Frequently Asked Questions

South Pacific

General	Alaska	British Columbia	Columbia & Snake Rivers	California Wine Country
Grand Asia	Japan	Panama Canal & Costa Rica	Mexico's Sea of Cortes	Ring of Fire	South Pacific

Activity Level
Q. How much walking is involved?
A. This cruise is best enjoyed if you are in good health, fit and able to enjoy comfortably paced, moderate walks over some uneven terrain and on paths and trails, which are sometimes slippery. Walking distances from the excursion craft to the sites are usually not more than the equivalent of a quarter-mile, and walking around the sites average from a quarter-mile to a half-mile. Footwear with good traction and support is essential.

Most buildings do not have elevators and are not air-conditioned.

Q. What time and how long are the tours?
A. Generally, the schedule will include activities in the morning, returning to the ship for lunch. Some afternoon activities are also planned. The schedule will include some long days, with early wake-ups and activities scheduled throughout the day.

Guides
Q. Do the guides speak English?
A. We use English speaking local guides for all tours.

Money
Q. How much money should I bring?
A. Although U.S. dollars in small denominations are accepted in many tourist places, we highly recommend you carry a small amount of local currency. Many of the places you will visit are remote and accept only local money. Your Exploration Leaders will provide additional information for you on local currencies and shopping on the islands during your voyage.

Q. Can you change money onboard?
A. We are unable to change money onboard the Spirit of Oceanus. All money must be exchanged at an authorized bank or money changer. It is a good idea to exchange some money prior to your arrival in the South Pacific.

Q. Is it okay to bring traveler’s checks?
A. Traveler’s checks can be exchanged at most major banks, and some duty-free shops.

Packing
Q. What should I pack?
A. Similar to dress onboard the Spirit of Oceanus, dress is usually very casual throughout the South Pacific. The tropical climate and simple lifestyle encourage cool, natural fiber clothing for both men and women. Select loose-fitting clothing such as shirts and shorts
and include a lightweight sweater for cool evenings. Bring along casual walking shoes, sandals and beach or reef shoes for wet landings.

Other useful items include extra zip-lock plastic bags, personal medications in their original bottles, polarized dark sunglasses, swimming trunks and/or bathing suits, insect repellant, and a spare pair of contacts or corrective lenses. Sun protection is important so bring a hat that covers the top of your head and face and at least 30 SPF sunscreen. A light, water-resistant windbreaker is good for sudden downpours. We also recommend a
lightweight, water-resistant backpack.

Weather
Q. What is the weather going to be like?
A. The South Pacific is warm year round with temperatures averaging around 77 to 91 degrees Fahrenheit. During the months from December to April, the climate is wetter and slightly more humid with gentle breezes. Daily rain showers or thunderstorms occur frequently but seldom last more than 20 to 30 minutes. For updated island weather reports visit http://www.weather.com

Wheelchairs
Q. Is the Spirit of Oceanus wheelchair accessible?
A. Cruise West appreciates the differences in accommodation needs of our guests wishing to travel with us. However, the Spirit of Oceanus does not meet all applicable standards of the ADA Accessibility Guidelines for buildings and facilities. Furthermore, guests should be aware that ships and operating conditions can always present challenges to wheelchairs or those with limited mobility and participation may not be possible for some activities and events. Ship interiors often have raised door thresholds, steep stairs and narrow passageways that can prevent wheelchair passage. Gangways between the ship and docks can be steep due to variable tide conditions. Inflatable excursion craft that do not accommodate wheelchairs are sometimes used for shore visits where no docks exist.

In the South Pacific many excursions can pose problems for those with mobility issues. Almost all ports of call can only be reached using inflatable excursion craft and the terrain is rocky and uneven. Be sure to let us know of any limitations or concerns about mobility prior to making reservations.