Thank you for booking our 2024 Bordeaux and the Loire Valley River Cruise – Your adventure will be here before you know it!
Your personalized travel documents, confirming your trip inclusions and airport transfer details were emailed to you or your travel agent on April 23rd. If you have not received them, please contact us. Below you will find additional information to help you prepare for the adventure that lies ahead.
All documentation required for this itinerary is the sole responsibility of the guest. Brand g Vacations will not be responsible for advising and/or obtaining required travel documentation for any passenger, or for any delays, damages, and/or losses, including missed portions of your trip, related to improper or absent travel documentation. It is suggested that copies of important documents, including your passport and visas, be kept in a separate place, in case the originals are lost or stolen.
Passport: For US citizens, a passport that is valid for at least three (3) months after your return date (or exit from the Schengen Area) is required for this program. Citizens of other countries should verify passport validity requirements with your home country government.
Visas: U.S. and Canadian citizens do not need visas for countries visited. Other nationalities should consult the local embassies or consulates for visa requirements.
Travel Protection: Travel insurance is advised to participate in this program. If you haven’t purchased a policy already, you may do so by contacting your travel agent or Brand g Vacations. You may also get a quote and purchase a policy online from Brand g’s recommended travel insurance provider, Travel Insured International. Please be sure to carry all policy information with you during your program.
Vaccinations: Make sure you are up to date on routine vaccines before every trip. It is recommended that you discuss vaccinations available for entering France and Europe and any other health concerns you may have with your personal physician or a travel medicine specialist.
The embassies of France will also provide information on vaccination requirements and/or suggestions. US citizens may also consult the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for their current recommendations for France and Europe. Citizens of other countries should consult their own center for disease control.
Physical Limitations: This river cruise program is active. While there will be plenty of time to relax, there is much to see and do. Many included excursions require an extensive amount of walking over cobblestone streets, and many sites have numerous steps that may be steeper and narrower than is common in the U.S. For your safety and enjoyment, we recommend that all guests be in good physical condition. Brand g Vacations at its sole discretion, reserves the right to refuse passage, or to require a current passenger to end their trip, if the passenger’s state of health or physical condition may affect their own health, safety, or enjoyment or that of other passengers.
Medical: While the ship staff are trained in basic first aid, the ship does not employ staff nurses or doctors and medical facilities are not always easily accessible during the more rural portions of the trip. Any medical expenses incurred are the guest’s own responsibility and neither Brand g Vacations nor the ship is responsible for cost or quality of medical care received. Guests should bring their medications with them. A travel insurance policy that covers medical expenses while traveling internationally is highly recommended.
Dietary Preferences: Please advise us of any special dietary restrictions at least 45 days (April 7, 2024) prior to your departure. This information will be provided to the proper personnel, and to the extent possible within local conditions and limitations, every effort will be made to accommodate your needs. It is the guest’s responsibility to provide us with as much detail as possible concerning any medically related dietary concerns. Not all dietary requests can be accommodated, and we appreciate your understanding in this matter.
While there are no restrictions on the number of bags each guest may bring on board the ship, storage space is limited, and it is suggested that each guest bring only one checked bag. Additionally, all airlines impose restrictions on both size and weight, and many airlines restrict the number of bags per person. Each guest must check with their selected air carrier for limitations prior to departure, as luggage restrictions are subject to change. Guests who exceed an airline’s luggage restrictions may be asked by the airline to pay the airline’s overweight/oversized luggage fees.
An airline’s limitations on the weight and size of checked and carry-on baggage are usually found on their website or may be obtained by calling the airline directly. Please remember that international (over the water) and domestic (intra continental) restrictions may not be the same.
Your luggage and all personal belongings are solely your responsibility throughout the trip. Neither Brand g Vacations or the cruise line are responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged luggage or personal belongings. Selecting a travel insurance plan that will cover lost or stolen luggage and/or personal items is highly recommended.
Please place luggage tags on the outside of all of your bags, including carry on and hand luggage, and include a copy of your contact information during the trip on the inside of your checked bags. Valuables and medication should only be packed in your carry-on bags (unless required to be placed in checked bags by your airline).
