Booking terms

1.About these terms

These terms apply when you ask Whitestar Cruise & Travel ("Whitestar", "we") to arrange a cruise or related travel, whether through our website, by phone, by WhatsApp or by email. They sit alongside the terms and conditions of the cruise line and any other supplier involved in your trip (together, "the supplier's terms").

We act as a travel agent and, for some lines, as the cruise line's representative in Southern Africa. The cruise itself is provided by the cruise line, not by Whitestar.

2.Booking requests are not bookings

When you send a booking request on our website, you are asking us to check availability and the price with the cruise line. A booking request is not a confirmed booking, does not hold a cabin and does not oblige you or us to go ahead.

A Whitestar specialist will contact you to confirm the sailing, cabin, price and terms. Your booking is only confirmed when the cruise line has accepted it, you have paid any deposit required, and we have sent you a written booking confirmation. No payment is taken on the website.

3.Prices and currency

Prices shown on the website in South African rand (ZAR) or another display currency are indicative. Many cruise lines price in US dollars, euros or pounds, so rand amounts depend on exchange rates. Prices also depend on availability and the fare on offer, and can change until your booking is confirmed.

Your quote and booking confirmation state what the price includes and excludes. Depending on the line and fare, taxes, port charges, gratuities or service charges, flights, transfers, travel insurance, visas and onboard spending may not be included.

4.Deposits and final payment

Deposit amounts and balance due dates are set by each cruise line and depend on the sailing and fare. We tell you the deposit, the balance and their due dates in your quote and booking confirmation. If the balance isn't paid by the due date, the cruise line may cancel your booking and apply its cancellation charges. Only pay using the payment details your Whitestar specialist gives you, and phone our office on a number shown on this website to check if you receive payment details you weren't expecting.

5.Changes and cancellations by you

If you want to change or cancel a confirmed booking, contact us in writing as soon as possible. Changes and cancellations are subject to the supplier's terms, which depend on the fare type and how close to departure you are. Charges can be significant and some fares are non-refundable or non-changeable.

The applicable cancellation and amendment terms are provided with your quote or booking confirmation. Our own service charges for changes, if any: To be confirmed (Whitestar service / amendment fees, if any).

6.Changes and cancellations by the cruise line

Cruise lines may change itineraries, ports, times, ships or onboard arrangements, or cancel a sailing, for operational, safety, weather or other reasons. Your rights in that case (for example to a refund, credit or alternative) are set by the supplier's terms and applicable law. We will tell you as soon as we hear of a change and help you with your options.

7.The cruise line's terms of carriage

When your booking is confirmed, you enter into a contract with the cruise line on its terms and conditions (often called the "passage contract" or "terms of carriage"). These cover matters such as the supplier's liability, baggage, health and conduct on board. We will give you, or point you to, the supplier's terms before you book. Please read them.

8.Passports, visas and health requirements

It is your responsibility to hold a valid passport and any visas, permits, vaccination certificates or other documents required for every country your trip visits, including where you embark and disembark. Requirements depend on your nationality and can change. Please check them with the embassy or consulate of each country well before you travel.

The names on your booking must match your passports exactly. Cruise lines may refuse boarding if documents are missing or invalid, and the supplier's cancellation terms may then apply.

9.Travel insurance

We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance from the time you book, covering cancellation, medical treatment, evacuation at sea and your planned activities. Some cruise lines and itineraries (for example expedition voyages) may require it.

10.Special requests, accessibility and health

We pass special requests (such as dietary needs, accessibility needs, celebrations or cabin preferences) to the cruise line, but unless the line confirms them in writing they are not guaranteed. Please tell us before booking about any medical condition, disability, pregnancy or mobility needs that may affect your cruise, so we can check the supplier's requirements.

11.Our service

We will:

• use reasonable skill and care in arranging your booking and passing on accurate information from the supplier;
• send you a written quote and booking confirmation;
• pass your payments to the cruise line as required by your booking;
• keep you informed about changes we are told about.

Our service fees, if any: To be confirmed (Whitestar service fees, if any). Any fee will always be shown in your quote before you book.

We are not responsible for the acts or omissions of cruise lines or other suppliers, or for events outside our reasonable control. Nothing in these terms limits your rights under the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 or other law that cannot be excluded.

12.Membership and financial protection

Whitestar is a member of ASATA, the Association of Southern African Travel Agents (asata.co.za). Financial protection: To be confirmed (TTF / bonding / financial-protection statement).

13.Complaints

If something goes wrong during your cruise, please tell the cruise line's staff on board straight away so they can try to put it right. If you are still unhappy, contact us at info@whitestar.co.za or on 011 463 3293 and we will help you take it up with the supplier.

14.Your personal information

We use the details you give us to arrange your booking and share them with the cruise line and other suppliers, including outside South Africa. See our privacy policy.

15.Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa. The supplier's terms may be governed by other laws.