Release of Liability, Assumption of Risk and Binding Arbitration Agreement
Responsibility: Passage Journeys LLC, the sponsoring associations/organizations, and its and their employees, shareholders, subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors or trustees, successors, and assigns (collectively “Passage Journeys”), do not own or operate any entity which provides goods or services for your program including, for example, lodging, airline, vessel, or other transportation companies, guides, ground operators, providers or organizers of excursions, food service or entertainment, etc. All such persons and entities are independent contractors. As a result, Passage Journeys is not liable for any act, failure to act, financial failure or other defaults of any such person, entity, supplier or any other third party.
In addition and without limitation, Passage Journeys is not responsible for any injury, financial or other loss, death, inconvenience, delay, or damage to person or property in connection with the provision of any goods or services whether resulting from, but not limited to, acts of God, force majeure, acts of governments, denial or delay of entry into any country, acts of war or civil unrest, strikes or other labor activities, criminal or terrorist activities of any kind or the threat thereof, sickness, illness, epidemics or the threat thereof, the lack of availability of or access to medical attention or the quality thereof, overbooking or downgrading of accommodations, mechanical or other failure of any means of transportation, or for any failure to arrive or depart timely or safely. Further, I release Passage Journeys from its own negligence and assume all risk thereof.
If due to weather, flight schedules or other uncontrollable factors, you are required to spend an additional night(s), you will be responsible for your own hotel, transfers and meal costs. Baggage is entirely at owner’s risk. The right is reserved to decline to accept as a program participant, or remove from a program, without refund, any person Passage Journeys judges to be incapable of meeting the rigors and requirements of participating in the activities, or who is abusive to other program participants, leaders or third parties, or who Passage Journeys determines to detract from the enjoyment of the program by others. Specific room/cabin assignments are within the sole discretion of the hotel or cruise line.
Passage Journeys reserves the right to change the itinerary or program features at any time and for any reason, with or without notice. Ship schedules, port calls, hours of arrival and departure, sightseeing events, special programs and guest lecture series are subject to change or cancellation. Passage Journeys reserves the right to substitute motorcoach transportation using hotels, inns or lodges for cruise accommodations if necessary due to weather, water levels, other events of force majeure, mechanical or conditions beyond the control of Passage Journeys. Passage Journeys is not responsible therefore and is not required to compensate passengers under these circumstances. Passage Journeys may cancel or postpone a program for any reason whatsoever. If so, for cancellations based upon acts of God, force majeure, acts of governments, epidemics or threat thereof, terrorism or threat thereof, strikes or labor disturbances, demonstrations, civil unrest, criminal activity, supplier default or similar circumstances, its sole obligation is to issue credits in the amount of moneys paid to Passage Journeys to the extent its suppliers are crediting Passage Journeys with those monies paid by Passage Journeys to them. Under no circumstances is Passage Journeys obligated to refund the cost of any purchased travel insurance. Passage Journeys is not required to cancel any program for any reason including without limitation, U.S. Dept. of State, Centers for Disease Control, World Health Organization or other Warnings or Advisories of any kind. Passage Journeys is not responsible for fees assessed by air carriers resulting from operational and/or itinerary changes, even if Passage Journeys makes the flight arrangements or cancels the program. Passage Journeys reserves the right to substitute vessels, hotels or attractions of a similar category for those listed in the program brochure.
It is your responsibility to obtain and to have in your possession all the required documentation and identification required for entry, departure and travel to each country or region. This includes a valid passport and all travel documents required by the relevant governmental authorities including all visas, permits and certificates (including but not limited to vaccination or medical certificates) and insurance policies. You must have a passport that is valid 6 months after the last date of travel with Passage Journeys as set in your program itinerary. You accept full responsibility for obtaining all such documents, visas and permits prior to the start of the tour, and you are solely responsible for the full amount of costs incurred as a result of missing or defective documentation, and Passage Journeys shall have no liability in respect thereof.
Not Included: Taxes; passport, visas and associated fees; COVID-19 related expenses; personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, internet or any other expenses unless specifically described; accident/sickness, trip cancellation, and baggage insurance; gratuities to ship and hotel personnel; optional sightseeing excursions; baggage charges on aircraft; departure air/airport tax(es); airfare and associated taxes, airport facility/security/federal inspection fees not listed as included in the travel program; transfers and baggage handling to/from airport/hotel/ship on day(s) of arrival and/or departure if you are arriving and/or departing earlier or later than the scheduled group transfer(s); transfer and baggage handling to/from airport/ship/hotel on day(s) of arrival and/or departure if flight arrangements have not been reserved through Passage Journeys Air Department; any overnight on land due to flight schedule(s); meals, beverages and all other services not specifically mentioned as included in the travel program.
Airfare: Airfare is subject to change and availability and, depending on the fare basis, likely is nonrefundable. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between you and the airline, even if purchased through Passage Journeys.
Luggage: Luggage allowance policies are set by the airlines and may change without notice.
