Frequently Asked
Questions
Do I need a
Passport or Visa?
The quick answer is Passport YES…
Visa NO.
U.S. citizens are required to have a passport to leave
the U.S. via air. When traveling abroad, your passport must be valid for at
least 6 months following your visit. Please remember to obtain all required
travel documents prior to departure and check your documentation carefully to
avoid incurring costs associated with delays, losses or obtaining documents
while traveling.
Note: Due to airline security measures, your passport
name must match your airline ticket name or you may be denied boarding.
You don't need a visa unless you are planning a pre or post trip visit
to countries such as Russia or China.
Citizens of countries other than
the U.S. may have other requirements to enter France. Check with your state or
immigration department.
What's the best way to get to Europe for the
cruise?
The most common air service from the U.S. to
France is through Paris (Charles-De-Gaulle (CDG) or Orly (ORY), then connecting
to other cities. (Some major U.S. airports may have direct flights to Lyon,
Marseilles, Nice or Montpelier),
Getting Around by AIR
This river cruise
originates in Chalon-sur-Saône about 60 minutes from the major airport in
Lyon-Satolas (LYS).
The river cruise terminates in Avignon about 90
minutes from the major airport at Marseilles/Provence (MRS)
If you
plan a post cruise trip to the French Riviera or other Southern France
destinations you can go by either, car, bus, or connect out of
Marseilles/Provence (MRS). The following airports have good connections back to
Paris.
From Cannes or Monaco - fly back to Paris from
Nice-Côte d'Azur (NCE)
From St. Tropez - fly back to Paris
from Hyeres-Toulon (TLN) or Nice-Côte d'Azur (NCE)
From Cap d'
Agde - fly back to Paris from Montpelier - Frejorgues (MPL) or Beziers Vias
(BZR)
RAIL
EUROPE
Another great way to get around and see more of France
is via Rail Europe. Trains run from all cities frequently. Many trains are high
speed and when factoring in early check-in times and delays at airports, trains
are less often delayed and thus often quicker than trying to travel
intra-country via air. (But note that rail security checks are at a high level
in Europe as well)
With Rail Europe you can actually buy an unlimited
rail pass for specified periods of days or use the Anywhere Anytime France
program. If you plan pre and post cruise destinations... RAIL might work a LOT
better for you.
For example you could could:
- Fly into Paris from the U.S.
- stay in Paris a few days or immediately rail to
Chalon-sur-Saône for the cruise
- then after the cruise, rail from Avignon back to Paris
or to the French Riviera or Cap d'Agde
- then rail back from Monaco, St. Tropez, Cap d' or other
southern France cities back to Paris for your return flight to the U.S.
You can check out sample rates and schedules at:
http://www.raileurope.com
Another
good way to RAIL your way around France is with Rail Europe's "Anywhere Anytime
France" program. If you plan several legs to and from different cities... this
option can save you a lot of money. Learn
more about Rail Europe's "Anywhere Anytime France" program
here
Helpful French Tourism Information, Maps and Weather
Links
Transfers
Airport-to-ship transfers are not included in the base
cruise prices listed on the rates page. You can purchase these transfers in
advance… so see the above section and please inquire if you have further
questions.
How do I book?
You need to contact us
by either phone or email. Tammy
and Jennifer are ready with
all the details and can assist you in all matters regarding your booking.
Do I
need Travel Insurance?
The short answer is that its not
required... but you really need it when travelling abroad.
Insurance is available that covers you for medical situations and for an extra
cost you can even insure your trip if you are prevented from going due to
business or other economic situations.
We've never
been on a clothing-optional vacation. What's it like?
A
clothing optional vacation is just like your other vacations - with one major
exception - you don't have to wear clothes. A growing number of people are
enjoying these types of vacations and a growing number of first class resorts
are offering the option to go topless or nude.
Clothing-Optional or
Nude recreation has been the norm in Europe for many years, and while a bit
slow to "catch on" in the US proper, it is becoming very popular, especially in
Caribbean destinations catering to American tourists.
It's not at all
unusual for the first timer to be a little nervous getting started, but once
they get out of their clothes, any nervousness quickly disappears.
What's this
I hear about "Nude Etiquette"?
Generally the following
guidelines will be appropriate.
• Always keep a towel handy and put it
over any furniture you sit on. (Good hygiene)
• Don't stare or "gawk"
at other people who are nude.
• Refrain from any crude or lewd remarks
about another person's body or appearance.
• No photography. Save your
picture taking for when nobody else is around and/or ask permission if anyone
else is going to be included in your photographs or videos.
• Observe
the "rules of the ship". You will be expected to be clothed at certain times
such as dinner, and while in port. Please comply.
What will
the other cruise passengers be like?
Just like you and me!
In our travels to clothing optional or nude destinations we have met all types
of folks including businessmen, entrepreneurs, secretaries, doctors,
professionals, office & factory workers alike. The great thing about going
on a clothing optional vacation is that everybody is the same. Any pretensions
of class or position are usually quickly lost and everybody seems to fit
together and socialize together.
Our Danube cruise also attracted a
nice mix of European couples as well. This made for a great opportunity to meet
new folks from different cultures. And despite what you may have heard...
European folks, especially the ones who cruise with us, really do like and
enjoy interacting with Americans
My body is far from perfect. Won't I be
embarrassed?
