Adventure Cruising

Who operates the trips?
Most of our cruises are operated independently by Peregrine. For others, we’re working with like-minded partner company Variety Cruises. Operating since 1949, Variety are masters in their trade, and their small-ship cruises provide comfortable rooms, delicious local food and the support of an experienced crew. Variety’s traveller pledge aligns perfectly with our own: to give our passengers intimate, authentic and memorable travel experiences.

What is included in my cruise cost?
With Peregrine cruises, we include: a minimum of two meals daily, activities and land excursions (as per the itinerary), 4-star accommodation on the boat, all port fees, services of local tour leaders, airport arrival transfer, all gratuities (excluding optional tour leader tip), drinking water, 24-hour coffee station with fruit and snacks, and snorkelling equipment. Most trips have kayaks and stand-up paddleboards available for use. Some trips also have fishing equipment on hand.
With Variety cruises, we include: a minimum of two meals daily, 4-star accommodation on the boat, all port fees, services of a cruise co-ordinator, drinking water, 24-hour coffee station with fruit and snacks, and snorkelling equipment. Some trips have kayaks and stand-up paddleboards available for use. Some trips also have fishing equipment on hand.

What is not included in my cruise cost?
With Peregrine cruises, we do not include: flights, travel insurance, discretionary tips for leaders, some meals, onboard purchases (such as beverages), hotel to port transfer (if arriving prior to day of embarkation), airport departure transfer (unless pre-booked), any additional hotel accommodation, personal expenses.
With Variety cruises, we do not include: flights, travel insurance, activities and land excursions, all gratuities, some meals, onboard purchases (such as beverages), transfers to/from airport or hotel to/from port (unless pre-booked), any additional hotel accommodation, personal expenses.

What extra expenses do I need to pay for?
Discretionary tips (as outlined above) onboard purchases (such as drinks), any meals not included, and personal expenses.

Are tips included in the price?
On Peregrine cruises, all tips are included for local guides, drivers, ships’ crew and hospitality staff. Any tip for your tour leaders is at your discretion.
On Variety voyages, tips for all crew and services is at your discretion.

Where can I find the joining point/hotel details for my trip?
Your agent or sales representative will provide you with all the necessary joining point details once you have booked, along with other essential trip information. This information can also be found on the web page for your trip – scroll down past the itinerary until you see the Essential Trip Information link.

Is luggage storage available if I arrive early?
Luggage storage is available for any passengers arriving from 12 midday. Simply leave it with us and return to the ship later for boarding. Boarding generally takes place late afternoon; consult your Essential Trip Information for the exact time.

What happens when the ship calls into port?
You are free to choose what you do when the ship calls into port. On Peregrine voyages, the listed on-shore excursions are included in the overall cost. On our adventures run by Variety Cruises, these onshore activities are at an additional cost; on these trips the cruise co-ordinator will give recommendations for what you might do on your own.

How much time will be spent sailing compared to in port? 
Most relocation sailing (as much as possible) will take place at night, allowing for more time to be spent at port and exploring. The majority of itineraries have at least one port stop or swim stop every day. In places of particular interest the ship will moor all day, allowing additional time for shore excursions and off-ship activities. It’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the trip itinerary in order to be aware of what time is scheduled at port and what excursions are in store. However, please be aware that weather conditions may prompt a change to published itineraries.

Will I get seasick?
How often the ship sails in open waters depends on the itinerary. The itineraries that sail along the coast should experience sheltered conditions on most days, but those that sail between islands will cross open waters and may sail through heavier seas. Unless you are certain that you’re impervious to seasickness, it is necessary to come prepared with precautionary medication or other methods of combatting seasickness. Please be aware that there are no doctors on board.

What type of ship will I be on?
We have two classes of ships: Motor Yacht and Motor Sailer, both of which carry between 31 and 50 passengers. Both ships’ primary propulsion method is motorised, but the Motor Sailer offers the romantic option of travelling with the wind when the sails are raised (when conditions are favourable). The decor varies between ships, with some contemporary and some more traditional in their styling. In some destinations, such as Cuba and Greece, there’s a choice of which ship to cruise on, while in others there’s a single ship type for a trip. View all of our ships here.

