Luggage

A cruise is really a completely different type of holiday. Boarding a ship is different from staying in a hotel, and therefore different rules apply regarding luggage. We recommend that you do not underestimate the information below for a happy holiday. Expensive items, computers, cameras must not be placed in the main luggage. Valuables, jewellery, computers, cameras, glass bottles are expressly forbidden to be carried in the main large luggage. All luggage is subject to security checks.

To download: Travel luggage (pdf CZ)

Plastic and shell luggage

We would like to point out to our clients that plastic and shell luggage, although beautiful, is absolutely unsuitable for transport by bus, air and when boarding and disembarking a ship. During handling, such luggage slips on belts and trolleys and it is common for such luggage to be damaged or completely destroyed or lost. If you intend to take plastic or shell luggage with you despite these warnings, please note that you do so at your own risk. Neither the Agency nor the cruise company shall be liable for any damage to, partial destruction of, or destruction or loss of plastic or shell luggage, including its contents.

Prohibited items

Port security has a duty to inspect luggage and confiscate any item known internationally to be dangerous to the safety of guests, crew and ship. Such items will be confiscated and will not be returned:

• alcohol

• knives (any kind)

• firearms

• irons

• sharp objects (blades, scissors, needles)

• flammable and explosive material

• items with heating elements or open flames (e.g. clothes irons, kettles, cookers, candles, incense)

• drones

In the event of the discovery of explosive material, weapons or illegal drugs, the law enforcement authorities will be notified immediately. MSC Cruises will be forced to deny access to any guest who fails to comply with these mandated regulations. In the interest of health and safety, beverages and food (including partially eaten or home cooked food) may not be brought on board. Exceptions to this are dry, packaged and commercially produced foods.

Food and beverages

For hand luggage, it is forbidden to bring food and drinks of any kind on board. Beverages may be brought in the main baggage to a limited extent (max. 0.7 l). However, the company reserves the right to inspect all baggage and remove any unwanted items or substances. Absolute prohibition of bringing food and drinks of any kind applies when returning to the ship at stops during the cruise. Food and beverages purchased off the ship will be confiscated and some companies, such as MSC, will store and dispense alcohol and other beverages purchased at ports of call.

Transportation to the port by Riviera Tour buses (CZ and SK only)

When travelling on a coach tour, passengers may carry one main baggage weighing a maximum of 30 kg and one hand luggage weighing up to 12 kg. At the time of carriage, the luggage must be labelled with a label inside the luggage and on the outside of the luggage, giving basic customer identification details including address and telephone number. We recommend that each piece of luggage is locked with a lock.

Individual transport to the port

Passengers travelling to the port individually may have one main baggage up to a maximum weight of 30 kg and two hand luggage up to a maximum weight of 12 kg. At the time of carriage, the baggage must be marked with a label on the inside of the baggage and on the outside of the baggage giving basic customer identification details including address and telephone number. We recommend that each piece of luggage is locked with a lock.

Air transportation

We would like to point out that, especially in the case of air transport, it is necessary to observe the weight and size limits for luggage. Airlines can be uncompromising and any baggage that is overweight or oversized is subject to a charge, sometimes very high.

In the case of air transport, locks must comply with airline regulations. At most airports, for example in Prague, you will encounter a special kind of check. TSA agents check every piece of luggage for the possibility of carrying explosives, weapons, etc., and if they find something wrong, they have no choice but to open it. In the case of regular locks, this can then result in a broken or chipped lock, sometimes even a ruined suitcase. That's why it's more than advisable to take luggage with a special TSA lock on such trips, which can be easily opened and closed again by checkers. If you want to know more about this lock, click here.

The passenger may carry 1 hand luggage and a laptop with a maximum total weight of 12 kg. Weapons, knives and scissors may not be carried in hand luggage. Weapons, knives and scissors will be confiscated on entry!!!

Damage or loss of baggage

The passenger is obliged to take proper care of the luggage entrusted to him/her and to look after it with all due diligence to prevent its loss, substitution or theft. In the event of damage to the luggage (damage to the handle, wheel, handle, tear), a lump sum compensation of maximum CZK 800 per luggage is provided. In the event of damage to luggage, a note must always be made upon disembarkation at the port. Without such a record, the claim for compensation for damaged luggage is extinguished.