Please be sure to contact your airline prior to departure and verify there have been no changes to the flight number or schedule. If you have an airport transfer confirmed with Brand g Vacations, please advise of any schedule change affecting your airport pick up time.
Familiarize yourself with current airport security procedures and arrive at the airport at least two and a half (2.5) hours prior to your scheduled departure. During peak travel times, you may want to arrive three (3) hours prior to your scheduled departure time.
Most items you purchase internationally can be brought back into the US and Canada. We do recommend, however, that you check with both your home country’s customs office for current restrictions, as well as with the embassies of the countries you are visiting for any restrictions on items that may be unlawful to take outside their borders.
When you return to your home country, you should be prepared to declare everything you purchased or acquired while traveling. Many countries will ask you to complete a customs form, which will require descriptions and values of the items. These forms are easier to complete if you keep your sales receipts easily accessible. Most countries have set customs duty exemptions for both quantity and value of certain items. We suggest that you familiarize yourself with these allowances and limits prior to your travel.
Please be advised that most hotels do not allow check-in earlier than 3:00pm. If you arrive at the hotel before 3:00pm, you may need to wait until the room becomes available. Hotel check-out is usually no later than 11:00am. If your arrival or departure schedule does not coincide with these times, you may ask the hotel to store your luggage while you explore independently. Please note that every effort is made to ensure that your hotel room is available and ready for occupancy upon your arrival at the hotel, but this is not always possible. A short wait for your room to become available may be unavoidable. Depending on your scheduled arrival or departure, you may wish to purchase an early check-in or late check-out, or an additional hotel night, to guarantee availability of your room. Feel free to contact your travel agent or Brand g Vacations to review your arrival and departure and discuss any special check-in and/or check-out needs.
You should schedule your arrival to Bordeaux on or before May 22, 2024 by air or train. Your first event will be a welcome cocktail reception at approximately 5:30pm on May 22nd. You should schedule your train from Gar de Nantes or flight from Nantes Atlantique Airport, France (NTE) to depart anytime on May 29th. All guests are to disembark by 10:00am.
Guests who provided their independently arranged flight details to Brand g Vacations no later than 45 days prior (April 7, 2024) to departure, will automatically have airport arrival and departure transfers arranged. Flight arrangements must also be made in accordance with Brand g vacations flight recommendations. Guests are responsible for checking with the airlines and providing their most up-to-date flight details. Please contact your travel agent or Brand g Vacations if you have any questions about your flight arrangements.
Please proceed through immigration, collect your luggage and exit the secure area through customs. After exit of the secure area, you will be met by a representative who will be holding a sign with the Brand g Vacations logo, and who will accompany you to your transport.
If you cannot find the representative, please remain outside the secure area until the representative comes to you. There may be a waiting period of up to one hour for scheduled airport transfers, depending on grouping of flight arrivals.
Arrival Transfers are provided from Bordeaux Airport (BOD) or Bordeaux St Jean Teain Station on or before May 22nd to the Intercontinental Bordeaux Hotel. If you arrive early and have booked additional hotel nights at a different hotel, we will transfer you there upon arrival. You will then be responsible for making your way to the Intercontinental Hotel for the start of the trip.
Departure Transfers: At the end of the cruise, you will be transferred from the MS Loire Princess to Nantes Atlantique Airport, France Airport (NTE) or Nantes Train Station at any time on May 29th, for your Independently arranged flight. Guests who made independent hotel (excludes non-hotels like Airbnb) reservations in Nantes will be transferred to that hotel, No further transfers will be provided.
If you experience a travel delay while still in your home country, after working with your air carrier to revise your flight schedule, please contact Brand g’s Minneapolis-based Operations Office at 952-405-9309 to advise us of your revised arrival date and time. If the line is busy or you are calling outside of general business hours, please leave a message.
If you have already departed your home country, please contact our local staff at the numbers provided on your personalized travel documents.
