2025 Galápagos Expedition Cruise

2025 Galápagos Expedition Cruises – Terms & Conditions

Thank you for choosing Brand g for your vacation. To ensure that you understand the conditions of your particular vacation, please read the following policies and procedures completely. All policies and procedures are subject to change at any time at Brand g’s sole discretion without notice. Terms and Conditions apply to all vessels under National Geographic Expeditions operation unless otherwise noted. Any and all information contained herein is in effect at the time of printing and is subject to change at any time.

Information contained in this document does not form part of any offer or contract. The transportation of guests and baggage on National Geographic Expeditions’ vessels is provided solely by National Geographic Expeditions and is governed by the terms and conditions printed on the Passage Contract. The Passage Contract will be included with your travel documents and contains complete and important information regarding cancellations, itineraries, National Geographic Expeditions’ liability, health and immigration requirements, and other relevant terms and conditions. The terms and conditions of the Passage Contract will apply to persons who have booked a cruise regardless of whether or not they have embarked the vessel. Please read your Passage Contract carefully. To the extent that any of the information in the brochure conflicts with the terms of the Passage Contract, the terms and conditions contained in the Passage Contract shall control.

Itinerary Modifications/Our Right to Cancel

We will make every reasonable effort to operate the Trips as advertised; however, we reserve the right to curtail or modify the itinerary, including but not limited to curtailment or modification of Activities, hotels, meals, transportation, and Experts, as we deem necessary. Please also note that during certain holidays and peak periods or due to repairs or renovations, some Activities may be disrupted or unavailable. Deviations from planned Trip itineraries or any aspects of the travel may occur. If conditions make river cruise routes unsafe for navigation or in other respects, or raise sufficient doubt about safety, we reserve the right to modify or provide alternate services, which may include, but are not limited to, providing accommodation on the docked ship or on land and/or substituting ground arrangements for river cruise transportation. We further reserve the right to reduce the number of Experts, and to modify other services to accommodate a smaller group, if a minimum number of guests is not reached. Similarly, the stated group maximum size may be marginally exceeded if necessary to accommodate a family. None of these modifications or changes shall affect the Trip price or entitle you to any credit or refund.

We shall also have the right, in our sole and absolute discretion to cancel or modify a reservation in whole or in part, at any time if the reservation includes or was made as the result of a mistake or error of any kind, including, but not limited to, a mistake or error in price or description of the Trip or Activity, or where it appears that a Guest has engaged in fraudulent or misleading activity in making the reservation, or due to prior disputed or suspected fraudulent payment transactions. If a reservation is canceled by us, in cases where we have received a valid and confirmed payment, we will provide a refund, and shall have no responsibility beyond the refund of monies paid to us related to the cancelation by us.

We reserve the right to cancel any Trip or Activity because of inadequate enrollment that makes the Trip or Activity economically infeasible to operate or because of good-faith concerns with respect to the safety, health, or welfare of the Guests. If we cancel a Trip prior to departure, the Guest will be provided with a full refund of monies paid to us; except in the event that the cancelation is due to a significant event that makes it infeasible to operate the Trip as planned, in which case the Guest will be provided with a refund and/or credit toward a future Trip equivalent to the amount paid.

If a Guest elects to leave a Trip in progress of their own volition, the Guest will not receive any type of refund. If we cancel the Trip in progress and the Guest elects not to immediately return to his/her original point of departure for the Trip, or if the Guest elects to leave a Trip in progress of their own volition, the Guest acknowledges and agrees that: (i) the Guest shall be solely responsible for Guest’s travel plans once Guest departs the Trip; (ii) we shall have no responsibility for or control over the Guest’s safety or activities once the Guest departs the Trip; and (iii) the Guest will be solely responsible for any and all costs that may arise out of the Guest’s decision to not return to the original point of departure from the Trip in progress. Except as outlined above when we cancel a Trip, you will have full responsibility for any expenses, including any non-refundable expenses, incurred by you in preparing for a canceled Trip or for any additional arrangements should you embark prior to the scheduled group departure date.

Deposit/Final Payment

To reserve your vacation, a $2,000 per person deposit is required at the time of booking. A second payment of $4,000 is due on September 4, 2024 and full payment is due no later than 120 days prior to departure. Guests will not be permitted to change travel agents once final payment has been received. Final documentation will be issued after receipt of final payment and approximately 30 days prior to sailing. All reservations are subject to cancellation if payments are not received by the due date, and are guaranteed only when paid in full 120 days prior to sailing. Reservations made within 120 days of sailing require full payment within seven days of booking or sooner, as specified by Brand g Vacations. Payments may be made by AMEX/ VISA®/ MasterCard® or DISCOVER®.

Cancellations/Refunds

Should you find it necessary to cancel your reservation or any component thereof, you or your travel professional are required to contact Brand g Vacations directly by telephone as well as submit your cancellation in writing. Refunds are subject to the schedule below regardless of suite/cabin resale and cancellation charges may not be converted to future cruise credits.

Cancellation Charges:

Any tickets issued must be returned to Brand g Vacations before refunds (if owed) can be processed.

