily identified. It is also a good idea to bring a copy of your prescription for glasses or contacts.

Pack a Medical Kit

A small medical kit is recommended for all travellers, as depending on your detestation, there may be no stops once you are on your cruise to purchase items. Your medical kit should include:

• Cold and flu medication (e.g. cold and flu tablets, throat lozenges, nasal decongestant).
• Your preferred painkiller.
• Medicine for gastrointestinal upsets (e.g. antacids, ‘stoppers’ for diarrhoea and a laxative for constipation).
• Other supplies including anti-motion sickness medication, plasters, blister pads, scissors, tweezers and eye drops.

Practice Good Hygiene

Washing your hands is the most effective way to reduce the risk of contracting and spreading infections. Health experts recommend washing your hands frequently with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating, after sneezing or coughing, and after touching high-contact surfaces, such as doorknobs, elevator buttons and railings.

Please be mindful of your fellow travellers with respect to coughing, sneezing and the disposal of used tissues.

Cold and Flu

Viral respiratory infections are the most common infectious illnesses affecting travellers. Colds and flu are primarily spread by people coughing, so please practice hygiene and respiratory courtesy. This includes washing your hands often, covering your coughs and sneezes, and using antibacterial wipes or hand sanitiser frequently, i.e. after excursions, prior to meals, and throughout the day. Influenza can be common during overseas travel. The flu vaccine provides protection against the strains prevalent during flu seasons. Consult your GP for advice.

Gastro and Traveller’s Diarrhoea

Traveller’s diarrhoea is the second-most common infectious illness affecting travellers. The illness can be due to a number of different bugs including viruses and bacteria. Viral gastroenteritis is generally spread by person-to-person contact; whereas bacterial gastroenteritis is generally spread from consuming contaminated food or water. Symptoms can include fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. The incubation for the illness varies depending on the cause. 

Symptoms are generally self-limiting and treatment includes rest, rehydration, simple diet, anti-nausea and anti-diarrhoea medications. Antibiotics are generally reserved for use when symptoms are more severe or protracted (e.g. fever, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhoea or duration of symptoms for more than two days). Strict personal hygiene measures, particularly hand washing, helps protect you from getting sick and spreading the infection to others.

Sun Exposure and Dehydration

The weather will 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.

Injury or Illness

All staff on board PS Australian Star have mandatory first aid training. In the event of a more serious injury or illness, medical care can be obtained at main towns. Please advise the crew of any medical conditions and any treatment that could be required in an emergency. In the event that you have to leave your tour because of illness, you will need to arrange your own return to the departure point at your own expense.

APT Health and Safety Protocol

APT has created a Health and Safety Protocol that all Cruise Directors are required to adhere to. You may be requested to assist in reducing the spread of viruses if you are showing symptoms while on tour. If you are showing symptoms of a cold or a virus while on tour, you may be asked to wear a face mask, have meals in your cabin instead of the dining room, or remain in your cabin until the symptoms improve. Refer to our website for our most up-to-date protocols.

Sleep Apnoea Machines and Other Medical Devices
Please let your travel agent or APT know as soon as possible should you require the use of a sleep apnoea machine or other medical devices while on board your cruise.

This tour requires a basic level of fitness. It involves some uneven surfaces, occasional steps, and short periods of standing. Sightseeing is mostly by coach, with easy walking tours of up to 2km that include stops along the way. Guests may opt out of any physically demanding activities or excursions, but must be able to embark and disembark vehicles and vessels unaided. River ships are different to ocean cruise ships — gangways, hallways, and public areas are narrower. Wheelchairs and walking aids are not suitable on these tours. All passengers requiring special assistance must travel with a carer. Crew and guides are unable to assist passengers on and off ships and coaches due to occupational health and safety.

Please ensure you advise either your travel agent or APT of any dietary requirements as soon as possible. Every effort is made to fulfil requests, but these cannot always be guaranteed. With the wide selection of menus and choice of dishes available, special dietary requirements will be met where possible. For strict dietary requirements, please check with your travel agent or APT concerning meals.

Please be advised that the entire vessel including your cabin is strictly no smoking, including e-cigarettes.

Starlink Wi-Fi is included on board and is available throughout the common areas and in each stateroom and suite.

There are no self-serve laundry facilities available for guests on board.

The currency on board is the Australian dollar (AUD). Guests will require a credit card (Visa, Mastercard or AMEX) or debit card to register your On Board account. All purchases on board will be charged back to your On Board account. Please note cash is not accepted on board.

We recommend you bring money (or a credit card) for incidentals such as refreshments or souvenirs not included in your package.

Each suite features a private en suite bathroom, flat screen TV, complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi, and individual climate control.

Drinking Water
The water from your stateroom or suite is not suitable for drinking. Bottled water is supplied in your cabin. Please feel free to refill the container from the water tap available in the dining room or lounge.