If you purchased travel insurance that covers flight delay and cancellation expenses, you will also want to contact your travel insurance company to start a claim for expenses incurred during your delay. If the delay is serious enough that you will miss the starting point of your cruise, any additional hotel, and/or flight arrangements necessary to meet your group will be at your expense.
Baggage delays unfortunately occur from time to time, especially during peak travel periods. If you discover any bag did not make it to your destination, do not leave the airport baggage area without completing a Lost Baggage Report with your air carrier. This report is essential to the tracking of your claim. If you have an airport transfer scheduled, and are traveling with a companion, we recommend that one person exit the baggage claim area and locate the representative to inform him or her of the situation. This will allow the representative to ensure that the transfer is properly provided. Give the air carrier a copy of your travel itinerary, along with the hotel and ship contact information. Report your lost baggage to your Brand g Vacations Tour Leader and provide them with a copy of your Lost Baggage Report. Brand g Vacations is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged baggage and/or personal belongings. Selecting a travel insurance plan that will cover lost or stolen luggage and/or personal items is highly recommended.
A Brand g Vacations Tour Leader will be with you during your travel program to handle all the details, leaving you to relax and enjoy your vacation.
The ability to stay in touch with friends and family is an important part of travel, and many guests choose to bring cell phones on the trip. International roaming charges can be expensive, and it is advisable to contact your domestic carrier to determine the charges and plans available for each country you are visiting, then select the best available plan for your expected usage. In some countries, SIM cards are available for purchase that can be used in an unlocked phone (call your carrier to determine if your phone is, or can be, unlocked), providing a local number that can be used both locally and internationally, usually at a significantly lower rate.
Making international calls from hotels is possible, but costly. Connection fees are usually applied, in addition to other call charges.
The Brand g Vacations included hotels and the MS Loire Princesse offer free internet and Wi-Fi access.
The currency in Europe and onboard the MS Loire Princesse is the Euro. The ship operates on a ‘cashless’ system and all charges are billed directly to each guest’s onboard account. While onboard, guests will sign for all purchases and pay their charges at the end of the cruise in Cash (Euros only) or with a credit card; cards accepted are American Express, MasterCard, and Visa. Credit cards will be charged in Euros. Debit cards and Travelers Checks cannot be accepted for settling the onboard account.
ATMs: connected to bank networks such as PLUS or Cirrus are widely available in most major metropolitan areas, airports, city centers, and some hotels. Fees for transactions vary. ATMs are not available onboard the ship and may be limited in the smaller towns and villages along the river. Your bank can tell you which network your ATM card can access, and whether a debit or credit card must be used. It is also recommended that guests bring an overseas contact number for your bank or credit card company in case you require assistance while traveling.
We recommend that you change or withdraw enough local currency while in larger cities, as ATMs and banks may not be readily available in some of the smaller towns along the itinerary. Also, we recommend that you not carry bills in large denominations, as many merchants are hesitant to accept them due to counterfeiting. Local banks can break the larger bills into smaller denominations for you.
Credit Cards: Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit cards internationally. American Express is accepted at most major hotels and large vendors. Smaller vendors and particularly restaurants may not accept American Express for payment. Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club, and American Express cards are all accepted onboard.
There may be some stores or locations where cash is preferred (especially for small purchases) or where a card cannot be used for purchases. We recommend bringing at least one major credit card as well as an ATM card that is both a debit and credit card.
Please contact your bank and/or credit card companies to let them know that you will be leaving the country to avoid any problems using your credit or debit cards overseas.
Optional Gratuities for the included components of this program have been pre-paid. You are welcome to provide additional tips at your discretion.
On the ship, smoking is allowed only on designated parts of the Sun Deck. The hotels have open areas where smoking is allowed and may offer smoking areas in specific sections of some indoor lounges. All hotel rooms and ship staterooms are non-smoking. We ask everyone to refrain from smoking while on excursions.
The voltage in hotels and onboard ship is 220v, European standard. To use any electrical products from the US or Canada you will need a plug adaptor and any device that is not dual voltage will require an electrical converter. Many electronic devices have built-in electrical converters, however, please check the manufacturer’s specifications for specific details.
