The following information will help you book your Cosmic Trails cruise effectively and efficiently. Please read all the information carefully before completing the reservation form. At approximately six weeks prior to sailing you will receive your instructions on how to obtain your tickets. Only passengers booked through Insight Cruises will be able to participate in the Cosmic Trails 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. Most 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 two beds that may convert to a queen-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 Cosmic Trails by themselves and wish to share a cabin with another passenger in our group. The prices are the same as the per person double occupancy rates. Be sure to select the option on the online booking form that asks, "Do you want to share a room with another Insight Cruiser? (This is called our Share program.)" NOTE: Only cabin categories J, C, and VH are available to share. Share cabin assignments are generally made 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. Shares are guaranteed if you book outside of 120 days prior to sailing. I.e., Guaranteed Shares are not always available if you book within 120 days of our sailing. Share Passengers who smoke are not to do so in the cabin, unless their roommate specifically consents. Because of the limited number of accessible cabins, shares are not available for physically-challenged passengers.
(IV) SINGLE OCCUPANCY: If you would like to be the sole occupant of a cabin, there is a single-occupancy upcharge of 60% 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 and fees are in addition to the per person cruise rates listed below. The cruise pricing is subject to change. I.e., 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 November 15, 2012 ("Final Payment Date") (or, if you book after November 15, 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 change, and await your acceptance, before your reservation is considered “booked” and confirmed. Either party may cancel the booking within 14 days of the initial $600 deposit, with no penalty, for any reason — so long as this cancellation is prior to the Final Payment Date. 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.
PAYMENT INFORMATION: 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 Insight Cruises, 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 Santiago from our home base, the Hotel Atton El Bosque. All taxes, breakfast, city tour (on the 20th), and a private transfer from the Santiago airport to the hotel) are included in the prices below.
|
ONE NIGHT |
ADD’ NIGHTS |
ROOM RATE (up to 2 people) |
$375 |
$299 |
The prices above are PER ROOM (maximimum of two people per room). For those not doing any of our pre-cruise tours (i.e., Machu Picchu, Galapagos, or Easter Island) — i.e., just doing our hotel on the 19th — the transfer from our hotel to the pier is $99. This transfer is not included with the hotel pricing above. (This transfer is only available to those who have purchased our hotel package or one of our three pre-cruise tours.) This $99 hotel-to-pier transfer, as well as your hotel night for the 19th, are included in the package price of all of our pre-cruise tours.
PRE-CRUISE COCKTAIL PARTY: $79. Shift mental gears and start your road trip by joining us at the Cosmic Trails Pre-cruise Cocktail Party! Take this opportunity to meet your fellow Cosmic Trailss. The reception will be held in the night before departure. Premium beer, local wines, and light hors d’oeuvres will be served.
IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: A Passport (valid through Februray 1, 2014) 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. Please see the Exit/Entry links (after you have selected the destination country) for the U.S. State Department’s information on Exit/Entry Requirements for U.S. Citizens for countries on our itinerary. You can also find a wealth of information and contact data here. You WILL be denied boarding without proper proof of citizenship and without all necessary visas.
Along with many thousands of American travelers, we rely on VisaCentral for our visas (we are not affiliated with VisaCentral, we are simply happy customers).
Cosmic Trails PROGRAM FEE and/or INSIGHT CRUISES’ EXCURSIONS CANCELLATIONS and REFUNDS: The Cosmic Trails Program fee is subject to the following cancellation fees: $95 if cancelling before July 1, 2012; $195 if cancelling from July 1, 2012 to October 31, 2012; $395 if cancelling between November 15 (Final Payment Date) and December 31, 2012; no Program Fee refunds offered if cancelling on or after January 1, 2013. All conference cancellation fees, however, can be applied to any future Insight Cruise Conference Fee.
CRUISE and/or HOTEL 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 receipt of notice to cancel (via in writing or email):
NOTES:
To protect against cancellation penalties, Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance is available and strongly recommended. When you book an Insight Cruise, we include one or more trip insurance brochures in with your invoice. We offer three options:
1) Insight Cruises believes Travel Guard Gold is best for those with limited health insurance and want a comprehensive insurance plan. Travel Guard is available with emergency assistance and travel insurance. Your coverage includes protection such as Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Emergency Medical and Dental, Travel Assistance Services, Supplier Financial Default, and even Job Loss Protection. If you purchase within 10 days of your initial deposit, your medical coverage is upgraded to primary coverage. This product is ideal for those who rely on Medicare, for instance, or others who do not have health care coverage outside the United States. In addition, for those looking for “cancel for any reason” coverage, Travel Guard’s Gold insurance offers it. For a 40% premium surcharge, they’ll provide cancel-for-any-reason insurance reimbursing 50%. (Travel Guard Gold Cancel For Any Reason must be purchased within 10 days of your initial deposit.) Please study the details before you’re certain you need this additional coverage. Travel Guard’s Platinum product, M.H. Ross’s Advantage Bridge plan (see just below), and CSA’s Sail Safe (again, see below) will reimburse you 100% for covered reasons — assuming you have insured the full cost of your trip. You can get a Travel Guard quote and purchase the insurance here.
