THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SHALL APPLY TO HOLIDAYS THAT WE ORGANISE FOR YOU AND WHICH CONSIST OF TRANSPORT, ACCOMMODATION AND/OR OTHER TOURIST SERVICES FROM A NUMBER OF SUPPLIERS AT AN ALL INCLUSIVE PRICE. ALL HOLIDAYS THAT WE PACKAGE ARE DESIGNATED “CRUISE 1ST HOLIDAYS” OR “CRUISE 1ST PACKAGES” AND WE SHALL ACCEPT LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROPER PERFORMANCE OF THESE HOLIDAYS AS ORGANISER IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PACKAGE HOLIDAYS AND TRAVEL TRADE ACT 1995. IN ALL OTHER CASES WE WILL ACT AS AGENT FOR SUPPLIERS ONLY AND IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES OUR AGENCY TERMS AND CONDITIONS SHALL BE THE APPLICABLE TERMS THAT WILL GOVERN YOUR BOOKING.

BEFORE YOU SAIL

The following information should be read in conjunction with our booking conditions.

Packing
Q: What should I pack?
A: Planning what to wear on your cruise holiday is easy. You should keep in mind three types of clothing: casual shipboard attire or day wear; conservative resort wear for sightseeing or shopping; and evening wear.
The number of smart casual and above, and formal nights on any cruise will vary by cruise duration. Please view the relevant online check-in information on your chosen cruise for more details of any formal dress evenings. 
Here are a few general tips: We recommend low-heeled, comfortable shoes for walking around the ship during the day; pack a couple of swimsuits so you’ll always have a dry one; ashore you will need comfortable walking shoes, as well as a hat and sunscreen. When visiting museums, mosques, temples and churches it is appropriate (and in many cases mandatory) to dress conservatively. Women should wear trousers or skirts that cover the knees, sleeveless tops and shorts are not permitted. If your cruise takes you to Alaska or Northern Europe we suggest you also pack a jacket and a couple of sweaters.
For evening wear allow for:
• Smart casual and above – skirt or trousers complemented by a sweater or blouse for women; or trousers with polo shirt or sweater for men. Men’s shirts must have a collar and sleeves (short sleeves are fine). 
• For Formal Dress Evenings (where applicable) – cocktail dress, evening gown or trouser suit for women; tuxedo, dark suit or dinner jacket with dark trousers for men.
Please note: T-shirts, swimsuits, tank tops, baseball caps and poolwear are not generally allowed in the main restaurants or speciality restaurants at any time. Shorts and flip flops are not generally allowed in the evening hours.
Prevailing dress codes during all evening hours are ‘smart casual and above’. Formal evenings are provided for the enjoyment of guests and to retain the traditional elegance of formal cruise ship dining. Suitable alternatives, such as casual dining, sushi café, pizza/pasta and in-room dining, are provided to guests who choose not to participate in formal dining activities. Formal evening dress code standards will be enforced in main dining rooms and speciality restaurants on all formal evenings. Smart casual and above dress code standards will generally be enforced in the main dining and speciality restaurants during all other evening hours.

Q: What will the weather be like?
A: Cruises encompass a variety of continents and destinations and therefore the weather in each region will vary. Some of the destinations visited are tropical and may experience heavy rainfall or strong winds (sometimes hurricane force) at certain times of the year. Cruise1st cannot accept liability for adverse weather conditions or for any resultant change to the itinerary during your cruise holiday. See clause 5.10 of our p>

Department of Foreign Affairs
Q: What advice does the Department of Foreign Affairs give?
A: The DFA provides important travel advice about most destinations around the world. Please ensure that you visit www.foreignaffairs.gov.ie prior to your departure for the most up to date travel information.

Guest Relations
Q: What do Guest Relations staff do?
A: The Guest Relations Desk on a cruise ship operates as your source of general information and enquiry as well as customs and immigration.

Cruise Tickets & Bag Tags
Q: How do I get my cruise tickets and bag tags?
A: Cruise Lines now use electronic tickets for the majority of their guests. Please see your relevant cruise line website for full details. We will advise you of ticketing details at the time of making your booking. We aim to send any documentation packs to your given address approximately 14 days prior to departure.
It may also be possible to request luggage labels to be sent direct to your home address through your cruise personaliser. This facility, where available, would be active between 2 and 4 weeks prior to your departure.

Embarkation & Disembarkation
Q: How do I check-in for boarding the ship?
A: In order to expedite the boarding process, we recommend that you complete the Online Check-in wherever made available by your selected cruise line. Where available, this will help speed up the check-in process at the cruise terminal.
Where Online Check-in is not available, you will receive cruise documents either by post or email for embarkation. Please complete any forms necessary before your arrival at the cruise terminal.
In the cruise terminal, simply present your cruise documents at the check-in desk. Once all the necessary forms have been completed, you will receive your embarkation and onboard account card. You will then be permitted to board the ship. The card is your identification for reboarding the ship in the various ports of call and is usually the key to your stateroom and also your Charge Card for all your onboard purchases.

Q: When can I board the ship?
A: Boarding time varies by itinerary and cruise line. Please check your cruise ticket booklet or online check-in facility for the boarding time relevant to your cruise. It is your responsibility to arrive on time if you have booked a cabin only with no flights or transfers, unless you are transferring to the ship via cruise line or Cruis1st organised transport. If you are not on board at least 90 minutes before the ship’s scheduled sailing time, most cruise lines shall at that time be entitled to treat your non arrival as a cancellation by you and as such 100% cancellation charges will be payable and no refund will be made by us or the cruiseline. Please note: that, for security reasons, you will not be permitted to bring visitors on board any ship in any port. Neither Cruise 1st or the cruise line shall be required to refund any portion of the cruise fare paid by any guest who fails for any reason to be onboard the vessel or transport by the embarkation cut-off time applicable to the specific cruise or the boarding cut-off time applicable at any port of call or destination or point of departure as the case may be, and shall not be responsible for lodging, meals, transportation or other expenses incurred by the guest as a result thereof. Embarkation cut-off times for cruises are available on the applicable cruise line website itinerary. Boarding cut-off times for any port of call, destination or point of departure are as announced on the applicable cruise.

Q: Can I change my stateroom after arrival on board? 
A: Subject to availability, you may upgrade to a higher category stateroom after you have checked in. The upgrades, if available, are made and paid for at the time directly with the cruise line and not to Cruise1st.

Q: What do I need to do on the last night of the cruise?
A: If you have not already received instructions from your cruise line, please enquire at the Guest Relations desk prior to the last day of the cruise to ensure you are fully aware of the debarkation process, including what you need to do to have your luggage removed from the ship.

Q: How should I prepare for disembarkation?
A: The cruise line will give instructions about disembarkation and clearing customs and immigration towards the end of the cruise.Cruise1st has no control over the length of time it may take for immigration and customs clearance.

Q: What hotel arrangements are made for me prior to my boarding and after I disembark from the ship?
A: If your booking with us is cruise-only i.e. you have booked a cabin with no flight, transfer or other extras, no arrangements will be made for you. If your booking with us is a standard cruise line fly/cruise package and your outward flight is scheduled for the day of sailing, no hotel arrangements will be made and you will be transferred by coach to the ship. If your booking with us is a standard cruise line fly/cruise package and your outward flight is scheduled to arrive the day prior to the cruise (generally transatlantic flights), you will be provided with a hotel room at a hotel of our choice (subject to change). You will be transferred to the ship the following day. On disembarkation, if your booking with us is on a cruise-only basis, you will proceed through Customs and Immigration, collect your luggage and continue with your independently made onward arrangements. If your booking is on a fly/cruise basis, a transfer to the airport will also be provided, where this has been requested and arranged by Cruise1st at the time of booking.

Q: What is a standard fly/cruise package?
A: For US departing cruises and long haul destinations, a standard fly/cruise package is where we fly you on the day prior to your cruise, provide overnight accommodation selected by us and provide transfers if booked and arranged. For European destinations, a standard fly/cruise package is where we fly you on the same date as your cruise departure date and transfer you from the arrival airport directly to the port of departure of your cruise where said transfers have been booked and arranged.
A non standard fly/cruise package is any other air and cruise arrangement organised by us for you.

Q: When should I schedule my flight home?
A: If we are not arranging flights for you, please ensure you allow sufficient time both prior to embarkation and following disembarkation.

Staterooms & Suites
Q: What about stateroom sizes? What about staterooms that can accommodate three or four guests?
A: Please bear in mind that staterooms, by nature, cannot be compared in size to hotel rooms you may find on shore. Should you wish to know the dimensions of any stateroom, this information can be obtained from your reservation agent at the time of booking or via the cruise line website for the most up to date information. Cruise1st cannot be held liable for any inaccuracies or errors regarding cabin size as we are reliant upon brochures and websites. Unfortunately errors can occur whilst using these medium.
Cruise ships have a limited number of three and four berth (bed) staterooms. These staterooms are popular with families, or adults travelling in groups of three or four. Three and four berth staterooms will be made up of a combination of lower berths, upper berths, sofa beds or rollaway beds. Please also note that on bigger ships, cruise lines can accommodate four plus guests. Please check with your reservation agent or through the relevant cruise line website at the time of booking should you wish to clarify the configuration of any stateroom.

Please note: Fully occupied staterooms may not be able to accommodate a baby cot. Children under the age of 6 years are not generally permitted to occupy upper berths within any stateroom. Please also note that due to the height of the upper berths, these berths are generally not suitable for the elderly and we strongly recommend that alternative staterooms are booked. If in any doubt please check with your reservation agent.

Q: What is a ‘Guarantee’ Stateroom (GTY / GUA) booking?
A: Some cruise lines offer you the option of making a ‘Guarantee’ (GTY/GUA) booking. This means you may book a stateroom of a guaranteed minimum category type, (specified by us prior to booking) on your chosen ship. However, the exact location of the stateroom on the ship will be allocated by the cruise line (at their discretion) and at any time up until checking in at the Port. Once your guarantee stateroom has been allocated to you, we are unable to accept any changes requested by you. The benefits to you of a guarantee stateroom are that after your booking has been confirmed, the cruise line may (at their discretion) upgrade your stateroom to one of a superior category to that originally booked at no extra charge to you. In any event, you are ‘guaranteed’ the minimum category of stateroom we agree to offer at the time of booking.

If you have specific requirement (such as a impaired mobility) or statement location, we suggest you do not book a Guarantee stateroom offer. Guarantee staterooms also make no assurance as to the obstruction or non-obstruction of the view if a window or balcony guarantee is booked.

Please note: If you book two or more cruises to be taken back to back and either one or all cruises are booked under a guarantee basis, there is the possibility that you will be allocated different staterooms on each cruise, therefore necessitating the need to move between staterooms on the changeover day between your consecutive cruises.

Q: What about electrical equipment and carriage of items that may be perceived as dangerous?
A: The onboard voltage can vary by cruise ship, please visit the FAQ section of the relevant cruise line website for up to date information. Please take any necessary adapters (North American and European plug sockets are available). Please contact your airline directly to ascertain the up to date position for the carriage of electrical and other dangerous items. This may vary by airline.

Q: Do cruise ships have internet connectivity?
A: Some cruise ships are now fully wireless, whilst other ships have wired internet connectivity. Generally there will be a charge for internet access.

Q: What about laundry?
A: Either self service or standard laundry service and dry cleaning services are available on board most cruise ships. Prices vary by garment type.

