Responsibility
National Geographic Society will provide educational enrichment for National Geographic Expeditions as outlined in this catalog as a sponsoring organization and has selected qualified professional tour operators to organize and administer National Geographic Expeditions. The designated tour operator(s), in turn, acts only as agent for any transportation carrier, hotel, ground operator, or other suppliers of services connected with these tours ("other providers"), and the other providers are solely responsible and liable for providing their respective services. The passenger tickets in use by the carriers shall constitute the sole contract between the carriers and the passenger; the carriers are not responsible for any act, omission, or event during the time participants are not aboard their conveyances.
National Geographic Society and its designated tour operator and tour administrator shall not be held liable for (A) any damage to, or loss of, property or injury to, or death of, persons occasioned directly or indirectly by an act or omission of any other provider, including but not limited to any defect in any aircraft, watercraft, or vehicle operated or provided by such other provider, and (B) any loss or damage due to delay, cancellation, or disruption in any manner caused by the laws, regulations, acts or failures to act, demands, orders, or interpositions of any government or any subdivision or agent, thereof, or by acts of God, strikes, fire, flood, war, rebellion, terrorism, insurrection, sickness, quarantine, epidemics, theft, or any other cause(s) beyond their control. The participant waives any claim against the National Geographic Society and/or its designated tour operator and tour administrator for any such loss, damage, injury, or death.
By registering for the National Geographic Expedition, the participant certifies that he/she does not have any mental, physical, or other condition or disability that would create a hazard for him/herself or other participants. The National Geographic Society and its designated tour operator reserve the right in their sole discretion to accept, decline to accept, or remove any participant on a National Geographic Expedition. National Geographic Society and the tour operator reserve the right, without penalty, to make changes in the published itinerary whenever, in their judgment, conditions warrant, or if they deem it necessary for the comfort, convenience, or safety of participants.
Neither the National Geographic Society, its designated tour operator, nor its tour administrator shall be liable for any air carrier's cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a nonrefundable ticket to or from the participant's National Geographic Expedition departure city. Baggage and personal effects are at all times the sole responsibility of the participant.
Terms and Conditions
Separate Terms and Conditions apply to the Private Jet programs and will be provided with the special reservation form.
1. Basis of Rates:
All prices are based on two persons sharing a room or cabin. All prices and fares are quoted in U.S. dollars. The rates are based on current tariffs and are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. While we will do everything possible to maintain the listed prices, if it is necessary to levy a surcharge we reserve the right to do so and notification will be given at the time of final invoicing.
2. Eligibility:
Participation in a National Geographic Expedition is a benefit of membership in the National Geographic Society. Membership dues are $34. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the entire journey. For family expeditions, children must be the minimum age indicated in the trip itinerary. Otherwise, there are no age restrictions, but all participants must be in good health.
3. Expedition Cost Includes:
Accommodations and meals as indicated in the itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner); educational materials; pre-departure information; entrance fees, excursions, and sight-seeing noted as included in the itinerary; all gratuities except those for train or ship's crew, unless otherwise noted on the itinerary page; ground transportation during expedition; transfers to and from group flights where applicable; services of National Geographic experts, lecturers, guides, expedition manager, and any other staff; taxes, port charges, baggage handling, and service charges. Please note: For international trips, "B, L, D" notations only apply to the time period after arrival on international flights at the starting point of the trip and prior to departure on international fights at the ending point of the trip. Internal airfare is included on some international expeditions, as indicated in the itinerary.
4. Not Included:
Air transportation and related fees (except as indicated in the itinerary); excursions noted as optional in the itinerary; gratuities for train or ship's crew, unless otherwise noted on the itinerary page; passport and visa expenses; baggage/accident/cancellation insurance; personal expenses, such as laundry, telephone calls, alcoholic beverages; and any other items not specifically noted as included.
5. Single/Shared Accommodations:
A limited number of single rooms/cabins are available at extra cost on a first-come, first-served basis. We will assist persons requesting a roommate. However, neither a single room nor a share can be guaranteed. Participants will be notified if a suitable roommate is not available. In this case, the single rate will be charged.
6. Deposits, Cancellations, and Refunds:
A deposit of $500 per person per trip is required to reserve space on a National Geographic Expedition. (Deposit for the private jet program is $2,500 per person.) Final payment is due no later than 60 days prior to departure. Payments must be made by credit card. National Geographic reserves the right to cancel a reservation if full payment has not been received by 60 days prior to departure. For reservations made within 60 days of the departure date, full payment is required when the reservation is accepted. All cancellation notices must be received in writing and will become effective as of the date of the postmark. If you cancel 120 days or more prior to departure, a refund less an administrative fee of 50% of your deposit will be made. Per person charges for cancellations that occur less than 120 days prior to departure are as follows: 119-61 days prior to departure: $500 (deposit); 60-45 days prior to departure: 50% of the expedition cost; 44 or fewer days prior to departure: 100% of the expedition cost. This policy also applies to pre- and post-trip extensions. Any airline tickets issued are subject to the carrier's refund policy.
Leaving an expedition in progress, for any reason whatsoever, will not result in a refund, and no refunds will be made for any unused portions of an expedition. National Geographic reserves the right to cancel any trip because of inadequate enrollment that makes the trip economically unfeasible to operate or because of good-faith concerns with respect to the safety, health, or welfare of the participants. If National Geographic or its designated tour operator cancels an expedition prior to departure, you will receive a full refund of monies paid to National Geographic or its designated tour operator. If we cancel the trip in progress, you will receive a prorated refund based on the number of days not completed on the expedition. We will not be responsible for any refund for nonrefundable airline tickets or for any airline tickets purchased by the passenger directly from an airline or travel agent.
Trip cancellation insurance is available at an additional cost, and is strongly recommended and advised.
7. Itinerary Changes:
The itineraries and staff presented in this catalog are subject to modification and change by the National Geographic Society or its designated tour operator. Every reasonable effort will be made to operate programs as planned, but alterations may still occur after final itineraries are sent.
8. Health Requirements:
You must be in good physical and mental health. Any physical condition requiring special attention, diet, or treatment must be reported in writing when the reservation is made. National Geographic Society and its designated tour operator reserve the right to decline to accept any person as a member of an expedition or to require any traveler to withdraw from an expedition anytime when such action is determined to be in the best interest of the health, safety, and general welfare of the expedition group or individual expedition member.
9. Photography:
We reserve the right to take photographs or videos during the operation of any expedition or part thereof, and to use the resulting photography for promotional purposes. By booking a reservation with National Geographic Expeditions, participants agree to allow their images to be used in such photography; participants who prefer that their image not be used are asked to identify themselves to their expedition manager at the commencement of their trip.
10. Other:
Additional Terms and Conditions may apply to some expeditions and will be provided with pre-trip mailings.
By registering for a National Geographic Expedition, the participant agrees to the Responsibility statement and the Terms and Conditions herein.
Group Discount: Beginning in 2006, for any party of eight people or more traveling on an expedition (excluding private air/jet trips and photography workshops), you will each receive 5% off the expedition cost. A variation on the payment and cancellation policy will apply. Please ask upon making your reservation.
Combining Offers: You may combine up to two applicable saving offers at one time.
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