2) Another company we have very high regard for is M.H. Ross. Read about their Bridge product here:
http://InsightCruises.com/pdf/AdvantageBridge.pdf. While they do not offer the advantage of “First Payer” (i.e., you will need to submit any during-the-trip medical expenses to them after you have submitted these expenses to your primary medical insurance carrier), they will reimburse you for your out-of-pocket health expenses plus about two dozen other potential loss items. In our opinion, if you’re under the age of 55, M.H. Ross’s Bridge product is the most cost-effective “trip cancellation and
interruption” coverage available and we heartily recommend it. You can get a quote and purchase the insurance here.
3) For those 60 years of age and older, we highly recommend CSA’s Sail Safe Cruise Program plan:
http://InsightCruises.com/pdf/CSA_Plan_Summary.pdf. Unlike the two policies above, CSA Sail Safe is not priced based on your age. The cost of the insurance is based solely on your trip cost. In addition, you can purchase CSA Sail Safe up to 24 hours prior to the Final Payment Date and still be covered for pre-existing conditions (granted that you are fit to travel at the time of purchase). Also, like Travel Guard and M.H. Ross, for about a 50% premium surcharge, CSA will provide cancel-for-any-reason coverage. (M.H. Ross’ cancel-for-any-reason does not impose any “fit to travel at time of purchase” requirement.) In the case of CSA, you must purchase cancel-for-any-reason coverage within 24 hours of booking your event. For M.H. Ross and Travel Guard, you have 10 days after booking to purchase cancel-for-any-reason coverage. You can get a quote and purchase CSA’s insurance here.
NOTE: The products mentioned above are only available to U.S. and Canadian citizens. For those living outside North America we do recommend buying insurance from any local travel agency. Travel Guard and M.H. Ross waive pre-existing conditions if you purchase the insurance within 10 days of booking. Therefore, you will get maximum coverage and benefits if you book their insurance the day you book. Trip Cancellation Insurance payments are not refundable (but sometimes are transferrable). Cancel-for-any-reason coverage varies slightly, carrier to carrier, based on the level of penalty when you cancel. Typically, if you cancel at the last possible moment, you are only likely to get between 70% and 80% back.
A signed Insurance Waiver is due in the Insight Cruises office upon issuance and no later than the Final Payment Date. Your booking is subject to cancellation unless we receive this paperwork.
Need help? Have questions?
Want to book voice-to-voice?
Please give us a call: 650-787-5665
Neil Bauman and Theresa Mazich, co-founders.
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CABIN TYPE |
CRUISE RATES ARE PER PERSON, |
|||
|
$1,599 |
[ GUARANTEED SHARE (GS) |
|||
|
$1,689 |
[ GUARANTEED SHARE (GS) |
|||
|
$1,719 |
[ GUARANTEED SHARE (GS) |
|||
|
$1,749 |
[ GUARANTEED SHARE (GS) |
|||
|
$1,899 |
[ GS & PHYSICALLY |
|||
|
$1,999 |
[ GS & PC AVAILABLE ] |
|||
|
$2,049 |
[ GS & PHYSICALLY |
|||
|
$2,149 |
[ GS & PC AVAILABLE ] |
|||
|
$2,199 |
[ GS & PHYSICALLY |
|||
|
$2,699 |
— |
|||
|
$3,199 |
— |
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|
$3,399 |
— |
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|
$3,499 |
— |
|||
|
$3,699 |
— |
|||
|
$5,599 |
Add'l info (PDF file) |
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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 is 10% of the cruise fare.
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: 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 COSMIC TRAILS PROGRAM: Over 30 hours of programming plus two cocktail parties. The Program fee is $959. Traveling companions who do not want to participate in our Cosmic Trails Program can simply enjoy their cruise (and our cocktail parties) and need not pay this additional fee.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED: Government taxes, port charges, and fees (approximately $336); gratuities ($11.50 per person per day); your bar bill; soda; the spa; casino action; Holland America shore excursions; dining in the two private restaurants (about $25 pp); and any expenses of a personal nature are extra. (Taxes and fees are subject to minor change.) In addition to the fees above, the following Service Fees (which are non-refundable) will be assessed when the various services are rendered:
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. Insight Cruises accepts no 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 Lines. Insight Cruises passes on Holland America Lines’ costs plus adds a $50 per person service fee for managing this air reservation. 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!
READ CAREFULLY:
RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT AND LIABILITY DISCLAIMER
Cosmic Trails 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 Sky & Telescope 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. Sky & Telescope 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.
Sky & Telescope 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. Sky & Telescope 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 flyer(s) or the website, 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 Sky & Telescope 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 TIMES TRAVELER CRUISE, THE PARTICIPANT AGREES TO THE RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT AND LIABILITY DISCLAIMER AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS 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 2012 © Insight Cruises
