Terms and Conditions
Cruise Holidays Chicago on Magnificent Mile is an independent cruise travel specialist agency that is certified as a Cunard Commodore Expert Agency by Cunard Line. Cruise Holidays/Inspired Voyages, Inc. is not a part of or owned by Cunard Line, but because of our education and expertise, we are uniquely qualified to provide you with vacation planning services that extend beyond the levels of service provided by Cunard Line or other cruise lines.
Cunard ships are registered in Bermuda.
Cunard, Cunard Line, the Cunard logo, Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth 2, Queen Elizabeth, R.M.S. Britannia, A Most Civilized Adventure, Britannia Club Restaurant, Britannia Restaurant, Canyon Ranch SpaClub, Caronia Restaurant, Connoisseur Collection, CunardCare, Cunard ConneXions, Cunard Insights, Cunard's Kid Programme, Cunard Royal Spa & Fitness Centre, Cunard World Club, Illuminations, Mauretania Restaurant, QE2, The Cunarder, The Most Famous Ocean Liners in the World, Veuve Cliquot Champagne Bar, White Star Service, and other names, products and services that appear on this website are registered trademarks, service marks or otherwise protected brands owned by Cunard Line and its affiliates.
Thank you for letting us help plan your vacation. Please review these important details, terms and conditions that apply to your reservation and those of your travel companions or group members. In addition, the cruise line's contract of passage or terms and conditions of tour operator/travel supplier apply. Refer to the supplier’s brochure or website for details. By booking your vacation, you agree to convey this information to your travel companions and/or group members.
Professional Service Fees: To allow us to provide you with the highest level of service and expertise, Cruise Holidays charges service fees for various activities, including itinerary planning, trip cancellation and changes and airfare research. Please refer to our current Professional Service Fees schedule.
Cancellations and Change Policy: In most cases, your cruise line or tour operator will charge a penalty as high as 100% of your vacation cost should you cancel your reservation. Please read the cancellation policy of each travel provider in the brochure. Contact us with questions. It is your responsibility to be aware of cancellation dates, which do not necessarily match final payment dates. Cruise Holidays will charge a $75 administration fee per person in case of cancellations or changes to your initial travel arrangements in addition to any fees charged by cruise lines or other travel suppliers.
Methods of Payment: We recommend that you pay your vacation with a credit card, which may offer you additional protection. We do accept personal checks and money orders, provided they reach us no later than 7 days before a payment is due. We do not accept cash.
Travel Documentation and Health/Vaccination Regulations: You are responsible for ensuring that everyone in your party possesses a valid passport and visas and has complied with mandatory health, vaccination and other legal requirements. In many cases, your passport must be valid for at least six months after your trip. U.S. citizens require a passport for all international air travel, and for most international travel by sea or land. For details, visit www.travel.state.gov. If you have ever been convicted of a crime, including driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, Canada and other countries may refuse you entry. If this applies to you, contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate. Failure to have proper documentation will result in denied boarding with no refund. Many cruise lines require you to provide immigration information at least one week before departure, online, via fax or phone. If you are traveling with minors, you must notify us at time of booking to discuss special arrangements and documentation required by cruise lines or authorities. We recommend you contact your physician for information on travel health.
Gratuities, fees and taxes: when you place a deposit on your vacation, we can guarantee your cruise fare. However, port fees, fuel surcharges, taxes and miscellaneous charges may change. If additional taxes, fees or surcharges are levied by cruise line, airline, other supplier or government agency, we must pass these charges on to you, as they are out of our control. Unless stated otherwise, your cruise fare does not include gratuities and other expenses of a personal nature, such as beverages, spa and casino services, transfers, gifts, etc.
Insurance: Since personal and health insurance may not cover you overseas, we highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance. In addition, you may not get your vacation cost back if you unexpectedly need to cancel your cruise. We will gladly explain available options to you. If you choose to decline travel insurance, we will require that you sign a statement confirming that you are assuming any financial loss associated with your travel arrangements and return this signed statement to us by mail, by fax or in person before we will release your travel documents.
Cruise Line Air Fare: When you choose a cruise line’s air/sea arrangements, the cruise line chooses the airline, routing and schedule, which might include stopovers, early, late and overnight flights and alternate airports. The cruise line will only provide your flight schedule about 20-30 days before departure. By then, it may no longer be possible to pre-assign seats. In this case, you may do so at the airport. Applicable airline fees for checking luggage, seat assignments, food and beverages are not included in your airfare. Most cruise lines offer a premium service for a fee to let you select specifics related to your flights (preferred airline, non-stop flights, travel dates, etc.), in addition to any fare differences. Please let us know if you would like to arrange an Air Deviation.
Independent Air: We recommend that you arrive in your cruise port the day before your cruise departs, so your embarkation day starts off more relaxed. If you must arrive on embarkation day, give yourself sufficient time to allow for flight or other delays. We recommend that your flight lands at least five hours before your scheduled cruise departure. In most cases, you are expected to be checked in for your cruise at least 90 minutes before its scheduled departure time. Your ship will not wait for you: if you miss your ship, you are responsible for making your way to the next port. We highly recommend travel insurance to protect yourself in case of delays.
Guaranteed Stateroom: If you chose a guaranteed stateroom, the cruise line will assign a stateroom at a later date, entirely at its discretion, in the category you have purchased or higher. While upgrades can occur, there is no promise of this happening. No requests can be placed. If location (center, forward, aft, specific deck, being near travel companions) is important to you, you should not book a guaranteed stateroom. Once a stateroom is assigned by the cruise line, it can not be changed.
Itinerary Changes: You are booking a cruise, not an itinerary. The cruise line reserves the right to alter routes and/or omit ports if necessary.
Dining: We will communicate your dining preferences (early or late seating, preferred table size) to the cruise line when applicable. Most cruise lines consider this a request only. Please contact the Restaurant Manager when you board the ship if you wish to change your table assignment.
Consumer Disclosure Notice: By using our website and/or services, you acknowledge that Inspired Voyages, Inc. d/b/a Cruise Holidays is acting merely as an intermediary and agent for suppliers of travel and travel related products and services (such as air carriage, hotel accommodations, ground transportation, tours, cruises, etc.) and that these services are not directly supplied by this agency. This agency, therefore, shall not be responsible for break of contract or any intentional or careless actions or omissions on part of such suppliers, resulting in any loss, damage, delay, or injury to you, your travel companions or group members. This agent shall not be held responsible for any injuries, damages or losses caused to any traveler in connection with any terrorist activity, social or labor unrest, mechanical or construction difficulties, diseases, local laws, climate conditions, abnormal conditions or developments, flight cancellations or delays, supplier financial default, or any other actions, omissions, or conditions outside of the agent’s control. By embarking upon his/her travel, the traveler voluntarily assumes all risks involved with such travel, whether expected or unexpected. Traveler is hereby warned of such risk and is advised to obtain appropriate insurance coverage against them. Your retention or usage of tickets shall constitute consent of the above, and an agreement on your part to convey the contents above to your travel companions or group members. All Cruise Holidays stores are independently owned and operated.
Inspired Voyages, Inc. d/b/a Cruise Holidays, 980 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1275, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
(vs.8 - July 2011)