Health restrictions, mobility and diets

A sea voyage is not like staying in a hotel. All services are time-dependent and, in the event of a misjudgement of the situation, delays and the like, this can have unpleasant consequences for the client. It is also necessary, as this is a sea voyage, to comply with certain rules and regulations for the safe conduct of the voyage.

MSC and its staff are always very attentive to the needs of guests and constantly strive to offer the best services that meet international accessibility standards. Guests with various disabilities can submit their special requests to the company by completing the appropriate form (Special Needs Form). Riviera Tour will provide you with this form upon request. It is important that these requirements are made at the time of booking so that they can be registered and prepared in advance. It is not possible to process them retrospectively.

Children on a cruise with transport

When travelling by bus with CK RIVIERA TOUR, children over 3 years of age may participate in the cruise, provided that the passenger secures a child seat approved for the transport of children on the bus. Children under three years of age will not be accepted for transport by bus.

For overseas air travel (USA, UAE, Brazil, Cuba), children over the age of 5 may participate in the air tour.

Dialysis

Guests undergoing dialysis may travel as regular clients, bringing on board all the medication and equipment they normally require for their condition. Appropriate medical treatment is available through healthcare facilities. This service must always be requested separately from Riviera Tour.

Diets, intolerances and other restrictions

MSC Cruises can accommodate most special dietary requirements on its ships. Their preparation is limited to the main restaurants, where chefs have greater control over the production and serving of special meals. Neither the cruise company nor Riviera Tour can guarantee that cross-contamination will not occur in other types of restaurants (especially buffet-style restaurants).

Allergies or intolerances: Clients with food intolerances or allergies are requested to indicate this when booking their cruise using the Special Needs Form and then to confirm their requirements at reception or with the restaurant manager after boarding. If you make this request in advance, the crew will be happy to help you choose dishes that do not contain substances that could cause an allergic reaction.

Gluten-free menus are prepared by qualified staff in specialised kitchens directly on board the ship:

• MSC Cruises is certified in accordance with the ISO 22000 food safety management system standard.

• Gluten-free menus (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are available in the main restaurants on most ships. On board the MSC Armonia, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Opera and MSC Lirica, guests will find a limited selection of pre-prepared gluten-free snacks such as biscuits, croissants, sponge fingers and muffins.

• When booking your cruise, please check the availability of gluten-free menus on your cruise.

• Upon request, we will provide you with a Czech translation of the gluten-free menu for lunch and dinner in the restaurants (more in the article here).

Please note that gluten-free baked goods cannot be prepared on board, so the company uses packaged gluten-free baked goods.

This bread is available in served restaurants. In buffet restaurants, this bread is not freely available and must be requested from the serving staff.

To refresh your diet, we recommend bringing vacuum-packed baked goods from your own sources onto the ship. Vacuum-packed baked goods are exempt from the rules on bringing food onto the ship.

Vegetarian menus are included in the menus of the main restaurants on board and in the culinary offerings of the buffet restaurants.

Vegan menus are included in the menus of the main restaurants on board and in the culinary offerings of the buffet restaurants.

Kosher meals (pre-prepared breakfasts, lunches and dinners) are available on board for an additional charge of €25 per day. Kosher meals can be consumed in the main restaurants and must be booked at least three weeks before the ship's departure.

Halal products (beef, lamb and poultry) may be available on board upon prior request by guests, at least two months before departure.

Blind clients

For blind clients, all MSC Cruises ships have been equipped with Braille signage since 2008 (MSC Fantasia and beyond) have been equipped with Braille signage in public areas, lifts and cabin entrances. Guests with this disability may be asked to bring a carer or guide dog for their safety. Blind clients cannot participate in cruises with transport and a representative.

Clients who require assistance from a guide dog may request a cabin on any MSC ship. The guide dog must be trained and certified and have the necessary documents to enter foreign countries during the cruise. Persons with guide dog assistance cannot participate in the cruise with transport and a delegate.

Hearing impairment

Clients with hearing impairments must always travel with an escort or carer. Passengers with partial hearing impairments may travel alone, but only if they request the installation of a TDD kit in their cabin. This kit is available in limited quantities on all ships and includes a light and vibration device, a text telephone and an analogue alarm clock. Wireless amplifiers and indicator lights are available for these clients in the theatre, public areas and lifts. Hearing-impaired clients cannot participate in cruises with transport and a delegate.

Reduced mobility

All decks, public areas and tenders (lifeboats used in some ports for disembarkation) are designed to be as accessible as possible for guests with reduced mobility. For safety reasons, a client with a disability may be asked to bring a carer (depending on the specific route). Wheelchairs are also available on all ships for guests to use when embarking and disembarking or in case of emergency. Guests who require continuous use of a wheelchair must bring their own wheelchair and any necessary equipment with them.

Cabins for disabled passengers, equipped primarily for guests with disabilities or limited mobility and orientation, are available on every ship. It is important for guests who require this type of cabin to indicate this when making their reservation. There are a limited number of these cabins on the ship. Cabins for disabled guests are larger and more spacious, providing more room for movement than standard cabins, and also have extra equipment and facilities adapted for these guests.

Older people and their health

It happens that some older passengers do not realistically assess their health condition. Sailing at sea has its specific characteristics, and medical fitness is a guarantee for your safe voyage. For these reasons, we require all persons over the age of 75 (70 for air travel) to provide confirmation of their medical fitness for travel. You must submit the confirmation form to your GP and send it to the travel agency when signing the contract. Without confirmation of medical fitness, the travel agency has the right to cancel the trip.

Link to the form: Certificate of medical fitness for clients over 70 years of age

Pregnancy

Pregnant women must always have a doctor's certificate before boarding the ship. The ship is not adequately equipped for childbirth or for dealing with complications during pregnancy. Therefore, women from the 24th week of pregnancy cannot be accepted on board. Before boarding the ship, women should always consult their doctor about their condition.

Further information can be found in the PDF file at: Restrictions on cruises (catalogue)