Booking Terms & Conditions
Cruise Routes is a trading name of Latin Routes Limited, a company registered in England and Wales (Co.No. 07661074) whose registered office is at Suite 2, Millennium House, Eden Street, Kingston Upon Thames, KT1 1BL. These Booking Conditions form the basis of your contract with us. By making a booking, you confirm that you have read, understood and accepted them.
A. BOOKING AND PAYMENT
A.1 YOUR RESERVATION
A.1.1 When you make a booking and pay your deposit or full payment (as applicable), we will reserve your travel arrangements on the basis of these Booking Conditions. Your booking is considered confirmed for all named travellers, and a binding contract will come into existence once we issue your Confirmation Invoice. Before this, we may send an acknowledgement of your booking request. This simply confirms that we are processing your booking and does not constitute confirmation.
A.1.2 Please check your Confirmation Invoice and all supporting documents carefully as soon as you receive them. If anything appears incorrect or incomplete, let us know straight away, as it may not be possible to make changes later. We cannot accept responsibility for inaccuracies unless notified within ten days of issue (five days for tickets). While we will always do our best to assist outside these timeframes, any costs involved may be your responsibility unless the error was ours and there is a valid reason for the delay in notifying us.
A.1.3 The contract is made with the ‘Lead Name’ shown on the Booking Form. The Lead Name must be at least 18 years old on or before departure. If they are under 18 at the time of booking, written consent from a parent or guardian is required before the booking can proceed.
A.1.4 The Lead Name is responsible for ensuring that all members of the party are aware of these Booking Conditions and agree to them, and for acting on their behalf in all dealings with us.
A.2 OUR PRICE POLICY, PAYMENT TERMS AND SURCHARGES
A.2.1 We reserve the right to change prices shown in our brochures or on our website. Any changes will be confirmed to you before we issue your Confirmation Invoice. Once your Confirmation Invoice has been issued, prices will only change in accordance with these Booking Conditions. Please see clause A.2.4 regarding surcharges.
A.2.2 At the time of booking, we will confirm the deposit required. This varies depending on the cruise operator and any additional services included. In some cases, a higher deposit may be required, and we will make this clear when you book. If your departure is within 22 weeks of booking, full payment will be required at that time. Otherwise, the remaining balance must be paid at least 20 weeks before departure. Your booking will only be confirmed once the deposit is received. If the balance is not paid by the due date, we reserve the right to cancel your booking and retain the deposit.
A.2.3 For direct bookings, Cruise Routes does not charge fees for debit or credit card payments. We accept Visa Debit, Visa Electron, Visa Credit, MasterCard and American Express. Payment can also be made by bank transfer, cash or cheque. A fee may apply if your card is not registered in the UK; we will advise you if this is the case. If you book through a Travel Agent, please confirm accepted payment methods with them directly.
A.2.4 Changes in transportation costs (including fuel), duties, taxes, fees, exchange rates or supplier costs may affect the price of your travel arrangements, even after your Confirmation Invoice has been issued. No changes will be made within 14 days of departure. We will absorb any increase up to 2% of the total price (excluding amendment charges). Any increase above this will be passed on to you. If the increase exceeds 10% of the total price, you may choose to:
A.2.4.1 accept alternative travel arrangements of a similar or higher standard (where available). If the alternative is of lower standard, the difference in price will be refunded; or
A.2.4.2 cancel your booking and receive a full refund of all monies paid (excluding amendment charges).
If you choose to cancel for this reason, you must notify us within 14 days of receiving details of the surcharge. If costs decrease by more than 2%, any applicable refund will be made to you. Please note that some apparent changes may not affect your price due to contractual protections or currency arrangements.
B. CHANGES & CANCELLATIONS BY US
B.1 IF WE CHANGE YOUR TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS BEFORE DEPARTURE
B.1.1 We plan all travel arrangements with care and well in advance, working with trusted suppliers such as airlines, hotels and cruise operators. Occasionally, changes are necessary, and we reserve the right to make them. Most changes are minor. Where a change is considered significant, we will inform you as soon as reasonably possible.
A Significant Change may include, for example, a change to lower-standard accommodation, a change of flight time by more than 12 hours, a change of UK departure airport, or a significant change of destination.
We are required under EU regulations to advise you of the airline operating your flights. This may be shown in our brochures, on our website or on your Confirmation Invoice. If the airline changes after tickets are issued, we will notify you as soon as possible. This is considered a minor change.
B.1.2 If a Significant Change occurs before departure, you will be offered the following options:
B.1.2.1 alternative arrangements of equivalent or similar standard and price (if available);
B.1.2.2 alternative arrangements of a lower standard, with a refund of the difference in price; or
B.1.2.3 cancellation with a full refund of all monies paid.
In all cases, compensation will be paid as set out in clause D.1 unless the change is due to circumstances beyond our control (see clause H.1).
