Terms and Conditions
Please read this information carefully, as payment of a deposit
represents your acceptance of the following Terms and Conditions.
These Terms and Conditions apply to all Smithsonian
Journeys/AmaWaterways and its Affiliates (“AMA”) Cruises booked on or
after January 1, 2025, but do not apply to other AmaWaterways river
cruises. Please visit
https://www.amawaterways.com/terms-conditions
to see the Terms and Conditions for those tours.
Smithsonian Journeys Mission
Smithsonian Journeys engages participants in the mission of the
Smithsonian Institution – “the increase and diffusion of knowledge.”
Like the Institution, our tours enrich our participants’ lives and
inspire their curiosity about the world. Your participation benefits
the work of Smithsonian’s 19 museums, National Zoo, and nine research
centers, helping to preserve our national treasures and shape the
future through science, research, and exhibitions.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: THESE ARE THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS GOVERNING THE
BOOKING AND SALE OF YOUR CRUISE AND RELATED TRAVEL FROM AMAWATERWAYS,
LLC AS SALES AND MARKETING AGENT FOR THE CARRIERS (“TERMS”). A
SEPARATE PASSENGER TICKET CONTRACT BETWEEN THE PASSENGER AND THE
CARRIER GOVERNS THE CRUISE AND TRAVEL ITSELF. THE PASSENGER TICKET
CONTRACT IS AVAILABLE AT
www.AmaWaterways.com/terms-conditions. PLEASE CAREFULLY READ THESE TERMS AND THE PASSENGER TICKET CONTRACT
WHICH ARE BINDING TO YOU AND CONTAIN SIGNIFICANT FEES FOR CANCELLATION
AND LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY, INCLUDING LIMITATIONS ON DAMAGES FOR
BAGGAGE AND OTHER PROPERTY, PERSONAL INJURY, ILLNESS OR DEATH; FOR
CLAIMS BETWEEN PASSENGER AND AMAWATERWAYS (BUT EXCLUDING THE
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION) TIME LIMITS FOR CLAIMS AND SUITS, SWISS
CHOICE OF LAW AND SWISS FORUM SELECTION REQUIREMENTS, AND CLASS ACTION
WAIVER.
Parties: In these terms and conditions, “you” or “passenger” or
“participant” refers to the person booking, purchasing or traveling on
the cruise, and to individuals traveling as part of that person’s
reservation. “We” or “us” refers to Smithsonian Journeys
(“Smithsonian”, a non-profit trust instrumentality of the United
States) and AmaWaterways, LLC, a California Limited Liability Company
(“AWL”), which acts solely as a sales and marketing agent for the
ship’s owner, operator and/or charterer (“Carrier”) and providers of
other forms of transportation, lodging, tours or travel services
(“Suppliers”). Smithsonian Journeys cruises/tours are organized and
administered by professional tour operators hired as independent
contractors. The use of designated tour operators allows the
Smithsonian to offer participants a wide array of educational travel
opportunities. AMA is the tour operator for this cruise and offers the
travel and enters into these terms and conditions with you pursuant to
arrangements made with AWL. The term “Carrier” means the owner,
operator and/or charterer of the vessel as set forth under “Carrier
Information” below.
LIABILITY DISCLAIMER: We arrange with others for the services
described in these Terms, your confirmation and/or our brochures.
Carriers and Suppliers are independent third parties which are
separate entities and are deemed not to be our principals, agents,
employees or partners. AmaWaterways LLC
ACTS SOLEY AS SALES AND MARKETING AGENT FOR THE CARRIERS AND
SUPPLIERS AND DOES NOT OWN OR OPERATE ANY SHIP OR OTHER MODE OF
TRANSPORTATION, HOTEL OR ACCOMMODATION. ACCORDINGLY, WE DISCLAIM
RESPONSIBILITY AND LIABILITY FOR, AND PARTICIPANT WAIVES, RELEASES
AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THERE SHALL NOT BE ANY CLAIM OR RECOURSE
AGAINST US FOR OR AS A CONSEQUENCE OF: BREACH OF DUTY, BREACH OF
CONTRACT, NEGLIGENT OR WILLFUL OR INTENTIONAL ACT, FAILURE TO ACT OR
OMISSION BY ANY CARRIER OR SUPPLIER. Carrier, Supplier and participant obligations and liabilities are
subject in each case to terms and conditions of the Passenger Ticket
Contract and each Supplier’s contract, and any and all laws,
regulations and international conventions that apply under those
contracts, including, but not limited to choice of law, jurisdiction
for disputes, limitations of liability, and time limitations for
claims and suits between participant and Carrier or Supplier
(excluding the Smithsonian).
