With advance notice, we can accommodate most special dietary needs. Please submit your request in writing to our Access Department no later than 40 days before US sailings, and 80 days before all other sailings.

Fax requests to 954.628.9622

or e-mail to: Special_Needs@AzamaraClubCruises.com.

Standard kosher-style menus are available on all voyages. On the day of boarding, please confirm your special dietary arrangements with the restaurant manager.

Each of Azamaras ships have a designated smoking area, located on the starboard forward section of the pool deck. This area is clearly marked. All other areas of the ship are non-smoking, including public rooms, restaurants, pool decks, staterooms and squires, verandas and halls. A non-smoking policy also applies to all components of the land portions of Azamara Cruisetours, unless specifically stated otherwise by the tour operator. This includes electronic cigarettes.

The minimum drinking age for all alcoholic beverages on all Azamara ships is 21. On European and South American sailings where the legal drinking age is 18, a parent sailing with children aged between 18 and 20 may sign a waiver allowing them to consume alcoholic beverages.

We welcome guests with disabilities and special needs and work hard to assist them throughout their vacation. To receive appropriate assistance, be sure to notify our Access Department in writing (fax: 954- 628-9622; email: special_needs@azamaracruises.com)no later than 40 days before US sailings, and 80 days before all other sailings.

Sign Language Interpreters 
We provide sign language interpreting services on cruises that sail to and from the U.S. and Canada only. Please make a request at the time of booking but no later than 60 days prior to sailing. Please note that requests are subject to availability of interpreters. The earlier you let us know you need interpreters, the easier it is to confirm interpreters for your sailing. Services are provided on a shared basis for all deaf guests onboard.

Wheelchairs / Scooters
We provide complimentary wheelchairs for getting on and off the ship. If you would like to have a wheelchair or scooter during the cruise, you are welcome to bring your own or rent one from a company that provides wheelchairs and scooter rentals for cruises.

Visual Impairment
We have made the voyage experience as effortless as possible for our guests with visual disabilities. Our staterooms, dining and public areas are designed to incorporate Braille wherever possible. Other accommodations include an allowance for service animals, including a 4x4 foot relief area with cypress mulch, and the option of early boarding for orientation tours. We also provide qualified readers onboard our ships to assist guests and waiters will read dining menus upon request.

Cruising with your Companion

Your service dog is welcome onboard, and we make every effort to ensure your comfort and theirs. Please note we do not accept pets.

A service dog is defined as "any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability."

Our Commitment

Evidence that a dog is a service dog (such as identification cards, other written documentation, presence of harnesses and/or tags) is not required, but is helpful for our staff and crew.

We provide 4 foot by 4 foot relief areas with cypress mulch to accommodate service dogs. Relief areas are provided on a shared basis with other service dogs onboard. For sailings from the U.S., sod can be provided if ordered in advance and is available.

Please notify our Access Department as early as time of booking, but no later than 30 days prior to sailing if a relief area is needed.

Your Responsibility

Service dogs are permitted to accompany their owner in all public areas, including dining venues. While in public areas, service dogs must be on a leash, harness or other restraining device. Due to health regulations, service dogs are not permitted in pools, whirlpools or spas.

Care and supervision of your service dog is your sole responsibility. It is also your responsibility to provide food and care for the dog.

You may bring a reasonable quantity of food and bowls for your dog onboard the ship at no additional charge. If refrigerated space is needed, notify our Access Department as early as time of booking, but no later than 30 days prior to sailing.

Guests are responsible for obtaining all required permits for service dogs to depart the ship in ports of call and at final destination.

Assistance dogs to the United Kingdom

Assistance dogs entering the United Kingdom must meet the rules of the Pet Travel Scheme.

You are responsible for ensuring your assistance dog meets all of the rules of the Pet Travel Scheme. Please make sure you have had the procedures carried out in the correct order and your dog’s documentation is correctly completed.

We will do our best to assist you in ensuring your service dog is checked for compliance with the Pet Travel Scheme at boarding. Please note dogs that fail checks will not be allowed to sail.