Your tour program includes comprehensive shore excursions led by a local English-speaking guide; these excursions have been designed to provide you with the best possible experience. Excursions vary in difficulty level. Specific excursion information can be found in the daily itinerary. Your Brand g Vacations Tour Leader will provide details on each day’s excursion(s) and timing. Should guests be concerned about any aspect of an excursion, please inform your local guide or Tour Leader.
Some temples, Churches, Mosques, and other tourist attractions may require a dress code. If you plan to bring a cell phone or tablet on excursions, please ensure it is set to “silent.” Guides will alert you when photos and/or flash photos are not allowed.
Most host hotels are fitted with elevators for guest use however some rooms may have to be reached via stairs. The ship has elevators however, embarkation/disembarkation facilities may also be difficult to navigate with wheelchairs or walkers. The cruise line does not accept guide or support dogs. Electric mobility scooters or any other mobility mechanical devices are NOT permitted for use on the ship.
Some of the places we visit on this itinerary are not handicapped accessible. Please note: the American with Disabilities Act does not apply in Europe and accessibility to some sights may be limited for those with mobility impairments. Excursions may involve walking over uneven ground and some excursions are walking tours only. For your safety and enjoyment, we recommend that all guests be in good physical condition.
At its sole discretion, Brand g Vacations reserves the right to refuse passage, or to require a passenger to end their trip if the passenger’s state of health or physical condition may affect their own health, safety, and enjoyment, or that of other passengers.
In the countries in which we operate, pickpockets are not uncommon, and caution is encouraged. When sailing, please lock cabin doors, reducing the opportunity for theft. Cabins are fitted with safes for personal use. Brand g Vacations cannot be held liable for loss of money, jewelry, or other valuable items from the ship, from a hotel, or while on an excursion ashore during a voyage. A travel insurance policy will typically cover most incidents of loss or theft.
The ship has been outfitted with a sophisticated filtration system, and the tap water in each stateroom is safe for drinking. In addition, bottled water is provided in your stateroom for your comfort.
Weather forecasts are widely available on the Internet, and some of the favorites for large, international cities are www.weather.com and www.cnn.com/weather.
Average temperatures
Bordeaux, France: 70/51 degrees F
Nantes, France: 66/49 degrees F
Travel Essentials: The following items are essential for any destination: sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, hat, rain coat and umbrella. It is recommended that you bring; Electrical convertor and adaptors, duplicates of prescription eyewear, copies of prescriptions for any medications (generic equivalents are usually easier to obtain), copies of credit card information, and copies of your passport information pages and visas.
Clothing: Sport jackets and cocktail dresses are not needed at any time during this program; however, you may wish to pack a few nicer outfits for evening meals or nights out on your own. Comfortable, sporty, casual clothing is appropriate both on shore and on board. A mix of shirts, everyday slacks/pants, skirts/dresses, and walking shorts are appropriate for both land and cruise. Early mornings, late evenings, and air-conditioned spaces may also require a light sweater.
Footwear: Sturdy, comfortable walking shoes, with good ankle support, are highly recommended, as there is a significant amount of walking on many excursions.
The design of this ship is exclusive to CroisiEurope since it is the first French ship to sail on the Loire, the last “wild river” in France. Built in 2015 in Saint-Nazaire, its specificity lies in its side paddle wheels and shallow-draft. The noble burgundy and pearly colors mingle with copper elements, which give a prestigious
character to the interior decoration. A “royal” atmosphere to discover the Loire châteaux from the water. A nod to the famous “inexplosibles” that once crisscrossed the Loire: a large fireplace is located in the middle of the lounge.
The welcoming public spaces have large window areas and the cabins on the upper deck have terraces with outdoor furniture. All meals during the cruise are served in the restaurant on the main deck. Onboard fun, music and dancing happen in the lounge / bar on the upper deck, where a cozy patio also provides great landscape
views. The sun deck has deck chairs and sun loungers ideal for relaxing. In the reception area you can admire the mechanism of the paddle wheels during navigation.