If you're coming on this cruise expecting to
see a nude version of "Baywatch" or "The Love Boat", you're likely to be
disappointed or relieved as the case may be. One quick look around and you'll
soon realize that as we mentioned before, most everyone is just like you and
me. You see bodies of all types, shapes and sizes - tall, short, calorically
challenged (thin), calorically endowed (um... opposite of thin), black, white,
brown and everything in between. Not wearing clothes is nothing to be
embarrassed about.
What are the ages of the people expected on this cruise?
We can't say for sure, but our last European river cruise
on the Danube attracted passengers from their 20's to their 60's. We would
guess that the majority of the passengers this time around will be similar,
mostly 30's to 50's, but plenty at either end of the scale.
Do I
have to, or can I be nude all the time?
You can be nude
anywhere on the ship while it is underway and between ports of call… but
you don't have to be. The only time clothing is required on board is for
dining. This cruise is actually clothing optional, but expect most guests to be
nude when the ship is underway and the weather cooperates. However, when in
port & dining, clothing is required. The Viking Neptune has a huge sundeck
up top so you will have a chance to enjoy the beautiful French countryside and
vineyards as you float by in your birthday suit!
Can I dine
in the nude?
Clothing is required in the formal dining
venues, but of course you may be nude on deck while the ship is underway and
enjoy your snacks and drinks there.
What do I do about "Woody" or "That Time" of the
Month?
For the guys:
Don't think that just
because you have stepped on deck nude, you're going to get an automatic stiffy.
Sure it's possible, but unlikely. But if it does happen just roll over on your
stomach for a while, or cover up with a towel until the "situation" subsides.
We have noticed over the last few years though, that the medical miracle known
as the "little blue pill" has had a noticeable effect at clothing optional and
nude resorts. We're not telling you what to do, but just remember that the
effects from those things can be pretty long lasting.
For the gals:
What bad timing, Huh? But don't worry about it, just go with the
flow... so to speak. Usually women on their heavy days will simply don a
bathing suit bottom and go on having a great time. On lighter days, most women
just do away with the bottoms and just tuck the string. No big deal... either
way.
What
about sex?
Personally... we are very much in favor of
sex!!! Oh... you mean public displays of sexual activity?
One thing to
clarify about the subject for our first time cruisers as well as a reminder to
our "seasoned veterans" is that public displays of overt sexual activity are
NOT permitted on this cruise. Take it to the privacy of your cabin.
Is this a "Swingers/Lifestylers/Like-Minded"
cruise or is this a "Nudist" cruise?
Probably none of those
definitions would apply. This is a cruise that provides the opportunity to be
nude a good deal of the time… while enjoying a great time, beautiful
scenery and interesting ports of call. It is nothing more… and nothing
less.
Our last river cruise on the Danube had a lot of nudists
(experienced and first timers), some "Like-Minded" couples, and only a few
folks who never got nude. We would expect a similar mix this time.
We
have learned over the years that a "mixed" group of folks is usually more
interesting and fun than a group of one or the other. There is rarely a problem
as long as everyone has respect for everyone else and the rule of "NO MEANS NO"
is followed to the letter.
A word of assurance for the
Nudists: We intend to provide an opportunity for nude recreation on
this cruise that you can enjoy without concerns or expectations of anything
else. We have found at landed resorts such as Couples, Grand Lido's, and
Hedo's, in the Caribbean, the vast majority of nudists enjoy socializing with
all types of people, nudist or not.
We have also found that any
"invitation" you might get for activities beyond what you are comfortable with
can almost always be easily deflected with a respectful "no thanks". That
should be enough. If it's not… see a Castaways staff person immediately,
and we'll handle it.
A word of assurance to our "Like Minded"
cruisers. We are not judgmental of any lifestyle and want you to
have a great time, but please be respectful of all the folks on this cruise and
we ask you to be extra careful to not put undue pressure on other passengers
for any type of activity they might not be comfortable with. Again… on
this cruise "NO MEANS NO".
Do we have to interact with other people on this
trip?
No not at all. We try to provide a relaxed atmosphere
with plenty of activities, but we exert no pressure to join in. There will be
70+ other couples on the trip so there is no way you can be "alone" all the
time, but how much you choose to interact with others is completely up to you.
However, we find almost everyone on our sponsored trips seem to easily
discover compatible people to enjoy their vacation with. And, the big payoff is
many become great, permanent friends once they return home.
 Book your French Adult Cruise and receive 2 for 1 savings at
Caliente Caribe.
Castaways Travel and Caliente Resorts have teamed
up to offer all of our French Adult Cruise passengers a 2 for 1 special for
Caliente Caribe in the Dominican Republic. AND... bring friends with you
and they can enjoy the 2 for 1 savings on their stay as well*. Caliente
Caribe is fast becoming one of the finest All-Inclusive luxury clothing
optional resorts in the Caribbean. Your stay includes your choice of
accomodations, gourmet dining and unlimited premium drinks, and much much more.
See a more detailed report on Caliente Caribe at this
Link.
Terms &
Conditions:Caliente Caribe prices are per person. First person in room pays
full price, second person in room is free. Restrictions and black out dates
(January-April) will apply. Travel must be complete within 15 months after
receipt of Final Neptune reservation payment. This offer does not include tips
airfare, or transfer fees to the resort. All room types are included in this
offer depending on availability. All friends must have the same travel dates
for the discount offer to apply. Terms and conditions are subject to change
without notice. This offer has no cash value. *Friends discount amount may vary
by date of travel... call for details. |
For Reservations, contact
Jennifer at Castaways
Travel.
Escorted by James, Champagne and your favorite host couples you've
enjoyed over the years.
800-470-2020
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