AZAMARA Cruises
AGE RESTRICTIONS
On ships departing from ports in Europe, Asia, South America, Australia or New Zealand, no person under eighteen (18) (a ‘minor’) may sail on any cruise holiday or have a stateroom on his or her own unless accompanied by a parent, a legal guardian or authorised person* who is over the age of eighteen (18). Please note that for any of our ships sailing from a port in the US or Canada, the minimum age for the above policy will be twenty-one (21).
For minors under the age of eighteen (18) at the start of the sailing who are not travelling with at least one of their parents or a legal guardian, written authorisation for an authorised person over minimum age to accompany the minor must be provided from a parent/legal guardian.
Minors travelling with an adult(s) who is not the parent or legal guardian shall be required to present (a) the minor’s valid passport, (b) all applicable visas and (c) *where the minor is under the age of eighteen (18), an original legally affirmed or notarised letter signed by at least one of the child’s parents/legal guardians. Where such letter is required, the letter must authorise the travelling adult to take the minor(s) on the specified cruise and must authorise the travelling adult to supervise the minor, sign applicable waivers and permit any medical treatment that must be administered to the minor which in the opinion of the treating doctor needs to be carried out without delay. A letter can be legally affirmed or notarised by a practising solicitor, notary or commissioner for oaths for a fee. If such evidence is not produced, the minor(s) concerned will not be permitted to board the ship or undertake the cruise. Azamara will not be responsible for any costs, expenses or losses suffered as a result either by the minor affected, the person(s) paying for their cruise (if not the minor him/herself), or any persons travelling with the minor who decide not to continue with the holiday as a result of the failure to produce a letter of authorisation as set out above.
Please note: the parent(s)/legal guardian(s) travelling with any ‘minor’ child who has a different surname to the parent(s)/legal guardian(s), will be required to produce official proof such as a full birth certificate/wedding certificate/divorce papers to prove that they are the parent(s)/legal guardian(s) of the child(ren) concerned. Proof of legal guardianship is also required where there is a minor travelling with their legal guardian. Individual staterooms can be booked by married couples whose minimum age is sixteen (16) (proof of marriage is required at time of booking). Individual staterooms may only be occupied solely by minors where such staterooms are adjacent (directly opposite or next door) to the stateroom of the parent or legal guardian of the minor. On board there are certain facilities where each entry is restricted by age. Persons using the AquaSpa must be over the age of eighteen (18). Full details of on board facilities with age restrictions are contained within the Daily Programme, which is available from the Guest Relations Desk.
The minimum age for infants to sail is six (6) months, as of the date of sailing and twelve (12) months, as of the date of sailing for Transatlantic, Transpacific, Hawaii, Australian, selected South American cruises and other selected cruises. For the purposes of this policy, any cruise that has 3 or more days consecutive at sea will require infants to be twelve (12) months old on the first day of the cruise. The health and safety of our guests is our number one priority. As such, in consideration of the limitations of the shipboard medical facility, equipment and staff, the company cannot accept waivers, releases or requests for exceptions to this policy.
Please note that children under the age of six (6) years are not permitted to occupy upper berths within any stateroom. Please also note that due to the height of the upper berths, these berths may not be suitable for the elderly and those with physical impairment due to being Pullman style and requiring a short ladder to be climbed.
Azamara welcomes pregnant guests but will NOT accept guests who will enter their 24th week of pregnancy by the beginning of, or at any time during their cruise vacation. All pregnant guests are required to bring a doctor’s fit to travel letter with them to the pier, stating the number of weeks they are pregnant at date of sailing, that they are fit to travel, and that they are not considered a high risk pregnancy. A copy should be sent to Special Services in advance of sailing (see section 4.2). Please check our website for full details. To ensure a healthy sailing, we request that guests complete a questionnaire at the port before check-in, to confirm if they are suffering from or showing symptoms of gastrointestinal type illness or other illnesses that spread easily from person to person.
PASSPORT & VISA REQUIREMENTS
If you are a Romanian citizen (including children and infants), you must have your own full 10 or 5 year (3 year for children) passport which is valid for at least 6 months after your expected return date to Romania. Guests holding non Romanian passports should check with relevant embassies. It is no longer possible for children to be included on their parent’s passport. Obtaining a full Romanian passport may take around 2 weeks, but you should allow longer at busy times of the year. All guests should check with the relevant embassy prior to travel for the most up to date information on passenger requirements.
Please note: that there may be a visa requirement for your cruise, particularly if you are visiting
countries in the US, Asia, the Middle East, China, India, and Australia.
Please also note that where there is a requirement to have a visa to travel to a particular country, even if a guest chooses not to disembark the ship in that country, a visa must be arranged as indicated. The only exception to this rule is Russia where a guest is able to stay on the ship in St. Petersburg and does not need to obtain a visa.
You must ensure that all guest names (including any middle names) are exactly the same as they appear on the cruise ticket as in their passport. If there is any difference, you may be refused entry onto your flight/cruise. Passport and visa requirements may change and vary by destination. We regret we cannot accept any liability if you are refused entry onto any flight or into any country, or otherwise suffer any difficulties or incur any costs as a result of not having the correct passport and/or any required visa(s). It is the sole responsibility of the guest to identify and obtain all required travel documents and have them available when necessary. These appropriate valid travel documents such as passports, visas, inoculation certificate, letters for unaccompanied minors and family legal documents are required for boarding and re-entry into the United States and other countries. Guests who do not possess the proper documentation may be prevented from boarding their flight or ship or from entering a country and may be subject to fines. No refunds will be given to individuals who fail to bring proper documentation. Certain Port Authorities may from time to time ask to see photo identification when you depart the ship during the cruise. We strongly suggest that you take a photocopy of your passport in addition to your passport itself with you on holiday and carry the photocopy with you each time you depart the ship, separately to your passport, in order to minimise any inconvenience this may cause and to help with any situation where a passport is lost or stolen. These requirements should act as a guide only and are subject to change at any time (Often there are requirements on passport validity length, even where a visa is not required).
