VIETNAM, CAMBODIA, LAOS, THAILAND & CHINA

ASIA

Includes essential TRAVEL

TIPS

PRODUCED BY LONELY PLANET FOR

Content in this section has been supplied courtesy of APT and has not been visited or verifi ed by Lonely Planet.

APT IMPORTANT INFORMATIONThe following information is intended asa guide to assist you when preparing for

your trip. Much of the information within is subject to change and while care has been taken to ensure all in-formation is correct at the time of printing, APT cannottake responsibility for any subsequent changes.

ASIA >> APT IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Important InformationTransfers Airport transfers are included on the fi rst and last day of the tour package. Transfers with pre and post accom-modation are available at no extra cost if the accom modation is booked with APT. No refund will be given for unused transfers. Transfers cannot be re-routed to other pick-up points or destinations. Passengers who miss the pre-booked transfers must make their own way to or from the ship or hotel at their own expense. Transfers must be booked and details advised to APT at least 60 days prior to travel, otherwise transfers cannot be guaranteed. Transfers in connection with domestic fl ights are included as per the itinerary. Please remember that fl ights between Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and China are international services.Airline Delays If you miss your fl ight, please immediately advise the airline representative that you are a cruise passenger bound for a specifi c location, date and time to embark your cruise or check-in at a pre-cruise hotel. Typically airlines will do everything in their power to fl y you that day or the next. Arrival & Departure Information The offi cial check-in time at hotels is 3pm local time, but where possible the hotel will try to have your room available earlier. If your fl ight arrives in the morn-ing, luggage can be stored at the hotel before check-in and will often be delivered to your room later. Normal check-out times vary but are usually at 11am or noon. If you have a late afternoon or evening fl ight, most hotels have a luggage room where you can store luggage until your departure. Language The onboard language is generally English. All staff , crew and local guides speak English.Motorcoach & Local Boat Safety Passengers must remain seated at all times while the coach or local boat is in motion to avoid serious injury. Hand luggage and other personal items

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should be safely stored in the overhead luggage racks or under your seat to keep the aisles clear. Heavy items, such as bottles, should not be stored overhead. No passenger should remain on the motorcoach or the local boat during stops. Do not leave any valuable items on the coach or local boat. Please watch the stairs and overhead entrances when descending from the motorcoach, and check for traffi c when exiting the coach. Please follow these safety precautions and take the time to note all emergency exits. Prescriptions & Medical History Copies of your prescriptions are vital in case of any health problems. Prepare a list of your medications, including the name, dosage, prescribing doctor and their phone number. If you have health problems, ask your doctor to prepare your medical history for a foreign doctor. It should include your name, address, emergency contact, blood type, medical history, current medications and dosages, drug allergies, reasons for prior hospitalisations and a list of immunisations and dates. Pack suffi cient medication for the duration of the cruise/tour. Your medication should be kept close at hand in your purse or carry-on bag. Remember to leave everything in its original container. It is also a good idea to bring a copy of your prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses. Please ensure you fi ll in the health and fi tness form provided on tour to facilitate any assistance should it be required whilst on tour.

Valuables & Security Do not take anything with you that will create emotional or fi nancial hardship if lost or stolen. Carry all documents, money, passport, tickets etc with you. Do not carry these important items in your suitcase. You may fi nd a money belt (worn inside clothing) useful while travelling. Never leave hand-luggage unattended in hotel lobbies or dining rooms. Avoid exploration on your own of unfamiliar streets or areas. Also avoid excessive displays of jewellery or cash. When sightseeing, keep all valuables locked in the safe in your room or suite.General Physical Fitness APT’s cruises and tours are not physically demanding; however, because of the nature of many of the sites you will be visiting, some trips may not be appropriate for guests with certain medical conditions and physical restrictions. Walking tours are often on uneven ground and may include stairs as well as steep inclines. You should be able to stand on your feet for an extended period of time to visit museums and other sites. Ensure your walking shoes fi t well and have been broken-in prior to departure. Throughout your river cruise, your ship will often dock mid-river and you’ll

be required to disembark/embark your river ship straight onto/from smaller vessels.Health You can feel safe eating anything served to you at the hotels and while on board. Be careful of food and drink you purchase from street vendors or at small restaurants on your own. At these places, stay away from dairy products (including ice cream) as well as meat and fi sh that may not be properly cooked. Don’t buy alcohol from street vendors. We recommend that you bring enough of any prescribed medications for your entire trip throughout Asia. Do not pack your prescriptions in your checked baggage.Hygiene Colds and other viruses can spread quickly in enclosed areas such as your coach or cruise ship. Please practise hygiene and respiratory courtesy. Wash your hands often, cover your coughs and sneezes and perhaps pack anti-bacterial wipes and hand sanitiser. Use hand sanitiser whenever it is made available to you whilst on tour, ie when boarding the ship or entering the dining room.

