A $500 pp deposit along with a completed reservation form confirms your space. FULL PAYMENT is due on December 1, 2014 (“Final Payment Date”) (or, if you book after December 1, 2014 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.

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.

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.

Insight Cruises sometimes may charge more than cruiseline for a similar cabin category because our cruise pricing includes several parties, meeting room space, plus a pair of Tour Leaders traveling with the group — there to take care of your needs beyond what the cruiseline can offer, in terms of personal service. Therefore, if you ask Insight Cruises to match a published price on HollandAmerica.com we will do so but we will add a $150 pp Facility Fee. Cruiseline email promotions, other non-published rates, and “promotions not combinable with groups” are excluded.

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 $400 deposit, with no penalty, for any reason — so long as this cancellation is prior to 30 days 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. We will send you multiple reminders by email and by phone before your reservation is cancelled. Passengers typically receive cabin assignments upon booking but these cabin assignments are subject to change.
 

If you would like to be the sole occupant of a cabin, there is a single-occupancy upcharge of 25% for cabins without a balcony and a 50% upcharge for all cabins with a balcony.
 

This option is for passengers who are coming on Times Journeys by themselves and wish to share a cabin with another passenger in our group. Many Insight Cruisers, male and female, are independent travelers. Some of our sharing guests find a new friend in their roommate; some find a source of new information and viewpoints; all find a great cruise fee!

The cabin-share 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 non-balcony cabin categories are available to share. (Please inquire if you wish to share a different category.) Share cabin assignments are generally made at time of ticket issuance — 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 and are participating in our Program. While smoking is not permitted in staterooms, guests are allowed to smoke on stateroom verandahs. However, Share Passengers who smoke may not smoke on their verandah unless their roommate specifically consents. Because of the limited number of accessible cabins, shares are not available for physically-challenged passengers.
 

Ages 2–18: $799; under 2 years old: $699.
 

A $25 discount is given for each previous Insight Cruise attended. Minimum discount is $50 pp for previous Insight Cruisers. Maximum discount is 10% of the cruise fare.
 

Insight Cruises is happy to provide any service and/or make any travel arrangement(s) you would like. The following Service Fees are added to your invoice when the services are rendered:

• Air Booking ($75 pp) — this fee is assessed for obtaining airfare quotes and booking your roundtrip air. (In addition, if assisting you with making your air arrangements takes more than one hour, we also charge $60 an hour.) This fee covers our cost to maintain your flight itinerary on your personal itinerary. Flight schedules can change and when they do we notify you of all itinerary changes. More details here.
• Shore Excursions Booking ($100 pp, $150 min. per booking) — if you would like, we can arrange and book all of your shore excursions. Included in the fee is a personalized itinerary and a separate accounting of your shore excursion purchases.
• Refund ($30 per refund transaction or 5% of transaction value, whichever is greater, for any refund transaction) — examples: if, after payment, you remove items (such as cancel a hotel or the pre-cruise party) or decide to change your method of payment and request a refund.
• Third-Party Payor ($50 per credit card) — this fee is imposed if someone other than the people traveling is paying all or part of your event cost.
• Foreign Shipping Fees — there is a foreign shipping charge of $65 (to cover the shipping of paperwork) per foreign residence ($35 per Canadian residence).
• No Email Access ($250) — this is assessed for those clients who do not have access to email or those who wish to receive all notices and updates from Insight Cruises via the Post Office. (Add an additional $25 for those residing outside the United States. The service below is included with this $250 charge.)
• Over-the-Phone Booking ($50) — this is assessed for those new clients who "call in their booking" as opposed to filling out the online booking form. If you are a past client, because we already have your demographic data, we are happy to take your booking over the phone or via email at no charge.
• Online Registration/Check-In ($50 pp, $75 min. per booking) — this fee includes checking you in online and emailing all associated paperwork to you. (Plus postage and handling if you want hard copies mailed or shipped.)
• Hotel Booking ($50 pp, $75 min. per booking) — our services include confirming your reservations and ensuring a smooth check-in process when you arrive at your hotel.
• Last-Minute Changes/Additions ($50 – $150 per change/addition per person) — this will be assessed for any last-minute (within 21 days of the Day Your Travel Begins) service that is provided to you. For most last-minute changes the fee is $50 (examples: minor name corrections or last-minute additions and/or cancellations) but if the change or request is complicated and involved, the fee can be as much as $150.
• Repeated Declined Credit Card(s) ($50) — this may be assessed if two or more credit card transactions that are declined.

The above fees are non-refundable.
 