Physical and Mental Fitness: All programs require physical independence and mobility. Any physical or mental condition that may require special medical attention or physical assistance (for example, the need for a wheelchair) must be reported in writing when you make your reservation. Passage Journeys regrets that some itineraries cannot accommodate wheelchairs. Participants must be able to embark or disembark motorcoaches alone or with minimal assistance from your traveling companion and climb stairs and step over raised thresholds without assistance. Participants requiring assistance must travel with a companion who will be responsible for them. Passage Journeys shall have no liability in respect thereof. Passage Journeys expressly retains the right to decline, to not accept or to not retain any person as a member of a program who, in the opinion of Passage Journeys, is unfit for travel or whose physical or mental condition may constitute a danger to themselves or to others on the program. You are responsible for assessing whether a tour is suitable for you. You should consult your physician to confirm your fitness for travel and participation in any planned activities. You should seek your physician’s advice on vaccinations and medical precautions. Passage Journeys does not provide medical advice. It is your responsibility to assess the risks and requirements of each aspect of the program based on your own unique circumstances, limitations, fitness level and medical requirements, and Passage Journeys shall have no liability in respect thereof. Travel with Passage Journeys may involve visiting remote or developing regions, where medical care may not be easily accessible and medical facilities may not meet the standards of those found in your home country. The condition of medical facilities in the countries you may visit on your program varies and Passage Journeys makes no representations and gives no warranties in relation to availability or standard of medical facilities in those regions, and Passage Journeys shall have no liability in respect thereof.
Images, AV & Marketing: You agree that, while participating in any program, images, photos or videos may be taken by other participants, Passage Journeys or its representatives that may contain or feature you or your likeness. You consent to any such pictures being taken and grant a perpetual, royalty-free, worldwide, irrevocable license to Passage Journeys, its contractors, sub-contractors and assigns, to reproduce for any purpose whatsoever (including trainings, marketing, promotions and the creation of promotional materials by or with sub-licensees), in any medium whatsoever, whether currently known or hereinafter devised, without any further obligation or compensation payable to you.
Discounted Reservations: Discounts apply only to those reservations received in the offices of Passage Journeys in writing, accompanied by, at a minimum, the required deposit, by Early Booking Discount date indicated on the brochure. In the event a “discounted” reservation must be cancelled, no “replacement” reservation can be substituted at the discounted rate. A “replacement” reservation is a new reservation and can be substituted only at the full-fare tariff. Cancellation penalties may apply.
2027 Departures Payment & Cancellation Policy: All programs require a deposit of $2,000 per person.
Final payment is due at least 150 days prior to departure. All cancellations must be submitted in writing to Passage Journeys & Company. Cancellation fees and penalties apply as follows:
| Prior to Departure | Fee |
|---|---|
| > 150 days prior | $1000 USD per person admin fee after 7-day grace period from booking |
| 150-121 days prior | 25% of full invoice fare |
| 120-91 days prior | 50% of full invoice fare |
| 90-61 days prior | 75% of full invoice fare |
| 60-0 days prior | 100% full invoice fare |
All credit card processing fees are non-refundable. Cancellation fees and penalties, and any corresponding refund due, will be calculated accordingly.
Reservations made prior to 150 days before a tour's scheduled departure date may be canceled within 7 days following the reservation date for a full refund. Reservations made within 150 days prior to a tour's scheduled departure will not qualify for the grace period.
Purchases of optional excursions, pre- and/or post-tour extensions, additional hotel nights, private transfers or other trip options follow the same cancellation schedule as above. Air transportation purchases are subject only to penalties assessed by the airlines.
Travel Insurance: Passage Journeys strongly recommends that you purchase trip cancellation insurance. In the event that you must cancel your participation in a travel program, trip cancellation insurance may be the only source of reimbursement. Trip cancellation insurance is available through Passage Journeys, sponsoring associations/organizations, and/or others for comprehensive coverage as described in the specific policy documents.
Rates: Prices quoted are based on fares in effect at the time of publication and are subject to change at any time. On land and/or cruise programs, even after full payment, Passage Journeys reserves the right to pass through any increases in supplier costs, currency fluctuations or fuel or energy surcharges and all such increases are to be paid upon notice to the program participant, given the additional cost being charged by the vendor (e.g. Atlas Ocean Voyages). On programs which include Passage Journeys purchased air (which originates or returns to the United States), no increased air costs will be passed on after final payment except for subsequently imposed governmental tax increases. Payments made via credit card are subject to a 3% processing fee. This fee reflects the cost charged by our payment provider and will be added to the total booking price. The processing fee is non-refundable, including in the event of cancellation or refund. Passage Journeys reserves the right to correct errors or omissions and to change any and all fares, fees, promotions and surcharges at any time.
Registration: CA Seller of Travel #2154960, OH Seller of Travel #TA 0905, WA Seller of Travel #606 025 023.
Choice of law: This agreement and any issues regarding programs will be governed by substantive Illinois law.
Binding Arbitration: Any dispute concerning, relating or referring to this Agreement, the brochure or any other literature concerning the program, or the program itself, shall be resolved exclusively by binding arbitration pursuant to the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. Sections 1-16, either according to the then existing Commercial Rules of the American Arbitration Association (AAA) or pursuant to the Comprehensive Arbitration Rules & Procedures of the Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, Inc. (JAMS). Such proceedings will be governed by substantive (but not procedural) Illinois law and will take place in Chicago, IL. The arbitrator and not any federal, state, or local court or agency shall have exclusive authority to resolve any dispute relating to the interpretation, applicability, enforceability, conscionability, or formation of this contract, including but not limited to any claim that all or any part of this contract is void or voidable. Please understand that by agreeing to these terms and conditions, the participant and Passage Journeys are waiving the right to a trial by jury. Any arbitration commenced against Passage Journeys must be on behalf of only the signatory to this Agreement and his or her immediate family members who traveled with signatory, such as a spouse or child. Under no circumstances can participant be part of a class or other joint action.