Health & Safety
The safety of our guests is our highest priority and a security check, in line with the Department for Transport’s regulations, will be carried out. At check-in you will receive a ship’s pass that acts as both your security pass and on board account card for the duration of the cruise. Each time you embark or disembark your card is swiped to record whether you are on board the vessel or ashore. In addition, your hand luggage may be subject to either x-ray scanning or a manual search each time you re-join the ship. The Merchant Shipping Act prohibits the carrying of certain items on board ship. These include: All firearms and ammunition, sporting weapons, replica firearms, and explosives of any kind. Knives and other sharp bladed items (including pen knives). Flammable substances (petrol, methylated spirit, paint thinners etc). Items containing incapacitating substances that could be used to maim or disable, e.g. aerosol cans (unless they form part of a hairdressing kit). Any other item made, adapted or intended for use as an offensive weapon. Security for fly-cruises is also extremely tight, so we would recommend you check with your airline regarding their list of prohibited items on board the aircraft. We regret that, owing to strict security measures, no visitors are allowed on board either in the UK or abroad. To ensure the comfort and safety of all our guests, we reserve the right to disembark anyone failing to comply with our on board policies.
Once on board, we kindly request that all guests attend a safety procedure demonstration (also known as a muster drill). This simply requires guests to gather in their allocated meeting point which will be detailed on your guest cabin card. Once at your meeting point, you are required to log your name with the member of staff, and listen to the demonstration and safety instructions. The muster drill will last approximately 20 minutes and clear instructions will be provided over the ships tannoy at all times. Further information on the location of your muster station can be found on the back of your cabin door.
Disembarking when your ship's at anchor is a very different experience to when it's docked portside. Getting ashore in this instance often involves the use of the ship's tender, which is accessed via the steps of a secure gangway. Your safety and wellbeing are, of course, our main concern, and we want you to be as comfortable as possible when getting on and off your cruise ship. There are 25 steps from the ship to the tender on our vessels (except Braemar where there is a maximum of seven). For health and safety reasons, wheelchair-bound guests, or those requiring more than minimal assistance to board/alight a tender will be unable to go ashore on these occasions. Each cruise has it's own page, where you will find the detailed itinerary including any ports that will be at tender on your specific sailing: Balmoral>Braemar>Boudicca>Black Watch> Search for my cruise
This is dependent on your chosen cruise holiday itinerary and the ports of call included on the cruise. If there is a mandatory requirement, you will be advised at time you make your cruise booking and/or it will be detailed on your confirmation invoice. However, due to ever-changing health regulations, we suggest that you contact your local GP approximately 12 weeks prior to departure for the most up-to-date information.General travel advice is also available at www.gov.uk/browse/abroad & https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice In some countries, general standards of hygiene, care and safety may differ from those in the UK, so when going ashore common sense is the watchword, especially when choosing drinks or sampling local cuisine. At all times, we ask you to pay particular attention to personal hygiene, particularly vigorous hand washing with soap and the additional use of the hand sanitisers found at numerous locations around your cruise ship. If, in the three days prior to your cruise, you experience any symptoms of Norovirus (diarrhoea or vomiting), or symptoms of Influenza (fever or feverishness, cough, runny nose or sore throat), please contact us on 0800 0355 145. Medical facilities on board