The following provisions apply to the booking of your cruise and are the terms and conditions that apply upon the acceptance of your deposit by the company. This is neither an offer of, nor a contract of, carriage except that by making a reservation and paying your deposit you agree to be bound by the provisions contained herein and to accept the terms and conditions of the company’s Passage Contract (cruise ticket), a copy of which may be obtained from your travel agent or Discovery Cruises. The provisions herein contain important information on cancellation by the passenger or by the company, changes in the itinerary, the limitations and exclusions of liability on the part of the company and of independent contractors, health and immigration requirements that are your responsibility, and other relevant terms and conditions. You must be a resident of Australia to book your cruise from this brochure.

RESPONSIBILITY

The responsibility of the company, operators of the MV Discovery, and of independent contractors, is strictly limited according to the terms and conditions set forth in the Passage Contract that you will receive prior to embarkation. Passengers are urged to read the Passage Contract carefully. A sample is available upon request and can be inspected at the company’s office at any time. Transportation aboard ship is provided solely by the ship operator and pursuant to the Passage Contract. The company reserves the right to decline to accept or retain any person as a passenger for any reason. This includes refusing to allow the person(s) to commence their cruise holiday package or cruise from their normal place of residence. The company will have no further responsibility towards such person(s) including any return travel arrangements. No refunds or compensation will be made, and the company will not pay any expenses or costs incurred as a result of the termination. The company is not to be held responsible for any act, event or omission during the time passengers are not aboard the MV Discovery. The company acts only as agent for the supplier of the other off-ship services such as airlines and other off-ship transportation carriers, shore excursions, meals, accommodations, air ambulance and shoreside physicians featured in this brochure. Passengers agree not to hold the company, its owners, agents or representatives liable for any loss, injury, expense or damage which results directly or indirectly from any act or omission, whether negligent or otherwise, of any third party person or firm which is to, or does, provide goods or services in connection with the trip or any available option. Without limiting the foregoing, the company shall have no liability to the passengers for the quality of services at, and the condition, cleanliness or safety of, a hotel, housing facility or conveyance, or for any transportation delay, including but not limited to liability for inconvenience, shortened vacation time, additional expenses, or any other kind of damage. The company expressly disclaims all responsibility of any nature whatsoever for any loss, damage or injury to property or person resulting from air, rail or motorcoach transportation.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Cancellation of the booking must be made in writing and forwarded to the Company with all tickets issued. Cancellation charges payable to the company are:

Period before departure within
which the Company receives notice Cancellation charge per passenger
After payment of deposit Loss of deposit
56 to 29 days before departure 60% of invoiced charge
28 to 8 days before departure 90% of invoiced charge
7 days before departure to departure date 100% of invoiced charge


Some reasons for cancellation are usually covered by your travel insurance. In such cases your insurance company will refund the cancellation charge less the insurance premium and any policy excess.

ITINERARY CHANGES AND CANCELLATIONS

The company reserves the right to cancel, advance or postpone any cruise at any time prior to the scheduled sailing date and is under no obligation, except in the event of cancellation when you may receive a full refund of any payments received. In addition, situations may arise which, in the opinion of the company, make it necessary to change itineraries or make substitutions or omissions, involving hotels, published embarkation or disembarkation ports, ports of call, restaurants, other travel components, vessels or other modes of transportation, whether before or after the sailing of the vessel, without previous notice to the passenger. If this should occur, the company does not assume responsibility or liability for any losses, inconvenience or expenses incurred by passengers as a result, except as detailed in the Passage Contract. The company is not required to make refunds once travel commences regardless of the reason for a passenger being unable to complete their travel.

CHANGE CHARGES

Changing your itinerary after reservations have been made may have disadvantages. To cover administrative costs, a charge of $100 per person will be made each time you request a change in your travel arrangements. The passenger is responsible for costs incurred as a result of such changes. In addition, no refund will be made for unused or partially used portions of the air/land/cruise package. Change charges are not assessed for cabin upgrades or for the addition of services, unless air reservations are altered and/or travel documents must be reissued.

INSURANCE

All cruise passengers should have a fully comprehensive travel insurance valid from the date of deposit being made. We suggest you discuss with your travel agent the various insurance policies that are available. Policies can be purchased that provide protection in the event of trip cancellation, interruption, personal illness, injury, medical fees or damage to property. Verification of your travel insurance policy may be required by Discovery Cruises or its agents.