The optional FULL CONFERENCE Fee is $1,650 (16 lectures) (very limited capacity). The optional MINI CONFERENCE is $950 (nine lectures). Visit the SEMINARS tab for a listing of classes. There is a Facility Fee ($200) for all non-conference attendees which includes access to our 2-hour party each evening (free beer; red, white, and sparkling wine; and bottled water are freely provided) and access to our eclipse-viewing area. Add’l pp fees: Non-refundable Booking Service Fee ($150), cruiseline gratuities (about $16 per day), and Insight Cruises’ Tour Leader gratuities ($10 per day). In addition, we offer a one-hour cocktail-party package, for all 13 nights, (includes an open bar) for an additional $275 (no charge for the cocktail party package if you purchase our FULL CONFERENCE.
 

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:

• Credit Card Surcharge (3%) — EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2023: After your initial booking payment and/or deposit, any credit card payments Insight Cruises processes will be assessed a Credit Card Surcharge of 3%. Payments by check, Zelle, or wire transfer are not subject to this surcharge.
• Facility Fee ($200 pp) — If you have not signed up for our FULL CONFERENCE (which is $1,950) or our MINI-CONFERENCE ($950; which includes one lecture by each speaker) you will be assessed the Facility Fee. This Facility Fee includes invitations to the group’s private cocktail parties (each evening) plus access to our viewing area during the solar eclipse. During our private parties, soda, wine, and beer are served at no charge. An “Open Bar” (well drinks) option may be purchased for $299. (The Open Bar option is included with our FULL CONFERENCE program.)
• Air Booking ($400 per booking) — this fee is assessed for obtaining two air quotes and booking your roundtrip air. (You will receive a quote for the best pricing and itinerary available.) This fee covers our cost to maintain your flight itinerary on your personal itinerary and to arrange your seat assignments. Flight schedules can change and when they do we notify you of all itinerary changes. If you are looking for a deluxe, customized service, including help with all of your travel arrangements, Insight Cruises can provide this service. Please see here for the details.
• 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 ($75 per refund transaction plus 4% of transaction value if the original charge was to a credit card) or 1% if the original charge was a check. Includes refunds after payment for services you remove (such as cancel a hotel or the precruise party)
• 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 ($450) — 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.)
• 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 are declined.
• Deviations ($75 pp per deviation) — this is assessed if you request a late embarkation or early disembarkation

The above fees are non-refundable and will be collected at the time of adding our services.
 

Insight Cruises sends guests information and answers questions primarily via email. Using software we have a clear picture of the number of emails exchanged with guests — and on guests’ behalf — to make or change reservations, research and answer questions, and provide necessary information to guests across the trip-planning cycle. (The average number of emails for an average booking of two people is 27.) We understand that if you book hotel or air through Insight Cruises, this may lead to a predictable number of additional email exchanges.

Some guests’ trip preparation involves more emails and questions than others, whether due to the scope, duration, and complexity of travel or to personal communication or planning style. And some customers just want more personalized service. We estimate that each email costs Insight Cruises approximately $10. (Keep in mind, typing a response is small part of providing an answer.) We therefore assess fees for usage that is more than double the average.

Once you book with Insight Cruises, you are allotted 35 emails and/or phone calls (each phone call is counted as two emails). Included in this count — as one each — are: each phone call to Insight Cruises; each email you send to us; our reply to your email; plus each email we send out and/or receive to research and answer your questions that are not answered or addressed on our webpages.

In addition to the included 35 emails (which is your initial allotment), most of our added services automatically increase your allotment:

• Air Booking — you get 10 additional emails
• Hotel Booking — you get 10 additional emails
• Shore Excursions Booking — you get 10 additional emails
• Online Registration/Check-In — you get 10 additional emails
• Travel Insurance (if you purchase through Insight Cruises) — you get 10 additional emails
• Foreign Shipping (i.e., if you live outside of the Continental USA) — you get 5 additional emails
• Deviations — you get 10 additional emails
• Last-Minute Changes/Additions — 5 emails per $50 fee
• Repeated Declined Credit Card — 5 emails per $50 fee

A Signature Suite booking comes with 10 additional emails. Neptune or Pinnacle Suite booking comes with 15 additional emails.

When a booking surpasses the original 35 emails (plus any additional emails automatically provided as a result of the additional services above), you will be assesed $79 for an additional 10-email allotment.

Consider Our Enhanced Email Service Options

We believe our professional expertise is one of the most important benefits we offer to our clients. Focused planning, awareness of consequences, effective knowledge sharing, and careful management are built into our customer services. And we want to empower you to travel to your heart’s content and ask us as many questions as you need. Therefore, we offer two Enhanced Services:

1. Basic Enhanced Email Service: $399 for 75 additional emails and/or phone calls
2. Premium Enhanced Email Service: $699 for 150 additional emails

NOTES: You will be notified when you reach 50%, and then again at 75%, of your allotted number of emails. All of our Email Service Fees are non-refundable.
 