PARTICIPANT AGREES THAT WE SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGE, LOSS
(INCLUDING PERSONAL INJURY, DEATH, AND LOSS OF OR DAMAGE TO
PROPERTY) OR EXPENSE OCCASIONED BY ANY ACT OR OMISSION OF ANY
CARRIER OR SUPPLIER, OR ANY PROVIDER OF A TRAVEL PROTECTION PLAN, OR
INSURER, OR OF ANY OTHER PERSON. If the services of a Carrier or Supplier cannot be delivered or
there are changes in any planned service for any reason beyond our
control, we will make an effort to arrange similar services. UNDER NO
CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL WE BE LIABLE FOR CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY OR
PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO THESE TERMS, THE
PASSENGER TICKET CONTRACT, THE CRUISE OR ANY RELATED TRAVEL OR
ACTIVITIES, AND OUR LIABILITY, IF ANY, SHALL IN NO EVENT EXCEED THE
AMOUNT PAID TO US FOR THE TRAVEL. THE RESOLUTION OF ANY AND ALL CLAIMS
AGAINST CARRIER (AND EXCLUDING THE SMITHSONIAN), RELATING TO OR IN ANY
WAY ARISING OUT OF OR CONNECTED WITH THIS CONTRACT AND/OR PASSENGER’S
TRAVEL SHALL BE GOVERNED EXCLUSIVELY BY THE LAWS OF SWITZERLAND,
EXCLUDING RULES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS, WHICH THE PASSENGER AGREES
REPLACES, SUPERSEDES AND PREEMPTS ANY PROVISION OF LAW OF ANY STATE OR
NATION TO THE CONTRARY. In consideration of, and as part payment for,
the right to participate in the cruise r, you, your dependents, heirs,
executors, administrators and assigns, agree to release the
Smithsonian Institution, its Regents, officers, employees,
representatives or agents, the United States, and AMA 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.
The Smithsonian and AMA also reserve the right, without penalty, to
withdraw the tour announced, to decline to accept any person as a
participant in a tour, to require a participant to quarantine (subject
to Public Health Entities’ protocol and guidelines), or to require any
participant to withdraw from the tour at any time (including, but not
limited to inappropriate, or offensive behavior) 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. “Public Health Entities”, as used herein, includes the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and foreign, federal,
state, and local governments and health agencies.
AS A CONDITION OF ACCEPTANCE OF ANY APPLICATION, EACH APPLICANT MUST
AGREE TO THE STATEMENT SET FORTH BELOW:
I have read carefully the Terms and Conditions set forth above and the
schedule of activities for this tour, as well as the Passenger Ticket
Contract, and recognize and accept any risk associated with the tour
and the conditions, including the refund policy, set forth in the tour
materials. I further acknowledge 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
including, but not limited to weather, flooding, and high/low water
levels, acts or omissions of foreign governments, terrorism, war or
insurrection, theft, illness, widespread communicable disease outbreak
(e.g. COVID-19, SARS, etc.) or other public health emergency event
declared by local, State or Federal government order to be an
epidemic, pandemic, public emergency or similar, quarantines, bites
from or attacks by animals, insects, or pests, and damage to person or
property due to the negligent acts or omissions of tour staff or
others. I will follow any orders, directives and guidelines issued by
Public Health Entities, the health and safety guidelines provided
herein and the directions of tour staff.
Disputes/Claims Between Passengers and AMA. If a complaint arises, the participant should first inform a member
of the on-tour staff, so that the staff can attempt to rectify the
matter. If the issue remains unresolved, the individual should submit
the complaint in writing to Smithsonian Journeys within 30 days of the
completion of the tour. The Smithsonian Journeys staff will make a
good faith effort to resolve any dispute. In the event that either
party is dissatisfied with the outcome of that dispute resolution
process, such efforts shall not constitute a waiver by either party of
the right to file suit.
PASSENGER AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS WHATSOEVER BETWEEN PASSENGER AND AMA
(EXCLUDING THE SMITHSONIAN) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS
CONTRACT OR PASSENGER’S TRAVEL SHALL BE LITIGATED BEFORE THE “CIVIL
COURT IN BASEL (“ZIVILGERICHT BASEL-STADT), SWITZERLAND”, TO THE
EXCLUSION OF THE JURISDICTION OF COURTS OF ANY OTHER COUNTRY.