Allergies If you have a food allergy or other condition that needs to be managed on tour, please advise your booking agent as soon as possible, as well as your tour director upon arrival, as most suppliers require advance notice to cater for your condition.Smoking Smoking is not permitted inside the ship. Smoking is only permitted on the designated outside decks in allocated areas. For the safety and comfort of all passengers onboard, your cooperation in observing the no-smoking policy is greatly appreciated. Vaccinations Vaccinations may be required for travel to Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and China. We suggest seeking medical advice prior to your travels. Consult your GP or www.traveldoctor.com.au for the latest immunisations and medical advice. Altitude Sickness Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is a condition caused by ascending to high altitudes. As Shangri-la in China is located more than 3000 metres above sea level, most people will experience some eff ects from altitude, and suff er mildly from AMS. Symptoms include headache, lack of appetite, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue or weakness. We recommend you consult your GP for their opinion as to whether you may require anti-altitude sickness tablets. Please note that if required, cans of oxygen will be readily available for purchase.

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Passports Passports are required for travel to Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and China. Check the expiry of your passport to ensure that it is valid for at least six months from the date of your arrival. Always carry your passport and other travel documents in your hand luggage. Keep photocopies of these documents in a separate bag while travelling, and leave a copy at home with family or friends in case of an emergency.Visas & Permits Citizens of Australia, New Zealand and the UK require visas for travel to Vietnam and China which must be obtained prior to departure. If you hold a passport from another country, check with your travel agent about specifi c visa regulations. For visitors from Australia, New Zealand and the UK, a visa for Cambodia and Laos can be purchased upon arrival, either onboard your cruise or at the airport. Many nationalities do not require a visa for Thailand and are given 30 days on arrival.

Vietnam/Cambodia Ship Services & Amenities ONBOARD THE CRUISEMeals All meals onboard the ship are included. Meals are served in the dining room in a single sitting. Open seating allows you to sit at diff erent tables for each meal if you wish to meet fellow passengers. Table reservations are not accepted. All meals are prepared by local chefs and consist of Western cuisine as well as Vietnamese, Cambodian and Thai. Lunch includes salads, soups, a selection of hot mains and dessert. Dinner is a multi-course meal with a selection of main courses. Complimentary soft drinks, juices, local beer, house-brand spirits, international house wine, fi ltered coff ee and tea are available throughout the cruise. A wine cellar is available for premium wines and spirits to purchase at an additional cost. Reception The ship’s reception desk is open 24 hours a day. If you need assistance, please call from your suite or pay them a visit. Settling Your Bill Onboard There is a no cash policy dur-ing the sailing. All settlement will be calculated at the time of check-out. Please check the invoice to make sure all items are accounted for before payment/closing of the account. Payment is accepted by cash (US dollars or Vietnamese dong), Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Some bank/credit cards may charge a separate fee as well.

Tipping/Gratuities Gratuities to your cruise director, drivers, local guides, hotel concierge and crew of the ship are included in the tour price.

SUITE INFORMATIONIn-Room Entertainment There is a fl at panel TV in each suite, but no live broadcasted channels are available. A wide selection of DVDs are available from reception for free rental. Telephone Each suite has its own telephone, which may be used to call within the ship. Climate Control All suites are equipped with air-conditioning with individual climate control. Electricity 220 volts; European two-prong sockets. Hair Dryer Each suite is equipped with a hair dryer. Additional Suite Amenities Each suite off ers bathrobes and slippers, and complimentary bottled water, replenished daily. Bathroom Amenities Soap, body wash and conditioning shampoo are provided. Safety Deposit Box All suites are equipped with a safe for your use. It is recommended that you place your valuables in the safe when away from the suite.

ONBOARD FACILITIES & AMENITIESFitness, Beauty & Recreation Enjoy the services of our hair stylist, masseuse and beauty therapist who will pamper your body and rejuvenate your spirit while you’re on board. An extensive massage and treatments menu is available at reasonable prices. For those who want to work out, the Fitness Centre (with external fl oor-to-ceiling windows) features a sauna and a range of gym equipment for you to use while watching the scenery pass by.Onboard Shop The ship has an onboard shop off ering accesso-ries and souvenirs, as well as some personal and toiletry items. Laundry A same-day laundry and pressing service is available on board the ship for a modest fee, or may be complimentary via the Butler Service depending on your suite category. Dry cleaning is not available. For safety reasons, ironing is not allowed in your ship cabin.Library The ship has a book collection available to all passengers, free of charge. Please return any books that you have borrowed before the end of the cruise. The ship also appreciates book donations.