Prior to our cruise you are invited to stay in the official pre-cruise Times Journeys 5 hotel, the Grand Hyatt. Prices (quoted per person) includes all taxes, porterage, and two transfers (between the airport and the hotel and hotel and pier). Our standard cruise penalties apply to your hotel reservation — which means hotels stays can be removed from your reservation prior to the Final Payment Date without any penalty. The Holland America per-person pricing for this centrally-located, 4-star property is:

Cruise, excursions, and/or hotel cancellations, refunds, 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 or via email. If you have purchased insurance, and there is any 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 pp will be assessed (but will be applied towards any future Insight Cruise). Name changes are generally not permitted by the cruiselines. Additional per-person cruise cancellation fees are based on date of receipt of notice to cancel (via in writing or email):

• Cancellation within 14 days of booking AND prior to the Final Payment Date: full refund.*
• Cancellation more than 14 days after booking and prior to the Final Payment Date: $150 cancellation fee.
• Cancellation on or after the Final Payment Date and at least 90 days before The Date Your Travel Begins (TDYTB): You forfeit your Deposits.
• Cancellation between 90 and 71 days before TDYTB: You forfeit your Deposits plus 15% of all non-Conference Fee charges.
• Cancellation between 70 and 51 days before TDYTB: 50% of all non-Conference Fee charges or your Deposits, whichever is greater.
• Cancellation between 50 and 31 days before TDYTB: 75% of all non-Conference Fee charges.
• Cancellation at 30 days before TDYTB or later: no refund.

NOTES:

• Guarantee Shares cancelling after December 1, 2014 forfeit their entire cruise fee.
• *If you book within 30 days prior to, on, or after the Final Payment Date and then cancel there is a minimum $375 pp penalty.
   

All your food (excluding optional meals in the private restaurants), including 24-hour room service; 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. The Times Journeys Program includes over 24 hours of programming plus two cocktail parties.
 

Government taxes and fees ($123.13), a booking service fee ($99), and tour leader gratuities ($65). Onboard you will be charged gratuities from Holland America ($11.50 pp per day) — this covers your cabin steward and your waiters in the dining room. Other items not included: the spa; casino action; shore excursions; dining in the two private restaurants (about $20 pp); and any expenses of a personal nature are extra.
 

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.
 

A Passport (valid through September 15, 2015) 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).
 

When you book an Insight Cruise event, we include one or two trip insurance brochures in your Confirmation and Deposit package, based on your age and/or residency. Please carefully consider buying this or other travel insurance.

Are you covered by Medicare if you travel outside of the United States? Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance can also protect against cancellation penalties.

We’ve never had a guest cancel because they won the lottery or had a brilliant stroke of fortune. More often than you would expect, we have had guests cancel because of pre-event illnesses, sports injuries, broken bones, death in the family, unexpected surgery, emergency surgery, stolen passports, and general family uproar. Life does throw curves. Spare yourself financial disappointment if your trip must be cancelled or is interrupted.

Overall, we offer four options; all four of them will reimburse you 100% up to a maximum trip cost for covered reasons — assuming you have insured the full cost of your trip:

1. Travel Guard Gold is best for U.S. citizens over the age of 65 with limited health insurance and want a comprehensive insurance plan.
2. For U.S. citizens 65 and younger, MH Ross’s Advantage Asset product is the most cost-effective “trip cancellation and interruption” coverage available and we heartily recommend it.
3. For U.S. citizens of all ages but particularly over the age of 65, we also highly recommend CSA’s Sail Safe Cruise Program.
4. For all non-U.S. citizens we recommend Abroad Insurance.

Travel Guard Gold
Travel Guard Gold coverage includes protection such as Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Emergency Medical and Dental, Travel Assistance Services (incl. Personal Security Assistance), and Supplier Financial Default. If you purchase this plan within 10 days of your initial deposit, pre-existing medical conditions are covered. For a 40% premium surcharge Travel Guard also offers Cancel For any Reason Coverage (CFAR). CFAR must be purchased within 10 days of your initial deposit. CFAR is not available for NY residents. Please study the details before you’re certain you need this additional coverage. For your Travel Guard Gold brochure, please click on the name of the state of your residency:

• California
• Kansas
• Maryland
• Montana
• New York
• Washington
• All other states

