FAQ

Question 1

About the cruise ship

Accepted Answer

* Features on Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas blend the amenities of a bigger ship with the cozy feel of a smaller cruise liner. Aboard, you’ll find inviting public spaces and well-appointed staterooms with all the comforts of home.Download a detailed summary of the ship’s amenities and available cabins.

Question 2

Passport & visa requirements

Accepted Answer

*   In order to enter Italy, Montenegro, and Greece, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
*   We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
*   There is no visa required for U.S. and Canadian citizens to enter these countries on a cruise.
*   If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Question 3

Tour pace

Accepted Answer

*   You will walk for about 1.5 hours daily across moderately uneven terrain, including paved roads, cobblestone streets, and unpaved trails, with few hills.
*   Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
*   You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times, as well as getting in and out of trains and small boats.
*   If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Question 4

Transportation

Accepted Answer

*   Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Venice and depart from Venice (or Rome on tour extension).A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
*   Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
*   A seven-night Mediterranean Cruise and boat rides are included in the price of your tour. (The tour extension also includes a train ride from Venice to Rome.)
*   All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.

Question 5

Baggage allowance

Accepted Answer

*   Airlines have varying weight restrictions on baggage. Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage; be advised that you are responsible for any such costs.
*   Contact your airline for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flight, but please note that our travelers are restricted to one checked bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
*   One carry-on bag of 45 total inches (length + width + height) is also permitted.
*   Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.

Question 6

Clothing & packing tips

Accepted Answer

*   We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
*   A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
*   You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
*   It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).

Question 7

Health

Accepted Answer

*   There are no major health risks associated with traveling to any of the countries on this tour.
*   At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
*   Sun protection is very important. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a broad-brimmed hat to protect your face and the back of your neck from the sun.
*   If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
*   Please note that codeine (commonly found in headache medications) is banned in Greece, and you may face prosecution if you bring it into the country.
*   If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.

Question 8

Shore excursions

Accepted Answer

*   Be sure to ask cruise representatives about shore excursions, as some are quite walking intensive. Also, please be advised that passengers who do not choose to partake in shore excursions are typically the last to disembark in that day’s port.

Question 9

Cuisine

Accepted Answer

*   Venice and Northern Italy are known for their meats and pastries. For more authentic meals, try local trattorias, small restaurants set away from the main piazzas. A typical Italian meal includes wines and the occasional beer, followed by a few sips of after-dinner drinks like grappa or limoncello.
*   Food in Montenegro offers a variety of flavors. Potatoes, cabbage, ham, and sausage might make you feel at home but you may want to try something new such as bakrdan (a porridge of cornmeal, potato, and cheese) or the tasty ćevapi kebab (a grilled meat patty).
*   Greece’s warm climate ensures a constant supply of fresh, high-quality fruits and vegetables. Salads served with aromatic olive oil, feta cheese, and oregano are plentiful. Simple grilled fish and meat are integral to Greek cuisine, as well as squid and octopus. Don't miss the spinach and cheese pies, called spanakopita.
*   On the tour extension, Roman food is typically freshly prepared and varies depending on the season. Must-try bites include cacio e pepe (a simple dish of pasta, cheese, and pepper) and supplí (a fried rice ball similar to Sicily's arancini).
*   The cruise ship offers 15 restaurants and dining options, including a wide variety of cuisines and dining atmospheres. Room service is also available 24/7.
*   Breakfast and lunch are open seating in the ship’s dining room, and dinner is served in two sittings (6:30pm and 8:30pm). Please confirm your time preference at check-in at the terminal. If you do not get the dinner sitting you would like, please speak to the dining room maitre d’ at the earliest opportunity. He or she will do their best to accommodate you.

Question 10

Electricity & air conditioning

Accepted Answer

*   Aboard the ship, there will be outlets for both North American standard 110 volts and European standard 220-240 volts, which take a Type I plug with three large, flat pins.
*   Italy operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and uses Types C, F, or L plugs with two or three small, round pins.
*   Montenegro and Greece operate on the European standard 220-240 volts and uses Types C, E, or F plugs with two small, round pins.
*   We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter. Please keep in mind that only a limited number of adapters and converters can be borrowed on board the cruise ship.
*   The strength of the air conditioning in European hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
*   Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. These amenities cannot be guaranteed in your hotels, but the cruise ship will provide a hairdryer in your room.

Question 11

Connectivity

Accepted Answer

*   Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
*   There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
*   Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Question 12

Time zones

Accepted Answer

*   Italy and Montenegro are one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and six hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
*   Greece is two hours ahead of GMT and seven hours ahead of ET.
*   When it’s noon in New York, it is 6pm in Italy and Montenegro and 7pm in Greece.

Question 13

Currency

Accepted Answer

*   You will use the euro in Italy, Montenegro, and Greece.
*   Better rates of exchange are usually available abroad, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
*   We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
*   You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
*   Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
*   International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
*   On board the cruise ship, you will be issued a card that will enable you to sign for most shipboard expenses, such as optional shore excursions, bar bills, and spa treatments. Your account can be settled with cash, traveler’s checks, or a major credit card such as American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club, or Discover Card. Personal checks are not cashed or accepted.
*   In ports of call, you may find a good supply of U.S. currency in small denominations very useful when bargaining for everything from taxi rides to souvenirs.

Question 14

Tipping

Accepted Answer

*   At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
*   We recommend tipping the equivalent of $7USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
*   If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
*   Tips can only be paid in cash.
*   Gratuities for services aboard your cruise ship are not included in the price of your tour but will be automatically charged to your on-board account. In general, this gratuity amounts to the equivalent of $20USD per person per day, which covers all service charges for ship personnel. A separate 15 percent service charge is automatically added to all bar tabs and spa services.

Question 15

Purchasing excursions on tour

Accepted Answer

*   If you have not yet purchased your optional excursions, you may be able to do so while on your tour.
*   Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for optional excursions.
*   Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
*   Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information.

Question 16

Shore excursions

Accepted Answer

*   Disembark to discover your destination with an expert guide leading the way. Shore excursions will be available for booking 20-30 days before your departure.

Italy, the Adriatic & Greek Islands Cruise

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