If you experience a problem with your documentation upon entry into the United Kingdom, any related costs for either the quarantine or re-export of your pet will be entirely your responsibility.

In general, you will need a Pet Passport (for guests from the UK and the EU) or an official third country veterinary certificate (for guests from the US and other countries outside the UK and EU) showing the dog has been microchipped, vaccinated against rabies, and treated against tapeworm not less than 24 hours, and not more than 120 hours, before arrival in the UK (not required if travelling from Ireland, Finland, Malta or Norway).

Pet Passport and Third Country Certificates must be signed, dated, and stamped by an Official Veterinarian; this may be different than your local veterinarian. This usually takes extra time.

Tapeworm treatment should be arranged at the next to last port of call prior to entry to the UK. In case for any reason the scheduled treatment cannot be done at this port, you will have another opportunity to arrange a treatment at the next port of call.

Each Azamara vessel is equipped with a medical facility. At least one licensed physician and one nurse are generally in attendance on all Azamara® voyages. Limited medical services and medications are available for a fee. The types of medications kept onboard are limited. The medical facility is not intended as a clinic for guests, and Azamara is not responsible for the diagnosis, treatment or services furnished by shipboard medical personnel, who are independent contractors.

Fire Risks
Even though fire risk is minimal, fire suppression systems are installed throughout all areas of the vessel. The primary fire suppression system on most ships converts water into a mist state that presents more surface area for smoke and heat to be absorbed. Water mist systems are very effective and also safe for people who may be near them when they are activated. In areas such as engine spaces and galleys, we have installed both water mist and CO2 systems. In addition, we have gone Above and Beyond Compliance with regulations by installing foam systems in various technical areas and wet chemical extinguishers in all of our galleys, that are especially effective in the case of oil based fire.

Our ships are also equipped with an extensive series of fire sensors, which are monitored by crew members on the bridge and in the engine control rooms. If a fire detector indicates there may be a fire onboard, response personnel are immediately dispatched to the area to evaluate the situation. If indicated, mobile firefighting groups respond, outfitted with full firefighter gear, breathing apparatus and special heat-seeking systems that use thermal-imaging cameras. These cameras (both hand-held and helmet mounted) help to quickly identify the source of a fire and to locate any people who may be in the affected area. Responding crew also have access to an Impulse Fire Extinguisher (IFEX), which shoots a blast of water using pressurized air and is ideal for rapid response in quickly suppressing a fire. With these tools, our highly trained personnel on the bridge and on the scene can manage fire-related situations effectively.

Although all of our vessels are equipped with advanced fire detection and suppression systems, fire safety really begins with prevention. Our ships are constructed and outfitted to comply with stringent international fire safety regulations, including requirements for fire integrity of bulkheads (walls) and windows and fixtures onboard (such as furniture and carpets). Our ships are inspected throughout construction by third-party safety inspectors from recognized classification societies and port state safety agencies like the U.S. Coast Guard.

While the ship's officers and security team receive specialized training, every crew member must participate in safety and security training modules, so that they are prepared to respond quickly and effectively in the event of an emergency. We also conduct weekly, monthly and annual drills on all our ships, to train and prepare for response to a variety of potential situations. In addition, each of our vessels is equipped with advanced fire detection and suppression systems, and each ship has highly trained personnel onboard who can effectively respond to and manage a report of a fire.

Loss of electricity 
If the main electrical power source is lost, we have plans for a contingency and we move to using the emergency generators. These are typically located on the upper decks and they have their own fuel supply and are completely independent. The generators can provide emergency lighting, operate elevators and even provide power to re-start the engines, if necessary. They can also power communication channels - radio, telefax, email, so the ship can continue to communicate with shoreside.

Muster Drills
Each ship has alternate muster stations available throughout the ship and each crew member at all locations are trained in mustering procedures.

The International Convention of Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) regulatory guidelines require that a muster drill be held within 24 hours of embarkation. However, the muster drill for guests on any ship in our fleet is to be held prior to departure on embarkation day.

Announcements for the guest assembly drill are usually made in English. The announcements are also made in additional core languages when we have large numbers of guests onboard who do not speak English. On some sailings, announcements may be made in the language of the market, then followed by English and any other approved core language(s).