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.

Name changes are permitted (for a $150 fee) up until the Final Payment Deadline. Name changes after the Final Payment Deadline are considered a cancellation and the per-person cancellation fees, below, will be assessed.

Once booked, you are assessed a $150 per person Non-refundable Booking Service Fee. Additional per-person cruise cancellation fees are based on date of receipt of notice to cancel (via in writing or email):

• Cancellation more than 14 days after booking and prior to the Final Payment Date: a $195 Cancellation Processing Fee.
• Cancellation on or after the Final Payment Date: You forfeit your Deposits plus the $195 Cancellation Processing Fee.
• Cancellation between Final Payment and 91 days before TDYTB (the date your travel begins which means starting with the date your flight departs and/or any hotel stays just prior to the event): 35% of all charges plus the $195 Cancellation Processing Fee.
• Cancellation between 90 and 76 days before TDYTB: 50% of all charges plus the $195 Cancellation Processing Fee.
• Cancellation between 75 and 65 days before TDYTB: 75% of all charges plus the $195 Cancellation Processing Fee.
• Cancellation at 64 days before TDYTB or later: no refund.

NOTES:

• The Final Payment Date is typically between 90–110 days prior to when your trip begins. Please see second paragraph above for the exact date.
• TDYTB incorporates your air and/or pre-cruise hotel stays and/or excursions.
• Guarantee Shares cancelling after the Final Payment Date forfeit their entire cruise fee.
• *If you book within 14 days prior to, on, or after the Final Payment Date and then cancel after the Final Payment Date there is a minimum $300 per person penalty.
• There will be no exceptions to our cancellation policy.
• A refund fee ($75 per refund transaction or 5% of transaction value, whichever is greater) is assessed for any refund transaction.
• To protect against cancellation penalties, Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance is available and strongly recommended.
 

A Passport (valid through March 1, 2027) is required. Non-U.S. residents residing in the United States will need valid Alien Registration (green) cards as well. All others must have valid passports and any required visas (NEW REQUIREMENTS TO TRAVEL TO EUROPE) 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. residents are asked to check with government agencies, embassies or consulates to determine documentary requirements.

Please see the Exit, Entry & Visa Requirements area for the U.S. State Department’s information on Exit/Entry Requirements for U.S. Citizens. 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 CIBTvisas for our visas (we are not affiliated with CIBTvisas, we are simply happy customers).

Please carefully consider buying this or other travel insurance.

NOTE: Travel insurance cannot be purchased until at least two years prior to the dates of your trip. We will send you reminders to purchase insurance when you are able to purchase it.

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.

Currently, we offer two options. Both will reimburse you 100% up to a maximum trip cost for covered reasons — assuming you have insured the full cost of your trip:

1. For U.S. citizens of all ages, we recommend CSA’s G-906 product.
2. For all non-U.S. citizens we recommend Sevens Corner.

CSA G-906
Unlike most trip interruption and cancellation insurance policies, you can purchase CSA G-906 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). CSA is a subsidiary company of Generali Global Assistance and Generali US Branch (Generali USB) and has an AM Best rating of A (Excellent)
»» To review the CSA brochure
»» To download the Description of Coverage
»» Get a CSA quote and purchase the insurance

Seven Corners
Seven Corners is the only insurance plan that we offer for our international (non-U.S.) participants. (Country Restrictions: Australia and US Virgin Islands)

For more than 30 years, Seven Corners Travel Insurance has offered customizable trip protection and travel medical insurance for domestic and international travelers. Their plans (Medical and Choice) (both are 42-page PDF Descriptions of Coverage) includes travel medical insurance underwritten by Crum & Forster, SPC. C&F and Crum & Forster are registered trademarks of United States Fire Insurance company. The Crum & Forster group of companies is rated A (Excellent) by AM Best 2024.
»» The 2-page summary of the benefits
»» Get a quote and purchase the insurance

NOTES: Trip Cancellation Insurance payments are rarely refundable. Cancel-for-any-reason coverage varies slightly, carrier to carrier, based on the level of penalty when you cancel. CSA does not offer Cancel-for-any-reason coverage. 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.
 

This August 2026 cruise event is managed by Insight Cruises. Insight Cruises acts only as an agent for the respective suppliers by making arrangements for transportation, accommodations, and other services. Neither Sky & Telescope (which is solely a sponsor for this event) 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. We 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.

We 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. We 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 or 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.

Proof of current Covid vaccination is required to participate in this Event.

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 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. THIS PROGRAM IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.