2011 China

2011 China

We at Uniworld want to do everything we can to make sure your trip is enjoyable and worry-free. As part of that commitment, we are including the following information about your trip. Please read these pages carefully, as payment of a deposit represents an acceptance of the Uniworld Terms and Conditions.

Your Trip

Prices: Prices are per person, based on two people sharing a stateroom or hotel room and are in US Dollars. Cruise/tour prices are based on costs, charges, tariffs, rates, taxes, levies, and exchange rates as of June 1, 2010. Should the total cruise/tour price increase by more than 10%, guests will have the right to cancel their cruise/tour within seven (7) days of notification of the surcharge without penalty. No surcharges in respect of cost or currency fluctuations will be made once payment for the deposit of your cruise/tour is received. This does not apply to fuel surcharges and any taxes, charges, or levies imposed by any government or their agencies. A limited number of singles are available for an additional supplement.

Reservations and Payments: A deposit of at least $200 per person is required at the time of reservation. Final payment is due at least ninety (90) days prior to departure. Reservations will be cancelled if final payment is not received in a timely manner.

Items Not Included in the Published Price: These include, but are not limited to, airfares to and from your destination except where specified; airport/departure taxes; cost of passport and visas; excess baggage charges; laundry; all items of a personal nature; items not included on regular menus; expenses for additional sightseeing not specified in the itinerary; wine or liquor, unless indicated; gratuities; and health, accident, baggage, or travel protection plans.

Cancellation Policy: We hope nothing will come between you and your Uniworld vacation. Should you need to cancel your booking or any portion of it, your cancellation must be received in writing. It will be effective on the date of receipt. If you cancel your air arrangements or a pre- or post-cruise extension eighty-nine (89) days or less before departure, penalties as shown to the right will apply to the price of the air or extension. Any change or substitution of a guest will be deemed a cancellation of the reservation and the applicable cancellation charges will be applied. Cancellation charges, per person and based upon the date of cancellation, are as follows:

Cancellation Notice Received Cancellation
Before Tour Start Date            Charges Per Person

• 90 days or more                 $200 nonrefundable deposit
• 89 – 60 days                    35% of the fare**
• 59 – 30 days                    50% of the fare**
• Less than 30 days               100% of the fare**
• No Show                         100% of the fare**

**Fare is defined as the cost of any cruise, land or air element purchased from Uniworld River Cruises, Inc.  The documentation fee is fully refundable if it has been paid prior to cancelling your trip.

These cancellation fees are in addition to any cancellation fees that might be levied by your travel agent. There is no refund for unused services or for unused portions of the trip. For true worry-free travel, please see the Travel Protection Plan section of our brochure or visit our website at www.uniworld.com. The Travel Protection Plan premium is nonrefundable once paid to Uniworld.

Gratuities: It is our goal to ensure that the service you receive is as wonderful as the sights you see. While they are customary, gratuities, including the customary end-of-trip gratuity for the tour manager, cruise manager, and crew, are not included in the price of your trip. The amount of the gratuity is entirely subject to your satisfaction with your travel experience.

Documents: Uniworld will send you a document packet 21 to 30 days before departure provided that Uniworld receives your completed Passenger Information Form and your booking is paid in full. Please be advised there will be a $10 shipping/handling fee per booking added to your invoice for documents shipped via standard delivery service. For expedited 2-day delivery service, a $20 shipping and handling fee per booking will apply.

Passport/Visa: A valid passport is required to travel on all Uniworld programs. All passports must be valid for at least six (6) months after the return date of the trip. For entry to China, visas are also required for all passport holders. Visa requirements for US citizens can be found on the Uniworld website at uniworld.com in the “Before you Go” section. As a courtesy, on the website, Uniworld provides information on required visas for US passport holders for entry to China through Zierer Visa Service. Non-US passport holders must contact the appropriate consular office for entry requirements pertaining to their particular trip. For entry to Tibet, a visa is not necessary, but an entry permit is required for all passport holders. Uniworld will provide a Tibet Group Entry Permit while on the tour for all guests. If you have questions about visas, please check with your consulate or Zierer Visa Service for details. Obtaining and carrying these documents is the sole responsibility of the guest. Uniworld will not be responsible for any delays, damages, and/or losses including missed portions of your tour that are related to improper travel documentation.