PASSENGER CONSENTS TO JURISDICTION AND WAIVES ANY VENUE OR OTHER
OBJECTION TO VENUE OR PERSONAL JURISDICTION THAT MAY BE AVAILABLE TO
ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING BEING BROUGHT IN SAID COURT.
Disputes/Claims Between Passengers and Smithsonian.
PASSENGER AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS WHATSOEVER BETWEEN PASSENGER AND THE
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS CONTRACT OR
PASSENGER’S TRAVEL AND ANY ACTION OR LEGAL PROCEEDING AGAINST THE
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR TRIP SHALL BE GOVERNED
BY APPLICABLE UNITED STATES FEDERAL LAWS AND BROUGHT ONLY IN A UNITED
STATES FEDERAL COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION.
PASSENGER TICKET CONTRACT: ALL SHIP TRANSPORT IS PROVIDED
ACCORDING TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE PASSENGER TICKET
CONTRACT, WHICH IS SENT AT THE TIME OF BOOKING, IS INCLUDED IN THE
DIGITAL TRAVEL DOCUMENTS SENT PRIOR TO THE CRUISE AND IS AVAILABLE FOR
REVIEW AT
www.amawaterways.com/terms-conditions. THE PASSENGER TICKET CONTRACT ESTABLISHES LIMITS OF LIABILITY,
LIMITS ON CLAIMS, AND TIME LIMITS FOR MAKING CLAIMS BETWEEN PASSENGERS
AND CARRIER (EXCLUDING THE SMITHSONIAN), AS WELL AS OTHER
RESTRICTIONS, LIMITS AND DISCLAIMERS OF CARRIER’S LIABILITY FOR YOUR
DEATH, ILLNESS, INJURY, OR DAMAGE CLAIMS RELATING TO BAGGAGE OR
PERSONAL PROPERTY. IT IS GOVERNED BY SWISS LAW AND INCORPORATES
PROVISIONS AND LIMITATIONS UNDER THE ATHENS CONVENTION RELATING TO THE
CARRIAGE OF PASSENGERS AND THEIR LUGGAGE BY SEA, 1974, AND THE
PROTOCOL TO THE CONVENTION RELATING TO THE CARRIAGE OF PASSENGERS AND
THEIR LUGGAGE BY SEA, 1976, THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON LIMITATION
OF LIABILITY FOR MARITIME CLAIMS, 1976, AND THE STRASBOURG CONVENTION
ON THE LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF OWNERS OF INLAND NAVIGATION VESSELS,
2012. VENUE FOR LITIGATION OF ANY DISPUTES BETWEEN PASSENGERS AND
CARRIER (EXCLUDING THE SMITHSONIAN) UNDER THE PASSENGER TICKET
CONTRACT IS EXCLUSIVELY IN THE COURTS OF BASEL, SWITZERLAND.
CLASS ACTION WAIVER: THESE TERMS AND THE PASSENGER TICKET
CONTRACT PROVIDE FOR THE EXCLUSIVE RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES THROUGH
INDIVIDUAL LEGAL ACTION ON YOUR OWN BEHALF INSTEAD OF THROUGH ANY
CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTION. EVEN IF THE APPLICABLE LAW PROVIDES
OTHERWISE, YOU AGREE THAT ANY LAWSUIT AGAINST US OR THE CARRIER
WHATSOEVER SHALL BE LITIGATED BY YOU INDIVIDUALLY AND NOT AS A MEMBER
OF ANY CLASS OR AS PART OF A CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTION, AND YOU
EXPRESSLY AGREE TO WAIVE ANY LAW ENTITLING YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN A
CLASS ACTION.
Carrier Information: For vessels flying the Swiss flag, the
Carrier is AmaWaterways GmbH, an entity organized under the laws of
Switzerland. For vessels in Portugal, the Carrier is DouroAzul,
Sociedade Maritimo Turistica S.A, an entity organized under the laws
of Portugal. For the vessel in Vietnam, the Carrier is Indochina
Waterways, an entity organized under the laws of Vietnam. For the
vessels in Colombia, the Carrier is AmaMagdalena S.A.S., an entity
organized under the laws of Colombia. For a complete and up-to-date
listing of the registry and Carrier for each vessel, visit
www.AmaWaterways.com/CarrierInformation.
Reservations and Payments
To reserve your place, please contact your preferred travel advisor or
AmaWaterways at
1800 867 126 Mon-Fri.
9am – 6pm AEST or use our secure online system at
www.AmaWaterways.com.
