Important Cruise Information

Due to increased security requirements most cruise lines now require all passengers to pre-register on-line for their cruise. For your convenience, registration can be completed ahead of time on the cruise line's website. You'll need your reservation noted in the invoice sent once deposit is made, ship and sailing date, your personal information, as well as any contact information you wish to provide. Failure to pre-register may result in denied boarding.

MANDATORY BOARDING REQUIREMENTS:
Due to more stringent security measures all passengers are required to check in at the pier for their cruise no later than two (2) hours prior to your scheduled sailing departure time. This is to allow adequate time for check-in, security screening and luggage handling. Guests are strongly encouraged to complete the online advanced guest registration form at least seven days prior to sailing as this will assist in the check-in process.
Please note guests will not be allowed to board after check-in has been closed. Late arriving guests may join the ship at an approved port of call in the scheduled cruise itinerary. Travel to that subsequent port of call will be at the guests' expense.

VERY IMPORTANT NEW PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL NORTH AMERICAN CITIZENS

Air Travel
Effective January 8, 2007, valid passports will be required for all U.S. citizens flying to or from all international destinations. This includes all areas of the world in which our ships sail, such as the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, Asia, Central and South America.

Cruise Travel
As early as January 1, 2008, subject to U.S. Government amendment, valid passports will be required for all U.S. citizens cruising to or from all international destinations. This includes all areas of the world in which our ships sail, such as the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, Asia, Central and South America.

International Travel
Until that time, the following travel document requirements apply International Travel A valid passport is required; visas are required where they apply. This includes Europe, Asia, Central and South America.

Domestic Travel
For domestic travel which includes: the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico, a passport (valid or expired) is highly recommended. In the absence of a passport, a birth certificate (original or a certified copy), plus a picture ID card issued by a federal, state or local government agency is required.

A voter registration card or Social Security Card are not considered to be proof of citizenship. Children under 16 years of age do not require a picture ID.

OUR RECOMMENDATION
This Agency strongly recommends that all guests travel with a valid passport during their cruise. This greatly assists guests who may need to fly out of the United States to meet their ship at the next available port should they miss their scheduled embarkation in a U.S. port; guests entering the U.S. at the end of their cruise; and guests needing to fly to the U.S. before their cruise ends, because of medical, family, personal or business emergencies, missing a ship's departure from a port of call, involuntary disembarkation from a ship due to misconduct, or other reasons.
Guests who cruise after January 8, 2007, and need to fly to the United States before their cruise ends will likely experience significant delays and complications related to booking airline tickets and entering the United States if they do not have a valid U.S. passport with them.
All Non-U.S. citizens: Any non-US citizen who has previously been admitted to the United States for permanent residence must carry their passport and Alien Registration Receipt Card. All other non-U.S./non-Canadian citizens must have valid passports and any necessary visas. Such guests should verify carefully the existing identification requirements for their particular travel situation, as these requirements may change.
IMPORTANT: ALL guests should carefully verify the existing identification requirements for their particular travel situation DIRECTLY WITH THE CRUISE LINE OR THEIR LOCAL CONSULATES OR EMBASSIES, as these requirements may change. Guests arriving for embarkation without proper documentation may be denied boarding and will not be entitled to a refund. For additional passport information visit www.travel.state.gov.

When booking your cruise vacation with Bestcruiserates. You'll receive an invoice that contains the details of your trip. Please check for accuracy and notify your agent or our cruise office immediately of any discrepancies. This office will not accept responsibility for error or omissions not reported immediately upon receipt.

RESPONSIBILITY
BestCruiseRates and its affiliates act as an independent broker for the cruise line and other suppliers. BestCruiseRates guarantees that the cruise price you pay for your cruise will not change after your deposit has been paid. The exception to this would be government taxes and fuel surcharges which rarely change once you have already booked. If taxes do change or fuel surcharges are imposed you will be responsible for the increase. We do not control, operate, or assume responsibility for the actions of cruise lines, air lines, railroad companies, ground transporters or tour operators. The information and descriptions given about the travel suppliers are based on the inquiries made by BestCruiseRates and are believed to be accurate, but BestCruiseRates makes no warranty or representation in respect thereof. We are not responsible for the late arrival of your flight, train, cruise or any illness, injury, damage, loss of cruise time or any other irregularities resulting there from.
The transportation and services provided by the disclosed principal travel suppliers are offered subject to terms and conditions contained in the tickets and other documents issued by them. BestCruiseRates is not liable for the failure, defaults, bankruptcy, negligence, or intentional misconduct of any travel suppliers providing services on your vacation. We have no special knowledge regarding the suitability for disabled persons of any portion of the cruise. We also have no special knowledge regarding unsafe conditions, health hazards, weather hazards, or climate extremes at locations to which you may travel. For information concerning possible dangers at international destinations, we recommend contacting the Travel Advisory Section of the U.S. State Department at 202-647-5225. For medical information, we recommend contacting the Centers for Disease Control at 404-332-4559.

