Terms & Conditions

Terms & Conditions

1. Introduction

These booking conditions, together with the Paramount Cruises privacy policy and any other written information provided before booking confirmation, apply to your booking with Paramount Cruises of 12 Stephen Mews, London, W1T 1AH ("Paramount Cruises," "we," or "us").

Please read these terms and conditions carefully as they set out the respective rights and obligations.

Paramount Cruises may act as an Agent for other travel suppliers (such as cruise lines, airlines, or hotels) or as a Tour Operator (Organiser) under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 (PTR).

2. Definitions

You/Your: The first named person on the booking and all persons for whom a booking is made, or any person to whom a booking is added or transferred.
Supplier: The cruise line, airline, hotel, or any other provider of travel services included in your booking.
Package: A combination of travel services (e.g., flights, accommodation, transfers) booked together under PTR.
Agent: Paramount Cruises acting as intermediary, facilitating travel service bookings on your behalf.
Tour Operator (Organiser): Paramount Cruises organising and providing the package holiday directly, responsible for the performance of all included travel services.

3. Booking

Your booking exists when we issue your Booking Confirmation Invoice. By booking, you agree on behalf of all persons detailed that you have read and accept these conditions.

Bookings may only be made by persons aged 18 or over.
All travellers under 18 at departure must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
You are responsible for ensuring all names, dates, and timings are correct when you receive your documents and must advise us of any errors immediately.

4. Payment

A deposit or full payment is required at booking. Deposit amounts vary by holiday; your consultant or our website when booking online will confirm this.
Balance is due by the date on your confirmation. Late payment may lead to cancellation, with forfeiture of deposits and applicable cancellation charges (§8).
Payments accepted by debit/credit card or bank transfer.

5. Your Contract

If acting as Agent, your contract is with the Supplier; their terms apply. Copies are available on request.
If acting as Tour Operator, these Conditions form our contract with you.

6. Pricing & Price Changes

We reserve the right to amend prices due to changes in:

Fuel or power source costs for passenger carriage.
Third-party taxes or fees (e.g., tourist, port, airport charges).
Foreign exchange rates.

We will absorb increases up to 2% of your package price. For larger increases, you will be notified at least 20 days before departure, with an explanation. You may:

Accept and pay the increase.
Reject and terminate your holiday with a full refund (including insurance premiums paid to us).
Reject, terminate, and accept an alternative package (with any price reduction if of lower value).

You will have 7 days from notification to decide. If you do not respond, we will remind you and reserve the right to cancel your booking and refund you.

If costs decrease, you will receive a price reduction, less any administrative expenses (breakdown upon request).

7. Amendments

All requests must be made in writing by the lead passenger.
We will try to accommodate changes but cannot guarantee them.
Flight name changes usually incur 100% of the flight cost once the flight has been ticketed.
Amendment fee: We reserve the right to charge £25 per person per change, plus any Supplier or third-party charges.

8. Cancellations by You

You may cancel any time by email to customercare@paramountcruises.com. Cancellation charges (per person) are:

More than 84 days - Loss of deposit

84-57 days - 50% of holiday cost

56 days or less - 100% of holiday cost

Plus any Supplier charges and any non-refundable elements such as event tickets or ticketed flights.

9. Changes & Cancellations by Us

When Acting as Tour Operator

We may need to change or cancel your holiday:

Minor changes (e.g., flight time changes under 12 hours, aircraft type, carrier substitutions, accommodation changes within same/higher standard) do not entitle you to compensation.
Significant changes (altering main characteristics) or cancellation:
Accept the change (possible price reduction if of lower quality/value).
Reject and terminate with a full refund.
Reject, terminate, and accept an alternative package (price adjustment applies).

You will have 7 days to decide. If no response, we will remind you and may cancel your booking with a full refund.

If we cancel, you may choose a refund or an alternative of comparable standard (with refund of any price difference).

Compensation for significant changes or cancellation (other than due to unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances or minimum numbers) is as follows:

Notice Period - Compensation per Person

More than 42 days - Nil

28–42 days - £10

14–27 days - £20

7–13 days - £30

0–6 days - £40

When Acting as Agent

We will forward Supplier changes/cancellations and options. You must inform us of your choice within the Supplier’s timeframe.