Deposit and Final Payment: To confirm a river cruise or river
cruise and land reservation, we require a deposit of AUD$600 per person
for Europe, Colombia and Asia, itineraries on or before the deposit
due date indicated on the confirmation. For transoceanic airline fares
reserved through AmaWaterways, a non-refundable deposit of AUD$525 per
person for Economy and Premium Economy class or AUD$900 per person for
Business/First class tickets is required to issue ticket(s) within 24
hours for the flight schedule offered and accepted. Upon receipt of
deposit, air will be ticketed, at which time deposits will be
nonrefundable. Any air schedules and ticketing relating to
AmaWaterways air promotions will be provided 75 - 90 days before the
travel start date or once full payment is received for the river
cruise and promotional air price (if any). Any itineraries that
include intra-air flights require a non-refundable deposit (also
applies to combination cruises) and will be advised at time of
booking. Bangkok land package requires a nonrefundable deposit of AUD$300
per person. Hotel Extra Nights require a non-refundable deposit of AUD$75
per stateroom at the time of confirmation of the hotel availability.
Other custom arrangements may also require non-refundable deposits and
will be advised at the time of booking. Final payment is due no later
than 90 days before the travel start date. Failure to provide full
payment by 90 days prior will result in cancellation of all services
booked with AmaWaterways. Should that occur, all penalties would be
assessed for the components booked as per the AmaWaterways
cancellation timeline listed below, regardless of any reinstatement
requests of services received after the cancellation is processed.
Please note any prior confirmations of land packages or airline
schedules would no longer be valid in the event a reinstatement is
requested and all availability for cruise, land and air would be
subject to change based on availability at time of re-booking and is
subject to current market pricing at such time. Cruise Protection Plan would be non-refundable in the event of cancellation and would need to be repurchased entirely on the reinstated reservation.
Cancellation Charges: In the unfortunate event a participant
must cancel travel, notice must be made to AmaWaterways during
standard business hours or via email to [email protected], which
must include writing stating clearly and correctly each guest’s name,
ship name, start and end date of the cruise and a brief statement of
the reason for cancellation. Other forms of notice are not sufficient.
If cancellation is requested within 7 days of booking, unless it is
within final payment, a full refund will
be provided. Cancellations received within 24 hours of trip start date
will be deemed as trip interruption, cannot be cancelled and are 100%
non-refundable. The effective date of the cancellation is the date we
receive cancellation notice. A change in sailing date, name changes,
the substitution of a participant or a reduction in the number of
guests in a stateroom are treated as a cancellation in that all
applicable cancellation charges apply. A reduction in occupancy is
subject to a single supplement charge. All cancellation charges are
per person, based on the cancellation date, as seen in the chart
below. You acknowledge that your cancellation will cause us and the
Carrier difficulty in selling a replacement cruise or cruise and land
reservation and thus the cancellation fees described below apply
regardless of whether your cruise or cruise and land reservation is
resold. You agree that any losses sustained by us and/or the Carrier
in the event of cancellation would be very difficult or impossible to
quantify, and the cancellation fees are fair and reasonable as
liquidated damages.
| DAYS BEFORE DEPARTURE |
CRUISE & LAND CANCELLATION CHARGE |
AIRFARE CANCELLATION CHARGE (ECONOMY CONTRACT FARES) |
AIRFARE CANCELLATION CHARGE (BUSINESS/FIRST CLASS CONTRACT FARES)
|
OTHER CHARGES (EXCEPT INSURANCE) |
| 121 days or more prior to departure |
AU$300 (Europe, Colombia & Asia) |
AU$525 penalty* |
AU$900 penalty* |
- |
| 120-90 days prior to departure |
AU$600 (Europe, Colombia & Asia) |
AU$525 penalty* |
AU$900 penalty* |
- |
| 89-60 days prior to departure |
35% of cruise and land price |
AU$525 penalty* |
AU$900 penalty* |
35% of all charges |
| 59-31 days prior to departure |
50% of cruise and land price |
AU$525 penalty* |
AU$900 penalty* |
50% of all charges |
| 30 days to 25 hours prior to departure |
100% of cruise and land price |
AU$525 penalty* |
AU$900 penalty* |
100% of all charges |
| 24 hours or less |
100% of cruise and land price |
100% penalty |
100% penalty |
100% of all charges |
Additional cancellation penalties for special programs may be assessed
in addition to the above; please see “Deposit and Final Payment” for
more information. Please note the above penalties are provided on a
per person basis. *Airline cancellation charges imposed upon receipt
of full payment of either airfare and/or river cruise relating to
AmaWaterways air promotions, and if airline tickets have been issued.