In the event of loss of luggage, a flat-rate compensation of a maximum of CZK 15,900 per luggage is provided, only if the loss was caused solely by the fault of the travel agency. In the event of loss of luggage during air transport or embarkation and disembarkation, the liability of the travel agency for the damage is excluded and the claim must be negotiated with the airline or cruise company. In the event of loss of luggage, a note must always be made at the port of disembarkation or by the local police. Without such a record, the claim for compensation for the damaged luggage is extinguished.

We would like to remind our clients that sometimes our clients' luggage is confused during disembarkation. The fact that your black suitcase is marked with a red bow does not mean that it is yours! Thousands of other clients think this way. So always double check that you really have your own luggage. Baggage substitution and later delivery is always at the expense of the client who made the substitution, and refunds can run into the thousands, or tens of thousands on exotic cruises.

Clients are strongly reminded of the obligation to label their luggage and to collect it correctly at the port. When disembarking, always check carefully that it is your luggage and not another client's luggage that is similar to your luggage. Please note that in the event of baggage substitution, any further procedure is very complicated and costly and is always at the client's expense. If such a situation arises and the client requires the luggage to be traced and delivered, a deposit of at least 10.000.- CZK must first be paid to the account of the travel agency for the costs of transport, customs clearance and insurance of the luggage to the Czech Republic. The condition is, of course, to send the wrongly collected luggage to the rightful recipient at the place of residence - again at the client's expense. The travel agency charges a one-off fee of CZK 2100 for all administrative procedures.

To download: Request for componsation for damaged luggage (pdf CZ)

Damage to luggage during transport

If the luggage is damaged during transport, this must be claimed immediately on the spot.

Damage to luggage during transport by Riviera Tour bus or transfer

If these services are provided by RIVIERA TOUR, it is responsible for your luggage during the bus transport to and from the port or during transfers provided exclusively by RIVIERA TOUR. In this case, please contact the delegate or the bus or transfer driver immediately to make a claim. In the case of damaged luggage, the delegate or driver will issue you with a certificate of damaged luggage and compensation for the damaged luggage will be made by RIVIERA TOUR according to the applicable general conditions of the tour operator. When travelling by bus or transfer, we recommend locking your luggage against theft.

Damage to baggage during boarding

If you discover damage to your luggage during embarkation, please inform the reception or your cruise delegate immediately. The luggage will then be checked and compensation or replacement will be made by the cruise company on board. Please note that luggage is visually inspected already upon receipt and luggage that has been damaged prior to embarkation cannot be claimed. Please note that the claim must be made immediately upon delivery of the luggage. Late claims (days after boarding) are not allowed.

Damage during disembarkation

Please pay due attention to your luggage when disembarking. First of all, make sure it is your luggage. If your baggage is damaged, you must claim it on the spot in the check-in hall from the company's staff or a delegate who will help you with the claim. The luggage will then be inspected and compensation or replacement of the luggage will be made by the cruise company directly on the ship. Please note that luggage is visually inspected upon receipt and luggage that has already been damaged prior to embarkation cannot be claimed. Please note that the claim must be made immediately upon receipt of the luggage. Late claims - after the baggage has left the hall - are not allowed.

Damage during air transport

The airline (carrier) is responsible for your luggage during air travel. In the event of damage to your luggage, this must be reported immediately at the airport at check-in. There is always a counter in each such hall, usually marked "LOST LUGGAGE" . Here you present the damaged baggage and your baggage ticket and usually compensation for the damaged baggage is handled on the spot. If you are travelling with a delegate, we will assist you in arranging this service. Our good advice: Always ask for confirmation of damaged baggage directly at the airport. Reimbursement for damaged luggage is made by the airline in this case.