Onboard Purchases
Q: How do I pay for onboard purchases?
A: All items purchased on board ships operate on a ‘cashless’ system. Simply validate your Onboard account with an acceptable credit card at the cruise check-in desk. You can then sign all onboard purchases to your account. At the end of your cruise you will receive an itemised statement. Guests who settle their onboard account with a credit card issued in a currency other than U.S. Dollars may be charged in the same local currency that the credit card is issued in. For example, a Euro credit card issued in the Republic of Ireland may be charged in Euros. Please note this transaction may be subject to a fee from your credit card company.
The transaction value of your spending on board the ship plus the exchange rate to be applied will appear on your itemised statement. Cruise lines will carry out the currency conversion at the commercial daily rate of exchange provided by a reputable foreign exchange dealer and a currency conversion charge will also apply. Please note that a currency conversion charge is usually made by credit card companies, but it should not be necessary for your credit card company to charge such a fee when your transaction value has already been converted to your local currency by the cruise line. Should you wish to opt out of this system and therefore have your credit card charged in U.S. Dollars (with your credit card company applying the rate of exchange and currency conversion charge), please inform your cruise check-in agent at the pier when embarking.
Onboard accounts may also usually be settled in cash. Check which currency is accepted on board your cruise before travelling. Ashore, most credit cards are accepted. In addition you should ensure that you have a small denomination of local currency for incidental expenditure ashore. 
Please note: many cruise lines do not accept Maestro/Switch/Laser cards as a payment method.
Whilst you are onboard your daily spend will be authorised at the close of business each day. Your card provider, as part of their standard procedures, may retain these authorisations for up to 28 days which are outside of the control of Cruise1st or the cruise line. For this reason, you may wish to set up a cash only account or register a credit card rather than a debit card at the start of your sailing. You may also wish to contact your bank at the end of your cruise to assist with any outstanding authorisations. Final settlement of your account will take place after the end of your cruise. If you are travelling on consecutive cruises your bill will be settled at the end of each cruise.

Onboard Tips/Service Charges
Q: What are onboard tips/service charges?
A: On many cruise lines a tip or service charge, for your convenience, will be automatically added to your onboard account on a daily basis. This is to reward the staff for their hard work aboard the cruise and removes the need to tip individually. 
A standard service charge of 10-15% is automatically added to the price of drinks from the cocktail lounges, bars and beauty treatments. 
* Please note that tips/service charges may be shared with other staff members depending on the particular service requirement.
Please note that the tips/service charges can either be prepaid or may be automatically added to your onboard account. The tips/service charges are usually discretionary and therefore the amounts can be adjusted when onboard. If you choose to pre pay tips/service charges, where this option is available these will be calculated at the time of booking in Euros. Please note: that some of our cruise holidays call exclusively upon EU ports of call and for such cruises VAT (value added tax) will be charged on certain onboard goods and services. Such VAT is charged on goods and services at the point of sale. Non-EU residents may be able to reclaim VAT paid on physical goods when they depart from the EU, normally at the departure airport.

Children & Families
Q: What facilities do cruise lines have for families?
A: Children’s facilities and entertainment are available on board most cruise ships. Please ask your reservations agent to check if programmes will be available on your chosen sailing. Programme hours may vary by cruise line/ship/itinerary. Programmes are generally available for 3-17 year olds.For children under 3 please ask your reservation agent for more details.

Please note: Cruise lines provide a medical centre on board which is staffed by a fully qualified doctor; however please be aware that the doctors are not paediatricians. Guests must therefore bring onboard an adequate supply of specific medications they need for all members of their family.

We respectfully ask parents not to allow their children to play uncontrolled on deck, in lounges or on dance floors, especially during the evening. Children are not allowed in Casinos.

Please note: The number of children present on ships increases during school holiday periods. Cots are available for infants and these should be requested at the time of making a reservation. However, please note that these will limit the floor space available in your stateroom. Baby-sitting and child minding (for a nominal fee) can usually be arranged provided cruise staff are available to provide this service. Facilities and activities are generally fairly limited for babies under the age of three.

The usual minimum age for infants to sail is six (6) months, as of the date of sailing and twelve (12) months, as of the date of sailing for Transatlantic, Transpacific, Hawaii, selected South American cruises and other selected cruises. For the purposes of this policy, any cruise that has 3 or more days consecutive at sea will require infants to be 12 months old on the first day of the cruise.

The health and safety of guests is our number one priority. As such, in consideration of the limitations of the shipboard medical facility, equipment and staff, cruise lines cannot accept waivers, releases or requests for exceptions to this policy.

Dining & Drinks
Q: When and where can I dine on board?
A: For most ships, as a general rule of thumb, there are two seatings for meals in the main dining room. If you have a preference, you should make this known at the time of booking. Please note that dining times and seating requests cannot be guaranteed and are on a request basis. Dining requests are subject to availability, however cruise lines will do all that they can to accommodate requests for guests with specific medical issues. The usual times for evening meals in the main dining room are as follows:

Early Seating : Late Seating 
18:00 : 20:30
Please note that dining times may vary by cruise line and itinerary (usually later on European sailings).

In addition to ‘traditional dining’ (an assigned table in your main dining room at the same dining time each evening of your cruise), many cruise lines also now offering a flexible dining option. This allows you the opportunity to make dinner reservations for your desired dining time on a daily basis. You can also choose not to make reservations, and come to dinner at any point during the evening, however we strongly encourage reservations to ensure the best service and to avoid any potential wait times. You can also generally reserve your dining times in advance of your cruise through your cruise line website’s ‘Before Your Cruise’ section.

If you wish to be more flexible, breakfast and lunch are also generally served in alternative locations. Please check your cruise line Daily Programme for times and locations. A Room Service menu will also usually be available. Food on board is included in the cost of your cruise price, however a cover charge will apply for Speciality Restaurants Reservations are required for Speciality Restaurants and are on a first come first served basis and taken daily on board your cruise. You can also book speciality dining reservations before you sail with many cruise lines, please visit your specific cruise line website for further details.

Q: Do ships have Room Service?
A: Yes. Room service is usually complimentary, although we would advise that you refer to your chosen cruise line website for specific details. You may wish to offer a gratuity to room service staff. Sometimes a room service cover charge is applied after midnight for any orders placed.

Q: What about alcoholic drinks?
A: The minimum drinking age for all alcoholic beverages on US Cruises ships is twenty-one (21). However on International cruises departing from ports in Europe and South America where the legal drinking age is typically lower than 21, a parent or legal guardian who is sailing with his or her son(s) and/or daughter(s) who is between the ages of 18 to 20, may be able to sign a waiver allowing the 18 to 20 year old to consume alcoholic beverages. The 18 to 20 year old guest must agree to comply with the cruise line policies, including among other things, agreeing to not provide alcoholic beverages to any other person, regardless of age. Please note that within the territorial waters of some countries on your itinerary, onboard shops may be closed or alternatively restrictions may be imposed on some items available for purchase. Please note: Due to Spanish regulations, cruise lines are not permitted to sell alcohol or cigarettes from the duty free shops on board selected sailings that depart from Barcelona. Restrictions apply and this policy is subject to change without notice. This policy also applies on some short sailing’s departing from the UK.
Please note: When in U.S. ports the drinking age is 21 years of age and older. An individual’s age on the date of sailing determines his or her status for the entire cruise holiday.

Q: Can beverage packages be purchased prior to my cruise?
A: You can generally choose to purchase from a selection of beverage packages for many cruise lines prior to your sail date. Some cruise lines, such as Thomson Cruises, provide an ‘All Inclusive’ drinks package, whereas other cruise lines offer drinks packages with meals etc. Due to the differing options available we would recommend making enquiries with your reservation agent at the time of booking.

Onboard Medical Facilities
Q: What happens if I am ill on board my cruise?
A: There is a medical centre on board ship, which is staffed by a fully qualified doctor. The medical services available and medications kept on board are extremely limited, and guests must bring an adequate supply of any specific medications they need. Medical facilities are not intended or designed to serve as a clinic for guests.

Cruise lines welcome pregnant guests but will not usually accept guests who will enter their 24th week of pregnancy by the beginning of, or at any time during their cruise holiday. Guests must bring a letter from their GP stating how many weeks pregnant they are at the start of the cruise, that they are fit to travel and are not a high risk pregnancy. Please check the cruise line terms and conditions for full details.

There is a charge for all medical services and adequate medical travel insurance is required by Cruise1st as a condition of booking and travel. Charges must be paid on board ship and claims for reimbursement should be directed to your travel insurers. The medical centre provides motion sickness tablets if required. Cruise1st are not responsible for the diagnosis, treatment or services furnished by shipboard medical personnel.

To ensure a healthy sailing, most cruise lines request that guests complete a questionnaire to confirm if they are suffering from or showing symptoms of gastrointestinal type illness or other illnesses that spread easily from person to person.

Smoking
Q: What is the smoking policy aboard cruise ships?
A: From the beginning of 2012 smoking will be prohibited in staterooms and most public areas aboard many cruise ships. Many cruise ships already restrict smoking to specific areas of the ship and prohibit smoking in sleeping accommodation.

Designated smoking areas vary by ship but are generally located outdoors on one side of the vessel, in designated areas of the ships' bars and lounges, and on some cruise lines private balconies (except those aboard Oasis and Allure of the Seas that face inward, toward the ships' open-air Boardwalk and Central Park neighborhoods). Pipe and cigar smoking is permitted only in cigar lounges (on ships that have them) or in another designated area (on ships that don't).

Smoking policy is subject to change and we would advise that, if this is an important consideration, you should check with your reservation agent at time of booking or with the cruise line prior to booking. Cruise1st cannot be held responsible for changes to smoking policy, which are outside our control. Changes may also be introduced where countries on an itinerary enforce their local smoking regulations.

Q: Are there gambling facilities on board? 
A: There is usually a fully equipped Casino onboard all cruise ships. You can play popular games such as blackjack or roulette, as well as slot machines. You should consult your Reservation agent for more details. Please note that the Casino is closed whenever a ship is in port. Guests under the age of 18 are not permitted in the Casino at any time.

Shore Excursions
Q: How do I find out about and book shore excursions?
A: To get the most enjoyment out of your visit to a port of call, we recommend you select one of the cruise line shore excursions, which have been planned by travel experts and are recommended by the authorities for the particular ports. To ensure you do not miss out on your chosen shore excursion, you can usually visit the cruise line website and cruise personaliser to view tours available for your sailing and to pre-book your place. Some cruise lines do still provide a shore excursions booklet prior to departure. Please note that by purchasing your shore excursions in advance you will avoid the need to visit the busy Shore Excursion Desk on board the ship. Alternatively you are free to explore and make your own arrangements at each port of call, travel documents permitting.

The staff at the Shore Excursions Desk on board will be happy to provide you with information and book your excursions. The cost will be charged to your Onboard account. Please note some excursions are subject to minimum numbers requirements and may be cancelled if these requirements are not met. Proof of Certification is required for all scuba tours.

Cruise1st cannot be held liable for any injuries or losses sustained whilst guests are ashore, whether on organised excursions or otherwise.

When travelling ashore using your own arrangements it is your responsibility to return to the ship by the advised embarkation and departure time.

