Fred. Olsen MS Balmoral - Christmas Markets of Germany & Denmark

Passport
Absolutely. It is a condition of carriage that all guests embarking on a cruise holiday, even those visiting the British Isles, must hold a full and valid passport that conforms to the entry requirements of each destination visited, and is valid for at least 6 months after the date of return to the UK. It is your responsibility to ensure you hold a valid passport. If you need to renew your passport, please allow at least one month for your application to be processed - and more time during peak holiday periods. As you will be denied boarding if unable to present your passport at check-in, please ensure your passport is kept in your hand luggage.

Visas
Visa and health requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you check with a professionally qualified source and comply with such requirements. UK passport holders will need visas for certain Fred. Olsen cruise holidays and will advised at the time of booking. Your cruise booking information will also detail any requirements applicable to your holiday.

It is the responsibility of all non-British passport holders to ensure that they are in possession of a valid passport and, where necessary, entry visas or permits for their chosen cruise. If you are unsure as to whether you are requires to obtain such documents, you must contact the relevant Embassy or Consulate. Failure to comply with this request may result in refusal of carriage, or the imposition of individual fines by local immigration authorities.

Payment on Board
You will be asked to register your credit or debit card at the start of the cruise. Anything you buy can then be charged to your room account and, when your cruise is over, your bill is automatically charged back to your card for your convenience. You can see your room account balance at anytime via the TV in your room, or Guest Services can provide you with a printed copy of your balance at any point during your cruise. Fred. Olsen accept most credit cards - Eurocard, Mastercard and Visa. (We regret we are unable to accept American Express cards.) They cannot accept Maestro, Solo, Electron, Diners Club or travel agent debit cards or pre-paid currency or travellers cheque cards. Please note: If you plan to settle your on board account in cash the currency on board is Sterling.

What's the dress code on board?
Packing for your cruise holiday with Fred. Olsen is simple. The dress code is designed to ensure you feel relaxed and comfortable during your days and evenings on board, as well as your time ashore. This handy guide will help you decide what to pack for your cruise holiday.

Evening wear
Evening wear is simple on a Fred. Olsen cruise. Most evenings are smart casual with a few formal nights providing the chance to dress up. And just to add some fun to the cruise, there may also be some optional theme nights on longer sailings.

Formal evenings
Depending on the length of your cruise holiday there will be one or more formal evenings whilst you are on board for cruise durations longer than six nights. This is your chance to ‘dress to impress’ and add glitz and glamour to your dining experience. Most men opt to wear either a dinner jacket, or dark suit and tie. Ladies are often seen looking fabulous in anything from a cocktail-style dress to a full-length ball gown.

All Fred. Olsen cruise ships feature a casual dining experience for those guests who do not wish to join the formal evenings. Dress code for these restaurants is smart casual every evening.

Smart casual evenings
Most evenings during your cruise holiday will be smart casual evenings so you can feel relaxed and comfortable whilst enjoying your dinner. For men, a pair of trousers, chinos or smart white or dark jeans, coupled with a polo shirt or shirt is perfectly acceptable. Some guests prefer to wear a jacket or tie which is also fine. The choice is yours. Ladies’ dress can often range from tailored trouser suits and stylish dresses to casual separates and summer dresses.

Please note: trainers, T-shirts, shorts and tracksuits are not allowed in the restaurants for evening dining. We reserve the right to decline entry to those who refuse to show this courtesy to their fellow guests.

British Night  Most cruises of over 5 nights duration have a British Night, so dress in your best red, white and blue outfit, wave your Union Jack and sing-a-long as we celebrate Britain in style. With a feast of British-themed food, music and entertainment to enjoy, this special evening is sure to be a highlight of your holiday.

Day wear on board
Whether enjoying the sea views from the deck, or participating in the many activities available, we want you to feel at ease. Casual wear is perfectly acceptable for your days on board with many guests opting for shorts and a T-shirt or polo shirt while cruising in sunny climes, and a pair of light-weight trousers and a sweater or jacket for cooler daytime temperatures.

Whilst on deck, bathing suits are a must to ensure you can make the most of the pools and Jacuzzis on board. A pair of flip flops or sandals are advisable as the decks can sometimes get very warm (please take care, as the decks can be slippery too). A T-shirt and casual shorts is often preferred for lounging by the pool. Don’t forget your hat, sunglasses and sun cream, as the sun can be a lot stronger at sea.

Dress is smart casual during lunch time and as a courtesy to their fellow cruisers, guests are asked not to wear bathing suits or vests in the restaurants. However, smart shorts and a T-shirt are perfectly acceptable.

Day wear ashore 
The weather can vary greatly depending on your destination and the time of year you cruise. For warm weather destinations like the Canaries, Mediterranean and the Caribbean, typical summertime wear such as T-shirts, shorts or swimwear are fine. For Shore Tours that include visits to churches, museums or cathedrals, it is advisable to dress a little more conservatively.

For cruises to cooler destinations, a pair of trousers, a jumper or jacket and a raincoat are recommended, as the weather can be changeable.

Whichever type of cruise you choose to embark on, a pair of comfortable walking shoes is strongly recommended to explore some of the fabulous destinations you will be visiting in comfort.

Formal Nights
What should I wear on formal night?
Depending on the length of your cruise holiday there will be one or more formal evenings whilst you are on board. This is your chance to ‘dress to impress’ and add glitz and glamour to your dining experience.

Most men opt to wear either a dinner jacket, or dark suit and tie. Ladies are often seen looking fabulous in anything from a cocktail-style dress to a full-length ball gown.

All Fred. Olsen cruise ships feature a casual dining experience for those guests who do not wish to join the formal evenings. Dress code for these restaurants is smart casual every evening. One of our most popular evenings is British Night, where guests choose to dress in red, white and blue.

The exact number of formal nights, including any theme nights will be highlighted on your cruise ticket. Below is a guide to the number of formal nights you can expect to enjoy on cruises of various durations.

3 nights or less -Smart casual throughout

3 - 5 nights- Captain's Welcome Party, but no formal nights

6 nights -Captain's Welcome Party + 1 x formal night

7- 12 nights - Captain's Welcome Party + 2 x formal nights

13- 20 nights - Captain's Welcome Party + 3 x formal nights