UNFORGETTABLE CUBA APRIL 15 22, 2017

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1 UNFORGETTABLE CUBA A PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE JOURNEY with Diane Rehm on the sailing yacht Panorama APRIL 15 22, 2017 EARLY BOOKING SAVINGS: Save $500 per couple and receive free airfare from Miami when you book and pay in full by December 31, 2016 (see pricing page for details)

2 UNFORGETTABLE CUBA A PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE JOURNEY Now that it s possible to see Cuba for yourself, join us on this enlightening journey to Havana and beyond! Enjoy the tropics and the Caribbean, dance to the captivating sounds of salsa, and admire the prized classic cars. We ll go beyond that, meeting Cubans and gaining insight into their work and lives. The focus of your visit will be daily engagement with the warm and welcoming people of this island nation: teachers, sculptors, organic farmers, musicians and naturalists. Traveling on the hospitable 48-guest motorsailor Panorama, you ll be with a Cuban guide and with Diane Rehm, who as host of The Diane Rehm Show has held broadcast conversations about people s ways and views for over thirty years. This People-to-People program is offered in conjunction with IST, an authorized agency. We ll board in Trinidad, a Spanish colonial city on the island s south coast, and disembark in Havana. Between are historic cities, wildlife preserves, farms, mountains, seacoast, and music nearly everywhere. Come and discover Cuba s cities and countryside, its traditions and innovations, and most of all its extraordinary people. l l 1

3 A message from Diane Rehm For the last fifty years Cuba has been so close but so distant! Many changes are underway, and we ll witness them first-hand on this week-long journey. Join me in April to discover this island nation past and present. Visit three diverse smaller cities and some extraordinary natural sites before spending several days in vibrant Havana. We ll enjoy music and dance performances, visit an organic farm, galleries, a school, Ernest Hemingway s beloved Finca Vigia and a shop where classic U.S. cars are maintained. There will be opportunities to speak with the people who bring their creative spirit to all these enterprises. We ll travel aboard the three-masted sailing yacht Panorama, spending six nights on the ship and one at a hotel in a seaside village. A Cuban guide and a seasoned Program Manager will travel with us throughout. Along with the meals aboard we ll have several dinners and most lunches at restaurants, including the privately-owned paladares that are a new feature of Cuban life. On our itinerary are four UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Old Havana, the museum city of Trinidad, Cienfuegos, designed by French settlers, and the Viñales Valley, where nature has sculpted the limestone and organically grown crops are flourishing. Everywhere we ll hear music, as abundant and colorful as Cuba itself! The pleasures of discovery and insight await us, as do the pleasures of landscape, seascape and life aboard. The ship accommodates just 48 travelers, and interest in Cuba in this time of transformation is high. To reserve the cabin of your choice, call Cross-Culture Journeys at today! Diane Rehm Host/Executive Producer, The Diane Rehm Show 2

