Practical Information

What to Pack
Practical comfort is the norm aboard the Aurora and for most shore excursions. Dress codes for dinner are relaxed and informal; Passengers may choose their own standard of evening dress on chartered departures.

Pack comfortable walking shoes with low or no heels and textured soles.

Aurora has a Jacuzzi on deck, so you may wish to pack your swimming suit.

Towels and Bath robes are supplied.

If you wear eyeglasses or contact lenses, be sure to pack an extra pair.

Note: Laundry Service on board Aurora is limited.

And we are happy to do a load of “smalls” to save you over packing.

Please note, that for your safety high heel shoes are advised NOT to be worn on the ship!

 

Electrical Service
Electrical service in Holland and on board Aurora is 220 volts/50 hertz. If using appliances from either the US or Canada you will need both a socket plug adaptor and a voltage converter. This equipment may not be readily available overseas, so if you plan to travel with an electric appliance, remember to pack your converter/adapter too.

All laptops / iPhones, iPads, iPods work happily & there are many charging point onboard.


Communications
Telephone Service: There are no passenger telephones on board Aurora.

But you can use one of Aurora’s guest Mac or Pc to Skype, anytime!

Check with your service provider… Many include free roaming for calls & data.

If they do not have a “vacation package” then Data roaming will be very expensive.

Cell phones: Your US Cell Phone will work in Europe if it is GSM (“Global System for Mobile”)

Internet:  Aurora has Wi–fi throughout the ship (best reception is in Salon)

 

Life on Board
Aurora is 132 feet long and 16.5 feet wide. It carries a maximum of 8 passengers and min. 4 crew members.

There are 4 twin/double-cabins on board. All suites are outside facing and have en-suite bathrooms with a shower, double vanity with an illuminated mirror, magnifying mirror and bathroom heater, towel rail heater.

Rooms are fully heated / air-conditioned with individual remote thermostat control. A hair dryer and a selection of luxury toiletries are provided in each Suite. Storage space in each cabin includes a bureau, chest of drawers and a large closet wardrobe. Every suite has a TV screen with Netflix available.

The main salon has a LCD tv and Mac desk top for client use. iPod, iPad & iPhone docks are also available. So you can bring your own music selection if you choose and Bluetooth them to the Bose surround sound system.

The dining areas seat 8 people at both our round tables.

There are 8 bicycles (18-speed) available for passenger use; suitable biking paths are available during all days all over Holland (bicycle helmets carried on board) and on most days while in France.

The cost of your cruise includes transfers to and from the vessel, all meals on board, scheduled sightseeing excursions and all alcoholic and other beverages.

You will find it difficult to exchange US$100 bills OR 100€ notes in banks and currency exchanges in towns along the cruise route. Traveler’s Checks are NOT negotiable in any European Banks or Shops.

The cruise price does include airport arrival or departure transfers, local gratuities and local guides.

The cost of the cruise does NOT include:

  • Optional hot-air ballooning excursion offered during the cruise (weather permitting).
  • Spa treatment
  • Golf
  • Rare, chateau-bottled wines. If you require them, please notify us, so that we may obtain them on your behalf
  • Rental of electrical bikes

Passengers who are disabled are asked to advise the Company’s reservations staff of the nature of their disability at the time of booking as some itineraries may be unsuitable.

Of Special Note

Non-charter departures require a minimum of 6 passengers to operate.

Children of any age are welcome on full-boat charter departures on Aurora.

Cruise routes are subject to change without notice.  Some waterways may be subject to occasional closures due to drought, storms, floods, canal or lock repairs, or other unforeseen circumstances that make navigation unsafe or impossible. In the unlikely event of such an occurrence, the following conditions may apply:

  • If navigation must be suspended, passengers will continue to be accommodated on the stationary vessel and the regular excursions will continue to be made, with cruising to be continued as soon as possible; or
  • We reserve the right to reverse the cruise route, cruise on another waterway,
  • Or transfer passengers to another vessel of similar standard.

The Captain’s judgment on any action or in action is considered final.

Individual and Charter Bookings: Terms & Conditions

Prices, Payment Terms and Conditions

(a) Terms for individual and charter bookings are: 25% of cruise price shall be due at the time of booking with balance due 120 days prior to departure.

(b) Cancellation charges assessed are as follows:

Terms for individual bookings and charter bookings are: deposits are non-refundable but may be applied to individual bookings on the charter date. Once initial deposit or final balance are made for the charter then these payments cannot be refunded unless the charter is resold. If a cancelled charter is resold, payments made on the charter up until cancellation will be refunded at the rate the charter is resold, which may be equal or less than the original cost of the charter.

(c) We recommend to all clients that they arrange suitable insurance coverage for injury, illness, loss of effects and holiday cancellation.

d) In any decision related to navigation, the judgment of the Vessel’s Captain on any action or inaction is considered final.

 

Force Majeure
Anything previously stated to the contrary notwithstanding, if one or more cancellations arise out of a material act of terrorism either in the United States or the country in which the Vessel is operating that has occurred prior to the beginning of or Force Majeure.

During the cruise, a U.S. Department of State Travel Warning or Public Announcement indicating a terrorist threat for a country in which the Vessel is operating, a Severe Condition (Code Red) issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, or other force majeure (such as civil strife, major political upheaval, major trade union activity, nuclear disaster or major natural disaster seriously.