The ship’s onboard restaurant provides a relaxed environment and accommodates all guests with open seating. It offers international and local cuisine. Breakfast and lunch are sumptuous buffets, with evenings featuring chef’s specialties and regional dishes all served with complimentary coffee, tea, water, wines, beers, and soft drinks.
Please notify Brand g Vacations in advance if you have any special dietary concerns or considerations that need to be considered. We will do our best to ensure that your request is accommodated but cannot guarantee all dietary needs and preferences can be met. All mealtimes are scheduled around tour departures, and breakfast may take place early in the morning.
The lounge tastefully decorated, is located at the back of the ship and offers panoramic views. Cocktails and games, dancing, and other forms of entertainment all happen here.
Take advantage of the sun deck to relax! It is equipped with chairs and deckchairs, allowing you to cool off while enjoying a panoramic view of the magnificent landscapes.
Start your day by joining us for a morning fitness class on the sun deck.
As part of a commitment to a clean, safe, and healthy onboard environment, and in line with COVID-19 regulations, the MS Loire Princesse practices a strict sanitization protocol. To assist in this important matter, the ship kindly asks all guests to wash their hands frequently and to consistently use the hand-sanitizer machines when entering the ship and when entering the restaurant. The machines are located just inside the main entrance to the ship and at the entrance to the restaurant.
There is no laundry service available on board the ship.
Your stay includes free wifi.
Local river authorities allocate docking space around ship arrivals and departures in port. Typically, river ships dock facing upstream. Occasionally port conditions require ships to tie up alongside each other, in which case guests may be required to walk through another ship to access their own ship. This is part of the river cruise experience and is perfectly normal and beyond the control of Brand g Vacations and the ship company. Guests may experience obstructed views from staterooms when the ship is docked.
As the ship is often in motion, and the decks are sometimes slippery, please take care when moving about the decks. Stairs may be steeper than you are used to, and it is best to always use the handrails.
Every stateroom is appointed with an individual thermostat for air-conditioning, a flat-screen TV, hair dryer, wardrobe, safe, and a bathroom provided with shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, and body lotion. MS Loire Princesse cabins are additionally equipped with a comfortable seating area. Electrical current is 220V, the European standard. Most staterooms have hotel-style beds that can be positioned separately or together. Your stateroom will be serviced by your Stateroom Attendant daily. Security and maintenance checks may also be performed.
Visitors are generally not permitted onboard the ship and are not allowed to join any shore excursions. Please make arrangements to meet your friends and relatives onshore.
Nostalgic French decor and UNESCO World Heritage architecture set the scene for your stay at InterContinental Bordeaux – Le Grand Hotel. We have 13 elegant meeting rooms, Le Bordeaux restaurant, a bar, a rooftop and a gourmet restaurant inspired by Gordon Ramsay. You can also relax in the indoor swimming pool or book a massage in the Guerlain Spa.
Each of the hotel’s Classic Rooms has its own identity and reveals an exceptional décor. These majestic 215 sq ft rooms inspired by the 19th century immerse you in a cozy and refined universe. Your stay includes free wifi, a fitness center and acclaimed dining options.
Dates of Stay: May 22-24, 2024
If you’d like to connect with your fellow travelers before the program, we encourage you to join our private Facebook Page. Click the link or scan the QR code with your phone. Please allow 48 hrs for admins to approve your request to join.
Please note this below schedule is subject to change. Please refer to the printed schedule delivered to you when you check in at the hospitality desk in Bordeaux and any further changes will be delivered orally by your Brand g Tour Leaders.
Wednesday, 22 May 2024
10:00am – Noon: Hospitality Desk – Lobby, Bordeaux Intercontinental Hotel
2:00pm – 4:00pm: Hospitality Desk – Lobby, Bordeaux Intercontinental Hotel
6:00pm – 9:00pm: Welcome Reception – Rooftop (weather permitting) if not, in the Orangerie. Bordeaux – Intercontinental Hotel. Meet your fellow guests and Tour Leaders for a welcome drink and canapes. Dinner is on your own tonight.