4 Unforgettable Cuba: Trinidad/Casilda to Havana April 15 22, 2017 Saturday, April 15 FLIGHT TO CIENFUEGOS & TRANSFER TO TRINIDAD PANORAMIC CITY TOUR & WALKING TOUR WITH REPRESENTATIVE OF OFFICE OF CITY HISTORIAN MUSEO ROMÁNTICO LÁZARO WOODCARVING STUDIO EMBARK PANORAMA WELCOME DINNER Fly to Jaime González Airport in Cienfuegos, where you will be met and accompanied to Trinidad. The ride of about 1 1/2 hours passes between a nature reserve in the Escambray Mountains and the blue Caribbean. The Spanish colonial city of Trinidad, founded in 1514, is a meticulously well-preserved place of cobblestone streets and plazas, neoclassical palaces and beautiful wrought-iron balconies. The principal church, Iglesia de la Santísima Trinidad, is the oldest church in Cuba. The city and the Valle de los Ingenios (Valley of the Sugar Mills) around it are designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We ll take a panoramic tour and then a walk through town with a representative of the Office of the City Historian, speaking with residents along the way. After a presentation and a look at a scale model of the city, we ll visit the Museo Romántico, a collection of 19th-century paintings, furnishings and decorative objects housed in the palacio of the sugar baron Nicolás, Count of Brunet. After stopping for lunch, visit the studio and gallery of Lázaro Niebla Castro, known in Cuba simply as Lázaro, who creates bas-relief portraits in wood. His work was recently snown at a Minneapolis gallery under the auspices of the U.S. Cuba Artist Exchange. Then drive to the pier in nearby Casilda to embark Panorama. On board, after the boat drill and an orientation briefing, your ship sails away through the Bahía de Casilda into the Caribbean. Enjoy dinner and your first night aboard. L/D Note: To reach Cienfuegos this morning, you may need to arrive the previous day at the airport where your Cienfuegos flight departs. Cross-Culture will be glad to make reservations for your domestic flights as well as your flights between the U.S. and Cuba, and to reserve a room at a suitable hotel near the connecting airport (Miami, Atlanta or another, depending on your route) for Friday, April 14. Sunday, April 16 Maria la Gorda Gulf of Mexico Land Route Cruise Route Flight Path Cruise route is approximate. MORNING SAIL TO CIENFUEGOS LUNCH & SALSA LESSONS PERFORMANCE BY CHORUS OF CIENFUEGOS OR STRING QUARTET GRAPHIC ARTS WORKSHOP GUIDED WALKING TOUR Cruise into beautiful Cienfuegos Bay and arrive in port in time to attend Easter services, if you wish. Otherwise you will have time on your own this morning to discover this city fondly called The Pearl of the South. The limestone fortress at the entrance to the bay, the Castillo de Jagua, was built by Philip V of Spain to protect the area from pirates. However, it was a group of French settlers from Bordeaux who founded the city and created its distinctive layout. Cienfuegos became a significant port for trade in sugar, tobacco, coffee, mangoes and other products of the fertile region that surrounds it. The city received Gulf of Batabanó Isla de la Juventud Havana Nueva Gerona Caribbean Sea CUBA Cienfuegos Trinidad Casilda Average temperature and precipitation ranges in season (in degrees Fahrenheit) City High Low Precipitation Cienfuegos Maria la Gorda Havana UNESCO World Heritage status in 2005 for the treasured neo-classical, art nouveau and art deco buildings that line its squares and boulevards. In addition to the architecture, the seacoast, the beautiful Jose Martí Park and an outstanding botanical garden, Cienfuegos offers abundant arts activity. After lunch in one of the local restaurants we will be treated to salsa lessons and a performance 3

5 T O U R I N C L U S I O N S Cost of round-trip airfare from Miami (whether or not you fly to Cuba from MIA), with airport-ship transfers in Havana and Cienfuegos-Trinidad Six nights accommodation in cabin on motorsailor Panorama One night accommodation at Hotel Maria la Gorda on Guanahacabibes Peninsula All meals (roughly half the lunches/dinners at restaurants; other meals on board) Selected alcoholic beverages and soft drinks with lunch and dinner on board Land transportation in private coach as indicated in the itinerary Services of a IST Program Manager and a Cross-Culture Journeys/Small Ship Travel host A Cuban guide who will sail with the group and escort land excursions throughout the trip Daily people-to-people interaction in workplaces, art and performance studios, and homes Visits to sites of interest including four UNESCO World Heritage Sites On-board programs including discussions with public radio host Diane Rehm Mandatory Cuban medical insurance Pre-departure materials including reading lists and packing suggestions Luggage handling, with gratuity, for one bag per person Cost of airfare between home airport and Miami (whether or not you fly from MIA) Port charges and taxes of $410 N O T I N C L U D E D Gratuities for ship staff, excursion guides, site guides and drivers Personal expenses such phone charges or Wi-fi use Excess baggage charges Visa ($75) and passport expenses Travel insurance A C C O M M O D A T I O N S L O C AT I O N A C C O M M O D AT I O N S R AT I N G (Hotel & Travel Index) Cruise route Sailing yacht Panorama Superior First Class equivalent Guanahacabibes Peninsula Hotel Maria la Gorda Not rated l l See our website for full terms and conditions. 4

