Holland America Line 2009 Terms & Conditions
Deposit
In order to reserve a cabin, the full deposit amount must be received prior to the expiry date and time of the option as shown. The amount includes a Holland America Line administration fee of A$110 per person. If a deposit (including any Cancellation Protection Plan if required) is not received by the due time / date, the booking will automatically cancel.
Finals
Final payment is due at 76, 91 or 121 days depending on destination/length of cruise. Refer to the below cancellation penalties to determine when final balance will be due.
Fare changes
Once booked, your fare is only subject to any increased taxes, which will be added to the fare or to your on board account. Sometimes we will release special fares. These can be offered and withdrawn at any time. If you decide to change to one of these fares, you will need to cancel your existing booking and our cancellation policy will apply.
CPP
CPP (the Cancellation Protection Plan) allows you to cancel for any reason up to 24 hours prior to the cruise departure and receive a refund equal to 80% of the applicable cancellation fee. In addition Holland America Line assumes US$500 of liability for lost, damaged or delayed baggage subject to the limitations of the baggage policy. While CPP is optional it must be booked and paid for at the time of deposit, and is non-refundable. The CPP is not travel insurance and Holland America Line advises passengers to seek additional travel insurance. The price of CPP varies between destinations and sailings.
Cancellations
In the event of a cancellation Holland America Line will deduct A$110 per person administration fee paid with the deposit, from the final balance. Please note: This fee is charged regardless of whether or not CPP is purchased. In addition Holland America Line will apply the cancellation fees shown below for guests who cancel for any reason, including medical or family related reasons. Parameters for penalties vary dependant upon below categories
Non Refundable Fares:
Category 1 - 76 days*
76 – 0 days prior to travel - 100% of Gross Fare
* Applies to Alaska, Hawaii, Canada / New England, Caribbean & Mexico, Europe Cruises 11-30 days, excluding all Prinsendam European Cruises, Panama Canal. NB: Holidays sailings will fall into category 2
Category 2 - 91 days*
90 – 0 days prior to travel - 100% of Gross Fare
* Applies to South America; Australia / New Zealand; Australasia, Statendam Inca Cruise 27 days (including sectors),
Prinsendam European Cruises, Rotterdam Pan-America & Panama Canal, all Holiday sailings
Category 3 - 121 days*
120 – 0 days prior to travel - 100% of Gross Fare
* Applies to Grand World Voyage and sectors, Panama Canal, Prinsendam Amazon Cruise 36 days (including sectors), Ryndam Hawaii Tahiti & Marquesas Islands, Maasdam Voyage of the Vikings including sectors
Refundable Fares:
Category 1 - 76 days*
76 – 57 days prior to travel - Loss of deposit
56 – 29 days prior to travel - 50% of Gross Fare
28 – 16 days prior to travel - 75% of Gross Fare
15 days or less prior to travel - 100% of Gross Fare
* Applies to Alaska, Hawaii, Canada / New England, Caribbean & Mexico, Europe Cruises 11-30 days, excluding all Prinsendam European Cruises, Panama Canal. NB: Holidays sailings will fall into category 2
Category 2 - 91 days*
90 – 64 days prior to travel - Loss of deposit
63 – 43 days prior to travel - 50% of Gross Fare
42 – 22 days prior to travel - 75% of Gross Fare
21 days or less prior to travel - 100% of Gross Fare
* Applies to South America; Australia / New Zealand; Australasia, Statendam Inca Cruise 27 days (including sectors),
Prinsendam European Cruises, Rotterdam Pan-America & Panama Canal, all Holiday sailings 2
Category 3 - 121 days*
120 – 91 days prior to travel - Loss of deposit
90 – 76 days prior to travel - 60% of Gross Fare
75 days or less prior to travel - 100% of Gross Fare
* Applies to Grand World Voyage and sectors, Panama Canal, Prinsendam Amazon Cruise 36 days (including sectors), Ryndam Hawaii Tahiti & Marquesas Islands, Maasdam Voyage of the Vikings including sectors
NB: Cancellation fees apply to the entire cruise booking, including cruise fare, non-discountable amounts (NDA’s). Holland America Air Fare Supplement (if applicable), transfer services, pre/post cruise vacations and tour packages.
Please note: * For services included in your booking that are not provided by Holland America, additional cancellation fees may be incurred. *Travel Professionals may impose their own cancellation fees.
Amendments
For any amendments to your travel arrangements after the due date for final payment, a fee will be charged per person. Amendment fees are not charged for stateroom upgrades, unless travel documents need to be reissued.
Dining
There are 2 sittings for dinner. Dinner times are 5:45pm & 8:00pm. For Alaska cruises, dinner times are 5:30pm & 7:30pm. You may request any sitting time, table size and with whom you wish to sit. Dining times will be requested or waitlisted at the time of booking. Table numbers and sizes are on a request basis only with the final assignment to be managed by the Maitre d on board. On most sailings, Holland America has introduced a new innovative dining concept, ‘As You Wish Dining’. This is not available on World Cruises or segments.
Documentation
Cruise documents are prepared in the USA and will be sent to you approximately 21 days prior to sailing. It is most important that all reservations be made in the full passport name of the passengers. If a name change is required after documents have been issued a fee of A$100 per person will be charged for a reissue. Holland America has introduced e-documents.
Passports / Visas / Immunisations
Holland America Line do not provide advice regarding passports and/or visas. However all guests are required to carry a passport usually valid for 6 months after disembarking the ship, and any necessary visas. Please contact your nearest consulate for the most up to date information regarding visas. As to immunisations, please check with a travel medicine specialist or local health department for specific recommendations and/or requirements. We recommend the use ofwww.smartraveller.gov.au for advice in these areas.
Hotel Service Charges
(Gratuities) The Hotel Service Charge is paid entirely to the Holland America staff to recognise the efforts of all the crew in every aspect to ensure the cruise meet the highest standards. Currently the additional charge is US$11* per guest per day which is automatically add to each guest’s shipboard account. If the service exceeds or fails to meet the expectation, you can adjust this amount at the end of the cruise on settlement of the account. A 15%* service charge is automatically added to bar charges and dining room wine purchases. *Charges correct as of 4 November 2008, and are subject to change without prior notice.
Guarantee Staterooms
When booking a GUARANTEED (GUAR) stateroom, guests are guaranteed the best cabin available within the category booked. For example, passengers booking a guarantee oceanview stateroom are guaranteed a cabin with an ocean view. The cabin may be located on any passenger deck of the ship, but you will be guaranteed AT LEAST the category for which you paid, or the best available BETTER cabin on a better deck or higher category. You will receive your cabin assignment when you check in for your cruise. Please note that oceanview cabins may be obstructed.
Cruise Fares
Travelling with Holland America Line is one of the best vacation values around. The cruise fare includes accommodations aboard an elegant Holland America cruise ship, most meals and entertainment on board the ship. Not included, however, are items of a personal nature or optional programs or optional activities, such as alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, laundry and dry cleaning (some exceptions apply), shore excursions, ground transfers, medical, barber and beauty shop services. A modest service charge applies to meals at any specialty restaurant.
Check-In Procedures:
U.S. government security regulations require Holland America Line to submit certain guest information to law enforcement authorities in advance to departure. To meet this requirement, Holland America Line must have the necessary information in their records at least 2 hours before departure. If they do not have your information by this deadline, guests will be unable to sail. Guests are urged to complete the Online Check-in process before leaving home. Guests who wait to check in at the terminal will risk being unable to sail even if they arrive at the terminal before the vessel leaves. Guests will be responsible for all costs incurred to join the vessel at the next port.