What are the cabins like?
All cabins are air-conditioned and fitted with central music and with telephones for intra-ship communication. Note that cabins are compact in size, with wardrobe and storage space also compact. Soft luggage is recommended.  All cabins on all ships have private bathrooms with hairdryers and come with some toiletries such as shampoo and shower gel. A safe and mini fridge are in every cabin.

Why are some cabins priced differently to others?
Pricing depends on the cabin type. As in a hotel, some cabins offer superior views, larger windows/portholes and additional living space. Cabin types are viewable on our ships page.

How accessible are the ships?
It’s important to be aware that none of the ships have lifts, and moving between decks will involve climbing fairly steep stairways. To disembark the ship at port, you will need to walk down a narrow gangway lowered to the dock. All ships are small enough that they can dock at all ports, and tenders (small dinghies) will rarely be necessary. 

How can I learn more about the ship?
You’ll find all the details about our cruise ships, including deck plans, photo galleries and cabin prices here.

Who will I be travelling with?
Our adventure cruises generally attract a mix of European, North American, Australian and New Zealand travellers of all ages. There will be 31–50 people on board, depending on the ship.

What if I’m travelling solo?
Some voyages require a single supplement; other’s don’t. If you’re travelling solo on a Variety-operated cruise, you will need to pay the single supplement (single passenger price), but will get a cabin for your own use. On our Peregrine charters, however, solo passengers can share with another passenger of the same gender, depending on availability or choose to have a cabin to themselves with the payment of a single supplement.

What language is spoken on the ship?
Language on board is English (with staff fluent), but German, French, Spanish or Russian may also be spoken by our leaders or cruise coordinators depending on the departure. In general there is a multilingual environment and you will have a chance to mix with a variety of nationalities.

Is the itinerary always the same?
By nature, all travel at sea is subject to weather, winds and tides. Occasionally the order in which we visit destinations may need to change to accommodate weather conditions and, sometimes, other ports may be substituted. Safety is always our first priority. All ships are built to SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) standards and are operated by an experienced captain and crew.

What will the weather be like?
With the exception of Iceland, we tend to travel through Europe during the hottest part of the summer, and in southern Europe it can get quite hot. Travelling at sea provides welcome respite from the heat, especially when we can drop anchor and enjoy a dip at any time. But it’s important to be prepared for warm temperatures when taking part in shore excursions. Bring comfortable shoes, a wide brimmed hat and plenty of sunscreen. On Peregrine voyages, a refillable water bottle will be provided and each vessel has a drinking fountain for filling up before setting out.

How much time will I have on shore at each stop?

The amount of time you spend ashore at each stop will vary depending on the stop and each individual itinerary. It is not always possible to give accurate arrival and departure times from each port. Travelling on a small ship means we are more affected by changes to the winds and tides. If conditions are in our favour we may make excellent time and arrive in port earlier than expected. But if conditions are against us, it may take longer to reach our next stop. One of the charms of small ship cruising is letting nature be part of your journey.

What is the official currency on board?
The Euro is the official currency used on board. There is an optional credit system for onboard expenses that may be settled at the end of the cruise. Credit cards are accepted.

What if I have dietary requirements?
Most dietary requirements can be catered for on all ships, except for kosher and halal. Please advise us at the time of booking and we will do everything we can to accommodate your needs.

Are alcoholic drinks available on board?
Alcoholic drinks are available on all ships and are reasonably priced (charged by euro). The cocktail of the day, for example, is EUR5, and a glass of wine is EUR3.50. The bar runs on a chit system whereby you sign for drinks as you purchase them, and the amount is added to your onboard account which is settled at the end of the voyage.

Can I go swimming from the ship?
Absolutely. All ships have a swimming platform, usually located at the back of the ship (the MS Galileo has a set of lowerable stairs on the port side). It allows easy access to the water during swimming stops. The crew will always be present to monitor the safety of swimmers, watching either from the ship or a small zodiac safety boat. Additional towels are available during swim stops. All ships are equipped with snorkelling and fishing gear that you are free to use. Some ships also offer kayaks and stand-up paddleboards for use at swim stops.