ASIA >> VIETNAM/CAMBODIA SHIP SERVICES & AMENITIES ASIA >> VIETNAM/CAMBODIA SHIP SERVICES & AMENITIES

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SHIP SCHEDULE & SHORE EXCURSIONSShip Schedule The ship will sail promptly from each port in accordance with its cruising schedule. The ship is unable to delay departures for passengers who may not be onboard. Unless you are on a ship’s excursion accompanied by an ap-pointed guide, it is your responsibility to make your own way to rejoin the ship at a subsequent stop. Without limitation, APT is not liable for any costs incurred if you miss the ship’s departure for any reason. Daily Program The ship’s daily program features information about daily activities, shore excursions, tour departure times and more. The program for the following days touring will be placed in your cabin each evening.

Laos Ship Services & Amenities

ONBOARD THE CRUISE Meals All meals onboard the ship are included. Meals are served in the restaurant in a single sitting. Open seating allows you to sit at diff erent tables for each meal if you wish to meet fellow passengers. Table reservations are not accepted. All meals are prepared by local chefs and consist of Western cuisine as well as local cuisine. Lunch is a buff et with a mix of western and Asian dishes, while dinner is a multi-course meal with a selection of main courses. A glass of wine or beer is included with your lunch and dinner. Drinks are available to purchase at reasonable prices at all other times onboard. Reception The ship’s reception is located at the bar. The Cruise Director is available 24 hours a day to assist with any needs you may have. Onboard Language The onboard language is English and German. All staff , crew and local guides speak a high standard of English. Smoking Smoking is not permitted inside the ship. Smoking is only permitted on the sun deck. For the safety and comfort of all passengers onboard, your cooperation in observing the no-smoking policy is greatly appreciated. Settling Your Bill Onboard There is a no cash policy dur-ing the cruise. All settlement will be calculated at the time of check-out. Please check the invoice to make sure all items are accounted for before payment/closing of the account. Pay-ment is accepted only by Visa and MasterCard. Cash payments are also accepts in Euro/USD/Thai Baht or Laotian Kip.

Tipping APT has pre-paid all tipping for your Upper Mekong cruise.

SUITE INFORMATIONIn-Room Entertainment There are no TVs in your suite.

Telephone A telephone is not available in your suite. There is a satellite phone onboard the crew can use in case of an emergen-cy. You will be able to text/call home with your mobile telephone; however, reception may not always be available. Please check with your local service provider to confi rm that they have an agreement with Laotian service providers.

Climate Control All suites are equipped with air-conditioning with individual climate control.

Electricity 220 volts; European two-prong sockets.

Hair Dryer Each suite is equipped with a hair dryer.

Bathroom Amenities Soap, body wash and conditioning shampoo are provided.

ONBOARD FACILITIES & AMENITIESOnboard Shop Batteries, stamps and a small selection of post-cards are available from the bar. Laundry There are no laundry facilities onboard the Mekong Sun. If you want to wash some of your clothes, we recommend doing this in Siem Reap before fl ying to Luang Prabang.

China Ship Services & Amenities

ONBOARD THE CRUISE Meals A team of internationally trained chefs and a well-stocked wine cellar ensure dining aboard Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer is a superb experience. Innovative menus feature the fi nest of Chinese and continental cuisine, served with complimentary house wines and other refreshments at all lunches and dinners. Enjoy a hot buff et and salads at lunch and a four-course à-la-carte menu at dinner. The chef is always at hand to cater for particular dietary requirements, or a special dinner with family and friends in one of the private rooms. Please do not drink the tap water in your suite. Bottled water is placed in your suite daily. Water and ice served in the Explorer Bar and dining room are safe. Tap water in China is generally not safe for drinking.

