Compagnie du PONANT, PONANT Group USA, LLC, and PONANT USA, LLC are hereinafter collectively referred to as 'PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP' or “PONANT” is the tour Operator/Organizer of this cruise and has invited members of The Great Courses Journeys to participate. Please carefully read this information as payment of a deposit represents your acceptance of the following Terms & Conditions, which constitute the sole, legally enforceable agreements between the passenger and PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP and the tour's sponsoring organization.  

RATES: The prices given at the time of booking are based on economic conditions know at the time of publication and are subject to change. These conditions are, amongst others, the cost of transport and fuel, relevant dues, and taxes for the proposed operation (port taxes, embarkation and disembarkation taxes, entrance costs to tourist sites), currency exchange rates relevant to the pricing of these programs. PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP reserves the right within the legal limits of applicable laws to vary the prices if necessary. All variation of the cost of transport, fuel, taxes, dues, and visa costs will be passed on within the voyage cost. Any change in fare cannot be imposed less than 60 days prior to the trip departure. PAYMENT SCHEDULE: To secure a booking, the guest is required to pay a 25% deposit of the tour fare. Final payment is due by 90 days prior to departure. Checks and credit cards via secure payment link are accepted. If final payment is not received by 90 days prior to departure, your space is subject to cancellation. If you are making a reservation within 90 days of the trip's departure, full payment will be required upon confirmation.  

CANCELLATION, MODIFICATION PENALTIES & REFUNDS: All cancellations must be submitted in writing to PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP. Any and all guests not reporting for departure or prevented from reporting for departure or waiving for any reason whatsoever the benefit of services included in the program cannot claim any refund. PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP shall not be required to refund any monies to any guests who must leave the cruise prematurely for any reason, nor shall PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP be held responsible for any costs, fees, damages or causes of action which result from the transportation expenses incurred by guest's early departure. For any deposited or fully paid booking, cancellation penalties will be assessed as noted below. These cancellation penalties are applicable on all services booked with PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP.  

• From confirmation of booking date up to 91 days prior to departure: 10% of deposit to be kept by PONANT  
• From 90 days prior to departure: 100% of full fare to be kept by PONANT  

THE GREAT COURSES JOURNEYS PROGRAM INCLUSIONS  

• Comprehensive cruise aboard a deluxe PONANT vessel  

• Any pre-nights listed in the itinerary  

• One PONANT Tour Director dedicated to The Great Courses Journeys from the start date of the program through the end date of the voyage/disembarkation.  

• Any pre-embarkation touring if applicable at the starting destination with transfer to pier for embarkation on the start date of the voyage.  

• One exclusive The Great Courses Journeys onboard hosted cocktail reception.  

• 2-3 onboard lectures given by The Great Courses Journeys Expert.  

• One included exclusively custom for The Great Courses Journeys shore excursion at each port of call led by expert local guides.  

• Captain’s gala dinners and cocktail receptions aboard ship  

• All meals aboard ship including early riser’s coffee & pastry, breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner  

• Open bar aboard ship excluding premium alcohol, including select wines with lunch and dinner  

• 24-hour complimentary room service  

• Comprehensive pre-departure materials  

• Unlimited Wi-Fi (as available via satellite)  

• Airport/Hotel/pier transfers and handling of luggage on official arrival & departure days  

• Port taxes and charges  

• Gratuities to shipboard personnel, porters, guides, and drivers on tours  

NOT INCLUDED  

• U.S. domestic or international airfare or other transportation from your home to the starting point of the trip and from the end point of the trip to your home Airport taxes  

• Passport and visa fees and/or immigration reciprocity taxes (if applicable), or excess baggage fees  

• Trip cancellation and baggage insurance; medical and repatriation insurance  

• Meals and beverages other than those specified above  

• Personal expenses (such as telephone, laundry service, hair salon services, a la carte spa treatments, premium alcohol, etc.)  

• Gratuities to drivers of transfers from/to airport  

• Transfers outside of official arrival/departure dates  

• Expenses you may incur resulting from delays due to bad weather, road conditions, sickness, government action, and flight delays  

• Expenses incurred in making individual travel arrangements in conjunction with the trip, any sightseeing not listed in the itinerary  

TRAVEL INSURANCE: Passengers shall be responsible for subscribing to cancellation/luggage/assistance repatriation/medical insurance(s). TGCJ may select a Trip Insurance provider and PONANT will offer that insurance to Participants as part of the regular booking process.  