Contacting the Ship
Q: Can I be contacted?
A: Friends and family can reach guests on most cruise ships either directly by telephone or email, or by shipboard fax. There will generally be a charge for telephone facilities. Alternatively, friends and family can e-mail you providing you have an Internet e-mail account. Please note that mobile phones with international capability may not work whilst a ship is at sea.

Consecutive Cruises
Q: What about Consecutive cruises?
A: Consecutive cruises are cruises taken one after the other, sometimes called a back to back cruise. For example, a Western Caribbean cruise immediately followed by an Eastern Caribbean cruise. Please note that there may be duplication of onboard programmes, menus and entertainment. Please also note that due to the preparation of the ship between sailings, some shipboard facilities may not be available on changeover day. On the changeover day, it will usually be necessary for you to disembark the ship in order to comply with customs and immigration. It is also generally necessary for all back-to-back guests to re-register their Onboard account card on changeover day for the new sailing. Please enquire at the hotel desk if this is necessary during the first portion of your cruise. If you have booked the same stateroom for each sailing, it may be possible to leave your luggage within your stateroom. If you have booked different staterooms for each sailing, you will need to pack your luggage at the end of the first sailing and it will be stored for you until your new stateroom is ready for occupancy.

Q: Why does my cruise start/end in Ensenada / Why does the ship only stop for one hour in certain ports?
A: American legislation requires that any vessel commencing a voyage from a U.S. port of call must call at a distant foreign port before ending a cruise in a U.S. port. For operational reasons some itineraries terminate at the distant foreign port rather than returning to the U.S. port. On others the ship simply calls at the distant foreign port for a very short period of time prior to returning to the U.S. terminating port. The port at which your cruise departs and terminates is shown on the relevant itinerary. For example, Hawaii cruises commencing in San Diego either finish in Ensenada, Mexico or alternatively, the ship will call (often for just an hour) at Ensenada before continuing it’s return journey to San Diego. Similar requirements apply to Alaskan cruises that commence and finish in Seattle. The ship must call at a Canadian port such as Prince Rupert, British Columbia before returning to Seattle. Please note that other cruise itineraries may also be impacted by these or similar requirements. Please note that for the short technical calls at the distant foreign port, guests are not permitted to leave the ship but will need to ensure that you have met any applicable passport or visa requirements for this destination. If your cruise ends for example in Ensenada instead of the port your cruise originally departed from, fly/cruise guests will be transferred by coach to their departure airport. Please also note that coach transfer times from Ensenada to San Diego Airport is approximately two hours.

Q: What transfer arrangements will be made at each of port of call to take me to the nearest city?
A: The transfer arrangements vary at each port of call. In some ports of call, there is a complimentary shuttle available. In other ports of call, a tender will be provided, therefore there is no need for a shuttle service. In some ports, of call, a shuttle can be provided for a charge. For a list of all transfer arrangements, this information will be provided onboard the ships.

BOOKING CONDITIONS

These terms and conditions shall apply to holidays that we organise for you and which consist of services from a number of suppliers at an all inclusive price. All holidays that we organise are designated “Cruise 1st Holiday” or “Cruise 1st Package” and we shall accept legal responsibility for the proper performance of these holidays as organiser in accordance with the Package Holidays and Travel Trade Act 1995. In all other cases we will act as agent for suppliers only and in these circumstances you should refer to our Agency Terms and Conditions.

Where you book a holiday that is designated as a “Cruise 1st Holiday” or “Cruise 1st Package” these Booking Conditions together with our General Information form the basis of your contract between you and Cruise 1st. and shall be subject to these booking conditions.

In these booking conditions, ‘you’ and ‘your’ means all persons named on a booking and ‘we’, ‘us’ and ‘ourselves’ means Sunshine Cruise Holidays Ltd trading as Cruise1st .The head office for Sunshine Cruise Holidays is located in the UK at Falcon Court, 209 - 213 Broadway, Salford, Manchester M50 2UE, Engand.

Fly/Cruise Customers
Note: If you book a cruise and additionally ask us to arrange flights for you as part of a package holiday, you can have the peace of mind of knowing that we shall have responsibility for the proper performance of both aspects of your holiday.

Cruise Only Customers
Note: If you book a cruise-only (cabin only) holiday in conjunction with other services (such as flights, on-shore accommodation and/or ground transfers) which you have organised yourself or through a third party, Cruise1st cannot be held liable for any part of your holiday that is not booked through us, or any resultant issues with your cabin only booking, such as not being able to reach the ship in time for embarkation. In these circumstances we reserve the right to treat your failure to embark as a cancellation. In any such situation we will be fully entitled to rely on all defences, exclusions and limitations contained in the booking conditions.

1. Booking your holiday
1.1 How do I make a booking?
To book your chosen holiday, contact one of our Reservation Consultants or book online at www.cruise1st.ie For all bookings created you must pay the non-refundable deposit amount as advised at the time of booking (or full payment if booking within 105 days of departure).

Your full name as it appears on your passport, as well as your date of birth, must be given at the time of reservation.

Please note, any deposit payment made reserves your place onboard a cruise plus any other elements booked and as such is a non refundable payment if you subsequently decide to cancel your reservation with us.
From 13 January 2018 MasterCard and Visa credit card payments are NOT subject to a card fee.
For customers wishing to pay using a debit card, this facility is free of charge.

1.2 How will my holiday be confirmed?
Providing your chosen holiday is available and we have received all appropriate payments, we will send our Confirmation Invoice to you via post or email. Please note: It may not be possible to confirm your flight details at this point. If this is the case, these will be confirmed to you at a later date.

A binding contract between us comes into existence when we debit your card for payment and confirm the elements that make up your holiday. A contract will exist at this point, even if we are unable to confirm your flight details at that time. In the event of us confirming an element of your holiday and subsequently being unable to debit monies from your card a booking will still exist along with any cancellation penalties imposed should you not wish to provide the funds. Cruise1st reserve the right to take action to recover any outstanding monies should this situation occur.

You should note that package holidays are not covered by EU Distance Selling Regulations and as such there is no cooling off period within which to change your mind about booking a holiday with us. The confirmation invoice will also show the balance due on your holiday that still has to be paid and your flight details (where applicable and/or available).

Cruise1st cannot accept responsibility for non-receipt of your invoice via email or post and as such a contract will still exist between the parties.

Please check all details are correct as soon as you receive your confirmation invoice, cruise documents, flight tickets and any other documents from us.

If any details appear to be incorrect, you must inform our Administration Department within 7 days of us sending the document to you for all documents other than flight tickets and e-tickets and within 5 days for flight tickets and e-tickets.
Once your airline tickets have been issued, all ticket coupons must be used in sequence as originally booked. Any flight sector not utilised will invalidate the ticket and the rest of the itinerary may be automatically cancelled by the airline without further notice to yourself or Cruise1st.

1.3 What information must I provide to you and why?
From time to time we may be required to collect personal information relating to you and your party to pass on to the U.S. Immigration Authorities, equivalent government bodies in other countries and air carriers. You must therefore provide us with any personal information legitimately requested by us at the time of booking your cruise or where requested later, by the date we require you to provide that information. This information includes certain data set out in your passport, emergency contact information and insurance details. We will inform you at the time of booking, or as soon as we become aware, of the exact details required and the date we require that information. By providing us with the details requested under these Booking Conditions, you consent to the sharing of your personal data with third parties including where necessary the transfer of your personal data outside the European Economic Area. 
If you fail to supply full and accurate details within the time limits we specify, we shall be entitled to refuse your booking or treat such failure to provide such information within the time limits specified as a cancellation of your holiday. Further, where we do not exercise our right to cancel your booking you agree to reimburse us for any fines, surcharges or other financial penalties we incur as a direct consequence of any failure by you to provide full and accurate details within the time limits we specified to you.

(a) Cruise Check In
We recommend that where available you visit your cruise line website to complete your ‘Online Check-in’ and submit your personal details online. Providing this information online and prior to your cruise will significantly speed up your check-in process and you will be able to board the ship sooner and avoid delays and queues at the cruise terminal. If you have not completed online check-in, you will be required to complete this process at the pier at least two hours prior to the published sailing time.

Please note: All guests must be checked-in and onboard the ship no later than 90 minutes prior to the published sailing time or they will not be permitted to sail. You will need to have your booking ID and date of sailing to hand or, if you have already provided this information, verify that the details complete and accurate. If you do not have access to the Internet, please contact our customer services team. Due to the volume of calls received from passengers who wish us to complete online check in on their behalf, we reserve the right to impose a charge of €12 per cabin to cover the administration of this process. Increasingly, cruise lines ask that you complete online check in and provide an email address to advise of any further information and/or changes to your cruise. Cruise1st cannot accept any liability for passenger notifications of any type not reaching the passenger due to failure to complete online check in and provide an email address, or failure of said email address to allow delivery of the email to your inbox. Please be aware that many email account providers operate various types of spam filter which can prevent legitimate email being delivered. We strongly recommend that you add your cruise line email address (eg @email.princess.com or similar fo Princess Cruise Lines) to your safe senders list. Our procedures may change and we will inform you of any changes at the time of booking or as soon as possible thereafter.

(b) Flight Bookings
At the time of printing this brochure EU airlines are required to pass certain personal information relating to passengers (principally, but not exclusively, information on the data page of a passenger’s passport) to the U.S. Authorities as well as applicable authorities in other countries where you are travelling in advance of the date of any flight booking.

While we may obtain some of the information that we require from you at the time of booking, we may require that you to provide to us with certain additional personal information within specific time limits. If you fail to supply full and accurate details within the time limits we specify, we shall be entitled to refuse your booking or treat such failure to provide such information within the time limits specified as a cancellation of your holiday.

If you have not supplied us with complete and accurate information, your party may not be allowed to board your cruise ship and/or any outward or return flight. Where this happens because of your failure to fully comply with such obligations Cruise1st cannot accept any liability to you or any of your party and we will not pay you any compensation or make any refunds to you or your party in such circumstances and you will be responsible for your own onward/return travel arrangements. Further, if such failure to provide this information results in fines, surcharges or other financial penalties being imposed upon us, you will also be responsible for reimbursing us accordingly.

(c) US Entry Requirements
Passengers arriving in the U.S. will have a digital photograph taken, and have electronic finger prints taken. If you would like further information, please ask at the time of booking or contact the Irish Passport Office or U.S. Embassy.

1.4 When is the balance due?
Please note that we must receive the balance of the holiday cost at least 105 days prior to departure. If you book within 105 days of departure, you must pay the total holiday cost at the time of booking. If we have not received all monies due to us in full and on time (including any surcharge where applicable), we are entitled to assume you wish to cancel your holiday. In this case, you will have to pay cancellation charges as set out below.

1.5 What happens to money paid to us? 
All monies you pay to us for your holiday with us will be held by us on your behalf until we are requested to pay the cruise lines and other operators with which we hold a contract for your booking. Whilst we are holding your money, you can be assured that we are fully bonded for the purposes of the Package Holidays and Travel Trade Act 1995. We are also a wholly owned subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd of Miami, Florida trading as Royal Caribbean International.

1.6 What does the price include?
All prices quoted at the time of booking are per person in Euros and are based on two people sharing the specified stateroom. Some elements of your holiday, including what is and is not included in the price will vary by itinerary. For example, transfers may or may not be included in your booking, depending on the details of the package. Gratuities may or may not be an additional cost depending on which cruise line you have selected. Please ask your reservations agent at the time of booking for full clarification, otherwise this will be detailed on your booking invoice. However, generally fly/cruise prices include the following where applicable: full board accommodation and entertainment* on board ship; return international flights and connecting flights (as stated on the confirmation invoice); Republic of Ireland departure tax; port, hotel and airport transfers if stated in the itinerary; hotel accommodation as stated in the itinerary (room only basis unless otherwise stated) and all relevant taxes excluding those set out below.

