FAQs

On Shore

Frequently Asked Questions about on shore.

How do I plan my shore excursions?: Enhance your voyage experience with shore excursions specially selected by Cunard. These excursions are fully outlined in the brochure that will be sent with your voyage documents. Most excursions can be purchased on board up to 48 hours before arrival in the port where the tour is offered. Selected overland excursions may be reserved in advance. Throughout your voyage there will be informative briefings, announced in the ships’ Daily Programme, that will include tour information and other practical suggestions for the ports you will visit.

What are anchor ports and possible anchor ports?

Usually the ship will dock in the port and you will leave by the gangway (as you did when you embarked). In some ports, however, you will anchor a little way out from the shore and be taken ashore by tender. These ports are indicated on the brochure itinerary with an ^A.

There is a possibility, in exceptional circumstances, that we will have to anchor outside of a port and use tenders to take you ashore, these are indicated with ^PA.

To view our online brochures click here.

On voyages that have a call at a port that requires use of the ship's tenders to get ashore, it may not always be possible for some guests with disabilities or mobility issues to access the tenders or the shore quayside. Whilst every effort will be made to enable access, you must have some independent mobility in order to step into the tender and out of it on the shore side. Our crew are not allowed to lift guests. Please be advised by our officers accordingly.

How much tax free shopping can I bring home?: Purchases made in EC countries are subject to the usual EC customs allowances. Outside the EC allowances vary. To check allowances, visit the Customs & Excise website on www.hmce.gov.uk. Purchases made on the ship are subject to non- EC regulations - check on board for what you are allowed to bring home.

Is the port always the main destination?: Usually, although there are some exceptions where the main places of interest are not on the coast but accessible by coach or train from the port. An example of this is Rome. In these cases the main place of interest is shown with the port in brackets, eg Rome (Civitavecchia). At these ports of call and others where the ship berths some distance from the city centre, Cunard will arrange a shuttle bus service or a city transfer service, tickets for which will be available for sale to guests on board. Guests who wish to go ashore independently of the Cunard tour programme will usually find local public transport connections and private taxis close to the port.

What happens to my luggage at the end of the voyage?

Your stateroom steward will provide you with a disembarkation letter containing information regarding your departure from the ship. You will also receive coloured labels for each piece of luggage. We strongly recommend you hand-carry fragile items, valuables and medication.

Before you retire for the night, your bags should be packed and placed outside your stateroom door to facilitate customs clearance and disembarkation.

Guests who have arranged White Star Luggage Service must claim their luggage and clear port customs. The designated drop off location will be after you clear customs. Please ensure that you have securely attached the waybill holder to your luggage and included any and all applicable custom forms. Luggage will be shipped on the first business day after disembarkation.

How long will I be in port?

The time the ship is in port varies by voyage and port. In our brochures and on our website we have indicated next to each port whether our port call will be a morning, afternoon, full day, or longer. Below is a guide to how long the ship will usually be in port:

Morning: Arrival between 7am and 9am; Departure between 12noon and 2pm.

Afternoon: Arrival between 12noon and 2pm; Departure between 5pm and 7pm.

Full Day: Arrival between 7am and 10am; Departure between 4pm and 8pm.

Full Day and Evening: Arrival between 7am and 10am; Departure between 9pm and 11:59pm.

Afternoon and Evening: Arrival between 12noon and 2pm; Departure between 9pm and11:59pm.

Afternoon, Overnight and Full Day: Arrival between 12noon and 2pm; Departure between 4pm and 8pm the following day.

Evening and Overnight: Arrival between 4pm and 8pm; Departure the following day.