Guests should not bring life jackets to the muster drill. In the unlikely event of an emergency, our procedures direct guests to precede directly to their muster stations upon hearing the emergency signal. This reduces the chance for cross-traffic and improves response time at muster stations, as guests do not need to return to their staterooms to retrieve their life jackets if they are in another part of the ship at the time. Once a guest arrives at their muster station, a crew member will provide them with a life jacket. In the unlikely event of an emergency, one of the most important aspects is to account for all persons onboard, and this process facilitates that accountability.

During the mustering process, trained crew with high visibility vests will be posted throughout the ship to assist guests with disabilities. In addition to posted personnel, specially trained crew teams are available to assist guests with special needs. In addition, if for any reason people cannot get to their designated muster/assembly station the Ship's emergency plan calls for crew to check every stateroom and space on the ship to ensure guests have made it to their assembly stations, and that if someone needs assistance to do so, it is provided.

Guests that board the ship at a different port of call are provided with a "Guest Joining Downline" letter prior to departure from the port of embarkation. They also receive a verbal safety briefing in person prior to departure from their port of embarkation.

In case of larger groups (1% of total guest capacity), a muster drill is organized and conducted. The letter and briefing shall contain (as a minimum) the following information in English and other appropriate languages:

• Clear instructions to be followed in case of an emergency
• Location of the guest's Muster/Assembly Station
• The essential actions to be taken in an emergency
• The method of donning a lifejacket
  

Lifesaving crafts
The number of lifesaving crafts varies depending on the class/size of ship. All of our ships have sufficient survival crafts for everyone on board, plus additional capacity in reserve, per regulatory requirements.

The lifesaving crafts onboard our ships are tested once a month, which is over and above what is required, which is once every three months. During this test, the lifesaving crafts are lowered into the water and pulled away from the ship.

Zika Virus
Azamara is committed to the safety and health of our guests and crew. We are closely monitoring the Zika virus situation and are aware that the CDC has issued a travel alert for certain countries where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. Azamara will assist any pregnant women who do not feel comfortable sailing to countries affected with the Zika virus by providing alternate itinerary options. This may include providing guests with a future cruise credit valid for two years so that they may re-schedule their voyage for a later date, with no penalty. Guests seeking additional information on the Zika virus are encouraged to contact their primary care physician or visit the CDC's website.

Guests are encouraged to follow a 'resort casual' dress code, following good taste and common sense. Bare feet, tank tops, baseball caps, swim wear, shorts and jeans are not allowed in the main dining room or speciality restaurants. When dining at Windows Café, guests must wear footwear and a cover-up or shirt.
In Price C, Aqualina and Discoveries Restaurant, many guests enjoy dressing up, but formal evening wear (tuxedos and gowns) is not expected. A sports coat or suit is recommended for men, while dresses, blouses with capris or skirts, or other appropriate attire is advised.

Tips for Connectivity at Sea

The Internet service you’ll find on board via Wi-Fi and at eConnections is provided by a satellite connection. This connection can be affected by several factors that can interrupt or slow down Internet service on the ship. While natural features like Icelandic fjords are breathtaking to view, the high rock walls can block the satellite signal. This signal can also be blocked by large buildings when in port. Changing the ship’s course at sea can also cause temporary connection issues. The following tips will help you make the most of your time (and money) while online.

Connect at off-peak times: Increased users will limit bandwidth available on board. Try connecting to the Internet in the evening when fewer users will be online, or in port when most travelers are off ship.

Avoid bandwidth-heavy services: Using social media to stay in touch doesn’t take up much bandwidth, but video streaming services can be a drain on the ship’s available bandwidth and cause connectivity issues for all on board.

Compose messages offline: Write emails or social media posts in a word processing or notepad application before going online. Once you’re connected, copy and paste the message to send quickly and easily.

Be patient: Our ships can only connect to one dedicated satellite to provide Internet service onboard. Because we don’t have the ability to hop to another satellite, any slow downs or disruptions in service won’t be remedied until the ship moves.