Fly/cruise pricing, as stated in any advertised offers, is based on the lowest available Republic of Ireland departure airport (which may be a regional airport) at the time of going to print. Please contact our Reservations Department, for further details.

For cruise-only guests, the cruise price includes full board accommodation and entertainment* on board ship and all relevant taxes excluding those set out below.

Unless otherwise agreed, the price does not include non Republic of Ireland departure taxes or airport improvement tax (on some itineraries this will have to be paid locally); shore excursions and personal expenses (for example, onboard drinks, laundry charges, health and beauty treatments, hairdressing, telephone calls, etc.); hotel meals or resort taxes as applied locally onshore (unless otherwise stated); transfers by any method unless otherwise stated at the time of booking; travel insurance; service charges**, i.e. tips/service charges on board or ashore; anything else which is not specifically mentioned as being included in the price.

* A charge may be made for some entertainment activities on board.

** Tips/service charges for on board dining and stateroom staff will generally be automatically added to your onboard account if you declined to pre-pay tips/service charges at the time of booking.

We reserve the right to include a fuel supplement when making a booking. The value of the supplement will be confirmed to you at the time of making a booking with us.

Please note: If you are taking consecutive cruises there may be some duplication with regard to onboard programmes, meals and entertainment.

There may also be some cruise lines which feature certain cruises as ‘themed’ cruises, e.g. Cruises oriented towards Photography, or Art, or cruises themed for children and based on children’s TV characters. On these cruises the regular or expected programme of entertainment may be changed. Whilst we make every attempt to keep abreast of themed cruise dates, given the amount of cruise lines and ships we deal with , we are unable to guarantee that you may not be on a ‘themed’ cruise and as such cannot be held liable for any complaint which might arise from travelling aboard such a cruise. It is the customers’ responsibility to check that they have not requested a date of travel aboard a cruise which might have a theme on that date.

1.7 How do I obtain the lowest price per person?
The prices shown in our advertising and on our websites often feature a ‘from’ price. Such pricing is based on the lowest fare available from a Republic of Ireland departure airport (which may be a regional airport) at the time of going to print. Please contact our Reservations Department for further details. The ‘from’ prices are calculated using the lowest stateroom category available, this pricing may not be available on all sail dates shown. The price will vary by ship, itinerary, sailing dates, stateroom category and departure airport if you purchase our fly/cruise package. Prices may change at any time, please contact our Reservations Department directly for more information on the most up to date price.

1.8 What is a ‘Guarantee’ (GTY / GUA) booking?
Some cruise lines offer you the option of making a ‘Guarantee’ (GTY/GUA) booking. This means you may book a stateroom of a guaranteed minimum category type, (specified by us prior to booking) on your chosen ship. However, the exact location of the stateroom on the ship will be allocated by the cruise line (at their discretion) and at any time up until checking in at the Port. Once your GTY stateroom has been allocated to you, we are unable to accept any changes requested by you. The benefits to you of a GTY stateroom are that after your booking has been confirmed, the cruise line may (at their discretion) upgrade your stateroom to one of a superior category to that originally booked at no extra charge to you. In any event, you are ‘guaranteed’ the minimum category of stateroom we agree to offer at the time of booking.

If you have specific requirement (such as a impaired mobility) or statement location, we suggest you do not book a Guarantee stateroom offer. Guarantee staterooms also make no assurance as to the obstruction or non-obstruction of the view if a window or balcony guarantee is booked.

Please note: If you book two or more cruises to be taken back to back and either one or all cruises are booked under a GTY (guarantee) basis, there is the possibility that you will be allocated different staterooms on each cruise, therefore necessitating the need to move between staterooms on the changeover day between your consecutive cruises.

1.9 Will the price change?
We reserve the right to increase or decrease the prices of unsold holidays at any time. The price of your chosen holiday will be confirmed in accordance with clause 1.2 (above). Once the price of your chosen holiday has been confirmed at the time of booking, then subject to the correction of errors, we will only increase or decrease the price in the following circumstances. Price increases or decreases after booking will be passed on by way of a surcharge or refund. A surcharge or refund (as applicable) will be payable, subject to the conditions set out in this clause, if transportation costs or dues, taxes or fees payable for services such as landing taxes or embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports or airports increase or decrease or our costs increase or decrease as a result of any adverse or favourable changes in the exchange rates which have been used to calculate the cost of your holiday.
Even in the above cases, only if the amount of the increase in our costs exceeds 2% of the total cost of your holiday (excluding any amendment charges), will we levy a surcharge. If any surcharge is greater than 10% of the cost of your holiday (excluding any amendment charges), you will be entitled to choose one of options (a), (b) and (c) as set out in clause 5.5. You have 14 days from the issue date printed on the surcharge invoice to tell us if you want to choose option (b) or (c) as set out in clause 5.5 below. If you do not tell us that you wish to choose either of these options within this period of time, we are entitled to assume that you do not wish to do so and will pay the surcharge. Any surcharge must be paid with the balance of the cost of the holiday or within 14 days of the issue date printed on the surcharge invoice, whichever is the later. We promise not to levy a surcharge within 30 days of the start of your holiday. Please note that travel arrangements are not always purchased in local currency and some apparent changes have no impact on the price of your holiday due to contractual and other protection in place. A refund will only be payable if the decrease in our costs exceeds 2% as set out above. Where a refund is due, we will pay you the full amount of the decrease in our costs.

We reserve the right to correct errors in both advertised and confirmed prices. We will do so as soon as we become aware of the error. Please note, changes and errors occasionally occur. You must check the price of your chosen holiday at the time of booking. Please note any changes you make to your booking may result in a change in price as explained in clause 1.11 below.

1.10 If I have to cancel my cruise holiday, will I receive a refund?
If you or anybody travelling with you wishes to cancel either your/their holiday, you must contact us and give notice in writing using registered mail to ensure safe receipt of the cancellation letter. The holiday will only be cancelled on the date we receive the written notice of cancellation from the lead passenger on the booking.

As a guideline amount (subject to variation dependant upon Cruise Line / Airline etc), if you cancel you will have to pay cancellation charges similar to those set out below:

For cancellations received, the following general cancellation guideline charges will apply prior to sailing date:

5 days or less : 100% 
6 to 15 days : 90% 
16 to 41 days : 75%
42 - 56 days : 60% 
57 to 105 days : 50% 
106 or more days : Loss of Deposit Only (As detailed when booking)

Please be advised that the minimum cancellation charge will always be the loss of the deposit paid to secure the booking. Please note that any amendment or transfer fees will also be charged when a booking is cancelled. These fees are detailed in section 1.11 We will confirm the cancellation penalties to you via a cancellation invoice once we have processed your cancellation.

Please refer to section 1.11 when making a significant amendment within 105 days of your departure date, as your booking variation may be treated as a cancellation of your original booking and cancellation charges will apply. Therefore a new booking will be created incorporating any new business rules or terms and conditions applicable.

Please note: The date of departure means the date the arrangements you have booked with us commence. Depending on the reason for cancellation, you may be able to reclaim these cancellation charges (less any applicable excess) under the terms of your insurance policy. Claims must be made directly to your insurance company.

It is a condition of travel with Cruise1st that you carry adequate travel insurance to cover you against any issues arising, valid from the date of the booking of your holiday.

Where any cancellation reduces the number of full paying party members below the number on which the price, number of free places and/or any concessions agreed for your booking were based, we will recalculate these items and re-invoice you at the applicable higher price.

1.11 Can I make changes to my booking after it has been confirmed?
Should you wish to make any changes to your confirmed holiday, you must notify us in writing as soon as possible. Whilst we will endeavour to assist you, we cannot guarantee we will be able to meet any such request. For guests wishing to make a significant amendment to their booking outside of 105 days from departure, such as changing the cruise line, ship, or sail date, please note that a booking transfer fee is applicable. The transfer fee is €75 per guest which is limited to the first two guests on a booking, therefore any 3rd/4th guests will not be charged as well. Please note, the transfer fee is a non-refundable amount, which will be included in any cancellation charges as detailed in section 1.10.

Please note that your booking will be re-priced in-line with the up-to-date business and price rules and a new confirmation invoice will be issued.

For all changes that we consider to be minor changes (such as change of stateroom or name changes on an existing booking by way of example only) outside of 105 days from departure an amendment fee of €55 per guest per booking will be payable together with any costs incurred by ourselves and any costs or charges incurred or imposed by any of our suppliers. Please note, the amendment fee is a non-refundable amount, which will be included in any cancellation charges as detailed in section 1.10.

Passengers should note that airlines may not allow name changes on scheduled or Lowcost flights and that the flight booking may need to be cancelled and rebooked. The rebooking will always be subject to flight availability and to payment of any charges imposed by the airline which may, in some cases, be the full cost of the ticket, regardless of when the cancellation is actioned.

If you request a change within 105 days of departure, this may be treated as a cancellation of your original booking and cancellation charges as set out in these terms and conditions will be payable (see clause 1.10). The changed arrangements will then be treated as a new booking.

If you or any of persons travelling with you is prevented from taking the holiday, such as due to medical reasons, there may be an option for you/them to give your/their place on the booking to someone else (suggested by you). In this situation, providing we are given not less than 14 days notice in writing of your wish to make the change, we will attempt to action the name change. The airline and flight routing may differ from the original assignment due to this name change. You must produce documentary proof of the reason for the transfer of your/their booking with the request (e.g. a letter from a doctor etc.). Both the person who was originally due to take the holiday and the person who actually does so, must make sure that the administration fee and any charges/costs (see below) as well as any amount which is still due to be paid for the holiday, is paid in full before the change will be made.
This type of change is entirely at the discretion of the cruise line and / or airline and as such cannot be guaranteed until completely confirmed.

1.12 Will I need travel insurance?
Yes. All guests must have appropriate personal travel insurance before departure. This is a condition of travel and must include as a minimum cover for the cost of cancellation by yourself and the cost of assistance including repatriation in the event of accident or illness. It is your responsibility to make sure that the insurance you purchase is suitable and adequate for your particular needs and to purchase additional or alternative insurance if required. We would strongly recommend that you contact an independent insurance broker for details of suitable policies. We regret that we are unable to recommend a policy for you as we are not regulated by the financial services authorities to do so.

2. Before you leave home
2.1 What about valuable or important items?
Please make sure that all valuable and important items (for example, medicines, jewellery, fragile items, important travel and other documents, video/camera/computer equipment, etc.) are carried by hand and not packed in your luggage and/or left unsecured in your stateroom or elsewhere on board your ship. Special care must be taken of such items. For your protection once on board, all valuable and important items should be deposited with the Guest Relations Desk or in your stateroom mini-safe. You are also strongly advised to take out appropriate and adequate insurance to protect such items. The cruise line cannot accept any responsibility or liability for any valuable or important items, which are not deposited with the Guest Relations Desk or with your hotel (booked with us) for safekeeping. So that we may assist as much as possible, you must tell your cruise line or hotel about the problem as soon as possible. If you discover the loss, delay or damage when onboard, you must immediately report it to the Guest Relations Desk. The time limits for notifying any loss, delay or damage, are as follows:

Any damage or delay, which is apparent, must be notified to the cruise line and the supplier of the service concerned before or, at latest, at the time of departure from the ship or, for other services, whilst using or at the end of using those services. Any loss, damage or delay, which is not apparent, must be notified to ourselves and the supplier of the service concerned within 15 days of departure from the ship or the end of your using the service in question. In the event that you do not notify us within these time limits, this may affect our ability to investigate the loss, delay or damage and may impact on the way the complaint is dealt with. Wherever possible, please try to obtain a written report detailing your loss / damage.