DINING & DRINKS
Azamara offer open seating for dining in the main dining room, and therefore, there are no assigned dining times. Times vary according to arrival times in ports of call and on board events.
Room Service is available 24 hours a day whether you want an extra blanket or a midnight snack. Room service is complimentary, although you may wish to offer a gratuity to room service staff. A full breakfast is available between 6:30 am–10:00 am in guests’ staterooms.
Alcohol policy
The minimum drinking age for all alcoholic beverages on Azamara ships is twenty-one (21). However on International cruises departing from ports in Europe, Asia, South America and Australasia, where the legal drinking age is typically lower, the minimum drinking age is lowered to eighteen (18). All guests must agree to comply with Azamara’s Guest Conduct policies. We reserve the right to vary minimum age limits without notice where local laws require or where deemed desirable or necessary. Within the territorial waters of some countries on your itinerary or the embarkation port, the on board shops may be closed or alternatively restrictions may be imposed on some items available for purchase. Please note: some of our cruise itineraries call exclusively upon EU ports of call and for such cruises we are required to charge VAT (value added tax) on certain on board goods and services depending on the VAT regulations of the home port country or the country of a port of call. Such VAT is charged on goods and services at the point of sale and is subsequently paid over to the country charging the VAT.
You may bring your own spirit, beer or wine for private consumption in your suite or stateroom. If you wish to consume your spirit, beer or wine in any shipboard restaurant, bar or dining venue, each bottle is subject to a corkage fee of $10.
SMOKING POLICY
Each of Azamara ships have a designated smoking area. This area is located on the starboard forward section of the Pool Deck. Smoking areas have signs indicating that smoking is permitted there. All other areas of the ships are non-smoking. This includes Public Rooms, Restaurants, Pool Deck, Staterooms and Suites, Balconies, Corridors and Halls. For the comfort of all of our guests, we request strict adherence to this policy.
CHECK-IN
In order to make your check-in and boarding process as simple as possible, we recommend that you go online at www.azamara.com to complete your embarkation forms. Click on ‘Already Booked’ then ‘Online Check-in’ and submit these details online. You can then print off your Express Pass. If you are unable to print your barcoded boarding Xpress pass, this may be due to an outstanding balance on your booking. If you have booked via a travel agent, please speak to your travel agent so that the funds can be transferred to us so that you can access your Express Pass.
By checking in online for your cruise, you will significantly speed up your check-in process and will be able to board the ship sooner and avoid possible delays and queues at the cruise terminal. If completing your Online Check-In online is not possible, your embarkation forms will automatically be included with your electronic cruise documents. Please complete these forms before you arrive at the cruise terminal.
In the cruise terminal, simply present your cruise documents at the check-in desk where you will receive your Azamara KeyCard. The KeyCard is your identification card for re-boarding the ship in the various ports of call, the key to your stateroom and your Charge Card for all your on board purchases.
Your Stateroom Attendant will deliver your luggage as soon as possible after boarding. We recommend that items you may need, such as medicines are packed in your hand luggage.
We request that all guests check-in no later than 90 minutes prior to the scheduled sailing time to ensure luggage and security screening. Guests will not be allowed to board after check-in has been closed. Late arriving guests will need to join the cruise at an approved down line port of call. It is your responsibility to arrive on time unless you are transferring to the ship via our transport. If you are not on board at least 90 minutes before the ship’s scheduled sailing time, we shall at that time be entitled to treat your non-arrival as a cancellation by you and as such 100% cancellation charges will be payable and no refund will be made. Please note, for security reasons, you will not be permitted to bring any visitors on board the ship in any port. Boarding cut-off times for any port of call, destination or point of departure are as announced on the applicable cruise.
SHORE EXCURSIONS
To get the most enjoyment out of your visit to a port of call, we recommend you select one of our shore excursions, which have been planned by our travel experts and are recommended by the authorities for the particular ports. To ensure you do not miss out on your chosen shore excursion, we strongly recommend that you visit our website www.azamaracom (click on ‘Already Booked’ and then 'Azamara Shore Excursions’) to view tours available for your sailing and to pre-book your place. These must be booked and pre-paid at least 5 days prior to your sailing date. Alternatively you are free to explore and make your own arrangements at each port of call, travel documents permitting.
We strongly recommend that you reserve your place on the AzAmazing Evening provided on your sailing in advance of boarding if you wish to attend. As places are limited we recommend you book early to avoid disappointment. Please note however, that if you do confirm your place and do not participate in the AzAmazing Evening, you may be liable to pay a cancellation fee of which you will be informed of at the time of booking.
The staff at the Shore Excursions Desk on board will be happy to provide you with information and book your excursions. The cost will be charged to your Azamara KeyCard account. Please note some excursions are subject to minimum numbers requirements and may be cancelled if these requirements are not met. Proof of certification is required for all scuba tours.
Subject to our Booking Conditions, Azamara is not responsible for any injuries or losses sustained whilst guests are ashore, whether on organised excursions or otherwise.