Health and Medical Requirements

All guests are required to report in writing to Brand g Vacations at the time their reservation is made:

1. Any physical or mental condition that may require medical or professional treatment or attention during the voyage
2. Any condition that may render the guest unfit for travel, or that may require special care or assistance
3. Any condition that may pose a risk or danger to the guest or anyone else on board the ship
4. Any condition that may require oxygen for medical reasons
5. Any intention or need to use a wheelchair cart, other mobility device

Brand g Vacations and National Geographic Expeditions reasonably accommodates travelers with disabilities on all of its trips, but not all trips may be suitable for all travelers. Any physical condition, diet, or treatment requiring special attention must be reported in writing when the reservation is made. Walking and climbing stairs are required in many hotels and airports to board an aircraft and for many excursions. If the participant requires a slower pace, extra assistance, or the use of a cane or walking stick, arrangements may be made for private touring at each destination, if necessary, at the discretion of the Expedition staff. Depending upon the nature of the arrangements, extra costs for such arrangements may be the responsibility of the participant. If the participant would like to forgo some of the scheduled sightseeing to rejuvenate and relax, he/she may feel free to do so at any time. Brand g Vacations and National Geographic Expeditions encourages participants to consult a doctor for specific medical advice about any activities or destinations.

Baggage

You may bring aboard the ship a reasonable amount of clothing and personal effects without charge. Baggage must be handled in accordance with regulations of our ground operators. Baggage exceeding these limitations is subject to the charges as set forth by the individual operators. Airlines are strict with baggage limitations. Guests are encouraged to contact individual airlines for weight limitations.

All baggage must be securely packed, and properly and clearly labeled. Liquid, fragile, perishable and other articles not suitably packed are transported at your own risk. Brand g Vacations are not responsible for loss or damage to baggage or any other personal item during air travel or land extension programs.

Baggage and personal belongings will be taken off the ship upon guest disembarkation. Under no circumstances will baggage be stored onboard without the owner of such baggage being on the vessel. Brand g Vacations is not responsible for baggage stored in shore side facilities.

Under no circumstances may dangerous items (including but not limited to: explosives, firearms, combustible or illegal substances) be taken aboard the ship. We recommend that you hand-carry travel documents (passport, visa, cruise tickets), medications and valuables. These items are the full responsibility of the guest at all times. Brand g Vacations nor National Geographic Expeditions shall not be responsible for the loss of, or damage to, such personal items.

Assumption of Risk

By registering for an Expedition, the participant acknowledges that he/she is aware that travel such as the Expedition he/she is undertaking involves potentially dangerous activities, some in remote areas of the world, with a risk of illness (including infectious diseases), injury or death which may be caused by forces of nature, illness, or by willful or criminal conduct of third parties or by terrorism. The participant further acknowledges that weather conditions may be severe, adverse and/or unpleasant and that medical services or facilities may not be readily available or accessible or consistent with standards in the United States during some or all of the time during which he/she is participating on the Expedition and that when available may not be of the quality which exists in the United States.

Travel Documents

Participants are solely responsible for obtaining any documents required for their participation in the Expedition such as a valid passport, all visas, vaccination certificates, and any other documents. Further, Participants are solely responsible for obtaining current travel advisories, warnings and requirements by contacting your travel agent, applicable embassies and consulates. Participants are strongly encouraged to visit the U.S. State Department’s website at http://travel.state.gov and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at http://www.cdc.gov. Non-U.S. residents please consult the appropriate consulates regarding passport, visa and other document requirements. All participants must have valid government-issued proof of citizenship to travel, in addition to any other requirements of the country of origin and countries visited. Those without proper documentation may be denied travel. In addition, participants may be denied entry to the countries visited if they do not meet the country’s entry requirements. Failure to obtain documents does not negate the terms and conditions, and any extra costs incurred for rerouting due to travel without the necessary documents will be the participant’s responsibility.

Taxes, Government Fees/Quasigovernment Fees and Fuel Supplements

Brand g Vacations’ reserves the right to pass through to its guests (including fully paid and deposited guests) any taxes and government fees/quasi-government fees that relate specifically to a guest’s itinerary. “Taxes and Government fees/quasi-government fees” include any and all fees, charges, surcharges, tolls and taxes imposed by governmental or quasi-governmental authorities including, but not limited to, customs fees, per person berth taxes or fees, embarkation and/or disembarkation fees at ports, airline transportation fees, dockage fees, and wharfage fees.

Brand g Vacations  reserves the right to charge a per person fuel supplement in the event that the price of increases up to and including the day of embarkation. Brand g Vacations may collect any taxes, government fees/ quasigovernment fees and fuel supplement (the “Surcharges”) at the time of booking, prior to sailing or on board the vessel, even if the cruise fare has been paid in full. Surcharges will be invoiced accordingly.

All fares, and itineraries are subject to change without notice. Additional restrictions may apply. Brand g Vacations reserve the right to correct any errors or omissions.

This document may contain inadvertent technical or factual inaccuracies and typographical errors. Brand g Vacations reserves the right to correct errors and omissions at any time without prior notice, and to cancel any offered product, service, amenity, etc. in the event of any error or omission in the description, including pricing and availability.

Video / Photographic Release

You agree to participate in promotional, publicity, or merchandising pictures during this event. You hereby authorize the reproduction, sale, copyright, broadcast and /or distribution of said video, sound recording and pictures without limitations. You further agree and release Brand g, its parent, subsidiary companies, their representatives and agents from any liability, loss, expense or claims arising from distribution, broadcast, sale or use of your likeness or voice. You certify that you are 21 years of age or over. You may opt out of any promotional videos and pictures; however, Brand g does not guarantee that you will not be included.