Certain international airline tickets, including published air
tickets, may be 100% non-refundable and details will be advised at the
time of booking. All intra-Europe, intra-Colombia, intra-Asia,
intra-Africa and intra-Egypt flights, as well as Amman-Cairo and
Cairo-Tel Aviv flights are non-refundable at the time of purchase.
Except as otherwise provided in your Passenger Ticket Contract, after
travel begins, there is no refund for unused services, or unused
portions of cruise, land packages or airfare.
Cancellation by AMA or withdrawal of sponsorship by Smithsonian
Journeys. AMA reserves the right to cancel any cruise and/or
Smithsonian reserves the right to withdraw its sponsorship from the
cruise due to inability to operate the cruise, due to concerns about
the comfort, safety, health or welfare of participants.
If a cruise is cancelled by AMA prior to departure, participants will
receive a full refund of monies paid. If Smithsonian’s sponsorship is
withdrawn from the cruise prior to departure, participant will have
the option to continue with the cruise or receive a full refund of
monies paid.
Cancellation by AMA while cruise is in progress: AMA Waterways will
provide participants a pro-rated travel credit based on the number of
days not completed on the cruise. If a Participant elects to leave a
cruise in progress on their own volition, the participant will not
receive any refund.
Changes to Your Reservation
Changes are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed. If your
reservation changes from double occupancy to single occupancy for any
reason or at any time, you will be charged the single supplement.
Pricing: All prices are in Australian dollars. In the event that a
cruise fare listed, quoted or advertised through any website, printed
collateral, reservations person, travel advisor or any other source is
booked, but is incorrect due to an electronic error, typographical
error, human error or any other error causing the fare to be listed,
quoted or advertised for an amount not intended by Smithsonian or
AmaWaterways, we reserve the right to correct the erroneous fare by
requesting the passenger pay the correct fare intended, or by
canceling the cruise. Airfares, air taxes and air surcharges quoted on
your invoice or by a reservation agent are only guaranteed once
airfare deposit or full payment is received by AmaWaterways. We
reserve the right to increase prices without notice.
What Is Included in the Cruise Price
-
Services of an experienced ship staff and crew, Smithsonian Journeys
Expert(s) and local guides throughout the program.
-
Accommodations and meals as noted in itinerary (B-breakfast;
L-lunch; R-reception; D-dinner).
-
Complimentary beverages as offered onboard include wine, beer,
spirits, specialty coffee, tea, soft drinks, and mineral water.
-
Excursions, activities, sightseeing, and visits led by local
specialists and/or highly qualified guides as noted in the
itinerary.
- Internal airfare, if noted in the itinerary.
- Pre-tour educational information, including a reading list.
- All on-tour transportation, unless otherwise noted.
-
Group airport transfers at starting and ending points on
international cruise in cities or places as offered by AmaWaterways
- Personal listening devices and Wi-Fi on many tours
Prices Do Not Include: Published prices do not include airfare,
transfers to and from your destination except as specified above,
vessel fuel surcharges if levied, passport and visa fees, baggage
fees, travel protection, vaccinations, laundry, meals not included in
the itinerary, premium alcohol, optional excursions, gratuities for
onboard personnel (ship staff, crew, Cruise/Tour Manager) or other
items or services of a personal nature.
Non-US citizens must consult the appropriate consulates regarding visa
and other document requirements. Obtaining required visas and any
other required travel documentation and assuring these are complete
and correct in all ways, is the sole responsibility of each
participant. We are not in a position to obtain or verify the accuracy
or completeness of any participant’s visa or other required
documentation and shall not be responsible or liable for delay or
missed portion of any part of the itinerary or other problems
resulting from the participant lacking the appropriate travel
documentation.
Travel Documents: Only after receipt of full payment, final
Digital Travel Documents (including airline confirmation information,
if applicable) will be sent via email, approximately 3-4 weeks prior
to departure. (Delay in final payment will delay delivery of Digital
Travel Documents.) Requests for expedited Digital Travel Documents may
be possible for an additional charge.
Single/Shared Accommodations
A limited number of single rooms/cabins are available at an extra cost
(a single supplement) on a first-come, first-served basis.
FLIGHTS & AIRPORT TRANSFERS
Flight Schedules & Airfares: AmaWaterways offers special
airfares based on the flight and seat availability of contracted
carriers. AmaWaterways are able to accept a traveler’s choice of
preferred air carrier, flight schedule, and some deviations so long as
the requests are made at the time of booking the airline reservation.
