Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What travel documentation do I need?

 

UNITED STATES CITIZENS

All United States citizens must have a government-issued passport valid for at least six months beyond the return date of your cruise in order to travel to Budapest, Hungary and board the cruise ship. Your passport must have at least one blank page per stamp. Please visit the United State's Travel.State.Gov website for more information.

NON-UNITED STATES CITIZENS

If you are NOT a United States citizen (are traveling on a non-United States passport), please verify your specific documentation requirements with your country's consulate before departing. Please note that non-United States citizens may require a visa. Many countries require passports to be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected return and may require blank passport pages for entry and/or exit stamps.

ALL GUESTS
 

It is the sole responsibility of the attendee to verify and obtain all necessary documentation and vaccination requirements when traveling to another country. Many countries require passports to be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected return and may require multiple consecutive blank passport pages. Some citizens may be required to obtain a Visa and/or have specific vaccinations to enter certain countries.

It is also the sole responsibility of the attendee to verify, obtain, and be aware of all necessary documentation requirements for any required Covid-19 testing, proof of vaccination or negative test, etc. when traveling to another country. Many countries have different requirements for entry and exit; please check your country's specific Covid-19 requirements as well as the requirements of the airline you are traveling on.

We also recommend packing a photocopy of the picture and signature pages of your passport. If your passport should get lost, the photocopies will make it much easier to get an emergency replacement.

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Q. How do I get a passport? (United States Citizens)

 

Click HERE to learn everything you need to know about how to obtain or renew a United States Passport.

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Q. What airports should I arrive at and depart from?

 

Flights should arrive at the following airport:

 

• Flights should arrive in Budapest, Hungary at the Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD).

 

Flights should depart from the following airport:

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• Flights should depart from the Munich International Airport (MUC).​

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Q. When should I leave for the airport?

 

The recommended airport check-in time for international flights is three hours prior to departure. Please check with your airline for schedule changes or flight delays and confirm the recommended check-in time prior to leaving for the airport. Please remember to allow extra time if you are unfamiliar with the airport, are leaving during heavy traffic times, or have excess baggage.

For general travel information issued by the State Department, please visit the U.S. Department of State website at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html.

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Q. Should I purchase Travel Insurance?

 

Because unforeseen circumstances may arise, we strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance. Travel Insurance gives you access to a 24-hour assistance hotline for expert, personalized support in a crisis. Travel insurance can reimburse you for prepaid, non-refundable trip costs - including vacation rentals, car rentals, hotels and flights - if you have to cancel for a covered reason, and can reimburse you for eligible meals, accommodation and transportation expenses during a covered delay. Travel insurance can also reimburse you for care following a covered medical emergency while traveling. Travel insurance can even arrange and pay for a medical evacuation if needed. Coverage is only available for United States citizens.

 

Please email our Destinations Travel Partner and advise you are interested in purchasing Travel insurance. They will provide the Sequel Travel Vacation Department the necessary information for your travel insurance quote and connect you with an agent.

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Q. How much luggage can I take?

 

Airlines

Most airlines permit each passenger to take one carry-on bag and one additional personal carry-on item, such as a purse or briefcase/laptop case. All carry-on items must fit under the seat in front of you or in the overhead compartment. Carry-on baggage size requirements differ between airlines so please check with your airline before traveling to make sure your carry-on bags fit your airline's specified dimensions. Most airlines will allow you to check bags as well. Please check with your airline to confirm the current luggage limitations and any applicable fees for carry-on and checked baggage. Please note that many airlines charge significant fees for overweight or oversized luggage.

*Please note that all baggage fees are at your own expense.

Cruise

Your bag should have dimensions not exceeding 30"x21"x11" and a weight not exceeding 50 lbs. (22 kg).

Additional Information

We recommend that guests personally carry any boarding documentation such as passports, visas, citizenship documents, and all medications. Be sure that all baggage and personal belongings are properly insured. Items such as medication, jewelry or other valuables, breakable or perishable items, and important documents should be hand-carried. Responsibility will not be assumed by the airline or ship for loss of or damage to these items.

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Q. What items can I carry on?

 

Due to potential security issues on flights, the Transportation Security Administration has updated its aviation security measures. For the latest information regarding what to bring, what to leave at home, and what to generally expect while traveling, please visit the Transportation Security Administration website at http://www.tsa.gov/.

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Q. What currency is used in Europe?

 

Most of the countries you will be visiting in Europe use the Euro. The exception is Hungary which has their own currency, but the Euro is accepted in many establishments. Many locations accept major credit cards; however, in small towns they are not widely accepted. In these cases, and for incidentals or small vendors, you will need some local currency. ATM machines are located on shore at some stops. Prior to your departure, confirm with your bank that your ATM or credit card and PIN number will work abroad. All purchases on board are charged to your room account. For payment of shipboard accounts, Euro and U.S. dollars are accepted as well as American Express, Visa, MasterCard, and Diners Club. A fee is charged for the use of checks. Personal checks cannot be cashed on board.

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Q. What electricity is used onboard?

 

Onboard electricity is 220v. Wall sockets take a European 2-prong plug. To use any small personal appliance such as an electric razor, curling iron, or electric plug-in type alarm clock, you will need an adapter to plug in to the wall sockets for dual voltage appliances and a converter as well as an adapter for appliances that are not dual voltage. Converters must be EU certified. Cheap, non-certified converters may damage your appliance and are a fire hazard on the ship. Staterooms are also equipped with USB outlets which are useful for charging phones, tablets, cameras, etc.

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Q. What should I pack?

 

Aboard Avalon Waterways, our job is to make you feel Home “Suite” Home as you wind and bend your way through the world’s most beautiful landscapes. Here, we trade formality for friendly; white gloves for welcomes and suits and gowns for suites and get-up-and-go! Comfort is the only code we go by for cruise attire.
 
With Avalon, your days are filled with exciting excursions and soaking up picture-perfect landscapes, so dress for enjoyment and practicality. Because weather can be unpredictable, layers are always recommended when out and about. Consider packing a small backpack or handbag for jackets and sweaters. And, of course, bring your favorite, most comfortable, walking or athletic shoes to keep your feet happy and your heart pumping.
 
Dinner attire on board is casual with typical guests donning open-neck shirts and slacks, skirts and dresses. Gentlemen who enjoy feeling sporty in sports coats, are welcome to pack them but they are not required. Some guests do prefer to dress up for celebratory evenings onboard including the Captain’s Reception or Farewell Dinner.
 
Additional notes to consider:

 

• While Avalon isn’t interested in cramping your style with a dress code, some excursions may require one (no knees or shoulders in some holy places; or no shorts during some evening events in ports-of-call, for instance).

• In addition, for your comfort and that of your fellow cruisers, we do request that shorts not be worn in the Dining Room or Panorama Lounge in the evenings, and if you fancy a dip in the whirlpool, bathing suits are worn only on the Sky Deck.

• If you’re feeling fit for fun, we also want you to know that an Adventure Host will be your guide, at the ready for fitness activities, on all European cruises. Your host will not only lead daily workouts but can also help you pave your own path to wellness with biking, hiking and other, on-your-own adventures. Dress for your own fitness success!

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Q. What if I have a special health concern?

 

If you have any health concerns that may require special attention, please contact us prior to departure. Passengers requiring prescription medications are advised to keep them in their carry-on luggage. While we don't require information about the extent of your health concern or disability, the more information you can share with us about your specific needs, the better we are able to assist you.