When at port, how much time will I spend on land and on the boat?
While this will vary from trip to trip, once the boat is docked at each destination, the amount of time you spend on the boat is up to you. Other than any meals or activities that are included in the itinerary, you’re free to explore on land or relax on board. Some itineraries have one full cruising day to cover long distances, but on the whole, you will be off the ship at least once, if not twice each day, and usually with time to enjoy a bit of nightlife in the evening.

How much walking is involved?
Most trips have a moderate amount of walking involved, but it depends on the destination (and the activity). Be sure to consult your itinerary before departing so you know what’s involved on any included land activities. Your tour leader will also give you information on how much walking is involved on individual shore excursions. You are free to choose to stay on the ship and, when visiting a port town, return to the ship early if you choose.

What services are available on board? 
Bar service, laundry service, twice-daily cleaning of rooms (evening turndown), currency exchange, WiFi, and coffee and tea all day. The MY Pegasus in the Seychelles also has a spa with massage and beauty services available.

Is there air-conditioning onboard?
All public areas have air conditioning, and cabins have the extra convenience of temperature control.

What activities are available onboard?
Swimming, snorkelling and walks are available activities on all trips, and some trips have kayaks and stand-up paddleboards available for use.

Is there a dress code?
Dress on board is a very casual affair – this is a holiday, after all. However, you may wish to bring a smarter outfit, such as a sundress or a shirt with a collar, for the final night’s Captain’s Dinner (or if you plan to eat off the ship in port).

Is there internet available on board?
WiFi is available on our ships at an additional cost. Note that it may be unavailable in more remote locations or when sailing. 

Are credit cards accepted on board?
Visa and Mastercard are the accepted.

Where can I keep my valuables?
Each cabin has its own safe. If you need some extra security, the captain can put your valuables in the ship safe. 

Is smoking permitted onboard?
Yes – in some restricted outdoor areas.

Are there any excursions offered?
Yes, either included or as optional choices.  Refer to your itinerary for details.

How do we get from the ship to land?
Most of our days/nights are spent in port, so you can come and go from the boat as you please. When we drop anchor in an unusual area, such as we can on a small ship, we can access the shore via Zodiac or local water taxi.

Is there medical care on board?
Every crew member is trained in first aid, and ships have defibrillators in case of emergency but there is no ships’ doctor.

Can I combine an adventure cruise with another Peregrine small group land tour?
Of course. This is a popular option for many. On our website, we have some suggested land and sea combinations with dates that align that you might like to try. Alternatively, make your own land and sea trip from our extensive range of land tours. While dates might not always align perfectly, there are plenty of options such as day tours to bridge the time between itineraries. Contact us or your local travel agent to find out more.

Are departures guaranteed?
If you've found a trip you like, in most cases, we will be able to confirm availability straight away. If not, we can request space and confirm availability within 2–4 days. Once availability is confirmed, a deposit will be required within 7 days.  We suggest not booking other things such as flights until availability is confirmed. Once the space is confirmed by our local team and your deposit has been paid, your trip is guaranteed to depart – meaning you can book your airfares and additional accommodation with confidence. Note that is subject to our regular booking conditions, as with all of our trips. 

Are flights included?
Flights are not included in the tour cost, but we can assist with booking these. Our partnerships with the major airlines give us access to the best price on flights for your intended travel dates. We know it can be challenging organising flights, as some destinations are harder than others, and dates and transfers and prices are tricky to negotiate. So speak to us about how we can get you there easier.

How do I advise of health/mobility requirements?
We’ll need to know about these at the time of booking your trip, so we can assess your suitability to the trip you are looking at.

Can you help book additional accommodation, day tours and transfers?
Yes, we can generally assist with all of this when you're ready to book your trip. Contact us to find out more. 

Is a security deposit required?
A deposit is required at the time of booking. Other than that, there are no security deposits required for anything on the boat.