In all cases, you must give credit for payments received from any airline and/or other supplier in connection with your claim. You must also give us details of any relevant insurance coverage you hold. In appropriate cases we are entitled to ask you to reduce your claim by the amount received from any/all insurance companies.

2.2 Are there any prohibited items that I cannot take with me?
For the safety of our guests, the following items are generally not allowed onboard cruise liners: irons/steamers; candles; illegal drugs; coffee makers; electrical transformers; flammable liquids and explosives, such as fireworks or pyrotechnics; firearms including non-firing weapons and starting pistols including BB guns, air guns, gun lighters, flare guns, gun power, and pellet guns; ammunition, including bullets, shot or missile that can be fired using a propellant; imitation or replica weapons, including de-commissioned weapons or those not capable of being fired that are obviously not children's toys; taser or electronic stun guns; pepper or mace sprays; telescopic or regular batons; martial arts equipment (flails, throwing stars, etc.); compressed gas bottles/cylinders (dive tanks are allowed if they are empty and medical gas bottles are allowed); diver spear gun; fuel of any kind; knives with blades longer than 4 inches; lockback serrated knives of any length; disguised knives such as belt buckles, flick knives, or hunting knives; axes and hatchets; handcuffs.

In addition, we/the airline may specify other items which you must not bring with you, and may also refuse to allow you to take on board any item which we/the airline, consider being inappropriate. If the Master of the ship have reason to believe that any stateroom may contain any item or substance which should not have been brought on board, the Master or an authorised officer has the right to enter and search the stateroom concerned and seize any such item or substance.

Please ensure that any sharp items, including but not limited to scissors, razor blades, nail clippers, tweezers, combs with metal prongs and knitting needles, are packed in your check-in luggage and not your hand luggage due to airport security measures.

2.3 What should I do if my property is lost, delayed or damaged during my cruise?
This clause applies in relation to any loss, delay or damage to property which occurs during your cruise or whilst getting on or off the ship or whilst using any services provided or arranged by us except for any claims in relation to any valuable or important items (see clause 2.1) or in relation to air travel, including the process of getting on or off the aircraft (see clause 2.4 below).

It is our guest’s responsibility to remove all of their belongings from their stateroom when they depart their cruise. If an item is left onboard, whilst we will assist you in trying to recover the item, if we are unable to do so, then we cannot be held responsible and we will refer you to your travel insurance to make a claim for the item. Please note that items left behind may be destroyed by the cruise line.

You must inform the cruise line about the problem as soon as possible. If you discover the loss, delay or damage when on board, you must immediately report it to the Guest Relations Desk. The time limits for notifying any loss, delay or damage, and the maximum amount which will be payable by us or the supplier concerned, are as follows:

Any damage or delay, which is apparent, must be notified to ourselves and the supplier of the service concerned before or, at latest, at the time of departure from the ship or, for other services, whilst using or at the end of using those services. Any loss, damage or delay, which is not apparent, must be notified to ourselves and the supplier of the service concerned within 15 days of departure from the ship or the end of your using the service in question. If you can prove that the damage, delay or loss was our fault or the fault of the supplier of a service that we agreed to arrange as part of your holiday, we will compensate you for the loss or damage you can prove you have suffered as a result, subject to and in accordance with The Athens Convention. However, the maximum we will have to pay you for any damage, delay or loss in these circumstances is the maximum which is payable in respect of cabin luggage under The Athens Convention (at the time of going to print approximately €950 per guest, per cruise holiday).

This will also be the case where any property is damaged, delayed or lost whilst not on board or getting on or off the ship but using other services (apart from air travel) which form part of the holiday we have contractually agreed to provide.

In all cases, you must take account of payments received from any airline and/or other supplier in connection with your claim. You must also give us details of any relevant insurance coverage you hold. In appropriate cases we are entitled to ask you to reduce your claim by the amount received from any/all insurance companies.

2.4 What should I do if my property is lost, delayed or damaged during air travel?
Any damage, destruction, delay or loss suffered during any travel by air (including the process of getting on and off the aircraft) must be notified to Cruise1st and the airline at the time of discovery or, in any event, in writing within 7 days of the end of the flight concerned for damage, destruction or loss or within 21 days of the luggage being made available for you in the event of delay. You should also obtain a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) or some other form of acknowledgement from the airline concerned at the time. The maximum the airline will have to pay you in the event of any damage, destruction, delay or loss of luggage or property is the most which is payable under the relevant international convention or regulation. We will only be liable for any air travel that has been booked as part of a fly cruise package. For most international flights, this will be the Montreal Convention 1999. Where the Montreal Convention 1999 applies, the maximum the airline will have to pay you at present for loss, destruction, damage, delay of luggage is the maximum payable under the Montreal convention. The limit for baggage, at the time of going to print, is approximately €1,300. The airline will not be liable to pay any compensation in the case of delay affecting luggage if we or the airline can prove that the airline took all measures that could reasonably be required to avoid the delay or that it was impossible for the airline or its employees to take such measures.

In the case of damage, destruction, delay or loss of luggage, if we or the airline prove that the damage, destruction, delay or loss was caused or contributed to by the negligence or other wrongful act or omission of the person claiming compensation, or the person from whom he or she derives his rights, we and the airline will not be liable for the damage, destruction, delay or loss, to the extent that such negligence or wrongful act or omission caused or contributed to the damage, destruction, delay or loss.

Subject to the above, the airline will only be liable for destruction or loss of, or of damage to, checked luggage on the condition only that the event which caused the destruction, loss or damage took place on board the aircraft or during any period within which the checked luggage was in the charge of the airline. However, neither we nor the airline will be liable if and to the extent that the destruction loss or damage resulted from the inherent defect, quality or vice of the luggage. In the case of unchecked luggage, including personal items, the airline will only be liable if the damage resulted from the airline’s fault or that of its employees or agents.

In all cases, you must take account of payments received from any airline or other supplier in connection with your claim. You must also give us details of any relevant insurance coverage you hold. In appropriate cases we are entitled to ask you to reduce your claim by the amount received from any insurance companies.

2.5 What is my luggage allowance?
The maximum luggage allowance generally for guests boarding a cruise ship is 90kg per guest, however, airlines also impose their own baggage allowance, with which you must also comply and this will be less than the cruise only allowance. Please note if you are sailing on a transatlantic cruise and you have booked a fly cruise package, that your luggage allowance will be limited to the lower allowance, specified by the airline. Some guests may be aware that the baggage allowance is 20kg, but may not be aware that they are allowed one bag only at 20kg. Any additional bag will incur charges. There are always restrictions on the amount, size and weight of the luggage you may take on any flight, in particular where we are using non-scheduled services. We strongly recommend that you check with the airline for confirmation of your baggage allowance as in some instances baggage allowance can be limited to as little as 15kg. Recently many airlines have reduced the number of free pieces of checked baggage you can take on transatlantic flights to one piece per person instead of two. Please check with your airline for details.

2.6 What are the passport and visa requirements for my holiday?

Passports
If you are an Irish citizen (including children and infants), you must have your own full 10 year (5 year for children) Irish Passport which is valid for at least 6 months after your expected return date to the Republic of Ireland. Guests holding non Irish passports should check with the relevant embassies. It is no longer possible for children to be included on their parent’s passport. All guests should check with the relevant embassy prior to travel for the most up to date information on passport requirements.

If you are travelling to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program, you and all members of your party (including children) must ensure that your passport is machine-readable. An Irish passport is machine readable when there are two lines of letters, numbers and chevrons (“>>>>>”) printed across the long edge of the personal information page (the page with photograph and personal details). The machine-readable text will appear on a white strip on older passports and directly on the pink page of newer passports. If there are no such lines of text on the personal information page, the passport is not machine-readable.

From 26 October 2004, anyone travelling to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Programme without a machine readable passport will need a visa to travel to the U.S.

If you are travelling to the U.S. after October 2006 under the Visa Waiver Programme and are carrying a passport issued after this date, you will be required to have a biometric passport. Irish travellers with valid machine-readable passports issued before October 2006 travelling to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Programme can travel on their existing passport up to, and beyond, October 2006. If your passport is issued after 26 October 2006 and it is not biometric, you will not qualify for visa free travel but will be required to obtain a visa. For more details on passports, contact the Irish Passport Office. Please note that this information is subject to change and it is solely the passengers’ responsibility to check the up to date passport and visa requirements in good time before departure.

Please note: Certain persons may not be eligible to enter the United States visa free under the Visa Waiver Program. These include, but are not limited to, for example people who have been arrested, even if the arrest did not result in a criminal conviction and those with criminal records. If you are in any doubt whatsoever as to whether you can travel under the Visa Waiver Program you are strongly advised to contact the Consular Information unit, United States Embassy, 42 Elgin Road, Ballbridge, Dublin 4
Telephone: +353 1 668-8777
Fax: +353 1 668-9946 
or visit http://dublin.usembassy.gov/ before you book your holiday with us.

Guests arriving in the U.S. will have a digital photograph taken, and have inkless digital scans taken of their index fingers. If you would like further information, please ask at the time of booking or contact the Irish Passport Office or U.S. Embassy.

Electronic System For Travel Authorization (ESTA) 
ESTA is a mandatory automated system used to determine the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and whether such travel poses any law enforcement or security risk. It is a MANDATORY requirement to board any cruise or flight which will call at a U.S. port of entry, including transit stops in the U.S.. All major airlines including British Airways are strictly adhering to this regulation. If you do not have an ESTA you will be refused travel to the USA. Please note that the US Customs and Border Protection department now charge to apply for an ESTA. All payments must be made by credit card. If you are travelling directly to Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Isles, you will need an ESTA.

To apply for the ESTA, please log on to the website at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/

to provide the biographical and eligibility information required. The airlines will be ensuring that the ESTA information has been completed at check-in. Please note that failure to complete the ESTA authorisation process may result in the airline denying boarding. For cruise check-in, guests will need to bring a printed copy of their ESTA approval and present this at the pier when checking in for a cruise that will call/finish at any U.S. port.

Please note that we cannot accept any responsibility if ESTA applications are rejected by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Any rejected ESTA applications will need to be referred to the Embassy of the United States to apply for a visa to travel to the United States.

We regret that Cruise1st is unable to complete ESTA applications for passengers under any circumstances due to the legal implications of an incorrect application.

Visas
Please note: that there may be a visa requirement for your cruise, particularly if you are visiting countries in Asia, the Middle East or Australia. We recommend that you contact our recommended visa agent, Visa Central, for advice and to purchase the most up to date visa requirements for your cruise. Established in 1997, Visa Central is the largest visa agency in the UK and is part of the larger CIBT group of visa experts. This online service contains up-to-the-minute information on specific visa requirements for all nationalities to all destinations and handles over a million possible visa requirements. Travellers do not have the expense of travelling to an embassy or the trouble of standing in a queue. To make sure you know about the visa requirements for your destination, please go online to http://uk.visacentral.com. If you would prefer not to use Visa Central, you may instead visit the relevant embassy in person to arrange the necessary visa. Guests who hold other nationality of passports should check with either Visa Central or with the relevant embassy of each port of call. Some cruise lines, such as P&O cruises, may provide a visa advisory line in their brochure.