Unavoidable & Extraordinary Circumstances

We are not liable for changes or cancellations due to UEC (e.g., war, strikes, extreme weather, natural disasters, technical transport failures, health emergencies). If cancellation is due to UEC, we will refund all monies but no further compensation.

10. Liability & Assistance

Our Liability (Organiser role)

We are responsible for performing your travel services. If any services fail or are improperly performed by us or our Suppliers, and this affects your holiday, you may be entitled to a price reduction or compensation.

We are not liable for failures due to:

You or your party.
Third parties unconnected with service provision.
Unavoidable & extraordinary circumstances

Liability limits:

Subject to Supplier and international convention limits (e.g., Montreal, Athens, Berne, Paris Conventions).
Maximum €3,000 for luggage losses unless higher limits apply by convention.
Our total liability capped at three times your holiday cost, except for death or personal injury due to our negligence.

Assistance

If you are in difficulty during your holiday, we will provide assistance (information, alternative arrangements, communications). You must pay costs if difficulties are your fault.

If return transport is delayed due to unavoidable & extraordinary circumstances, we will cover necessary accommodation (equivalent standard) up to three nights, except for persons with reduced mobility, pregnant women, unaccompanied minors, or medical needs (notified ≥48 hours before departure).

11. Cruise-Specific Provisions

Guarantee Cabins: For guarantee bookings, you are guaranteed a cabin in the booked category or higher; specific cabin numbers are allocated by the cruise line closer to departure.
Onboard Credit & Gratuities: Inclusion details are on your confirmation. Gratuities and meal arrangements are requests only.
Transfers & Excursions: Only included if explicitly stated on your confirmation. Optional shore excursions do not form part of your package unless stated.
Itinerary Changes: Cruise itineraries may change due to weather, port restrictions, technical issues, or operational needs. The Ship’s Master has full discretion for safety. We are not liable for such changes; your rights are under these Conditions and PTR.

12. Health, Safety & Security

Medical Conditions: Inform us of any medical condition, disability, pregnancy, or mobility issue at booking and if it changes. A doctor’s letter may be required.
Health Advice: Consult your GP or travel clinic at least six weeks before travel for vaccinations and health precautions. Sources include MASTA, NHS Fit for Travel, NaTHNaC.
Government Advice: Check FCDO travel advice (www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice) before and during booking.
Local Standards: Standards abroad may differ from the UK. Use common sense and take precautions. We cannot guarantee UK standards worldwide.
Security: Be aware of local crime risks. Use safes and carry copies of important documents separately.

13. Special Requests

Any requests (e.g., dietary, cots, room location) are passed to Suppliers but not guaranteed. We do not accept conditional bookings based on requests.

14. Travel Documents

Documents (invoices, tickets, insurance) are sent by email. If posted, once dispatched, we are not responsible for loss unless negligent. You must pay Supplier fees for reissues.

15. Complaints

During your holiday, inform the Supplier (e.g., cruise guest services, hotel management) immediately of any issues to allow on-site resolution. Also inform us without undue delay.

If unresolved, write to us within 28 days of holiday completion, quoting your booking reference and contact details.

If we cannot resolve your complaint, you may use ABTA’s dispute resolution scheme (approved by Chartered Trading Standards Institute).

16. Passenger Responsibilities

Hold a valid passport and required visas.
Obtain comprehensive travel insurance with cruise and COVID-19 cover.
Check FCDO health, visa, and entry requirements.
Behave responsibly; we may terminate your holiday for misconduct without refund or liability.
We cannot be held responsible for the actions or behaviour of other guests or individuals who have no connection with your booking arrangements or with us.

17. Data Protection

We process personal data per our Privacy Policy (on our website). By booking, you consent to our handling of your data.

18. Financial Protection

ATOL: Protects flight-inclusive bookings; we ensure your repatriation if your airline fails.
ABTA: Protects non-flight packages and linked travel; we adhere to ABTA’s Code of Conduct, ensuring high service standards.

19. Law & Jurisdiction

These Conditions are governed by English law. You may choose Scottish or Northern Irish law/jurisdiction if you reside there.

These terms and conditions are intended to be a comprehensive guide to booking with Paramount Cruises. However, if you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact Paramount Cruises' customer service team.