To hold/confirm an airline reservation, the airlines require your full
legal name as it appears on your passport. For contract airline fares,
a non-refundable deposit of AU$525 per person for Economy and Premium
Economy class or AU$900 per person for Business and First-class tickets
is required to issue ticket(s) within 24 hours after reservation is
made. Any quoted price is not guaranteed until airline is ticketed.
(When changes are requested by the guest, such as name or date
changes, or if an airline-imposed schedule change is not accepted
prior to ticketing, quoted price is not guaranteed. Once your airline
tickets have been issued, any changes will be subject to penalty, and
any applicable fare differential, if not cancelled within 24 hours of
ticketing. Any itineraries that include intra-air flights require a
non-refundable deposit (also applies to combination cruises). Should
the name on your airline reservation not match your passport exactly,
your airline reservation will have to be cancelled, full penalties
will be assessed, and your reservation will have to be recreated
subject to market pricing at the time of the new reservation. Any air
schedules provided by AmaWaterways are subject to change without
notice as imposed by the Carrier due to reasons beyond our control.
Airfares in conjunction with promotional offers are subject to
specific terms as outlined with offer details.
Air tickets are Economy class. Upgrading to Premium Economy, Business
or First class is possible for an additional charge pursuant to the
terms and conditions of the relevant airline(s). AmaWaterways
guarantees upgrades for long-haul flights, but not U.S. domestic
flights, intra-Europe, intra-Colombia, intra-Asia, flights. Upgrades
may not be possible when an air carrier changes the schedule, aircraft
type, experiences a strike, overbooking or flight interruption of any
kind. Air carriers reserve the right to do all the above. In such
cases, all claims for airfare adjustment must be requested directly to
the air carrier.
Air carriers require the passenger name to appear on the airline
ticket exactly it appears on the passport. If it does not match
exactly, we shall not be responsible or liable for the consequences
which could include re-issue fees or denial of boarding. We shall not
be responsible or liable for costs resulting from airline schedule
changes, lost air ticket, delay, disruption or cancelled flight, lost
or damaged baggage, missed connections, downgrades, denied boarding or
voluntarily buying replacement tickets. Should a replacement ticket be
purchased without collaboration or approval with an AmaWaterways
representative, this cost will be incurred to the guest alone and we
will have no obligation to refund the cost of any new ticket
purchased. In any of these instances, claim must be made directly with
the air carrier (and air carrier alone) for any requested
reimbursement. In the event any situations as noted occur whilst
traveling, AmaWaterways Emergency team will attempt to accommodate and
book an alternative, however this cannot be guaranteed and the final
accommodation provided will be at the sole discretion of the airline
carrier. Once airline check in is completed and/or tickets have been
reissued by the airline (at any time during the booking process),
AmaWaterways will be limited to making further changes on a guest’s
air tickets as the airline will have sole control of the guest’s PNR
and/or ticket after this time and all changes must be handled directly
with the airline by the guest. This is also the case for any post
travel resolution or reimbursement requests for air – these must be
directed to the air carrier by the guest and AmaWaterways is not able
to assist as traveler must initiate all claims directly. Airline
responses and subsequent resolutions may take up to 9 months or more
if the airline is willing to consider the request. We recommend that
in all situations as listed above, all receipts are retained for costs
for submission of claims to the guest’s insurance company, should
these situations be deemed a coverable reason under their insurance
policy.
AmaWaterways will endeavor to book guests traveling together on
conjunction bookings on the same air schedule where possible if the
requests are made at the time of booking the airline reservation. All
requests are subject to availability, at time of booking, and with the
full knowledge by AmaWaterways that guests are requesting to be booked
on the same schedule. As airline-imposed schedule changes are beyond
our control, we cannot guarantee airline protection will be the same
for all guests traveling together and as such, in the event of a
schedule change, guests on conjunction bookings, may be protected on
different flights accordingly.
Changes: Airline tickets issued by AmaWaterways have
restrictions and cannot be reissued, transferred, or exchanged. Any
changes whatsoever made to an airline ticket will incur a minimum AU$525
per ticket change fee for Economy and Premium Economy class (AU$900 for
Business and First class), plus any additional increase in the cost of
the airfare. A change or refund request for tickets purchased through
AmaWaterways must be made through AmaWaterways but may not be
possible. Once a trip commences, only the date of the return flight
ticket can be modified for AU$525 per ticket change fee for Economy and
Premium Economy class (AU$900 per ticket for Business and First class).
Other changes may require purchase of a new ticket. The original
return air ticket has no residual value.
