The following information will help you book your Opera Odyssey cruise effectively and efficiently. Please read all the information carefully before completing the reservation form. At approximately four to five weeks prior to sailing you will receive your tickets. Only passengers booked through InSight Cruises will be able to participate in the Opera Odyssey Program.
HOW TO BOOK:
Select Plan I, II, III, IV, or V
Cabin prices vary by the category and type of accommodation you select. You can choose Inside cabins (without a window), Outside cabins (with a window, porthole, or verandah), Mini-Suites, and Suites. All cabins have a private bathroom with shower (outside cabins also have bathtubs), color TV, telephone, and two beds which can convert to a queen-size bed. Some cabins can accommodate a third and/or fourth person. A limited number of cabins for the Physically Challenged (PC) are available upon request. You have five (5) options when choosing how to sail with us:
(I) TWO PERSONS SHARING THE SAME CABIN: Double occupancy means that two passengers will be sharing the same cabin. All cabins have either two lower beds, or beds that may convert to a double or queen-size or king-size bed.
(II) TRIPLE AND QUAD OCCUPANCY: If three or four family members or friends wish to share the same cabin, they may do so. The third and fourth passenger rates are listed in the pricing information (see next column).
(III) SHARE FARES: This plan is for passengers who are coming on Opera Odyssey 2 by themselves and wish to share a cabin with another passenger in our group. If you wish to share a room/cabin, we will do our best to find a roommate. If you are matched with a non-smoking roommate, it is mutually agreed that you cannot smoke in your room/cabin. If a roommate cannot be found, the single rate will be charged. If we are able to find you a roommate, the prices are the same as the per person double occupancy rates. Be sure to select "yes" on the online booking form question that asks "Do you want to share a room with another InSight Cruiser? (This is called our Share program.)" NOTE: Share cabin assignments are generally done at time of ticket issuance, only — and shared cabin assignments are subject to change. If you can be matched, you will be matched with members of the same gender, and we factor in age and geography where possible.
(IV) SINGLE OCCUPANCY: If you would like to be the sole occupant of a cabin, there is a single-occupancy upcharge of 50% for cabins without a balcony or a 100% upcharge for all cabins with verandahs (i.e., balconies).
(V) PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED (PC): The ship has a very limited number of specially equipped cabins for the Physically Challenged. Please let us know your specific needs. PC Guaranteed Shares are not available. Here's some written material, from Holland America, about PC accessibility. And here is a video:
CRUISE PRICING INFORMATION: Government taxes are in addition to the per person cruise rates listed below. The cruise pricing (just below) is subject to change. InSight Cruises will generally match the cruise pricing offered at the Holland America website at the time of booking. If at the time of booking the cruise line notifies us that the price of cruise fare has increased, you will notified of the new pricing before your reservation is booked.
In order for you to be a confirmed attendee we must have a fully completed Booking Form along with your $600 per-person deposit. A link to the Booking Form can be found at the bottom of this page. (Alternatively, you may call us to complete this Form.)
FULL PAYMENT is due on June 1, 2009 ("FINAL PAYMENT Deadline") (or, if you book after June 1, at the time of booking). Passengers are not confirmed on the manifest and cruise tickets are not issued until your account is paid in full.
All cruise prices are subject to change until your booking is confirmed. We will notify you of any price changes, and await your acceptance, before your reservation is considered "booked" and confirmed. Either party may cancel the booking within 14 days of initial $600 deposit, with no penalty, for any reason. We'll send you an email confirmation (if you provide us with your email address) and an itemized invoice ("DEPOSIT AND FINAL PAYMENT CONFIRMATION") via mail/post within three (3) business days of your deposit. You must return a signed copy of your DEPOSIT AND FINAL PAYMENT CONFIRMATION form within 30 days of booking or your cruise reservation is subject to cancellation. If you do not return this form by the FINAL PAYMENT date, your cruise reservation will automatically be cancelled and cancellation penalties will be assessed. You will be sent reminders via email and by phone before your reservation is cancelled. Passengers typically receive cabin assignments upon booking but these cabin assignments are subject to change.
ALUMNI DISCOUNTS: A $25 discount is given for each previous InSight Cruise attended. Minimum discount is $50 per person for previous InSight Cruisers. Maximum discount (including any Early-Bird or other discounts) is 10% of the cruise fare.
FOREIGN SHIPPING FEES and ADDITIONAL PAYMENT INFORMATION: There is a foreign shipping charge of $60 (to cover the shipping of your cruise tickets) per foreign residence ($35 per Canadian residence).
Payments may be made by check, money order or major credit card (Visa, Master Card, Discover, Diners Club, or American Express). Checks are to be made payable to Int'l Technology Conferences, in U.S. dollars only, and drawn on a U.S. bank. There is a $25 charge for returned checks.