6 from 1953 to 1955 along with many other opponents of the government. Castro closed the prison in 1967, declared it a national monument, and repurposed the island, the southern portion as a national park and the rest an area to be newly populated by young Cubans. We will stop for lunch in Nueva Gerona before returning to the beach at the Colony Hotel for time at leisure. Then re-board Panorama and join Diane Rehm for another lively conversation while you cruise toward the westernmost point of the Cuban mainland and the settlement of Maria la Gorda. B/L/D by singers of the Chorus of Cienfuegos or a string quartet. We ll visit the Graphic Arts workshop for discussions with local artists about their work and lives. Embark on a guided walking tour of the city center and Parque Martì, considered the most beautiful of Cuba s urban parks. Among the distinctive buildings are the domed Government Palace (City Hall), the cathedral with its asymmetric red bell towers and stained glass work, the Colegio San Lorenzo and Teatro Thomas Terry, the Spanish-Moorish Palacio del Valle and the Palacio Ferrer, along with many charming houses and shops. After your walking tour return to the ship for the first of your conversations with Diane Rehm on topics suggested by your travels in Cuba. Set sail tonight for the island known since 1974 as Isla de la Juventud, The Island of Youth. B/L/D Monday, April 17 ISLA DE LA JUVENTUD: VISIT UNIVERSITY IN NUEVA GERONA SEE PRESIDIO MODELO & MEET ISLANDERS RETURN TO SHIP & SAIL TOWARD MARIA LA GORDA Enter the Bay of Singuanea on the west side of this storied island and moor in front of the Colony Hotel, near where Christopher Columbus is thought to have dropped anchor in After breakfast, disembark on the beach and drive to Nueva Gerona, the island s capital city. Visit the University of the Isla de la Juventud, founded in 1973 and named in honor of Jesús Montané Oropesa, a leader in the Cuban Revolution. Engage in a People-to-People conversation about the centrality of education here with members of the university community. Then take a panoramic sightseeing tour of the island and see the Presidio Modelo, where Fidel and Raul Castro were held Tuesday, April 18 MARIA LA GORDA: VISIT RURAL SCHOOL GUANAHACABIBES NATIONAL PARK BEACH BARBECUE WITH SWIM TIME NIGHT AT HOTEL IN MARIA LA GORDA Note: Before disembarking you will need to pack an overnight bag or backpack with whatever you need through tomorrow afternoon. While the ship follows the coast around the west end of Cuba to Havana, we will spend the night at the Hotel Maria la Gorda. The hotel, used primarily by divers, does not offer luxury but does provide a clean room and essential services. Tomorrow we will drive to Havana through the beautiful Viñales Valley with time for several visits and lunch at an organic restaurant. We think you will prefer this itinerary to spending almost 24 hours on board. Disembark at Maria la Gorda and drive to the village of San Juan del Valle, where we will visit the local school and meet children and their teachers. Take part in a people-to-people exchange on differences between the educational systems of Cuba and the U.S., especially in rural schools. 5

7 We ll visit Guanahacabibes National Park, part of the Biosphere Reserve established in 1987 on the remote Guanahacabibes Peninsula. It is a complex landscape of mangroves, woodlands, reefs, beaches, scrubland and evergreen forests, home to many wildlife species including iguanas and alligators, and on the migration route of over 170 bird species. This peninsula is also of interest as one of the last refuges of the aboriginal Guanahatabeyes, who fled here from the Spanish conquistadors. Some 140 archaeological sites in the area document their presence and their culture. Learn more about this environment and its history in conversation with local people and naturalists. Enjoy a barbecue lunch, swimming, and snorkeling in Maria La Gorda, which is a diving center famed for abundant undersea life. Check in at the beachside Hotel Maria la Gorda, where you will have dinner and spend the night. B/L/D Wednesday, April 19 VIÑALES VALLEY VISIT TOBACCO FARM AND ORGANIC FARM LUNCH AT ORGANIC RESTAURANT ARRIVE IN HAVANA & RE-BOARD SHIP Disembark early this morning for a drive through the Viñales Valley, where undulating karst landscapes are dotted with rocky outcroppings, small towns and villages, interspersed with farmland. The vernacular architecture, traditional agriculture and striking terrain have earned the area UNESCO World Heritage status. Visit a tobacco farm and talk with farmers about the production of Cuba s famed cigars. We will have lunch at an organic restaurant before visiting one of Cuba s many organic farms. The organic farming program began in Cuba in the 1990s, after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, when the island had to feed its population and maintain its farmland. We ll hear about the success of the program in this fertile tropical environment. From the Viñales Valley we ll drive north to Havana and board Panorama at the Sierra Maestra Sea Terminal. Time permitting, Diane Rehm will host one more discussion in the late afternoon. B/L/D Thursday, April 20 WALKING TOUR OF OLD HAVANA FUSTERLANDIA LUNCH AT A PALADAR ART STUDIO & MARKET DINNER AT CAFÉ TABERNA (OR SIMILAR) After breakfast we ll take a walking tour of Old Havana (Habana Vieja) to see the beautiful baroque and neo-classical monuments, arcades and balconies around the main squares. Havana is arguably the best-preserved Spanish colonial city in the Americas, with a number of its stately palaces now housing museums. Since Old Havana was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982, many buildings have been restored and others are in progress. Among the highlights are the Catedral de San Cristóbal, the Governors Palace that is now the City Museum, the St. Francis Basilica and the National Theater. Nearby is the fortress built by Spain in 1558 to repel pirate attacks. Visit the seaside barrio of Jaimanitas to see the work of artist José Rodriguez Fuster. His ceramic tile roofs, walls, doorways and benches so define the neighborhood that it s called Fusterlandia. 6