Baggage claim procedure

1.Complete form Claim for compensation for damaged luggage

To download: Claim for compensation for damaged luggage (pdf CZ)

Please send the completed and signed form by post to CK RIVIERA TOUR or by email to: [email protected]. Please attach a photo of the damaged luggage, the claim report from the cruise company or bus carrier and proof of purchase of the luggage. You will then be contacted by our staff to discuss the next steps. If all documents are in order, we will pay compensation within a few days.

To claim your luggage:

1/ Should damage to the luggage occur during air transport, the air carrier is fully responsible for the damage. In most cases, compensation is paid directly at the airport on arrival according to the individual destination. We recommend that you claim the damaged baggage directly at the airport on arrival.

2/ Should the baggage be damaged during transfers to and from the airport by a transport provided by RIVIERA TOUR, the responsibility lies entirely with RIVIERA TOUR.

3/ If the baggage is damaged during embarkation and disembarkation or during the cruise, the liability for the damage is entirely with the ship's carrier, in your case MSC Cruises. In this case, the liability is therefore with MSC Cruises.

We follow the standard procedures of the cruise company's regulations when settling a claim and, as the claims process is often very lengthy, we also have the option of more favourable claims handling for our clients:

1. Fixed compensation - after sending a receipt or proof of luggage, we will compensate you immediately regardless of the outcome of the claim procedure (max. amount 800 CZK). The advantage is that you do not have to wait for anything and also pay no fees. RIVIERA TOUR will send the compensation directly to your account within a few days.

2. Direct compensation - we will send your claim to the cruise company via RIVIERA TOUR. The latter will assess the validity of the claim and determine the amount of compensation. The compensation will be sent to your account by MSC Cruises. It is necessary to add: IBAN ( for payments outside the Czech Republic)*BIC ( SWIFT) - for payments outside the Czech Republic* (the disadvantage is the relatively long claim procedure and especially the high bank charges for sending the payment from abroad to your account. The fee for an incoming foreign payment to your account in CZK is sometimes so high that it is almost equal to the compensation itself).

3. Direct compensation - you send your claim directly to MSC Cruises and you continue to communicate and handle the baggage claim with yourself.

   You can make a claim at: MSC Crociere S.A. , 12-14 Chemin Rieu,CH-1208 Geneva-Switzerland.

For all such procedures, a claim report issued by the cruise company, proof of purchase of the baggage or other document proving the price and date of purchase of the baggage and a photograph of the damaged baggage must be provided.

Baggage contents

Towels and bath towels

Accommodation on boats is governed by the same standards as hotel accommodation. Towels are provided in all cabins. Plenty of towels are also available in the spa area of the ship, by the pools and in the gym. Bathrobes are only available in cabins with Fantastica and above.

Suitable clothing

For everyday life on board and trips ashore, sports or other comfortable clothing and footwear are suitable. If you plan to use the gym, pack suitable clothing and, most importantly, an extra pair of sports shoes. However, you will also have the opportunity to attend various social events during the cruise. For casual dining in the main restaurant, the rule is that adults should not wear jeans and t-shirts. For men, we recommend trousers, shirt and possibly a jacket, while ladies should wear dresses, suits or formal trousers and a blouse.

There are also gala evenings planned for each cruise where formal attire is appropriate. For gentlemen, a dark suit and tie is expected; ladies can dazzle in evening dress. Those who do not enjoy formal evening entertainment need not participate in these activities. Dinners are also served concurrently in other restaurants where guest comfort is the main rule. Recommendations for the upcoming evening can also be found in the ship's newspaper, which will be delivered to your cabin each evening (the following day's edition) or will be available by scanning a special QR code at the ship's reception. As for footwear, we recommend especially low-heeled shoes if you are moving around the outside decks.

During the cruise, there will be several gala parties and theme nights to think about when packing your wardrobe:

Captain's Evening

A formal evening where we recommend that all clients wear formal clothing, jackets, long evening dresses, etc. This is the most formal evening of the cruise, when you will meet the captain of the ship.

White Party

An evening party where we recommend wearing white in the evening.

Flower party

We recommend 60's and 70's clothes, very colourful, colourful, patterned, in short "floral revolution".

Gala Night

Farewell party, we recommend a jacket, trousers, tie, evening dress, can be shorter.