Due to government imposed security/immigration measures, passport information and emergency contact information are required for all guests prior to release of documentation.

Your Flight

Airfare and Air Add-ons: Uniworld wants to help make your entire vacation smooth sailing, so we offer great values on airfares from most major cities in the US. Please contact your Travel Agent or Uniworld for the most up-to-date prices. As these airfares are subject to availability, we encourage you to book early.

Airline Cancellations: If you, as the Guest, choose to cancel your air arrangements eighty-nine (89) days or less before departure, then please refer to the Cancellation Policy section for the applicable cancellation policy and penalties that will be applied.

Air Bookings, Restrictions, and Changes: Airline tickets provided by Uniworld are subject to restrictions. All changes to air tickets issued by Uniworld must be processed through Uniworld. A $50 per-person administrative fee and applicable airline change fees are assessed for any changes once air tickets have been issued. Airline penalties vary depending on the carrier and can be substantial. In some cases, you may lose the full value of the airfare that you purchased. TSA regulations require us to collect your full first, middle and last name as it appears on your passport or government issued ID as well as date of birth.  This information is required before we can accept your deposit and if not received will prevent your documents from being processed.  Uniworld is not responsible for denied boarding or re-issue costs due to incorrect passport information supplied to Uniworld. Unless otherwise specified, air transportation is Economy Class on scheduled airlines of our choice. Though Uniworld makes every effort to use direct routings, your flight schedule may require connections, overnight travel and/or forced overnights en route to or from your final destination, which may be at your expense. Flight itineraries provided prior to ticketing are subject to change without notice. Uniworld is not responsible for any inconvenience or any costs or fees incurred by delays, lost luggage, or disruption of air service. Air transportation is subject to the terms and conditions of the airline’s ticket contract. Since Uniworld is not responsible for notifying you of flight schedule changes before or after the air tickets are issued, we recommend you contact the airline within 72 hours of departure to reconfirm your flights.

Uniworld Custom Air Service: To give you even more options and greater flexibility, Uniworld offers customized air reservations. This service is available for $25 per person, plus any applicable increased air costs (requests must be received in writing, after the reservation is under deposit). Once you have made your deposit, you may make your custom air request by submitting the Custom Vacation Planning Form on our website at uniworld.com. The service fee is non-refundable upon confirmation of the request.

Seat Assignments and Special Services: Requests for seat assignments, special meals, and special services must be made directly to the airline. Some airfares used by Uniworld are not eligible for frequent flyer mileage.

Airport/Ship Transfers: If you purchase a Uniworld Air-Inclusive Vacation, you enjoy the special included convenience of scheduled group transfers between the airport and the ship/hotel on the day of arrival, and between the ship/hotel and the airport on the day of departure. There may be a waiting period between transfers of one hour or more unless private car transfers have been purchased. Private car transfers are only available on the cruise/tour start/end dates.

Making Your Own Flight Arrangements: Should you elect to make your own flight arrangements, Uniworld will provide complimentary scheduled group transfers to/from the ship/hotel as long as your flights arrive/ depart in the cruise/tour starting/ending cities in accordance with the dates shown in this brochure and your flight arrangements comply with the Transfer Guidelines as shown to the right. If your flight arrangements arrive/depart outside of these parameters, you must make your own transfer arrangements. Please ask your travel consultant for appropriate costs during the reservation process. Uniworld will not be responsible for late arrivals or missed transfers due to delayed or cancelled flights, for missed cruise/trip days, or for extra costs resulting from the foregoing. To qualify for transfers, it is required that flight information and pre-trip arrangements for all guests making their own flight arrangements be given to Uniworld no later than forty-five (45) days prior to departure and conform to the following 

Transfer Guidelines:

Flights must arrive/depart within following time limit:

		Arrival        Departure
China       24 hours 24 hours
Hong Kong      	6am - 11pm     7:30am - 11:55pm

Baggage, and Personal Belongings: Uniworld allows one suitcase per person. Airlines may have additional baggage restrictions and may impose an additional charge at check-in for each checked bag; please check with your air carrier prior to your flight as baggage policies may differ and change frequently among airlines. Keep an eye on your baggage—it is your responsibility throughout the trip. Uniworld is not responsible for loss, theft, or damage to baggage and/or personal belongings. A protection plan covering lost, stolen, or damaged baggage is available through the Uniworld Travel Protection Plan.

