The Seine: Paris to Normandy RIVER CRUISE Plus optional extensions in: Paris, France Brittany & Mont St. Michel, France The Loire Valley, France London, England 2016 GCCL SEN 2016 04/07/16 2 The Seine: Paris to Normandy Table of Contents 1. PASSPORT, VISAS AND TRAVEL DOCUMENTS .......................................................................... 5 Passport Required .................................................................................................................................... 5 Visas Not Required .................................................................................................................................. 5 Optional Tours—Early Purchase Required ............................................................................................. 7 2. YOUR HEALTH ..................................................................................................................................... 8 Keep Your Abilities In Mind ................................................................................................................... 8 Health Check ............................................................................................................................................ 9 Vaccinations............................................................................................................................................. 9 Prescription Medications ......................................................................................................................... 9 3. LUGGAGE REGULATIONS & AIR TRAVEL ............................................................................... 10 Luggage Limits ...................................................................................................................................... 10 Airport Security/TSA ............................................................................................................................. 11 Air Inclusive Travelers .......................................................................................................................... 12 Airport Transfers .................................................................................................................................... 12 4. MONEY MATTERS ............................................................................................................................ 13 Local Currency ...................................................................................................................................... 13 ATMs ..................................................................................................................................................... 14 Debit Cards ............................................................................................................................................ 15 Credit Cards ........................................................................................................................................... 15 Onboard Ship .................................................................................................................................... 16 Exchange Services Onboard ............................................................................................................. 16 Shopping ................................................................................................................................................ 17 U.S. Customs Regulations and Shipping Charges ................................................................................. 19 Problem with a Purchase? ...................................................................................................................... 19 Tipping Guidelines ................................................................................................................................ 20 5. PACKING FOR YOUR TRIP ............................................................................................................. 21 In General .............................................................................................................................................. 21 For This Trip .......................................................................................................................................... 21 Packing Your Carry-On Bag .................................................................................................................. 22 Travel Gear Suggestions ........................................................................................................................ 22 6. REGIONAL CLIMATE INFORMATION ........................................................................................ 24 Climate Charts ....................................................................................................................................... 25 7. TRAVEL AND TECHNOLOGY ........................................................................................................ 27 In General .............................................................................................................................................. 27 Regional Electricity ............................................................................................................................... 27 Electricity Onboard ........................................................................................................................... 28 Phones and Calling ................................................................................................................................ 28 Cell Phones ....................................................................................................................................... 29 Phone Calling Cards ......................................................................................................................... 29 Photo Gear ............................................................................................................................................. 29 8. GRAND CIRCLE CRUISE LINE’S EUROPEAN RIVER CRUISES ........................................... 31 Ship Specifications ................................................................................................................................ 35 GCCL SEN 2016 04/07/16 3 Your GCCL Program Director............................................................................................................... 35 9. ABOUT YOUR DESTINATIONS ...................................................................................................... 36 Paris in Brief .......................................................................................................................................... 36 Brittany and St. Malo in Brief —Optional Extension ............................................................................ 39 The Loire Valley in Brief—Optional Extension .................................................................................... 40 London in Brief—Optional Extension ................................................................................................... 41 10. DEMOGRAPHICS & HISTORICAL OVERVIEW ....................................................................... 42 11. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ........................................................................................................... 47 Books, Maps, and Movies ...................................................................................................................... 47 Suggested Movies ............................................................................................................................. 49 Grand Circle Community & Useful Websites ....................................................................................... 52 GCCL SEN 2016 04/07/16 4 1. PASSPORT, VISAS AND TRAVEL DOCUMENTS Passport Required U.S. citizens need a passport for this itinerary. Please take a moment to check if your passport meets all of these requirements. If you are refused entry, you may be required to return to the U.S. immediately, which would be at your own expense. Your passport should meet these requirements for this itinerary: • It should be in good condition • It should be valid for at least 6 months after your scheduled return to the U.S. • It should have the recommended number of blank pages (see below for details). • The blank pages must be labeled “Visas” at the top. Pages labeled “Amendments and Endorsements” are not acceptable. Recommended number of blank pages: This recommendation is based on a “worst case” scenario. On this trip you might use fewer pages, depending on the whims of the Immigration officials you meet. Since the consequence of having too few pages can be severe—you could be denied entry into a country—we opt for a better safe than sorry policy, and recommend these guidelines: • Main trip only : You will need 2 blank “Visa” pages in your passport. • Optional extensions to Paris, Brittany, or the Loire Valley : No additional blank pages need. • Optional extension to London : You will need 1 additional page, for a total of 3. If you need to renew your passport: Contact the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) at 1-877-487-2778, or visit their website at www.travel.state.gov for information on obtaining a new passport or renewing your existing passport. You may also contact our recommended visa service company, PVS International, at 1-800-556-9990 for help with your