PRE-CRUISE HOTEL STAYS: Sightsee Seattle from our homebase, the The Seattle Sheraton. A transfer from the airport to the hotel and then from the hotel to the ship (two transfers total), and all taxes, are included in the prices below.
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1 NIGHT |
2 NIGHTS |
3 NIGHTS |
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SHARED DOUBLE |
$280 |
$460 |
$650 |
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SINGLE OCCUPANCY |
$230 |
$420 |
$610 |
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3RD PERSON |
$65 |
$95 |
$125 |
(All prices are PER PERSON. Hotel prices subject to change. If, when you book, the prices have changed you will be notified. Hotels stays can be removed from your reservation prior to FINAL PAYMENT Date without any penalty.)
PRE-CRUISE COCKTAIL PARTY: $69. Shift mental gears and start your road trip by joining us at the Opera Odyssey Pre-cruise Cocktail Party! Take this opportunity to meet your fellow Opera Odyssey travelers. The reception will be held in the PRE-CRUISE HOTEL (Seattle Sheraton) the night before departure. Premium beer, wines, mixed drinks, and hot and cold hors d'oeuvres will be served.
IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: A Passport (valid through March 1, 2010) is required. Non-U.S. citizens residing in the United States will need valid Alien Registration (green) cards as well. All others must have valid passports and any required visas when boarding the vessel. All travel documents such as passports, visas, proof of citizenship, etc., that are required for embarkation, disembarkation at the ports of call, and re-entry into the United States are the responsibility of the passenger. Non-U.S. citizens are asked to check with government agencies, embassies or consulates to determine documentary requirements. You may be denied boarding without proper proof of citizenship.
Along with many thousands of American travelers, we rely on
Zierer Visa Service for our visas (we are not affiliated with Zierer, we are simply happy customers).
OPERA ODYSSEY PROGRAM CANCELLATIONS and REFUNDS: The Opera Odyssey Program fee is subject to the following cancellation fees: $95 if cancelling before June 1, 2009; $195 if cancelling from June 1, 2009 to July 31, 2009; $395 if cancelling between August 1, 2009 and August 15, 2009; no refunds offered if cancelling after August 15, 2009. All conference cancellation fees, however, can be applied to any future InSight Cruise!
CRUISE CANCELLATIONS, REFUNDS, INSURANCE and CHANGES: Any cancellation or any change of status (or request for a change in status) which relates to your booking must be transmitted, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, to InSight Cruises in writing. If you have purchased insurance, and there is an unnecessary delay in notifying us of your change in status, your "cancellation date" will be affected and will likely adversely affect your insurance reimbursement.
From the 14th day after booking, a Cancellation Processing Fee of $150 per person will be assessed (but will be applied towards any future InSight Cruise). Name changes are generally not permitted by the cruiselines. Per person cruise cancellation fees are based on date of notice to InSight Cruises (via in writing or email):
Guarantee Shares please NOTE: If you cancel within 60 days of sailing, you forfeit your entire cruise fee.
NOTE: "Departure Date" also incorporates any cruiseline air and/or purchased cruiseline pre-cruise hotel stays. Please understand that there will be no exceptions to our cancellation policy.
To protect against cancellation penalties, Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance is available and strongly recommended. 
InSight Cruises provides access to this insurance; TripInsurance.com Enhanced Protection brochure and Travel Guard's Platinum Coverage brochure are included with you initial invoice. We like Travel Guard for those over 65 who rely on Medicare as Travel Guard is "first payor"; TripInsurance.com is less expensive and offers, for $30 extra, trip cancellation or interruption due to unforseen business reasons. 
Travel Guard, on the other hand, offers Cancel for Any Reason for a 50% premium surcharge. TripInsurance.com is only available for U.S. and Canadian residents. Trip Cancellation payments are not refundable (but sometimes are transferrable).
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CABIN TYPE |
CRUISE RATES ARE PER PERSON, |
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$1,079 |
[ GUARANTEED SHARE (GS) |
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$1,249 |
[ GS & PHYSICALLY |
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$1,449 |
[ GS & PHYSICALLY |
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$1,549 |
[ GS & PC AVAILABLE ] |
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$2,149 |
[ PC AVAILABLE ] |
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$2,249 |
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$3,249 |
Add'l info (PDF file) |
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3rd AND/OR 4th PERSON RATE: ages 2 and older: $550; under 2 years old: $450.
NOTE: CRUISE PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE: If, when you book, any of the prices on this page have changed you will be notified and have the option to cancel without penalty.
WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE CRUISE PRICE: Port taxes of $235 are included. Also included is all your food (excluding optional meals in the private restaurants), including 24-hour room service and a 24-hour pasta bar; tea, coffee, a half-dozen juices, and milk; use of the gym; and, every evening, Holland America provides top-flight Las Vegas-style entertainment in their large show lounge.
WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE OPERA ODYSSEY PROGRAM: Over 24 hours of programming in all! The Program fee is $1,675. Traveling companions who do not want to participate in our Opera Odyssey Program can simply enjoy their cruise and need not pay this additional fee.
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED: Government taxes ($126.33), gratuities ($11 per person per day), your bar bill, soda, the spa, casino action, Holland America shore excursions, and any expenses of a personal nature are extra. (Taxes and fees are subject to minor change.)
AIR TICKETS PURCHASED INDEPENDENTLY OF THE CRUISE: We urge you to check airline cancellation penalties before purchasing airline tickets since international departure times and flights can change. Neither The Metropolitan Opera Guild nor InSight Cruises accepts liability for cancellation penalties related to domestic or international airline tickets purchased independently in conjunction with this cruise.
AIR ADD-ONS: Airfare from most major North American cities is available through Holland America. InSight Cruises passes on Holland America costs plus adds a $50 per person service fee. Please call or email us for an exact quote. In most cases, however, you will find better rates on your own. The advantage of booking flights through the cruiseline is that they take responsibility for getting you on the ship. For mid-winter cruises, when flights are occasionally cancelled, this is an added measure of comfort!
Need help? Have questions?
Want to book voice-to-voice?
Please give us a call: 650-787-5665
READ CAREFULLY:
RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT AND LIABILITY DISCLAIMER
Opera Odyssey is managed by InSight Cruises, hired as an independent contractor. InSight Cruises acts only as an agent for the respective suppliers by making arrangements for transportation, accommodations, and other services. Neither The Metropolitan Opera Guild nor InSight Cruises shall be held liable for personal injury, death, property damage or accident, delay, or irregularity arising out of any act or omission of these suppliers. The Metropolitan Opera Guild and InSight Cruises reserve the right, without penalty, to make changes in the published itinerary whenever, in their judgment, conditions warrant, or if they deem it necessary for the comfort, convenience, or safety of our participants.
The Metropolitan Opera Guild and InSight Cruises also reserve the right, without penalty, to decline to accept any person as a participant, or to require any participant to withdraw from the event at any time, when such action is determined by InSight Cruises staff to be in the best interests of the health, safety, or general welfare of the group or the individual participant, subject only to the requirement that the recoverable portion of the total amount paid that corresponds to the cost of unused services and/or accommodations be refunded, if applicable. The Metropolitan Opera Guild and InSight Cruises accept no liability for the purchase of non-refundable airline tickets to the cruise departure city and return. Baggage and personal effects are at all times the sole responsibility of the participant.
Dates, schedules, and program details, although provided in good faith based on information available at the time of publication of the brochure or catalog, are subject to change and revision.
AS A CONDITION OF ACCEPTANCE OF ANY APPLICATION, EACH APPLICANT MUST AGREE TO THE STATEMENT SET FORTH BELOW:
The undersigned has read carefully the Responsibility Statement and Liability Disclaimer set forth (left), the schedule of activities for this event, as well as the terms and conditions of application and participation as set forth in the event brochure and/or these webpages, and recognizes and accepts any risk associated with the event and the conditions, including the refund policy, set forth above. The undersigned further acknowledges that there are many risks and uncertainties inherent in any travel, including but not limited to the hazards of various modes of transportation, forces of nature, acts or omissions of foreign governments, terrorism, war or insurrection, theft, illness, and damage to person or property due to the negligent acts or omissions of event staff or others. In consideration of, and as part payment for, the right to participate in the event, the undersigned, on behalf of himself, his dependents, heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, agrees to release The Metropolitan Opera Guild, their officers, employees, representatives or agents, and Insight Cruises and its officers, employees and agents, from liability for personal injury, death, property damage or loss suffered by any person in connection with this event, even if caused by the negligence (but not the reckless, willful, or fraudulent conduct) of event staff or other related persons or entities. In addition, by registering for this event, the applicant certifies that he or she is mentally and physically capable of full participation in this tour.
BY REGISTERING FOR THE OPERA ODYSSEY CRUISE, THE PARTICIPANT AGREES TO THE RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT AND LIABILITY DISCLAIMER AND THE TERMS AND CONDIONDIONS HEREIN.
InSight Cruises (CST# 2065380-40)
264 S. Meridith Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91106
TEL: (650) 787-5665
Email: neil@InSightCruises.com
264 S. Meridith Ave., Pasadena, CA 91106 • 650-787-5665 • Copyright 2009 © InSight Cruises