Additional Considerations

Travel Protection Plan: Uniworld makes every effort to ensure that your trip is safe and enjoyable. However, situations beyond our control may occur. Also, keep in mind that your health plan coverage for a stay outside the US may be limited. We recommend you obtain a travel protection plan. To help provide you with peace of mind, Uniworld offers a comprehensive travel protection plan. For details, please see the Travel Protection section of this brochure.

Itinerary Changes: You can count on the value of Uniworld’s experience and regional knowledge to make sure you enjoy your cruise/tour even when conditions beyond our control occur. The very nature of a river, its sources, and networks of bridges and locks, means that there will be times when weather or other conditions in a region require Uniworld to make adjustments and/or modifications to an itinerary. Although every effort will be made to keep itineraries, vessels, and hotels as they are shown in the brochure, Uniworld reserves the right to substitute itineraries, hotels, or vessels. In such cases, we will do everything we can to make sure the locations visited, the excursions taken, and the hotels or vessels offered are similar to the ones originally planned. Any changes to itineraries will not result in eligibility for a refund. Itineraries are subject to change without notice and may need to be altered specifically because of water levels, wind factors, or other conditions.

Extensions/Land Tours: Uniworld reserves the right to reschedule and/ or cancel land extensions or land tours if the minimum number of participants (10 people) is not met or for safety reasons. If you, as the Guest, choose to cancel your pre- or post-cruise extension eighty-nine (89) days or less before departure, then please refer to the Cancellation Policy section for the applicable cancellation policy and penalties that will be applied.

Advanced, Cancelled, or Delayed Sailing/Land Tour: Uniworld reserves the right to cancel, advance, or postpone any scheduled tour and/or sailing date and may, but is not obligated to, substitute hotels or vessels. Uniworld shall not be liable for any loss to you by reason of any such cancellation, advancement, or postponement. In the event of cancellation by Uniworld, your sole right of recourse shall be to obtain a refund of monies paid to Uniworld in connection with such cruise/tour.

Health and Mobility: Uniworld trips are exciting, relatively active vacations. While there will be plenty of time to relax, there will also be much to see and do. Your included excursions may require an extensive amount of walking over cobblestone streets, uneven pavement, and sometimes steps, so please bring any issues regarding your health or mobility to the attention of Uniworld when making your booking, as this could greatly impact your vacation experience. In addition, you should know that while river cruise ships are spacious and elegant, they are equipped to meet Chinese standards, and many do not have elevators. Accommodations in China may differ from accommodations in the US. If you are disabled, a companion who will be responsible for providing any required assistance must accompany you, as Uniworld is unable to provide individual assistance. Uniworld has sole discretion to decline the booking of any guest whose condition may affect their own health, safety, and enjoyment or that of other guests. Additionally, Uniworld reserves its right to require a current guest to end their trip for the aforestated reasons.

Medical Issues: Uniworld does not employ staff doctors or nurses. Should you need medical attention, it will be at local facilities, at your expense. Uniworld is not responsible for any costs incurred as a result of medical services, or for the quality of medical care or medical services you receive.

Young Travelers: Guests who are less than 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult who is 21 years of age or older. While we will accept children 4 years of age and older as guests, it is our long-term experience that most young children do not enjoy or appreciate the river cruise experience. There are no special arrangements, activities, medical facilities, or accommodations (unless otherwise noted) for children on Uniworld cruise/tour programs. Adults accompanying children are responsible for their behavior onboard and ashore.

Smoking Policy: For the comfort of all our guests, smoking is only permitted on the sun decks of our river cruise ships. Smoking is not permitted on motorcoaches. In hotels, it is possible to request smoking rooms.