Limitation on Special Requests & Frequent Flyer Numbers:
AmaWaterways will try to relay requests for special meals, adding
frequent flyer numbers or for seat assignments, etc. However,
confirmation of any request rests solely with the airline and the
passenger or travel advisor must always confirm directly with the
airline. It is recommended that each passenger provide their frequent
flyer number to the airline at the time of check-in. Please note that,
in some cases, airline tickets issued by AmaWaterways have
restrictions that may not allow credit in part or whole for frequent
flyer miles, in which case AmaWaterways will notify you at the time of
your reservation. Participants are encouraged to also check with the
air carrier directly.
Baggage: Checked and carry-on baggage are subject to
restrictions that usually involve weight, size and/or number of
pieces. Please check with the respective airline regarding baggage
policies. We shall not be responsible or liable for costs or
consequences for exceeding the airline’s baggage restrictions, or for
loss, theft, damage or delay to passenger’s baggage.
*Airport Transfers: Airport transfers will be provided at
specific times on the scheduled arrival date between the airport and
the ship or hotel, and on the scheduled departure date between the
hotel or ship and the airport as offered by AmaWaterways. Please note:
our group airport transfer service may involve some waiting time.
Individual airport transfers can be purchased for those guests who are
scheduled to arrive/depart at different times than the scheduled
airport transfers; please ask for details.
* Complimentary airport transfers are available for guests arriving
on the set arrival dates or departing on the set departure dates, of
the AmaWaterways cruise only itinerary. This inclusion is only
applicable to those guests who are able to meet at scheduled group
departure times to join the transfer and as long as flight details
are provided no later than 30 days prior to departure. To provide
your flight details, please call AmaWaterways on 1800 867 126
to arrange.
Changes in Cruise and Cruise & Land Itineraries: Carrier seeks
to provide services as published or stated in the Digital Travel
Documents. But deviations to planned cruise, cruise & land itinerary
or any other aspects of the travel may occur. If conditions make
cruise routes unsafe for navigation or in other respects, or raise
sufficient doubt about safety, Carrier reserves the right to modify or
provide alternate services. These may include, but are not limited to,
providing accommodation on the docked ship and/or substituting ground
arrangements. An effort will be made to try to arrange elements of the
cruise and cruise & land itineraries similar to those originally
planned, but the level of similarity may vary. Except as otherwise
provided in your Passenger Ticket Contract, such changes will not
entitle you to any credit or a refund. Cruise, cruise & land
itineraries, and all other aspects of the cruise and travel are
subject to change with or without notice.
Hotel Accommodations: We will seek to use hotels listed (if
any) on your confirmation. Changes may be necessary; therefore, use of
such hotels is not assured. An effort will be made to substitute
similar hotels, but the level of similarity may vary. Standard policy
for hotels is to have rooms available for check-in no earlier than
3:00 p.m. Subject to the discretion of the hotel, triple-occupancy
hotel accommodations may involve the use of hotel rooms with just two
beds. Only those guests who have elected to take our Cruise & Land
program on the brochure itinerary dates will receive transfers between
the hotel(s) and the ship.
Cancellation by Carrier: Carrier reserves the right to cancel,
change or postpone any cruise departure date and itinerary. In the
event of a complete cancellation of a departure by Carrier, we will
refund monies paid for the cruise or cruise & land package to those
participants who have not previously cancelled. See Passenger Ticket
Contract for further details.
Personal Changes: Except as otherwise provided in the Passenger
Ticket Contract, participant’s deviation from the published itinerary
for any reason will not entitle participant to any reduction in
charge. Participant will bear a full charge for any unused services.
Child Policy: All guests under the age of 18 are to be in a
stateroom with an adult and must remain supervised at all times; their
safety is the responsibility of the accompanying adult(s). In the case
where a triple or quad occupancy stateroom is not available or not
selected, children under the age of 10 at the time of embarkation may
share a stateroom with two adults only in circumstances where the
child is able to share the bed with the adults – no additional bed
will be provided. Please be aware that balcony staterooms of any kind
may be unsafe for minors if left unsupervised. There is a minimum age
limit of 4 years old, unless otherwise agreed upon by AmaWaterways.
AmaWaterways does not provide child-specific programs or child-minding
facilities.
