FAQs 
Listed below are some of the more popular questions asked from guests booking our cruises. While the list is not exhaustive, you may find your questions answered here. Should you have additional questions we have not addressed, please feel free to contact us.
Why should I choose a river cruise?
How are your cruises priced?
Do I pay extra for excursions?
How do I pay for my cruise?
What methods of payment do you accept for the cruise?
What currencies are accepted for payment?
What is your cancellation policy?
Is there an age limit?
Are Haimark cruises handicapped accessible?
Do I need a passport and visa to participate in your cruise programs?
Will Haimark help me with additional arrangements if I wish to extend my stay before and/or after the cruise?
What information do I get before my cruise?
What amenities are available on board?
Is Internet available on the ships?
Can I use my cell phone on board the ship?
Can special diets be accommodated?
Do I need travel insurance?
Are there any luggage restrictions?
What is the dress code during the cruise?
What are the tipping guidelines for my cruise?
Can I prepay my gratuities?
Why should I choose a river cruise?
Our guests have the opportunity to maximize how much of a country they can see, while only unpacking once in the most luxurious and spacious cabins on the rivers where we operate. One price includes all meals, excursions, English-speaking guides, and access into the must-see sites in every port.
How are your cruises priced?
Our cruise prices are listed per person, and based on double occupancy. Our cabins will accommodate single occupancy, at a supplement, which varies based on selected cabin category. Pricing is subject ot increase without notice, prior to booking your cruise, and does not include airfare, unless otherwise noted. A deposit of 25% is required to secure your space and the pricing of your cruise.
Do I pay extra for excursions?
We have a wide variety of excursions that are included in the price of each cruise. In select ports, however, where there is an extended amount of free time and a wide variety of activities available, Haimark cruises does provide a selection of Optional Excursions that guests may choose from to enhance their cruising experience.
How do I pay for my cruise?
You may book directly through the Haimark booking system, or you may contact your local travel agent. Should you wish to book directly, please click here.
What methods of payment do you accept for the cruise?
Haimark accepts Visa, MasterCard, and Discover for both deposit and final payment.
What currencies are accepted for payment?
All cruise payments, as well as all payments on board our ships, are made in US dollars only.
What is your cancellation policy?
If it becomes necessary to cancel your cruise, written notification must be submitted to the Haimark offices, and any cruise tickets that may have been issued must be returned before any refund that might be due is processed. Cancellation penalties below will be assessed when written cancellation is received within the following dates:
- Between deposit and 120 days prior to cruise date: $850 per person
- Between 120 and 91 days prior to cruise date: 50% of cruise price
- Less than 90 days prior to cruise date: 100% of total cruise price
If you need to cancel pre- or post-land program extensions, the following penalties will be assessed when written cancellation is received within the following date periods:
Between 90 and 61 days prior to program start date: $250 per person
Between 60 days and program start date: 100% of total land program price
Is there an age limit?
Due to the nature of the countries in which we travel, Haimark is unable to accommodate children under 12 years of age. While we have no maximum age limit, guests should be physically fit and able to climb in and out of sampans and excursion boats, and walk up (sometimes steep) hills in ports where docks are not available. Haimark ships do not have elevators, and guests must be able to navigate multiple flights of steps.
Are Haimark cruises handicapped accessible?
Haimark ships are not handicapped accessible and do not have elevators. Many of the sites we visit have not been adapted to be handicapped accessible, nor have the transportation systems that are available in these areas. In most situations we are unable to provide individual assistance to travelers with mobility issues.
Will Haimark help me with additional arrangements if I wish to extend my stay before and/or after the cruise?
Haimark offers pre- and post-cruise land extensions to each of our cruises. Details of each extension are available in the Land Extensions section of the website, as well as within each ship’s information. Haimark will also be pleased to assist you in extending your extension stay in our selected land program hotels.
Do I need a passport and visa to participate in your cruise programs?
Whenever traveling outside your home country, a passport is required. Some countries also require a visa. In order to determine if you need a visit to visit a specific country, you may visit an embassy website for the particular country, or contact our recommended visa service G3 Visas if you need assistance in obtaining your visa(s).
What information do I get before my cruise?
Approximately two weeks prior to departure, Haimark will provide your final travel documents, which includes an itinerary, information on any land extensions booked, and any air tickets booked through us.
What amenities are available on board?
Some amenities vary by ship, but are listed in each ship’s information on the website.
Is Internet available on the ships?
Haimark makes Internet available on board all our ships, but is provided by 3G networks, and a signal is not always accessible in all areas of the rivers.
Can I use my cell phone on board the ship?
There is cell service in many places we operate, but not everywhere. Please check with your service carrier to determine what services are available to you in each country. In some countries, local phones and SIM cards can be obtained for use during your trip. Please ask your guide, program manager, or cruise manager if you need advice on where/how to obtain local service.
Can special diets be accommodated?
When advised a minimum of 45 days in advance of your cruise, most diets can be accommodated. Please contact us for information on your particular dietetic requirements.
Do I need travel insurance?
Travel insurance is not required to participate in a Haimark cruise program, but it is highly recommended, especially when considering the remote nature of some of our programs. Policies may provide you with peace of mind that you, your luggage, your cruise investment, and even your loved ones are protected in the event that something unexpected may occur. While travel insurance is available through many sources, Haimark recommends Travel Insurance Services for US and Canadian residents.
Are there any luggage restrictions?
In addition to any restrictions that may be imposed by your airlines (intra-Asia flights are typically restricted to 20kg per person total limit on checked luggage), Haimark recommends bringing only one checked bag per person, as the storage space in cabins is limited.
What is the dress code during the cruise?
While Haimark is proud of our commitment to luxury, we do not require formal dress. Our destinations are usually warm, with some cool evenings, and it is our goal for our guests to remain. We are also committed to proper hygiene, and therefore, it is required that guests always be fully dressed, with shoes, at all times in the dining room and bar.
Many temples, pagodas, and other sites on our itineraries will require guests to have their knees and shoulders covered, and may also require guests to remove their shoes.
What are the tipping guidelines for my cruise?
Gratuities for baggage handling during transfers and at our program hotels are included in the price of your program. While tipping is a very personal matter, we suggest the following guidelines for other gratuities during your trip:
- Ship staff & crew: $13.50 per person, per night (given at the end of the cruise)
- Local guides: $6 per person, per night (given at the end of each person's service)
- Local transportation or transfers: $1 per guest, per excursion, or $2 to $3 per guest, per service for long coach transfers (given at the end of each person's service) please note that transportation types may vary, based on which river you are sailing
Can I prepay my gratuities?
Unfortunately, no. We are unable to accommodate pre-payment of gratuities at this time.