Diets: Please advise the Uniworld reservation agent of any specific dietary considerations and we will do our best to accommodate your request.

Pets: Pets are not permitted on Uniworld trips.

Legal Notes

Responsibility and Waiver: The responsibility of Uniworld River Cruises, Inc. (“Uniworld”) is strictly limited. Uniworld promotes and sells tour programs consisting of certain travel services on the cruise ships (“Vessels”) or other modes of transport (“Transport”). Uniworld does not own or operate any of the Vessels/Transport. The owners, operators, and charterers (“Suppliers”) of the Vessels/Transport are independent of Uniworld. Uniworld makes no representations or warranties concerning the Suppliers or the Vessels/Transport. We assume no liability for any acts or omissions of any Supplier including, without limitation, those involving cancellation of tours/cruises, schedule changes, reroutings, delays, damage to or loss of baggage, property damage, equipment failures, accidents, death or injuries to persons regardless of cause, whether or not services are tendered or transportation provided is arranged through Uniworld. Accordingly, you will not have any right to claim or recover against Uniworld as a consequence of any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any Suppliers or the condition or operation of any Vessel/Transport. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the liabilities and obligations of the Suppliers to you and your rights against the Suppliers, are subject to any and all terms and conditions of the Suppliers’ contract of carriage and any and all governmental/ jurisdictional laws and regulations bearing upon or otherwise relating to such rights, liabilities and obligations, including, without limitation, choice of law, jurisdiction of disputes, limitations of liability, and limitations on the time to file claims. By utilizing the travel services of the Suppliers, you agree that you will look to such Suppliers for any accident, death, injury, property damage, or personal loss to you or to those traveling with you, and that neither Uniworld nor any representative of Uniworld shall have any liability whatsoever.

California Seller of Travel Law: Uniworld River Cruises, Inc. is a registered seller of travel in the State of California, CST #2075415-20, and is a participant in the Travel Consumer Restitution Fund. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute an approval by the State of California. A complete explanation of your rights under the California Seller of Travel Law can be found on our website at uniworld.com.

Omissions: Uniworld is not responsible for omissions, printing, and/or presentation errors in brochures, on Internet sites, or in any other media where such information may be presented; we reserve the right to make corrections as required.

Agreement: The payment of a deposit and/or the issuance of tickets or vouchers shall be deemed your consent to the terms and conditions as presented herein. It is specifically agreed that this agreement is entered into in Los Angeles County, California, and in the event any legal or equitable action is initiated concerning the interpretation, enforcement, or breach of any term, obligation, or duty as contained or related to these Terms and Conditions, the exclusive venue for such action shall be solely in the Superior Court of California, Los Angeles County, Van Nuys District. This agreement shall be construed in accordance with California law without regard to conflicts of law principles.

Time of Printing: The Terms and Conditions listed are those in effect at the time of printing and remain in effect until replaced. These Terms and Conditions replace all previous versions.

Your Passenger Contract

Transportation aboard the ship is provided solely by the Suppliers (ship owners and charterers) pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Passenger Ticket Contract that you will receive prior to embarkation. A copy of the Passenger Ticket Contract will be provided with your final documentation or earlier upon request or can be viewed on our website: uniworld.com. Please note the Passenger Ticket Contract includes a clause specifying the courts of Basel, Switzerland as the exclusive forum for resolving disputes. The Passenger Ticket Contract is governed by the law of Switzerland and is subject to limitations of liability and time limits for making claims under the Athens Convention Relating to the Carriage of Passengers and Their Luggage by Sea, 1974 (“Athens Convention”) and the International Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims, 1976 (“1976 Convention”).

$20 Million Customer Protection Plan:

Your peace of mind is our absolute concern and with this in mind Uniworld has a financial plan for your protection, namely a $20 Million Customer Protection Plan. A letter of credit has been lodged with a major bank in the sum of $20 Million to protect payments and deposits made by our customers for all tours covered by Uniworld’s Europe brochure. This protection is for all passengers who have placed deposits and final payments by MasterCard or Visa credit cards. With this protection firmly in place you can book and travel with Uniworld securely with the knowledge that your money is protected for all tours operated by Uniworld.