Where visas can be purchased onboard, guests are asked to complete the online check-in process, including all mandatory information in advance of their sailing. Completing this information will significantly speed up the process for you and will avoid delays and queues on the ship.

Please also note that if there is requirement to have a visa to travel to a particular country, even if a guest chooses to not disembark the ship in that country, then the guest is still required to obtain the necessary visa. The only exception to this rule is Russia where a guest is able to stay on the ship in St Petersburg and does not need to obtain a visa.

If you are not an Irish Citizen or do not hold an Irish Passport, you must check the applicable passport and visa requirements with the Embassies of the Countries that you will be visiting during your holiday. This includes any technical stops (as detailed in section 21 of our Before You Sail section) such as Prince Rupert.

You must ensure the name (including initials) is exactly the same as it appears on your ticket as in your passport. If there is any difference, you may be refused entry onto your flight/cruise.

Passport and visa requirements may change and vary by destination. You should check the up-to-date position with the appropriate embassy. We regret we cannot accept any liability if you are denied boarding, refused entry onto any flight or into any country, or otherwise suffer any difficulties or incur any costs as a result of not having the correct passport and/or any required visa(s).

It is the sole responsibility of the guest to identify and obtain all required travel documents and have them available when necessary for their itinerary. These appropriate valid travel documents such as passports, visas, inoculation certificate and family legal documents are required for boarding and re-entry into the United States and other countries worldwide.

We strongly suggest that you take a photocopy of your passport in addition to your passport itself with you on holiday and carry the photocopy with you each time you depart the ship in order to minimise any inconvenience this may cause.

2.7 Are there any formal health requirements?
Please contact your G.P. for advice and the most up-to-date health requirements for all destinations at least 8 weeks prior to travel.

Further travel advice can be found on http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/travel_and_recreation/travel_abroad/ and 
http://www.nathnac.org/travel/index.htm

For European holidays, from 1 January 2006, you will need a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to receive healthcare that becomes necessary during your visit to an EEA country or Switzerland free or at a reduced cost and you should obtain one prior to departure. All E111 forms ceased to be valid on 31 December 2005. You can obtain an EHIC card online at www.ehic.ie/contact.htm or by calling one of the local EHIC local Applications Lines listed such as Dublin 01 8825000. Alternatively you can pick up an EHIC application pack from your local Post Office branch. Cards should be delivered within 21 days. Please note – limitations on the use of the EHIC card apply. The EHIC card will enable you to receive medical assistance in an EU country but is not an alternative to travel insurance which we strongly recommend you obtain as soon as you make a booking.

Cruise lines welcome pregnant guests but will not usually accept guests who will enter their 24th week of pregnancy by the beginning of, or at any time during their cruise holiday. Guests must bring a letter from their GP stating how many weeks pregnant they are at the start of the cruise, that they are fit to travel and are not a high risk pregnancy. Please check the cruise line terms and conditions for full details.

To ensure a healthy sailing, most cruise lines request that guests complete a questionnaire to confirm if they are suffering from or showing symptoms of gastrointestinal type illness or other illnesses that spread easily from person to person.

2.8 What should I do if I have lost my air tickets?
If your tickets are lost or stolen prior to the commencement of your holiday please report the loss to us immediately (if you have booked your flights with us). If your tickets become lost or stolen during the holiday (including your time spent at the airport) you must report this to the airline and the local police immediately. Please note that there may be a charge for the reissue of your air tickets. You will be informed of any charges at the time of reporting the lost or stolen tickets, as the charges vary depending on the airline.

3. From Plane to Port
3.1 How do I get to my cruise?
On our flight inclusive holidays, we offer international flights from selected airports in the Republic of Ireland. Domestic flights are also available from a selection of regional airports. Some flights may incur a supplement which will be advised at the time of booking. Please note that we are not always able to offer a direct flight to our guests as this is subject to the airlines schedules and availability.

Including a flight does not also indicate the inclusion of a transfer on your holiday, unless this is notified on your travel documents.

All flights are also subject to the following conditions:

All flights are subject to availability.

Whilst the dates of your outward and return flights will be advised (where available) at the time of booking, the flight timings and/or routing may not be shown on your Confirmation Invoice.

Flight timings shown on your confirmation invoice are for guidance only and may change.

Your confirmation invoice will show the latest planned timings where available. Your actual flight timings will be provided before travel within your ticket pack. Please check carefully as soon as you receive these. We may not be able to inform you of your flight timings and routing for bookings made more than 10 months before departure.

Please note that your booked flight may not be the most direct route and may also involve a stop on route to your destination which may involve your disembarking from the aircraft. Please also note that where guests who are travelling together are booked on different booking numbers, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to book the same flight itinerary, as this is subject to availability.

Information will be provided as soon as we are in a position to do so. The flight timings and airlines shown on your Confirmation Invoice cannot be guaranteed and are subject to change. Whilst we endeavour to book the best connections between flights, a wait may be experienced at connecting airports.

We are not always in a position to confirm the route, service (scheduled or non-scheduled), airline, aircraft type or the airport of destination, which will be used in conjunction with any flight included in your holiday. When this information is provided at the time of booking or subsequently, it is subject to change (including the substitution of non-scheduled flights for scheduled air services and/or re-routing of air travel due to scheduled air services being withdrawn or changed or being unavailable). Any such change will not entitle you to cancel or change to other arrangements without paying our normal charges.

In any event the actual flight times will be those shown on your tickets, which will be dispatched to you approximately two weeks before departure. You must accordingly check your tickets very carefully immediately upon receipt for confirmation of correct flight times. It is possible that flight times may be changed even after tickets have been dispatched - we will contact you as soon as possible if this occurs.

Any amendments to your flight arrangements will be subject to availability and will incur an administration charge of €55 per person along with any additional costs and charges incurred by us or imposed by the airlines. If your tickets have been issued, standard airline cancellation penalties will also apply. In some cases, these could be the full cost of the ticket.

We are obliged to inform you, at time of booking, of the identity of the operating air carrier(s) which is due to perform, or likely to perform, your flight and if there are any changes to the operating air carrier(s) we are obliged to inform you of any such change(s) as soon as possible. If we don’t know the identity of the operating carrier(s) at time of booking, we must inform you of same as soon as such identity is established. In all cases, we are obliged to inform you of the identity of the operating air carrier at check-in or on boarding, where no check-in is required for a connecting flight.

In accordance with EU Directive – (EC) No.2111/2005, Article 9, we are required to bring to your attention the existence of a ‘Community Blacklist’, which contains details of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban within the EU Community. The Community list is available for inspection at http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/air/safety/flywell en.htm

3.2 What class is booked? Can I pre-reserve seats? Will the flight be direct? Can I make special requests?
Unless you book and pay for an upgrade, you will fly economy class. We strongly recommend that you check-in early if you have a particular seat request as we have no control over the allocation of seats. Flights are often full, your choice of seats may not be available, and it may not be possible to obtain seats together. Please note that only fully fit and able-bodied guests may occupy exit row seats on aircraft. Emergency exit seats will therefore only ever be assigned at the discretion of the airline at check-in.

Some flights will involve a change of aircraft. Where applicable, and we are in a position to notify you, this information will be shown on your Confirmation Invoice. The flights used in conjunction with our cruises may be based on special fares and may not be by the most direct route. Flights may have at least one refuelling and/or other stop and this may not be shown on your confirmation invoice. Flights will either be by scheduled or non-scheduled service. All airlines operate a non-smoking policy.

Please note we do not guarantee ‘travelling with’ guests will be confirmed on the same flight arrangements, although we endeavour to meet this special request.

We/the airline will endeavour to satisfy any special service(s) requests such as special dietary requirements, meet and assist and wheelchair assistance. Regrettably we/the airline cannot guarantee your request. Some medical assistance and some special meals requests may incur a charge by the airline, which will be invoiced accordingly. Please note that any request of this nature should be advised at the time of booking and confirmed in writing at least 45 days prior to your sail date. Please email customer.services@cruise1st.ie or fax +44 161 8777 222. Not meeting any special request for any reason will not be a breach of contract. Please note: Airlines may at their discretion refuse to carry passengers with certain medical conditions. You must provide details of all medical and physical conditions, which affect you, and/or any member of your party at the time of booking. See also clauses 4.3, 5.2 and 5.6.
Please note that British Airways will not allow us to pre-seat our guests. Guests need to log on to www.ba.com 24 hours before departure to pre-reserve their own seats.

3.3 What if I want to upgrade my standard air arrangements?
Subject to availability and paying any difference in price, you can arrive in style by upgrading your flight. If you are interested in upgrading your flight to your destination, please notify reservations at the time of booking and your request will be passed on to the flights department. Please note that the upgrade package may differ from the upgrade package offered by the airline.

3.4 What if my flight is delayed?
Regrettably, flight delays do occasionally occur. In this event, the airline concerned may provide refreshments, and if necessary, overnight accommodation depending on the expected length of the delay, the time of day and the airport in question. This is entirely at the discretion of the airline.

We cannot accept any liability for any delay, which is due to any of the reasons set out in clause 5.7 of these booking conditions (which includes the behaviour of any passenger on the flight who for example fails to check-in or board on time).

Please Note: If your flight is cancelled or delayed, your flight ticket is downgraded or boarding is denied by your airline in circumstances which would entitle you to claim compensation against the airline under EC Regulation No 261/2004 - the Denied Boarding Regulations 2004, you must pursue the airline for the compensation due to you. All sums you receive or are entitled to receive from the airline concerned by virtue of these Regulations represent the full amount of your entitlement to compensation or any other payment arising from such cancellation, delay, downgrading or denied boarding. This includes any disappointment, distress, inconvenience or effect on any other arrangements. The fact a delay may entitle you to cancel your flight does not automatically entitle you to cancel any other arrangements even where those arrangements have been made in conjunction with your flight. We have no liability to make any payment to you in relation to the Denied Boarding Regulations or in respect of any flight cancellation or delay, downgrading of any flight ticket or denial of any boarding as the full amount of your entitlement to any compensation or other payment (as dealt with above) is covered by the airline's obligations under the Denied Boarding Regulations. If, for any reason, you do not claim against the airline and make a claim for compensation from us, you must, at the time of payment of any compensation to you, make a complete assignment to us of the rights you have against the airline in relation to the claim that gives rise to that compensation payment. If your airline does not comply with these rules you should complain to The Commission for Aviation Regulation, 3rd Floor, Alexandra House, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2; Web address: www.aviationreg.ie; Email: info@aviationreg.ie.

4. On board ship
4.1 What about special diets?
Most cruise lines can accommodate the following special diets on board: vegetarian, diabetic, low-fat, low-sodium, low-cholesterol diets. Other special diets such as kosher meals, gluten-free and lactose-free may be available upon advanced request. Please submit your dietary request in writing at least 90 days prior to your sail date giving as much detail as possible as to your particular requirements. Please email customer.services@cruise1st.ie or fax +44 161 8777 222.We will endeavour to accommodate reasonable requests, although we cannot guarantee we will be able to meet requirements. Please ask your reservation agent for further information.