Participants with Disabilities: Because the tours offered occur
in various countries, accessible facilities may not be available on
board or in many places visited on the cruises and cruise tours we
offer. If you (participant) have a disability and reasonable
accommodation may enable you to use the services, please let us know
how you believe we can help. Participant are requested to inform us in
writing, at or immediately after making the reservation, but in any
event as early as possible, of any mobility impairment or other
condition, whether physical, emotional or mental, which may require
accommodation or use of an assistive device during the travel. A
reasonable effort will be made to accommodate special needs, but we
are not responsible for denial of service by Carriers, hotels, or
other independent Suppliers. Depending on the applicable law, a
participant, who, due to impairment, is not self-sufficient, may need
to travel with a companion who shall take responsibility for
assistance needed during travel and in case of emergency. An
individual with a disability that would result in a direct threat to
the health and safety of others or to that individual may be excluded,
if it is determined there is a significant risk that cannot be
eliminated or reduced to an acceptable level by reasonable
accommodations, policies, practices, procedures assistive devices or
services. If participant fails to timely inform us of any impairment
or condition and/or their participation poses a safety risk to
participant or direct health or safety threat to others, participant
may be excluded from parts or all of the travel. We will make
reasonable efforts to accommodate disabilities but shall have no
liability to participant relating to any condition, treatment, or
failure to inform us of an impairment, or resulting exclusion.
Due to medical safety guidelines, we are unable to accommodate
passengers who will enter their 24th week of pregnancy by the time of
the cruise.
Medical: Medical doctors are not available on any vessel. If
medical services are required, efforts to contact local medical
providers will be made. A participant requiring such assistance is
solely responsible for all related charges. We will not be responsible
or liable for sufficiency of our efforts to reach medical providers,
unavailability, delay, quality or other aspect of any such services.
Participant is encouraged at time of booking and well before
departure, to review participant’s health and medical conditions and
insurance and consult participant’s health care and insurance
providers regarding needs and scope of coverage for any incident or
need that may occur during travel, and to obtain supplemental health
and medical insurance for the travel, as needed. In the event the
participant becomes sufficiently incapacitated as to be unable to
direct his or her own care, there is no one on the tour who can direct
participant’s care, and we are unable to contact participant’s
emergency contact, the participant, by registering and paying a
deposit for this cruise, authorizes the provision of emergency medical
treatment in the event of any injury or illness while participating in
the tour including, but not limited to, X-ray, examination,
anesthetic, medical or surgical diagnosis, or treatment and hospital
care. In addition, the participant certifies that they have medical
insurance which will cover personal accidents, medical expenses, loss
of effects, and all other expenses which might arise as a result of
loss, damage, injury, delay or inconvenience occurring to the
participant, and that in the absence of this medical insurance
coverage, or for costs not covered by this medical insurance coverage,
the participant agrees to pay all costs of rescue and/or medical
services as may be incurred on the participant’s behalf.
Inoculations and Medical Preparation: Please contact your
personal physician or local health department prior to travel for
further detailed information and recommended precautionary measures.
Smoking: Smoking is only permitted on the ship’s Sun Deck in
the designated smoking area.
Diet: Special dietary requests must be provided to us in the
pre-trip documents you will be asked to complete in advance of your
departure. We are able to accommodate most requests (e.g., Gluten
free, vegetarian, allergies, etc.), and will do our best to meet your
request.
Photography and Video
We reserve the right to take photographs or videos (or audio) during
the cruise for the educational and promotional purposes of the
Smithsonian or AMA. This content may be used for promotional or
commercial use. By making a reservation on a cruise, the guest agrees
to allow his/her likeness to be used by Smithsonian or AMA without
compensation to the guest. Participants who prefer that their voice
and/or image not be used must notify us in writing prior to the
beginning of the cruise.
Copyright in all photographs, video, and related materials created by
a participant (“Participant Content”) belongs to the participant upon
creation. The participant grants to Smithsonian and AMA a
non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable license
to use any Participant Content provided to Smithsonian and/or AMA in
any media for editorial, educational and/or promotional use.
California Seller of Travel Law: AMA is registered with the
California Attorney General, California Seller of Travel Program as
AmaWaterways LLC, registration number CST 2065452-20. Registration as
a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of
California. This transaction is covered by the California Travel
Consumer Restitution Fund (TCRF) if we were registered and
participating in TCRF at the time of sale and you are located in
California at the time of payment.
Privacy Policy
Smithsonian Journeys privacy policy can be found at
www.smithsonianjourneys.org/privacy.
The AmaWaterways privacy policy can be found at
https://www.amawaterways.com/privacy-policy.
Dispute Resolution
Smithsonian Journeys and AmaWaterways promote an environment that
values inclusivity, respect, and integrity. By participating in this
tour, you agree to act in accordance with these values in your
interactions with fellow travelers, tour staff and other service
staff, and the public.
By confirming the reservation with payment, the guest/ travel
advisor acknowledges that they are aware of and will comply with
these Terms and Conditions.