ASIA >> CHINA SHIP SERVICES & AMENITIESASIA >> LAOS SHIP SERVICES & AMENITIES

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ASIA // CHINA SHIP SERVICES & AMENITIES

Reception The ship’s reception desk is open 24 hours a day. Should you need any assistance, please call from your suite or pay them a visit. Onboard Language The onboard language is English. All staff , crew and local guides speak a high standard of English. Smoking Smoking is not permitted inside the ship. Smoking is only permitted on the outside observation deck in allocated areas. For the safety and comfort of all passengers onboard, your cooperation in observing the no-smoking policy is greatly appreciated. Settling Your Bill Onboard There is a no cash policy dur-ing the cruise. All settlement will be calculated at the time of check-out. Please check the invoice to make sure all items are accounted for before payment/closing of the account. Payment is accepted only by Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Some bank/credit cards may charge a separate fee as well. Tipping Gratuities for your cruise are included in the tour price.

SUITE INFORMATIONIn-Room Entertainment There is a fl at panel TV with satellite channels in each suite.Telephone Each suite has its own telephone, which may be used to call within the ship. Climate Control All suites are equipped with air-conditioning with individual climate control. Electricity 220 volts; multinational two-prong sockets. Hair Dryer Each suite is equipped with a hair dryer. Additional Suite Amenities Each suite off ers bathrobes and slippers, and complimentary bottled water, replenished daily. Bathroom Amenities Soap, body wash and conditioning shampoo are provided. Safety Deposit Box All suites are equipped with a safe for your use. It is recommended that you place your valuables in the safe when away from the suite.

ONBOARD FACILITIES & AMENITIESFitness, Beauty & Recreation The ship has the most spacious and indulgent spa of any cruise vessel on the Yangtze. With an

ASIA >> DISRUPTION TO THE ITINERARYASIA >> CHINA SHIP SERVICES & AMENITIES

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area covering more than 300 square meters, the Yangzi Spa is a haven of tranquility and rejuvenation. With six treatment rooms, guests will have the opportunity to truly indulge and relax while on board. A varied menu of spa services, including massage and beauty treatments are available for your enjoyment.Onboard Shop The ship has an onboard shopping area off ering fi lm, souvenirs, artwork and jewellery as well as some personal and toiletry items. Laundry A same-day laundry and pressing service is available onboard the ship for a modest fee. Dry cleaning is not available. For safety reasons, ironing is not allowed in your ship cabin.Medical The ship has a doctor on board for Western medical needs, who can also provide acupuncture.

SHIP SCHEDULE & SHORE EXCURSIONSShip Schedule The ship will sail promptly from each port in ac-cordance with its cruising schedule. The ship is unable to delay departures for passengers who may not be onboard. Unless you are on a ship’s excursion accompanied by an appointed guide, it is your responsibility to make your own way to rejoin the ship at a subsequent stop. Without limitation, APT is not liable for any costs incurred if you miss the ship’s departure for any reason. Daily Program The ship’s daily program features information about daily activities, shore excursions, tour departure times and more. It is available at the reception desk. Sightseeing A sightseeing tour is included at each location on the itinerary. The sightseeing tours can involve walking, travel by motorcoach, local boat or a combination thereof. Each tour is led by a qualifi ed English-speaking local guide. In the rare event of water level problems, it may be necessary to operate part of the itinerary by motorcoach or to alter the daily program whenever conditions render it necessary, by determination of the captain of the ship.

Disruption to the ItineraryUnder normal operating conditions, itineraries will be delivered as per the brochure; however, sometimes for reasons beyond our control it may be necessary to make alterations to your itinerary. We recommend you take out comprehensive travel insurance that covers direct or indirect costs that you incur as a result of an event or factor beyond our control. Additionally,

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you are not entitled to any refund for any alterations to your itinerary that are caused or contributed to by any fl ood events or such other events that are beyond our control. Should road conditions, weather or water level problems, or any other condition (by determination of the coach driver or ship’s captain) render it necessary, part of the itinerary may need to be altered. Depending on the circumstances, part of your river cruising may need to operate by coach.

Useful Websites Climate: www.climate-zone.comTime: www.timeanddate.com/worldclockCurrency conversion: www.xe.comInternational telephone codes: www.countrycallingcodes.comCustoms, Australia: www.customs.gov.auCustoms, New Zealand: www.customs.govt.nzCustoms, UK: www.hmrc.gov.ukAustralian Government Advisory & Consular Service: www.smarttraveller.gov.auAustralia’s Department of Transport & Regional Services: www.travelsecure.infrastructure.gov.au Australian embassies: www.embassy.gov.auNew Zealand embassies: www.nzembassy.comBritish embassies: www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-

abroad/fi nd-an-embassy

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Produced by Lonely Planet for APT. All editorial views are those of Lonely Planet alone and refl ect our policy of editorial independence

and impartiality.

VIETNAM, CAMBODIA, LAOS, THAILAND & CHINA

ASIA

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