Please note that whilst we are able to take requests for specific dietary requirements and take note of food intolerances, this is confined to the main restaurant on the cruise ship. Cruise lines are unable to guarantee or accept responsibility that the food served in any other food establishment on board ship will be able to cater for specific dietary requirements and food intolerances.

4.2 Can a special request be guaranteed?
Regrettably, no. If you have a special request, please give details in writing to us at the time of booking. Whilst we and our suppliers will endeavour to meet reasonable special requests, we regret we cannot guarantee that we/the supplier will be able to do so. Not meeting any special request for any reason will not be a breach of contract. If a special request can only be met at an additional cost, that cost will either be invoiced prior to departure or will be payable locally. Confirmation that a special request has been noted and passed on to the supplier or the inclusion of the special request on your confirmation invoice or any other documentation is not confirmation that the request will be met.

Unless specifically agreed by us in writing at the time of booking, we cannot accept any booking, that is conditional on a special request being satisfied. Such bookings will be treated as normal bookings subject to the above comments on special requests.

4.3 Shore excursions and activities
We have no involvement in the organisation of shore excursions or activities, which are neither run, supervised nor controlled in any way by us. They are provided by local operators who are entirely independent of us and the cruise line, who act as the agent for these operators.

They do not form any part of your contract with us even where we suggest particular operators/centres and/or assist you in booking such activities in any way.

Accordingly, we cannot accept any liability in relation to such activities and the acceptance of liability contained in clause 5.7 of our booking conditions will not apply to them. We cannot guarantee accuracy at all times of information given in relation to such activities or about the resorts/area you are visiting generally (except where this concerns the services which will form part of your contract) or that any particular excursion or activity which does not form part of our contract will take place as these services are not under our control.

If we become aware of any material alterations to resorts/area information and or such outside activities, which can reasonably be expected to affect your decision to book a holiday with us, we will pass on this information at the time of the booking.

Cruise lines may be able to offer shore excursions for those guests with limited mobility, however, different charges may apply.

5. Additional information
5.1 What if I am travelling with a group?
Please consult your reservations agent for deposit, payment, cancellation and other information. Terms and conditions for those travelling in a group are different to those that apply to individual bookings.

5.2 What about guests with special needs?
You must ensure that you are medically and physically fit for travel, and that such travelling will not endanger yourself or anyone else. At the time of booking (or as soon as possible if the condition arises after booking) you must tell us in writing about any assistance or requirements that you have relating to accommodation, seating or services on your holiday including medical assistance or a requirement to bring medical equipment onto the cruise. We also ask that you notify us of any medical or physical condition which will or may require medical treatment or attention during your holiday or which may or will affect your holiday in any way (including your use of any services or facilities) in order that we can prepare accordingly and make all reasonable efforts to accommodate you in a safe manner. Any assistance or requirements that you have relating to accommodation, seating or services including medical assistance or a requirement to bring medical equipment must be advised to us, where known at time of booking. Should your needs change after booking or you become aware that you need assistance as described above you must notify us immediately and we will make reasonable efforts to assist you at that time. Where we cannot provide appropriate support or the services as requested we will advise you as soon as possible. Most ships have selected staterooms designated for guests with physical disabilities. Please contact our Reservations department for further information. If you would like to bring a motorised wheelchair or scooter on board a ship you must advise our reservations agents at the time of booking, as some ships may not be able to incorporate this request unless you have booked a disabled stateroom. The cruise line may also be unable to provide a standard coach transfer, in which case we may have to quote you for a suitably equipped transfer vehicle. You must also advise us of the dimensions and battery type as limitations may apply and we may not be able to accommodate this request. Certain conditions (for example, use of tenders or some shore excursions) may prevent guests with wheelchairs from going ashore at certain ports of call.

Guests affected by a disability or medical condition must be self-sufficient or travel with someone who can provide all necessary assistance. We regret that Cruise1st may reserve the right to refuse to allow anyone to travel in accordance with EU Regulation 1177/2010. This includes a refusal in order to meet safety requirements established by international, union or national law or those competent authorities, or where the design of the ship or port infrastructure (including terminals) and equipment makes it impossible to carry out the embarkation, disembarkation or carriage of a guest in a safe or operationally feasible manner.

5.3 Are there any age restrictions?
All cruise lines place restrictions on persons aged under the age of 18 (or 21 in some cases) travelling without parents or guardians or occupying their own stateroom. It is essential that you check with your reservations agent at the time of booking to establish the rules for your particular cruise line regarding this restriction.

Adults who are not the parent or legal guardian of any child travelling with them are in most cases required to present the child’s valid passport and any applicable visas and an original legally affirmed or notarised letter signed by at least one of the child's parents/legal guardians.

The letter must authorise the travelling adult to take and supervise the minor/s on the specified cruise, allow them to sign any applicable sports waivers and must authorise the travelling adult to permit any medical treatment that must be administered to the child which in the opinion of the treating doctor needs to be carried out without delay. A letter can be legally affirmed or notarised by a practising Solicitor, Notary or Commissioner for Oaths for a fee. If such evidence is not produced, the minor(s) concerned will not be permitted to board the ship or undertake the cruise. We will not be responsible for any costs, expenses or losses suffered as a result either by the minor affected, the person(s) paying for their cruise (if not the minor him/herself), or any persons travelling with the minor who decide not to continue with the holiday as a result of the failure to produce a letter of authorisation as set out above. We will not pay any compensation or give any refund to any minor who is not permitted to board the ship, any person paying for the minor’s holiday (if not the minor him/herself), or any persons travelling with the minor who decide not to continue with a cruise themselves as a result of the failure to produce a letter of authorisation.

Please note that parent(s)/legal guardian travelling with a child who has a different surname to the parent(s)/legal guardian, will be required to produce official proof such as a full birth certificate/wedding certificate/divorce papers etc to prove that they are the parent(s)/legal guardian of the children concerned. Proof of legal guardianship is also required where there is a minor travelling with their legal guardian.

Individual staterooms can generally be booked by married couples whose minimum age are eighteen (proof of marriage is required at time of booking). On board there are certain facilities where each entry is restricted by age.

The minimum age for infants to sail is six (6) months, as of the date of sailing and twelve (12) months, as of the date of sailing for Transatlantic, Transpacific, Hawaii, selected South American cruises and other selected cruises. For the purposes of this policy, any cruise that has 3 or more days consecutive at sea will require infants to be 12 months old on the first day of the cruise.

The health and safety of our guests is our number one priority. As such, in consideration of the limitations of the shipboard medical facility, equipment and staff, Cruise1st cannot accept waivers, releases or requests for exceptions to this policy.

5.4 What about advanced or delayed sailings and changes in the itinerary?
We regret we cannot guarantee that ships will call at every advertised port or follow every part of the itinerary. Itineraries may change from time to time, both before and after your sailing departs. The Master of the ship has the right to omit or substitute any port(s), call at any additional port(s), vary the order of call for ports, change the time of arrival at, departure from or time spent at any port of call, deviate from the advertised itinerary in any way or substitute another ship. Where possible, you will be advised of any significant changes to your confirmed itinerary before departure from the Republic of Ireland – see clause 5.5. Changes to the last confirmed itinerary for your cruise may become necessary after you have departed from the Republic of Ireland for a variety of reasons such as prevailing weather and sea conditions, guest emergencies, providing assistance to other vessels and the ship being unable to operate at its normal speed(s) due to unexpected mechanical or technical problems. We will of course do our best to avoid any changes that will have a significant detrimental effect on your last confirmed itinerary. However, we cannot accept any liability in respect of any changes which result from circumstances outside our control (see clause 5.10) or which do not have a significant detrimental effect.

5.5 Can you change or cancel my holiday?
Occasionally, we have to make changes to an advertised holiday both before, and after, bookings have been confirmed and, even more rarely, cancel confirmed bookings. Where the works are likely to seriously impair your holiday, we will notify you as soon as possible. Occasionally we may also be forced to cancel a US back to back cruise due to local legal restrictions preventing us from allowing you to travel on this basis but will endeavour to advise you promptly after making such a booking if this is necessary (see Q&A What about Consecutive cruises?).

Whilst we always endeavour to avoid changes and cancellations, we must reserve the right to do so. If we have to make a significant change or cancel, we will tell you as soon as possible. If there is time to do so before departure, we will offer you the choice of the following options:-

(a) (for significant changes) accepting the changed arrangements or
(b) purchasing an alternative holiday from us, of a similar standard to that originally booked if available. We will offer you at least one alternative holiday of equivalent or higher standard for which you will not be asked to pay any more than the price of the original holiday. If this holiday is in fact cheaper than the original one, we will refund the price difference. If you do not wish to accept the holiday we specifically offer you, you may choose any of our other then available holidays. You must pay the applicable price of any such holiday. This will mean you paying more if it is more expensive or receiving a refund if it is cheaper.
(c) cancelling or accepting the cancellation in which case you will receive a full refund of all monies you have paid to us, excluding credit card charges, which are paid to the credit card company as part of your transaction fee. 
Please note, the above options are not available where any change made is a minor one. 
Minor change: Examples include a change from one port of call to another;

A change from a day’s port of call to a day’s sailing; a change in timings for any port(s) of call but the ship still calls at all confirmed ports; a change in order of ports or change to ports of call that are visited and a change in the time of your departure that is less than 24 hours.

Very rarely, we may be forced by "force majeure" (see clause 5.10) to change or terminate your holiday after departure but before the scheduled end of your time away. This is extremely unlikely but if this situation does occur, we regret we will be unable to make any refunds (unless we obtain any refunds from our suppliers), pay you any compensation or meet any costs or expenses you incur as a result. 
5.6 Can you refuse to allow me to travel?

If in the reasonable opinion of the ship’s Master or doctor, you are or appear to be unfit to travel for any reason or a risk or danger to yourself or a danger to others or behave in such a way as to cause or likely to cause danger, upset or distress to any third party or danger to property, the cruise line is entitled without prior notice to refuse to allow you to travel on any ship and to terminate your cruise holiday at any time. You may then be left at any port or place at which the ship calls without our incurring any liability. You will have to pay any costs, expenses or losses suffered as a result, and we will not pay any compensation or give you any refund. Once your holiday has been terminated in this manner, we will not have any further responsibility towards you.

To ensure a healthy sailing, the cruise line may also request that guests who arrive at check in and are showing symptoms of gastrointestinal type illness or other illnesses that spread easily from person to person, may be asked following consultation with medical staff to reschedule their cruise.

The same right to refuse to allow you to travel or to use any services applies where you are or appear to be unfit to travel or otherwise behave badly as set out above during any other part of your holiday.

If you have failed to give proper notice of any assistance or needs you require in accordance with clause 5.2 and in accordance with EU Regulation 1177/2010 we reserve the right to refuse to allow you to travel. Please also see clause 1.3.

5.7 What is your liability towards guests?
(1) Subject to clause 5.8 below we promise to make sure that the holiday arrangements we have agreed to make, perform or provide as applicable as part of our contract with you are made, performed or provided with reasonable skill and care. This means that, subject to these booking conditions, we will accept responsibility if, for example, you suffer death or personal injury or your contracted holiday arrangements are not provided as promised or prove deficient as a result of the failure of ourselves, our employees, agents or suppliers to use reasonable skill and care in making, performing or providing, as applicable, your contracted holiday arrangements. Please note it is your responsibility to show that reasonable skill and care has not been used if you wish to make a claim against us. In addition, we will only be responsible for what our employees, agents and suppliers do or do not do if they were at the time acting within the course of their employment (for employees) or carrying out work we had asked them to do (for agents and suppliers).