AIR SERVICE: PONANT has partnered with Exito Travel to assist travelers in booking flights, including domestic and international air tickets. Information will be shared with booked guests in confirmation letters. Note there is a service fee for travelers to book flights through Exito Travel. Travelers will be told this upfront. Exito Travel is unable to assist with air reservations or upgrades using guest miles. There is a $50 - $75 service fee (depending on the airline selected and the number of guests ticketed). Please be aware that any traveler-requested changes made to confirmed and ticketed flights will incur a $100 service fee. Please note that Exito Travel is not able to confirm pre or post trip extensions, but if guests have confirmed these services with PONANT first, then Exito Travel will be able to book flight dates accordingly.  

ITINERARY: While every effort will be made to carry out the program as planned, the nature of travel is unpredictable, and we must be prepared for changes. PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP reserves the right to withdraw and/or cancel a sailing to make changes in the itinerary whenever, in its sole judgment, or in the judgment of the vessel owner or operator, conditions warrant it. Rest assured that, should any changes be needed, PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP commits to deliver an experience as outstanding as the one originally planned.  

ACCESSIBILITY & MOBILITY REQUIREMENTS In reserving a PONANT cruise passengers declare they are aware of the physical and medical demands that may be entailed by our excursions, particularly & non-exhaustively, stepping into and out of a tender (assisted by the crew on board) at certain ports of call where we are anchored and not docked in port. Passengers must be fit enough to both physically and psychologically stay for several days at sea in the closed environment of a cruise ship. Passengers must respect the captain’s and the crew’s orders in case of bad weather or any other incident while at sea or in port. PERSONS WITH REDUCED MOBILITY Report any physical conditions and dietary or treatment requirements to the PONANT and Sponsor in writing at the time of booking. PONANT will try to accommodate special needs where possible, but any extra costs associated with special accommodation is the responsibility of the passenger. For limited mobility, wheelchair users, or conditions requiring assistance, it is required to inform PONANT and Sponsor in writing as soon as possible, but at least within 30 days prior to departure, before the service starts. Despite these arrangements, each passenger should be able to be independent or travel with a close family member or friend who can give them whatever assistance they require during their trip. If a person has not been judged suitably fit for travel in complete safety, the company reserves the right to refuse their embarkation. Disembarkation in difficult places or in a tender is subject to the approval of the captain, who will always have the safety and wellbeing of the passenger in mind. Should a Sponsor passenger not be able to participate on the shore excursions, passengers may independently make private touring arrangements at the scheduled ports of call.  

ACCESSIBILITY ON BOARD  

On board Explorer Class Ships: Prestige Stateroom on Deck 4, Cabin 431 and Prestige Stateroom on Deck 5, Cabin 527 on board all PONANT Explorer Class Ships: 27.5 m² double cabins adapted for wheelchair access and fitted with either a double bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm), a bathroom with shower and toilet, and a 4 m² balcony with a small exterior wheelchair access ramp. Access ramps built in communal areas. 2 Elevators onboard.  

On board Sistership Class Ships: Superior Stateroom on Deck 3, Cabin 307, Prestige Stateroom on Deck 4, Cabin 407, Prestige Stateroom on Deck 5, Cabin 509: on board the Sisterships: three 18 m² double cabins adapted for wheelchair access and fitted with either a double bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm), a bathroom with shower and toilet, and in the case of the cabins on decks 4 and 5 only, a 4 m² balcony fitted with a small exterior wheelchair access ramp. Access ramps built in communal areas. 4 Elevators onboard.  

On board Le Commandant Charcot: Decks 6 (626 and 628) and 8 (818) three 28 m² double cabins adapted for wheelchair access and equipped with either a double bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm), a bathroom with shower and toilet, and a 7.5 m² balcony with a small exterior wheelchair access ramp. Signage and stateroom numbers are translated into Braille. Access ramps built in communal areas. 2 Elevators onboard.  

On board the Paul Gauguin: Deck 4 (415 and 416) : 2 cabins for two people of 21 m² , adapted for wheelchair access , with a queen-size double bed (160 x 200 cm ) only for the 416, and a queen-size double bed (160 x 200 cm) or two single beds (80 x 200 cm ) for the 415, shower and toilet in the bathroom, as well as a panoramic window. Access ramps built in communal areas. 2 elevators on board.  

