Life Onboard

Alcohol
Bringing alcohol aboard is generally not allowed. The only exception is a small “corkage fee” charged to passengers who want to enjoy a special bottle of wine with a meal. A large variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are served on board in the restaurant and bar.

Cabin Features
All cabins are equipped with shower/toilet, television, closet, refrigerator, hairdryer and access to satellite phone. Cabins are cleaned daily and there is turn-down service. In case of illness, food and drinks can be served in the cabin during dining hours.

Changes to Cruise Itinerary & Shore Excursions
Due to local weather, sea and ice conditions, all of our cruise itineraries and shore excursions are subject to change. The implementation of our shore excursions also depends on reaching the minimum/maximum number of participants for each activity. Iceland ProCruises reserves the right to change the itinerary and trip content without prior notice.

Children
Children must be 8 years or older (10 years or older on trips that combine Greenland and Iceland). Discounts of 25% on cruises and shore excursions are offered to children up to age 12 staying in their parents’ cabin. Please note that we do not offer child-care services or children’s play areas on board. Riding our Zodiacs requires a certain level of body control. Due to safety reasons, the captain reserves the right to refuse a landing with children.

Cruise Card
At embarkation you will receive a personal Cruise Card which you should always have with you. This card is used on board as a combination payment instrument (except in the onboard shop) and identity card. Shore excursions, alcoholic beverages, spa services etc. will be paid with your cruise card. At the end of the voyage you can settle your account by credit card (we accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express) or you can pay with cash (US$).

Dress Code
The dress code on board is casual. Leave your ties, jackets and evening dresses at home. For days at sea and ashore we recommend comfortable, breathable, waterproof and windproof clothing, plus gloves, thermal underwear and sturdy footwear. For the captain’s and Farewell cocktail parties we recommend smart casual dress style.

Gratuities
Tipping is a way of showing your appreciation for a service received on board from the hotel staff or expedition team. The amount of the gratuity is totally at your discretion. During the voyage we hand out a flyer about the handling of tips. For your convenience, we can charge the suggested gratuity to your onboard account. If you would like to cancel or make adjustments to the gratuity posted on your account, you can do so by visiting the reception desk. Gratuities are divided amongst the hotel crew and expedition team.

Health/Medical Emergency
Although we do not have an official requirement regarding personal fitness, you should be able to move on board and ashore without the help of others. At all times there is an English-speaking doctor on board. The ship is equipped with a small clinic and medications to treat certain emergencies.

Insurance
Repatriation costs in case of illness can be extremely high. Therefore, we strongly recommend purchasing travel/health insurance prior to your voyage, specifically policies that cover repatriation costs to your home country. This insurance is mandatory for our trips to Greenland. Information on allinclusive insurance packages — including travel cancellation, curtailment, baggage and medical — can be found on the websites of various providers.

Internet/Phone
Iceland ProCruises offers free WiFi in the public areas of Club Lounge, Observation Lounge and Library during Iceland Cruises. There is no free Wifi in those areas during Greenland Cruises. For an extra charge we offer internet access in your cabin. Mobile-phone reception should be possible in most regions along our route. For further details please contact your mobile phone operator. A telephone deposit for external phone calls as well as an internet deposit for your laptop or tablet can be purchased at the reception. Please ensure that your ‘Data Roaming’ facility is switched off.

Language Onboard
English is the official language on board. Therefore all members of our expedition team and the reception staff speak English (as well as German). Onboard announcements are made in English and German. The daily program as well as the dining room menu are also bilingual (English and German). If you require translation, our multi-lingual expedition team is always at your disposal.

Laundry
Professional laundry service is available for an additional charge.

Passport/Visa
Each passenger is responsible for ensuring that he/she meets the applicable passport and visa requirements for the duration of the trip. The passport is the only valid proof of identity for all trips with the Ocean Diamond. An ID card is not sufficient. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your trip ends. Please note that each participant is responsible for obtaining all neccessary documents. Costs incurred due to insufficient travel documents must be paid by the passenger.

Physical disabilities/Wheelchair accessibility
Guests with physical disabilities are recommended to travel with an accompanying person. The particular processes on board should be handled without external help. The gangway can be – depending on the individual disability – a challenge. The angle of inclination of the gangway varies due to tide and different circumstances in the respective port. Please note that the guest’s participation in shore excursions as well as the (dis-)embarkation by zodiac can be denied by the master due to security reasons. The instructions of the master must be followed. The ship is not suitable for wheelchairs. A medical certificate must be submitted on request by Icland ProCruises.

Restaurant/Dining
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in your cruise price. Breakfast and lunch are buffet style; dinner is a la carte. Coffee, tea and water are free during the entire voyage; other drinks can be purchased in the restaurant or bar. If you’re not on board at lunch time, we prepare a lunch box for you to take ashore. In the afternoon we offer tea and coffee in the lounge on Deck 4, which is also the venue for our late-night snack.

Safety
The ship complies with all safety requirements and is certified for travel in Arctic waters. Before departure, all passengers receive instructions in onboard safety prodecures and operations including the location of lifejackets in your cabin. Familiarize yourself with the ship’s evacuation plan. Special safety procedures apply to trips in the Zodiacs.

Shop
Besides Icelandic souvenirs and postcards, our onboard shop offers a small range of cosmetics and other articles for daily use. All major credit cards are accepted (Visa, Mastercard, AmEx). Cash payment is possible in US$ and EUR.

Smoking
For safety reasons and to protect the health of our guests and employees, smoking is permitted only in the designated smoking area on the outside deck. Do not throw your cigarette butts overboard but use the ashtray. Smoking is strictly prohibited in all cabins, on balconies and in all other locations on the ship.

Special Requests
Please inform us about any special dietary needs (e.g. vegetarian or gluten free, diabetic food) at least two weeks before departure. In order to ensure efficient service, please re-confirm your requirements with the crew after boarding the ship.

Vaccinations
Ask your local health authorities about recommended vaccinations.

Voltage
All cabins are equipped with 220 volt outlets.

Water
It´s not safe to drink water from the tap onboard OCEAN DIAMOND.

Zodiac landings
One of their features are landings and tours with our motorized rubber boats of the brand “Zodiac“. The boat has both a low draught and a big stability. Zodiac vests are mandatory to wear. Zodiac-landings generally depend on local circumstances. In each case the master makes the final decision if the landing is realizable or not. Particular safety regulations apply on landings. All guests receive a mandatory instruction of the security guidelines.

Please note, Zoadiac excursions are weather dependent.