The following information will help you book your Shakespeare at Sea 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 Shakespeare at Sea Program.
HOW TO BOOK:
Select Plan I, II, III, IV, or V
Cabin prices vary by the category and type of accommodation you select. Some cabins can accommodate a third 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 OCCUPANCY: If three family members or friends wish to share the same cabin, they may do so. The third passenger rates are listed in the pricing information (see next column).
(III) SHARE FARES: This plan is for passengers who are coming on Shakespeare at Sea 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 are subject to change. 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. The price varies by cabin category. Please see the table below.
(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.
In order for you to be a confirmed attendee we must have a fully completed Booking Form along with your 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.)
Due to fluctuations in oil prices, a fuel surcharge may be added to your cruise fee. All cruise prices are subject to change. Fourteen days after your deposit has been taken, your cruise rate is locked in. You will be notified of any price changes before your reservation is considered "booked". We'll send you an email confirmation (if you provide us with your email address) and an itemized invoice (via mail or post) within 48 hours of your deposit. Passengers typically receive cabin assignments upon booking but these cabin assignments are subject to change. You must returned a signed copy of your itemized invoice in order to be issued tickets by the cruiseline. If you do not return a signed invoice your cruise reservation is subject to cancellation.
DEPOSIT: Varies by cabin category (10% of the total per person fare for guests booked in categories AA–C or 20% of the total per person fares for guests booked in categories CP–PH) and is due at time of booking.
ELIGIBILITY: Smithsonian Journeys are a benefit of Smithsonian membership. This cruise is designed for adults but may well be appropriate for older children. (A parent or guardian must accompany those under 18.) If you are not a Smithsonian member, please add $29 for a one-year membership. Only one membership per household is required.
3rd PERSON RATE: ages 11 and older: $3,999; under 11 years old: $2,099.
INSIGHT CRUISES PAST TRAVELER DISCOUNTS: A $25 discount is given for each previous InSight Cruise attended. Minimum discount is $50 per person for previous InSight Cruisers.
FULL PAYMENT is due on February 21, 2009 (or, if you book after February 21, at the time of booking). The signed Confirmation of Final Payment and Insurance Waiver, mailed to you shortly after you book, is due in the InSight Cruises office upon issuance and no later than the final payment date. Passengers are not confirmed on the manifest and cruise tickets are not issued until this signed confirmation is returned and your account is paid in full.
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.
IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: A Passport (valid through December 1, 2009) 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.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: In addition to the $50,000 coverage for emergency evacuation and worldwide emergency assistance service included in the price of your tour, Smithsonian Journeys has made arrangements with an insurance provider to offer a comprehensive Traveler's Protection Plan. Smithsonian strongly urges all tour participants to purchase comprehensive travel insurance, which provides coverage for trip cancellation, interruption and/or delay, baggage loss, theft, damage or delay, and other travel-related contingencies. Information on travel insurance is sent with your tour confirmation (and/or please see directly below).
ITINERARY CHANGES: Smithsonian Journeys and InSight Cruises reserve the right to substitute hotels, if necessary. Please note that weather conditions may force changes to the advertised sailing schedule. The ship’s captain has the authority to change the ship’s schedule.
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. Name changes are not permitted by Crystal Cruises. Per person cancellation fees are based on date of notice to Smithsonian Journeys (subsequent written notice required) or InSight Cruises (via email):
Please understand that there will be no exceptions to our cancellation policy.
To protect against cancellation penalties, Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance from Berkeley is available and strongly recommended.
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. This cruise may also be cancelled due to low enrollment. Neither Smithsonian Institution 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 Crystal Cruises. InSight Cruises passes on Crystal Cruises 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!
PHOTOGRAPHY: Participants on Smithsonian Journeys may be photographed for the educational and promotional purposes of the Smithsonian Institution.
SMOKING POLICY: Smoking is not allowed aboard ship, except in designated areas, or during any group activity.
Need help? Have questions?
Want to book voice-to-voice?
Please give us a call: 650-787-5665
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SINGLE RATE* |
DOUBLE RATE* |
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*All "DOUBLE RATEs" are PER PERSON based on double occupancy. SINGLE RATEs are capacity controlled by Crystal Cruises and subject to change or withdrawal at any time at the discretion of Crystal Cruises Inc. Fourteen days after your deposit has been taken, however, your cruise rate is locked in.
CRUISE PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE: All cruise prices are subject to change. We will notify you of any price changes, and await your acceptance, before your reservation is considered "booked". Either party may then cancel the booking within 14 days of initial deposit, with no penalty, should a quoted price change OR a price be printed in error but subsequently disclosed to the other party within 14 days of deposit. (Errors not caught are considered binding after 14 days of the deposit date.) Due to fluctuations in oil prices, a fuel surcharge may be added to your cruise fee.
WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE COST:
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED IN THE COST:
READ CAREFULLY:
RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT AND LIABILITY DISCLAIMER
Smithsonian Journeys are managed by professional tour operators hired as independent contractors. The use of tour operators allows the Smithsonian to offer its members a wide array of educational travel opportunities. The tour operator acts only as an agent for the respective suppliers by making arrangements for transportation, accommodations, and other services. Neither the Smithsonian Institution nor the tour operator 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 Smithsonian Institution and the tour operator 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 tour participants.
The Smithsonian Institution and the tour operator also reserve the right, without penalty, to withdraw the tour announced, to decline to accept any person as a participant in a tour, or to require any participant to withdraw from the tour at any time, when such action is determined by tour staff to be in the best interests of the health, safety or general welfare of the tour 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 accommodations be refunded, if any. Participants are encouraged to purchase airline tickets no sooner than 60 days before the tour begins to avoid airline cancellation penalties if a tour is canceled or otherwise modified subsequent to the participant’s purchase of those tickets. The Smithsonian Institution and the tour operator accept no liability for the purchase of non-refundable airline tickets to the tour departure city and return. Baggage and personal effects are at all times the sole responsibility of the participant.
Dates, schedules, program details, and costs, 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 above, the schedule of activities for this tour, as well as the terms and conditions of application and participation as set forth in the tour brochure(s), and recognizes and accepts any risk associated with the tour and the conditions, including the refund policy, set forth in the tour brochure(s). The undersigned further acknowledges that there are many risks and uncertainties inherent in any travel tour, 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 tour staff or others. In consideration of, and as part payment for, the right to participate in the tour, the undersigned, on behalf of himself, his dependents, heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, agrees to release the Smithsonian Institution, its Regents, officers, employees, representatives or agents, the United States, and the tour operator and its officers, employees and agents, from liability for personal injury, death, property damage or loss suffered by any person in connection with this tour, even if caused by the negligence (but not the reckless, willful, or fraudulent conduct) of tour staff or other related persons or entities. In addition, by registering for this tour, the applicant certifies that he or she is mentally and physically capable of full participation in this tour.
BY REGISTERING FOR A SMITHSONIAN JOURNEY, THE PARTICIPANT AGREES TO THE RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT AND LIABILITY DISCLAIMER AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS HEREIN.
InSight Cruises (CST# 2065380-40)
561 Windsor Drive
Menlo Park, CA 94025
Phone: (650) 787-5665
Email: neil@InSightCruises.com
264 S. Meridith Ave., Pasadena, CA 91106 • 650-787-5665 • Copyright 2009 © InSight Cruises