Thursday, 23 May 2024
7:00am – 10.30am: Included Breakfast – Le Bordeaux Restaurant, Ground floor – Intercontinental Hotel
8:45am: Green Group Meet in Hotel Lobby/Orangery –meet your guides for the walking tour.
9.00am: Red Group Meet in Hotel Lobby/Orangery –meet your guides for the walking tour.
11:15am: Green Group Meet in Hotel Lobby/Orangery – Lunch and St Emillion bus tour.
11:30am: Red Group Meet in Hotel Lobby/Orangery – Lunch and St Emillion bus tour.
Enjoy a scenic drive to the Château Smith Haut Lafitte, where on arrival walk in the grounds and photograph its splendor before enjoying a welcome drink followed by a three-course lunch with wine. After lunch allow your guides to show you the best of St Emilion.
5:00pm: Buses will depart for the hotel for the 1.15hr drive back to the hotel. On arrival back at Bordeaux, the Olympic Torch Batton Rely will be passing through the city. If you wish, grab a chance to see a piece of history before having dinner on your own tonight.
Friday, 24 May 2024
7:00am – 10:30am: Included Breakfast – Le Bordeaux Restaurant, Ground floor – Intercontinental Hotel
9:00am: Green and Red Groups Bags Out – Place your bags outside of your room for collection or alternatively bring your bags to reception by 10:15am. Ensure they are clearly labeled. Keep your passport, medicines, and valuables in your carryon bags. Your bags will be taken directly to the ship and will be in your cabin for embarkation.
10:15am: Green and Red Groups Identify luggage and board coaches – physically identify your luggage before it is placed in the luggage coach and then board the coach according to the color groups.
10:30am: Visit to La Rochelle and ship Transfer – After a scenic 2-hour drive to La Rochelle enjoy a little free time to explore the harbor and grab a bite to eat. The Red bus will depart for the ship at 2.45pm and the Green bus at bus at 3:00pm promptly.
5:00pm: Embarkation: Your Tour Leaders will facilitate the check-in process while you enjoy a drink in the lounge. Ensure you have your passport ready handy to present to reception.
6:30pm: Safety Briefing – Lounge Bar
The countries visited operate on the CEST (Central European Summer Time GMT+2 hours), so when it is 12:00pm in New York it is 6:00pm in Bordeaux, France.
International telephone calls can be placed by dialing the International Access Code (011), the country code and then the phone number. If your inbound flights are delayed for any reason, please contact our local representatives immediately.
During the cruise, always keep the ships number on your phone in case you get separated from the group during an excursion.
| Local Representatives:
The below number is for our representatives in France concerning arrival and departure transfers and throughout our time in Bordeaux. If you need to contact them for any reason, please let them know you are traveling with Brand g Vacations: Primary: Cathy Horaud: +33 6 33 05 67 38 Prior to departure from your home country, the Brand g Vacations office is available to support you Monday – Friday 9:00am to 6:00pm Central Standard Time at +1.952.405.9309. Also, you may email [email protected]. If outside our normal office hours, please leave a message and we’ll contact you as soon as possible. Brand g Host: Johnathon Gallagher +44 7739 017188 |
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| Service | Dates | Address/Port/Slip | Phone Number |
| InterContinental Bordeaux | May 22 -24 | 2-5 Place de la Comédie Bordeaux 33000 France | +33 5 57304444 |
| MS Loire Princesse | May 24 -29 | Your boat will be moored at quai Fernand Crouan, JARDIN DE L’ESTUAIRE (Île de Nantes, ponton des chantiers). Access by the street René Siegfried. | +33 6 42 29 96 65 |
| Emergency – European General Emergency Police & Fire | 112 | ||
All of our trips include arrival and departure airport transfers, most meals, included beverages and so much more! Plus our trips are hosted, meaning someone from Brand g will be with you the entire time to take care of the details, so you can simply relax and enjoy your vacation.
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