»» Get a Travel Guard quote and purchase the insurance

MH Ross Advantage Asset Product
Another company we have very high regard for is MH Ross and we heartily recommend their Advantage Asset Product. This product provides Primary Coverage* no matter when it is purchased. If you’re 65 years old or younger (at the time of your trip), MH Ross’ Asset product is the most cost-effective “trip cancellation and interruption” coverage available. If you purchase this plan within 10 days of your initial deposit, pre-existing medical conditions are covered. For a surcharge MH Ross also offers Cancel For any Reason Coverage (CFAR). CFAR must be purchased within 10 days of your initial deposit. MH Ross’ cancel-for-any-reason does not impose any “fit to travel at time of purchase” requirement. Please study the details before you’re certain you need this additional coverage.
»» To review the MH Ross brochure
»» Get an MH Ross quote and purchase the insurance

CSA Sail Safe
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 MH Ross, for about a 50% premium surcharge, CSA will provide cancel-for-any-reason coverage, however, CSA requires that CFAR is purchased 24 hours within booking your event.
»» To review the CSA brochure
»» Get a CSA quote and purchase the insurance

Abroad Insurance
Abroad Insurance is the only insurance plan that we can offer for all our international (non-U.S. and non-Canadian) participants. Please email Insight Cruises if you are interested in a quote or purchasing Abroad Insurance.
»» For full coverage details

NOTE: You will get maximum coverage and benefits if you book 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, with cancel-for-any-reason coverage you are only likely to get between 70% and 80% back. *Primary Coverage is ideal for those who rely on Medicare, for instance, or other U.S. citizens who do not have healthcare coverage outside the USA.
 

Dates and times that appear on our website are subject to change. Therefore, if you fly in the day the cruise begins, or fly home the day the cruise debarks, you should confirm your flight times with us prior to making your flight reservations. We also urge you to check airline cancellation penalties and change fees before purchasing air tickets since departure times and flights can change.

Airfare from all major cities, worldwide, is available from us or Holland America. The advantage of taking air from Holland America is that they takes responsibility for getting you on the ship and getting you home after the cruise. For mid-winter cruises, when flights are occasionally cancelled, this is an added measure of comfort. If Insight Cruises arranges your air (through the cruiseline or with another supplier) we pass on our costs to you plus add a $75 pp service fee. If we do not book air through the cruise line we use CRC Travel; we do not charge a service fee if you book your air directly (with CRC or anyone else). Please feel free to contact Maureen directly:
CRC Travel
Maureen Feeney
2105 North Southport Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614
773-525-3800 ext 25
maureen@crctravel.com

If you want to shop for your own air, we recommend http://www.kayak.com.

Baggage fees and other charges may be directly assessed by airlines or airports. Be certain to confirm all air flights 72 hours prior to departure.

We urge you to check airline cancellation penalties before purchasing airline tickets since departure times and flights can change. Neither Insight Cruises nor Insight Cruises’ partners, co-producers, sponsors, or agents accept liability for cancellation penalties related to domestic or international airline tickets purchased independently in conjunction with Insight Cruises’ events.

Baggage and personal effects are at all times the sole responsibility of the participant (Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance typically provides you with an allowance to buy replacements for your trip.) Most homeowners policies, and most airlines, cover your lost luggage.
 

The order of our activities, on any given day, may vary from the description based on traffic and/or other considerations. Insight Cruises reserves the right to substitute hotels, if necessary. Please note that extreme weather conditions may force changes to the advertised schedule. Insight Cruises reserves the right, without penalty, to make changes in the published itinerary whenever, in Insight Cruises’ judgment, conditions warrant, or if Insight Cruises deems it necessary for the comfort, convenience, or safety of our participants.
 

Participants on Insight Cruises events may be photographed for educational and promotional purposes.
 

Smoking is not allowed in your cabin or inside the ship. You may smoke on your cabin balcony if you have one and there is a smoking area, outside, on the upper deck, all the way aft.
 

Times Journeys 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 The New York Times 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. The New York Times 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.

The New York Times and Insight Cruises reserve the right, without penalty, to decline to accept any person as a participant. Insight Cruises reserves the right to require any participant to withdraw, at the participant’s own expense, 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; Insight Cruises will then refund the recoverable portion of the total amount paid that corresponds to the cost of unused services and/or accommodations, if applicable. The New York Times 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. Neither Insight Cruises nor Insight Cruises’ partners, co-producers, sponsors, or agents accept liability for cancellation penalties or change fees related to domestic or international airline tickets purchased independently in conjunction with Insight Cruises’ events.

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 above, 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, force majeure, acts or omissions of foreign governments, terrorism, civil unrest, war or insurrection, theft, illness, disease, strikes, 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 The New York Times 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 event.

BY REGISTERING FOR THIS CRUISE, THE PARTICIPANT AGREES TO THE RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT AND LIABILITY DISCLAIMER AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS HEREIN.