(2) We will not be responsible for any injury, illness, death, loss (for example loss of enjoyment), damage, expense, cost or other sum or claim of any description whatsoever which results from any of the following:

• the act(s) and/or omission(s) of the person(s) affected or any member(s) of their party or
• the act(s) and/or omission(s) of a third party not connected with the provision of your holiday and which were unforeseeable or unavoidable or
• 'force majeure' as defined in clause 5.10 below

Please note, we cannot accept any liability for any damage, loss, expense or other sum(s) of any description (1) which on the basis of the information given to us by you concerning your booking prior to our accepting it, we could not have foreseen you would suffer or incur if we breached our contract with you or (2) which did not result from any breach of contract or other fault by ourselves or our employees or, where we are responsible for them, our suppliers.

Additionally we cannot accept liability for any business losses.

Please note, we cannot accept responsibility for any services, which do not form part of our contract. This includes, for example, any additional services or facilities, which your hotel or any other supplier agrees to provide for you where the services or facilities are not advertised by us, and we have not agreed to arrange them. In addition, regardless of any wording used by us on our website, in any of our brochures or elsewhere, we only promise to use reasonable skill and care as set out above and we do not have any greater or different liability to you. For shore excursions, please refer to section 4.5. Shore excursions do not form any part of your contract with us even where we suggest particular operators/centres and/or assist you in booking such activities in any way. Accordingly, we cannot accept any liability in relation to such activities.

The promises we make to you about the services we have agreed to provide or arrange as part of our contract - and the laws and regulations of the country in which your claim or complaint occurred - will be used as the basis for deciding whether the services in question had been properly provided. If the particular services which gave rise to the claim or complaint complied with local laws and regulations applicable to those services at the time, the services will be treated as having been properly provided. This will be the case even if the services did not comply with the laws and regulations of the Republic of Ireland which would have applied had those services been provided in the Republic of Ireland. The exception to this is where the claim or complaint concerns the absence of a safety feature, which might lead a reasonable holidaymaker to refuse to take the holiday in question.

5.8 What is your limit of liability towards guests?
The provisions of the Convention relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their luggage by Sea 1974 (“The Athens Convention”) apply to your cruise as well as the process of getting on and/or off the ship. For any claim involving death or personal injury or delay of or loss of or damage to luggage the only liability we have to you is in accordance with The Athens Convention. This means you are not entitled to make any claim against us which is not expressly permitted by The Athens Convention or which is in excess of the limits provided by The Athens Convention. Any claims covered under The Athens Convention must be made within the time limits set out in The Athens Convention. The Athens Convention limits the maximum amount we as the carrier have to pay if found liable in the event of death or personal injury and for claims concerning luggage and valuables. Where any claim or part of a claim (including those involving death or personal injury) concerns or is based on any travel arrangements (including the process of getting on and/or off the transport concerned) provided by any air, rail or road carrier or any stay in a hotel, the maximum amount of compensation we will have to pay you will be limited. The most we will have to pay you for that claim or that part of a claim if we are found liable to you on any basis is, except as otherwise expressly set out in the Booking Conditions, the most the carrier or hotel keeper concerned would have to pay under the International Convention or Regulation which applies to the travel arrangements or hotel stay in question (for example, the Warsaw Convention as amended or unamended and the Montreal Convention for international travel by air and/or for airlines with an operating licence granted by an EU country, the EC Regulation on Air Carrier Liability No 889/2002 for national and international travel by air). Please note: Where a carrier or hotel would not be obliged to make any payment to you under the applicable International Convention or Regulation in respect of a claim or part of a claim, we similarly are not obliged to make a payment to you for that claim or part of the claim. When making any payment, we are entitled to deduct any money which you have received or are entitled to receive from the transport provider or hotelier for the complaint or claim in question. Copies of the applicable International Conventions and Regulations are available from us on request. If you have booked a cruise together with an international flight or regional flight transfer from us – please also see clause 3.4.

5.9 What if I have a complaint?
In the unlikely event you have a reason to complain whilst away, you must immediately notify the Guest Relations Desk onboard ship and the supplier of the service(s) in question. This is to ensure that we are given the opportunity to address and to attempt to resolve any issue you raise immediately. Any verbal complaint must be put in writing and given to the supplier and us as soon as possible. If a problem cannot be resolved to your satisfaction and you wish to follow this up you must write to us on your return to the address below. You must give your booking reference number and full details of your complaint within 28 days of your return from holiday unless a different time limit applies to your claim – see clause 2.1. 2.3, 2.4 and 5.8. We will only accept complaints from the lead name of a booking. If your complaint is written on behalf of other members of your travelling party, their full names and booking reference numbers must be clearly stated in the correspondence together with their authority for you to handle the complaint on their behalf. If you fail to follow this simple complaints procedure, your right to claim the compensation you may otherwise have been entitled to may be affected or even lost as a result.

If your complaint cannot be resolved to your satisfaction, you may go to Court. We both agree that any dispute, claim or other matter arising out of or in connection with your contract or your holiday with us will only be dealt with by the Courts of Ireland. The contract between us is governed by Irish law.

We can only pay you compensation if the following conditions are met:

• If asked to do so, the person(s) affected must transfer to us any rights they have against the supplier or whoever else is responsible for your claim and complaint.
• The person(s) affected must agree to cooperate fully with us and our insurers if we or our insurers want to enforce any rights transferred to us.

Customer Relations Department, Falcon Court, 209-213 Broadway, Salford, M50 2UE, England. Tel: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX. 
Email: customer.services@cruise1st.ie

Anne Dolan & Co., 8 Leicester Avenue, Rathgar, Dublin 6 is our nominated agent for the service of proceedings for the purposes of the Package Holiday and Travel Trade Act 1995.

5.10 What about circumstances which are outside your control?
Except where we specifically say otherwise in these terms and conditions, we cannot accept any liability or pay any compensation where your holiday and/or any other services we have promised to arrange or provide cannot be provided at all, or as promised or you otherwise suffer any damage or loss (as more fully described in clause 5.7 above) as a result of circumstances which are outside our control (‘force majeure’). When we talk about circumstances which are outside our control, we mean any event which we or the supplier of the service in question could not have predicted or avoided even after taking all reasonable care. Such events are likely to include war or threat of war, acts of terrorism or threats of such acts, riots or civil unrest, industrial action, natural, volcanic or nuclear disaster, fire, adverse weather conditions, health risks, epidemics and mechanical difficulties (which we could not have anticipated or avoided despite our normal comprehensive mechanical checks) and all similar circumstances which are outside our control.

5.11 Brochure validity
You must ensure that you are using an up-to-date brochure for the cruise line you require when you book your holiday. We cannot accept any liability whatsoever for any mistakes and/or any incorrect/inaccurate information which results from the use of an out of date brochure.

5.12 What other conditions apply to my holiday?
Airlines, hotels, lodges, rental companies and our other suppliers have their own conditions, which will apply to your holiday. Some of these conditions may limit or exclude the airline’s or other supplier’s liability to you, often in accordance with International Conventions. Copies of the relevant parts of these conditions are available upon request.

5.13 Price and brochure accuracy
Our pricing and details of holidays are constantly evolving. At the time of printing, all those listed are correct. Please note: The information and prices shown in any medium (web, print, press or TV etc) may have changed by the time you come to book your holiday. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the prices at the time of sign off, regrettably errors do occasionally occur. You must therefore ensure that you check all details of your chosen holiday with us at the time of booking.

5.14 Common/Interest Groups
From time to time we may have various common interest groups onboard attending for example conventions, conferences, seminars, training courses, competitions, tournaments or specialty holidays such as cookery and dancing courses. These groups may take place on the dates when you are sailing with us. While we envisage that this will not affect the overall normal day-to-day operation of the ship, there may be occasions when certain facilities are unavailable to you whilst these groups are on board.

5.15 Travel Agency Licence
Sunshine Cruise Holidays ltd, trading as Cruise1st.ie is licenced and fully bonded as a travel agent by the Commission for Aviation Regulation, Licence No.T.A.0715 This means that if you purchase a flight inclusive cruise holiday (where flights are arranged by us and depart out of Ireland), in the unlikely event of our insolvency, the Commission for Aviation Regulation in Ireland will ensure that you are not left stranded abroad and will arrange to refund any money you have paid to us for an advance booking. You will receive a confirmation invoice from us. For further information visit the Commission for Aviation website at www.aviationreg.ie.

PRIVACY STATEMENT 
For the purposes of the Data Protection Act 1998 and any associated legislation, Cruise1st, is a data controller. In order to process your booking, we need to collect certain personal details from you. These details will include, where applicable, the names and addresses of party members, credit/debit card or other payment details and special requirements; such as those relating to any disability or medical condition, which may affect the chosen holiday arrangements, and any dietary restrictions which may disclose your religious beliefs. We may also need to collect other personal details such as your nationality, citizenship, gender and passport details in addition to the details mentioned above. If we need any other personal details, we will inform you before we obtain them from you.

We need to pass on your personal details to the companies and organisations that need to know them so that your holiday can be provided (for example your airline, hotel, the ship operator, other supplier, credit/debit card company or bank). We may also be required, either by law or by applicable third parties (such as Immigration Authorities) to disclose your details for various reasons; for example in the interests of protecting national security.

However, such disclosures will only be made if permitted by the UK Data Protection Act1998 and any associated legislation. Such companies, organisations and third parties may be outside the European Union, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein if your holiday is to take place or to involve suppliers outside these countries.

We would also like to store and use your personal details for future marketing purposes, (for example sending you a brochure or details of a promotion). All details you give us in connection with your booking (including those relating to any disability or medical condition or your religious beliefs) will be kept confidential. However, we will use only names and contact details for marketing purposes. You can write to the Marketing Department at Cruise1st if you do not wish to receive marketing and promotional material from us.

Occasionally, we may sell clients’ names and addresses to other companies or organisations that offer goods or services, which we feel, may interest you. If you do not want us to do any and/or all of these things, please let us know as soon as possible. We are entitled to assume you do not object to our doing any of the things mentioned in this statement unless you tell us otherwise in writing.

Except where expressly permitted by the Data Protection Act 1998 and any associated legislation, we will only deal with the personal details you give us as set out above unless you agree otherwise. We have appropriate security measures in place to protect this information. You are generally entitled to ask us (by letter or e-mail) what details of yours are being held or processed, for what purpose and to whom they may be or have been disclosed. We are entitled to charge a fee to respond to such a request (presently a maximum of €10). We promise to respond to your request within 40 days of receiving your written request and fee. In certain limited circumstances, we are entitled to refuse your request. If you believe that any of your personal details, which we are processing, are inaccurate or incorrect please contact us immediately. Enquiries should be addressed to Customer Relations Department , Cruise1st, Falcon Court, 209-213 Broadway, Salford, Manchester, M50 2UE, England.

Email: customer.services@cruise1st.ie

At Cruise1st, we pride ourselves on the quality of our staff. We are committed to ongoing training, a part of which sometimes involves the recording of telephone calls.

© 2011 Sunshine Cruise Holidays Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

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