PROGRAM STAFF
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.
CONTACTING HOME
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 ship is equipped with a state-of-the-art satellite communication systems. Every accommodation contains a direct-dial telephone and satellite calls may be made from your room and charged to your onboard account. You may also use your mobile phone throughout the ship and while in port. Mobile coverage may be limited depending upon your carrier’s service plan and ship’s location. Please contact your service provider for more information. Speed and bandwidth are affected by vessel location and number of simultaneous users.
INTERNET ACCESS
The Brand g Vacations included hotels offer free internet and Wi-Fi access. The ship offers an initial free 1GB Wi-Fi voucher and has upgrade packages available to purchase.
CURRENCY AND MONEY MATTERS
The currency in Spain and the Canary Islands is the Euro.
The Currency in Morocco is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD) with a rate approximately MAD10 – USD $1. The national currency is distributed in coins and banknotes but you’ll rarely use the 10 and 20 centime coins on your everyday travels. Coins that are worth half, one, two, five and ten Dirhams are far more important for you everyday spending. Banknotes are worth 20, 25, 50, 100 and 200 Dirhams. Notes and coins in Moroccan currency are scarce, especially the smaller amounts. Therefore, always try to keep as much change on you as possible. There seems to have been a chronic shortage of small change for years,. Which means it’s always a good idea to have enough small notes and coins in your wallet.
Ensure you have enough small change (5 DH, 10 DH, 20 DH). If you only have a 200 DH note, you won’t find it easy to pay for anything in Morocco.
Can I get Dirhams before I travel?
Moroccan legislation rules that it’s illegal to bring Moroccan currency into the country. Although this law is mainly aimed at business travelers, it applies to tourists too.
However, this import ban isn’t the only factor that goes against getting Dirhams at home before your travel. Above all, you may be faced with a poor exchange rate, as well as horrendous exchange fees as you’re at the mercy of domestic banks in this respect.
How do you get cash in Morocco?
Credit Cards – (Visa and MasterCard) are the most reliable method of withdrawing money in Morocco. You can use them at any ATM in the country. Also, credit cards offer a few more options like cashless payments in large shops, restaurants and hotels, and, above all online payments for bookings. Often, credit cards are the only accepted payment method for many low-cost flights and hotels. Even renting a car can sometimes be difficult without a credit card. If you’re using a fee free credit card, you’ll either find that there aren’t any fees when withdrawing money in Morocco. Or, if you do get charged, it’s easy to get a refund at a later date. However, this only applies when you withdraw cash. In total contrast, anyone using their credit card abroad to pay for items in shops, restaurants or hotels and riads can expect to incur even higher additional charges than those levied for Maestro cards. Note: If your credit card (or Maestro card) is lost or stolen, put a block on it straight away. Always keep your credit card company’s phone number to hand so you can report a lost or stole
Maestro cards – Just about every Moroccan city has at least one bank. You’re usually limited to a maximum withdrawal of 2000 Dh. It used to be easy to withdraw money from bank ATMs using your Maestro card. Unfortunately, things changed a few years ago. So, these days, many cards won’t be accepted at ATMs, including V-PAY cards. On the other hand, Maestro cards are sometimes accepted at larger shopping centres. Another problem is the relatively high withdrawal charges. These vary according to your bank and are calculated as a percentage, often with a fixed basic amount applied. For example, you could find that withdrawing 20 US$ incurs a fee of up to 5 US$. If you only have a Maestro card and want to withdraw money in Morocco, try to only make a limited number of withdrawals and maximize the amount of money you take out each time.
Exchange bureaus You’ll get a poor exchange rate. In addition, changing money into Moroccan currency often incurs additional charges. Only use for small amounts of money and ask about the fees. – You’ll find exchange bureaus at all Moroccan airports, as well as in every major city. Unlike banks, these have much longer opening hours and are normally staffed.
The currency on board is the US Dollar and 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 or with a credit card; cards accepted are American Express, MasterCard, Discover and Visa. Credit cards will be charged in US Dollars. Cash and Travelers Checks are also accepted for settling the onboard account.
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, Discover, 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.
GRATUITIES
Optional Gratuities for the included components of this program have been pre-paid. You are welcome to provide additional tips at your discretion.
SMOKING
On the ship, smoking is allowed only in designated areas on open decks. We ask everyone to refrain from smoking while on excursions.
ELECTRICAL CURRENT

All rooms on the ship include both 110/220v outlet, as well as a USB port.
The voltage in hotels 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.
EXCURSIONS
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. 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.
ETIQUETTE
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.
FACILITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
The ship has an elevator 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 mechanical mobility 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 the countries visited 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.
SECURITY
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 or while on an excursion ashore during a voyage. A travel insurance policy will typically cover most incidents of loss or theft.
WATER
Drinking water is provided in your stateroom for your comfort.
WEATHER
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:
- Malaga, Spain: 64/75 degrees F
- Marrakesh, Morocco: 70/84 degrees F
- Maspalomas, Gran Canaria: 68/79 degrees F
WHAT TO BRING
Travel Essentials: The following items are essential for any destination: sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellant, hat, raincoat, 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. Early mornings, late evenings, and air-conditioned spaces may also require a light sweater.
Bring a warm item of clothing for the volcano and Marrakesh tours as it is colder at elevation.
Footwear: Sturdy, comfortable walking shoes, with good ankle support, are highly recommended, as there is a significant amount of walking on many excursions.