CANCELLATION, CHANGE, AND SERVICE CHARGE
BestCruiseRates will not impose a per cabin fee for cancellations or for any change to your reservation. The CRUISE LINE may impose penalties up to 100% of the cruise amount for cancellations and changes (for the complete cancellation policy of the cruise line, please refer to the cruise line's webiste or brochure). Longer cruises might have higher penalties; shorter cruises might have lower penalties. The cruiseline and airlines may assess service charges for changes to your reservation. Reservations are subject to the tariff rules of each airline on your itinerary. Those rules may require advance payment and change fees, which are in addition to the cancellation fees. Refunds require a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks for processing and are subject to the policies of the individual cruise line or travel provider.

PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP
BestCruiseRates accepts no responsibility or liability for name errors which occur during the reservation process. It is the responsibility of the client to make sure that the name/names on the reservation are an exact match to proof of citizenship as follows.

Air Travel
Effective January 8, 2007, valid passports will be required for all U.S. citizens flying to or from all international destinations. This includes all areas of the world in which our ships sail, such as the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, Asia, Central and South America.

Cruise Travel
As early as January 1, 2008, subject to U.S. Government amendment, valid passports will be required for all U.S. citizens cruising to or from all international destinations. This includes all areas of the world in which our ships sail, such as the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, Asia, Central and South America.

Prior to January 1, 2008: United States and Canadian citizens traveling on an Alaska, Caribbean, Hawaii or Eastern Canada & New England cruise must have a photo identification and proof of citizenship (an original or certified copy of birth certificate, valid passport or a U.S. naturalization certificate). Cruises to most other destinations require a valid passport. Visas may be required for entry to certain countries.

Effective January 1, 2008: ALL citizens of the United States, Canada, Bermuda and Mexico will be required to have a valid passport to enter or re-enter the United States. For information on obtaining or renewing a passport please go to: travel.state.gov/passport.

This Agency strongly recommends that all guests travel with a valid passport during their cruise. This greatly assists guests who may need to fly out of the United States to meet their ship at the next available port should they miss their scheduled embarkation in a U.S. port; guests entering the U.S. at the end of their cruise; and guests needing to fly to the U.S. before their cruise ends, because of medical, family, personal or business emergencies, missing a ship's departure from a port of call, involuntary disembarkation from a ship due to misconduct, or other reasons.

Non-U.S. citizens who have previously been admitted to the United States for permanent residence must carry their passport and Alien Registration Receipt Card.

All other non-U.S./non-Canadian citizens must have valid passports and any necessary visas. Such guests should verify carefully the existing identification requirements for their particular travel situation, as these requirements may change. ALL guests, regardless of nationality, should carefully verify the existing identification requirements for their particular travel situation DIRECTLY WITH THE CRUISE LINE OR THEIR LOCAL CONSULATES OR EMBASSIES, as these requirements may change. Guests arriving for embarkation without proper documentation may be denied boarding and will not be entitled to a refund. Bestcruiserates is not responsible for any denied boarding situations based on problems with visas or passports. Occasionally additional travel documentation may be required to enter certain ports. For example, anyone wishing to stay in Mexico more than 24 hours must have a Mexican Tourist Card prior to departure. A notarized affidavit from any parent indicating permission to travel with the accompanying adult is required if disembarking with children in Mexico.

CRUISE ONLY and AIR SEA PROGRAMS
While customers are always permitted the option of purchasing and arranging their own transportation, neither Bestcruiserates or the cruise line can be held liable for any cancellation, trip interruption, difficulties with connecting flights, delay or costs caused by transportation not arranged or purchased through the cruise line. Furthermore, Bestcruiserates has no control over the air flight schedules, carriers selected, or whether your flight will be non-stop. We can try to assist you with deviations from the air/sea package, but we cannot guarantee that the cruise line will honor your request. Some cruise lines will not allow air deviations requests under any circumstances. Cruise only packages do not include ground transfers. Be aware that not all Air Sea packages include transfers.

CANCELLATION AND TRIP INSURANCE
BestCruiseRates strongly recommends the purchase of vacation protection insurance before taking a cruise. BestCruiseRates offers TRAVEL GUARD vacation protection, a package which provides coverage in most cases against losses caused by the cancellation or interruption of your trip due to injury, sickness or death involving yourself, a traveling companion or immediate family member. The Travel Guard coverage also guards against damages caused by trip delays, missed travel connections and lost or misrouted baggage. Certain pre-existing conditions may be excluded. The exact coverage is outlined in the Travel Guard brochure. If you choose to decline vacation protection insurance, BestCruiseRates will be unable to assist you with any refund.

PAYMENTS
Deposit payments must be called in to our office by the cruise option due date in order to confirm your reservation. Final payments must also be called in before the final payment due date to avoid cancellations and penalties. It is your responsibility to make sure that payment is received by our office in time for processing. Until payment is confirmed on a reservation, price, cabin, and availability can change at the discretion of the cruise line. For your protection, we recommend & advise that you use your credit card when making payment. Personal checks are not an acceptable form of payment. It is your responsibility to make sure final payment is received on time by the cruise line. The cruise lines reserve the right to cancel and penalize you if your payment is late. All payments are called in from our office direct to the cruise line for processing.