ACTIVITY LEVEL DESCRIPTION Most journeys features a range of activity levels to suit various preferences and physical capabilities. Most excursions are moderate, typically involving about 1 to 2 miles of walking on a mix of cobblestone, paved, or uneven surfaces, with some stairs or inclines. While some tours are gentle, others are not recommended for guests with limited mobility. These specifications will be shared in an upcoming mailing in the Shore Excursions Descriptions document. In certain ports of call, we will use a tender to disembark and get to shore and then again to embark back onto the ship – this requires stepping down into the tender assisted by your crew onboard.  

PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO  

Participant agrees that The Great Courses Journeys and PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP (and/or their respective affiliates) may record Participant by any means including, without limitation, electronic recording, film, videotape, audio tape, live-stream and photography and Participant hereby grants to The Great Courses Journeys and PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP (and their respective affiliates) the gratis right to use, publish, display and broadcast Participant’s name, likeness, voice, quotes, and images in whole or in part, by any and all formats now known or hereinafter developed throughout the world including, without limitation, in advertising materials, promotional materials, social media, commercial tie-ups and live-streaming productions. Participant also releases The Great Courses Journeys and PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP (and their respective affiliates) from any and all claims and causes of action Participant may have now or in the future based upon defamation, misappropriation, invasion of privacy, right of publicity or similar claims, and Participant agrees not to institute any legal action based on any of the grounds specified herein.  

JURISDICTION: These terms & conditions are subject to and interpreted according to international regulations and concern the transportation of passengers and their luggage from the time of boarding the ship to the moment of disembarking, as well as at ports of departure, destination, or stopover. PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP shall incur no liability outside this period. Without prejudice to required legal regulations, any actions related either to the interpretation, or execution of this agreement shall be brought before the competent courts of Marseille-France. PONANT is not responsible for omissions, printing and/or presentation errors and reserves the right to make corrections as required.  

SHIPS' REGISTRY: France FL Seller of Travel Ref No ST37706 CA Seller of Travel Ref No 2120712-40  

RESPONSIBILITY  

This trip is sponsored by The Great Courses Journeys and is operated by PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP, a professional cruise company, hired as an independent contractor. PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP acts only as agents for the passenger for the respective suppliers of goods and services (hotels, airlines, railroads, taxis, bus companies, local tours, etc.) and all matters of reservations and trip operation. PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP and their agents and The Great Courses Journeys accept no responsibility for loss, damage, injury, accident, delay or irregularity, expense or liability caused by the defect of any vehicle or negligence or default of any independent contractors, their employees, agents, or representatives. Nor does PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP and The Great Courses Journeys accept responsibility for losses or delays arising from but not limited to sickness, pilferage, acts of terrorism, weather conditions or acts of God, “Force Majeure”. All such losses or expenses shall be borne by the program participant. PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP reserves the right to cancel any trip prior to departure in which case the entire payment will be refunded without further obligation on their part.  

PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP reserves the right to decline to accept or retain any trip participant at any time without being under any obligation to assign any reason therefore. In the event of the exercise of this right, PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP shall be under no liability to such person(s) except to refund such amount as their absolute discretion deems reasonable to attribute to the uncompleted portion of the trip. Baggage is carried at the owner's risk entirely. It is understood that air, ship or train tickets when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the passenger and carrier concerned. The airlines and all other transportation companies involved in this trip are not to be held responsible for any act, omission, or event during the time the passengers are not on board their plane or conveyances. All services are subject to the laws of the country in which they are rendered. The participant agrees on behalf of herself/himself, her/his dependents, heirs, executors, administrators and assigns to abide by the above conditions and to release and hold harmless, The Great Courses Journeys and PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP, and any of their representatives from any and all liability for any delays, damage, loss, injury or death occurring in relation to this tour.  

PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP and the The Great Courses Journeys are not joint venturers and are not otherwise connected with each other. All organizational and operational matters associated with this cruise tour, including the handling of all payments and/or refunds, are controlled by the PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP and any communication and/or disputes relating to any such matters shall not be brought against the The Great Courses Journeys.  

PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT AND LIABILITY DISCLAIMER  

Read Carefully: Responsibility Statement and Liability Disclaimer  

The passenger agrees that PONANT explorations GROUP and The Great Courses Journeys acts as agents and/ or trustees for any person, ground and maritime agents and subcontractors, who provide any service forming, or in connection with, any part of the cruise. PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP acts only as an agent for the respective suppliers of goods and services (hotels, airlines, railroads, taxis, bus companies, local tours, etc.) by making arrangements for transportation, accommodations, and other services. Neither The Great Courses Journeys nor PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP control, own, or operate these suppliers. The suppliers are independent contractors. Neither The Great Courses Journeys nor PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP shall be held liable for personal injury, death, property damage or accident, delay or irregularity arising out of any act or omission of these suppliers, or for loss of, or damage to luggage or other personal belongings, unless it is proved that the carrier has infringed statutory obligations or that it or one of its employees or agents has committed gross negligence. However, in the event the liability of PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP and The Great Courses Journeys is incurred, such liability is limited (details available upon request). PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP and Sponsor shall in any case not be liable for failure of an improper performance when the same is due to or caused by the fault of the passenger; the unforeseeable or unavoidable fault of a third party unconnected with the provision of any services to be provided under the contract; unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond the control of PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP and The Great Courses Journeys; an event of “Force Majeure” such as a war, threat of war, riots, civil commotion, acts of God, terrorist activities, natural and nuclear disaster, fire, technical problems with transport, closure of ports, strikes and any industrial action, or any other event beyond the control of PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP or The Great Courses Journeys. PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP reserves 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 tour participants.  

The Great Courses Journeys and PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP also reserve the right, without penalty, to withdraw the tour announced, and PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP reserves the right to decline to accept any person as a participant in a tour, or to require any participant to withdraw from the tour at any time, when such action is determined by tour staff to be in the best interests of the health, safety or general welfare of the tour group or the individual participant, subject only to the requirement that the recoverable portion of the total amount paid that corresponds to the cost of unused services and accommodations be refunded, if any.  

Participants are encouraged to purchase airline tickets no sooner than 120 days before the tour begins to avoid airline cancellation penalties if a tour is canceled or otherwise modified subsequent to the participant’s purchase of those tickets. The Great Courses Journeys and PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP accept no liability for the purchase of non-refundable airline tickets to the tour departure city and return. Baggage and personal effects are at all times the sole responsibility of the participant. Participants are encouraged to purchase travel insurance.  

Dates, schedules, program details, and featured speakers although provided in good faith based on information available at the time of publication of the brochure or catalog, are subject to change and revision.  

AS A CONDITION OF ACCEPTANCE OF ANY APPLICATION, EACH APPLICANT MUST AGREE TO THE STATEMENT SET FORTH BELOW:  

The undersigned has read carefully the Responsibility Statement and Liability Disclaimer set forth above, the schedule of activities for this tour, as well as the terms and conditions of application and participation as set forth in the tour brochure(s) and on the web, and recognizes and accepts any risk associated with the tour and the conditions, including the refund policy, set forth in the tour brochure(s). The undersigned further acknowledges that there are many risks and uncertainties inherent in any travel tour, including but not limited to the hazards of various modes of transportation, forces of nature, acts or omissions of foreign governments, terrorism, war or insurrection, theft, illness, and damage to person or property due to the negligent acts or omissions of suppliers, tour staff or others. In consideration of, and as part payment for, the right to participate in the tour, the undersigned, on behalf of himself, his dependents, heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, hereby waives, releases, and discharges The Great Courses Journeys, its directors, shareholders, officers, employees, representatives or agents, and PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP and its officers, directors, shareholders, employees, and agents, (Releasees) from liability, claims, demands, injuries, damages, consequential or indirect damages, actions or causes of action for personal injury, death, property damage or loss suffered by any person in connection with this tour, even if caused by the active and passive negligence or omission of tour staff, suppliers, or other related persons or entities, and, further indemnifies, holds harmless and promises not to sue the Releasees from any and all liabilities or claims made as a result of participation in this activity, whether caused by the negligence of a Releasee or otherwise. In addition, by registering for this tour, the applicant certifies that he or she is mentally and physically capable of full participation in this tour.  

By registering for this PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP program, sponsored by The Great Courses Journeys the participant agrees to the Responsibility Statement and Liability Disclaimer and the Terms and Conditions herein and that the participant acknowledges that he/she has carefully read this paragraph and fully understands that this is a waiver and release of liability. 

PONANT Participant Terms and Conditions

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