Pre Departure Information

General Information

Air Conditioning

The Great Escape Charter Company vessels are both fully air-conditioned throughout. Each stateroom / cabin has individual climate controls.

Alcohol

Alcoholic beverages are not included in your Kimberley cruise / Rowley Shoals dive charter price. Alcohol is not available for sale onboard, all alcohol is BYO. You are welcome to make your own arrangements or we are happy to assist. Payment must be received prior to departure. All soft drinks and fresh water are supplied onboard.

Bridge

There is an open bridge policy onboard. You are welcome on the bridge at any time unless otherwise advised by the crew. This will usually be the case when we have completed an overnight steam and the crew who have taken the night watches are catching up on some much needed rest.

Children

We do not carry children under the age of 16 unless the vessel is booked on an exclusive basis or where we have arranged a special ‘family’ cruise for children and their parents.

Communications

Please be aware that you will not receive mobile network coverage whilst on the Kimberley Coast or at the Rowley Shoals. MV Great Escape is equipped with state-of-the-art satellite communication, phone, fax and email systems.

There is also live TV coverage so you can get that all important sport score!!

Facilities are available for incoming/outgoing worldwide telephone services. Non refundable charge cards are available onboard for phone and internet use. We ask that guests settle their accounts prior to disembarking the vessel.

If you are expecting calls from loved ones or associates please advise them that due to the remote location, satellite communication can be difficult at times. Also it is best to call around meal times, as you will most likely be onboard at this time.

All guests are welcome to bring personal satellite phones if they feel they need to stay in touch with the outside world.

Cuisine

Be warned – do not think about starting a diet on this cruise! We have an onboard Chef whose culinary skills are consistently praised by all. All meals are five star quality and only fresh produce is used.
You will enjoy delicious, freshly prepared salads and vegetables. Start every day with a freshly brewed cappuccino, a spread of your favourite cereals, yoghurt and juice with a large, freshly prepared fruit platter of seasonal favourites. Enjoy a fully cooked breakfast every other day.

Lunch is typically a selection of fresh salads with fresh caught fish or meat/chicken. Other days tuck into an Asian banquet or some special pasta dishes with fresh bread.

Dinner starts with the essential sunset nibbles/entrée followed by a freshly prepared soup and main meal or enjoy a main meal and delicious dessert. Tea and Coffee are available on deck at all times.

Our Chef and crew are always happy to arrange a special event onboard if you are celebrating a special day, please be sure to let us know.

Dietary Needs

Special dietary requirements can easily be accommodated when prior notice is given. Please complete and return the Dietary Requirements Form along with the Passenger Detail Form 60 days prior to departure. Please feel free to call to discuss any special requirements with our office before departure.

Daily Program

As with any eco-adventure holiday, we are at the mercy of Mother Nature. Your Captain will discuss the next day’s activities and adventures most evenings. All itineraries are subject to change without notice depending on tides, weather etc.

Diving

All divers must show relevant evidence of dive certification prior to departure. Under NO circumstances will passengers be permitted to dive without proof of certification.

Electricity

Voltage on board is 240 and 24 volts. A converter and a slanted three-pin adaptor plug will be required if you plan to bring American standard 110-volt equipment. A slanted two-pin adaptor plug will work while onboard, however, with the third pin missing the item will not be grounded.

Excursion Tenders

Three custom designed 5 metre aluminium dinghys will be available for extensive exploration into remote rivers, tributaries, waterholes and treks. They are ideal for fishing, crabbing and all exploration activities and are driven by 60hp 4 stroke Yamaha outboards.

Fishing Equipment

All fishing equipment (rods, reels, lures, hooks etc) is provided onboard for guest use, if equipment is lost or broken we require that it is replaced. Guests are most welcome to bring along their own equipment whilst bearing in mind the 10kgs luggage allowance.

Helicopter

MV Great Escape now boasts a dedicated chopper to offer extra scenic flights along the Kimberley Coast as well as to/from on-shore excursions. Prices start from $250.00pp per half hour (based on 4 people travelling). More information will be available onboard and we ask all accounts be settled prior to disembarking. Credit cards welcome,no fees apply.

Unfortunately due to government regulation, the helicopter is not available for the Rowley Shoals dive charters.

Laundry

A small washing machine and dryer are located onboard. Water is a precious commodity, but clothing can be washed, we just ask that you have a full load first. Wash and wear clothing is recommended as you will not have time to iron! Please see your Stewardess when on board.

Level of Fitness

Please note that good health and a fair degree of mobility are required to fully enjoy our Escapes. All cruises are designed so that you can do as much or as little as you choose. All Escapes involve boarding tenders, bushwalking, swimming and some climbing. Failure to notify The Great Escape Charter Company of any disabilities prior to departure may result in guests being unable to participate in some activities.

Library/Audio Visual

State-of-the-art audio-visual equipment including an onboard video, CD and DVD player and book library are available to guests. We strongly recommend you bring some of your favourite music and/or movies as our taste may differ from yours.

Medical Insurance

We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive personal travel insurance. There is no doctor onboard and severe medical problems will require evacuation at your own expense. You should bring a sufficient supply of any prescription or other medicine you are taking, as we do not carry these onboard. We do have essential emergency medication and carry emergency oxygen. The crew are trained in Oxygen Resuscitation and Senior First Aid. Our adventure cruises are a long way from immediate medical help. You will see a heavy emphasis on this for the duration of our cruises as we insist on following strict safe adventuring practices.

Smoking

There is a designated smoking area on the upper back deck only. There is a no-smoking policy throughout the interior of the vessel. We also ask that butts remain onboard and consideration be given to other passengers.

Spa

An eight-person spa is located on the foredeck of MV Great Escape. It can be filled with either fresh or salt water depending on our water supplies at the time. It has a heating element, please advise crew if you would like this turned on.

Towels

Both bath and beach towels are provided onboard.

Water

All water onboard is desalinated and safe to drink, please remember to keep your fluids up in the warm weather. Our crew will carry drinking water on all excursions but it is advised that passengers also carry a small refillable water bottle for personal use. You will have access to an ice machine at all times onboard.

What’s included?

Our prices include tranfers between your accommodation or local airport to the vessel. All breakfasts, lunches and dinners including soft drinks, tea and coffee for the entire period of the Escape. All accommodation, sightseeing activities, guided excursions and entry fees. Linen and towels. Services of our experienced and professional crew.
For our dive charters all tanks, air refills and weight belts are provided.

What’s not included?

Items of a personal nature such as telephone calls, internet, alcohol, travel insurance. Airfares to and from home, additional helicopter flights or any indigenous tour. Diving and snorkeling equipment are not provided unless specified. Hire forms will be sent out with final invoice.