B.2 IF WE CANCEL YOUR TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS
B.2.1 In the unlikely event that we need to cancel your travel arrangements, we will let you know as soon as possible. We will not cancel less than 30 days before departure unless this is due to circumstances beyond our control (see clause H.1). If we do need to cancel, you will be offered one of the following options:
B.2.1.1 alternative travel arrangements of equivalent or similar standard and price (if available);
B.2.1.2 alternative travel arrangements of a lower standard, with a refund of the difference in price; or
B.2.1.3 cancellation with a full refund of all monies paid.
In all cases, compensation will be paid as set out in clause D.1 unless the cancellation arises from circumstances beyond our control, or due to non-payment by you.
B. CHANGES & CANCELLATIONS BY YOU
C.1 IF YOU CHANGE YOUR BOOKING
C.1.1 If you would like to change your travel arrangements, please let us know in writing as soon as possible. We will always do our best to help, although changes are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed.
C.1.2 Where changes can be made, you will need to pay any additional costs for services or arrangements, based on prices at the time of the change. An administration charge will also apply per person and per change, along with any supplier charges we incur.
C.1.3 Any discount applied at the time of booking may be revised if it is no longer available when changes are made.
C.1.4 If the number of people in your accommodation changes, additional supplements may apply. You may also lose any free or reduced places linked to your original booking.
C.1.5 Changes to key elements such as departure date, airport, transport, destination, accommodation or duration must apply to all travellers on the booking.
C.2 IF YOU CANCEL YOUR BOOKING
C.2.1 If you need to cancel your booking, please notify us in writing. Cancellation charges will apply based on the scale outlined in clause D.1. These reflect the costs we incur and the likelihood of being able to resell your arrangements.
C.2.2 For bookings involving scheduled flights, refunds cannot be processed until any issued tickets have been returned to us.
C.2.3 If your cancellation is covered by your travel insurance, you may be able to reclaim charges through your insurer, subject to policy terms.
C.2.4 In some cases, you may transfer your booking to another person, subject to our approval and the following conditions:
C.2.4.1 We must receive full details of the change at least 14 days before departure;
C.2.4.2 An amendment fee and any additional supplier costs will apply;
C.2.4.3 The replacement traveller must accept these Booking Conditions;
C.2.4.4 Airline restrictions may prevent name changes, in which case cancellation and rebooking may be required.
D. CHARGES, COMPENSATION & DELAYS
D.1 CHANGES AND CANCELLATION CHARGES
The following charges apply in the event of cancellations or Significant Changes, unless these arise from circumstances beyond our control or where arrangements were subject to availability.
[Tables and financial details remain unchanged]
D.2 TRANSPORT DELAYS AND REGULATIONS
D.2.1 If your flight is cancelled, delayed, downgraded or boarding is denied, any compensation due will be payable by the airline under applicable regulations. We are not responsible for these payments.
D.2.2 While delays can occur, responsibility for care during disruption lies with the carrier. We are not generally able to provide assistance in these situations unless stated otherwise.
E. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
D.1 CHANGES AND CANCELLATION CHARGES
E.1 If your travel arrangements are not provided as agreed, we will pay appropriate compensation where this has affected your experience, unless the issue arises from:
E.1.1 your own actions;
E.1.2 a third party unconnected with your arrangements;
E.1.3 circumstances beyond our control.
E.2 Our liability (excluding cases involving death, injury or illness) is limited to a maximum of twice the cost of your travel arrangements.
E.3 Where issues arise from third-party actions or unavoidable circumstances, we will offer reasonable assistance and guidance.
F. YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
F.1 SPECIAL REQUESTS
We are always happy to help with special requests, but these cannot be guaranteed unless confirmed in writing. Please let us know as early as possible so we can do our best to accommodate them.
F.2 YOUR DOCUMENTATION
You are responsible for ensuring all required travel documents are valid and in place. We cannot accept liability for issues arising from missing or incorrect documentation.
F.3 HEALTH AND FITNESS TO TRAVEL
Please ensure you seek appropriate medical advice before travel and inform us of any conditions that may affect your arrangements.
F.4 INSURANCE
We strongly recommend that you have suitable travel insurance in place. It is your responsibility to ensure your policy meets your needs.
F.5 BEHAVIOUR
We expect all travellers to behave responsibly. We reserve the right to refuse or terminate travel arrangements where behaviour is disruptive or unsafe.
G. IF YOU HAVE A COMPLAINT
If something isn’t right during your trip, please let a local representative or supplier know immediately so it can be addressed. If needed, you can follow up with us in writing within 28 days of your return.
H. MISCELLANEOUS
H.1 CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND OUR CONTROL
We are not liable for changes or cancellations caused by events outside our control, such as weather, industrial action or other unforeseen circumstances.
H.2 FINANCIAL PROTECTION
All flight-inclusive bookings are ATOL protected, ensuring your financial security.
H.3 DATA PROTECTION
We handle your personal data in line with legal requirements and only use it where necessary to manage your booking.
H.4 GOVERNING LAW
These Booking Conditions are governed by English law and subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
H.5 CONDITIONS OF CARRIAGE
Your journey may be subject to international conventions and the transport provider’s own conditions, which form part of your contract with us.