8 The exuberant style of his ceramic and other work is inspired by Gaudí and Brancusi, with the powerful stamp of Picasso hovering in the background. Lunch will be at a paladar, one of the privately operated restaurants now permitted in Cuba. We'll visit. The-Merger Art Studio, where the focus is on steel-and-plexiglass sculptures that draw on popular culture. The three artists who formed The-Merger in 2009 now work across the divide, two in Havana and one in Miami. Later we ll have some time to wander the San José Arts and Crafts Market, Havana s major market for art and decorative objects, which occupies an 1885 warehouse near the pier. In the evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant, followed by an opportunity to hear some wonderful Cuban music in the style of Buena Vista Social Club at the Café Taberna or a similar venue. We ll return to Panorama in Havana Harbor for the night. B/L/D Friday, April 21 UNIVERSITY OF HAVANA FINCA VIGIA LUNCH AT A PALADAR GARAGE FOR MID-CENTURY U.S. CARS HABANA COMPÁS DANCE CAPTAIN S FAREWELL DINNER Disembark for a visit to the University of Havana, Cuba s largest university and one that attracts students in exchanges from countries worldwide. From there we ll drive to the small town of San Francisco de Paula, the site of Finca Vigia, Ernest Hemingway s beloved home from 1939 to After lunch at a paladar, visit a garage devoted to maintaining the U.S.-made cars of the 1950s that have served Cubans ever since. They are emblems of style and of ingenuity, having been preserved and adapted over a half-century even though U.S. car parts were unavailable. We ll return to Havana to enjoy a performance by the exuberant dancers and musicians from Habana Compás Dance. Their choreography combines contemporary styles with Latin American folk dance, flamenco gestures and all the rhythm sources at hand. In the late afternoon return to the ship in port for the Captain s Farewell Dinner and one last night aboard. B/L/D Saturday, April 22 RETURN FLIGHT TO U.S. GATEWAY CONTINUE ON FLIGHT HOME Disembark after breakfast and transfer to José Martí International Airport. Board your flight to your U.S. gateway and continue on the flight to your home airport. B Note: Cuba is still developing its facilities for visitors. The standard for accommodations, meals and road conditions is not yet what U.S. travelers are accustomed to. In addition, the availability of excursions changes frequently. The more flexibility and adventurous spirit you can bring to this trip, the greater its rewards will be. 7

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11 Panorama Ship Description The sailing yacht Panorama is a modern three-masted sailing ship that fosters a congenial and unhurried cruise experience. Launched in 1993, it has been renovated several times, most recently in The ship provides aspects of the traditional sailing experience, enhanced by teak decks and gleaming nautical trim, though it carries motors so is not subject to the vagaries of wind and sea. The interior of the ship is fully air-conditioned and features a lounge on the Main Deck with a small library and full-length windows, and a spacious indoor and outdoor bar-lounge area on the Upper Deck with large windows that provide ever-changing views. All cabins are outside, Category A cabins on the Upper Deck with windows, Category B cabins on the Main Deck with windows, and Categories C and D cabins on the Lower Deck with portholes. The cabins are decorated in warm, light colors with nautical dark wood trim and are furnished with double beds or twins (See Deck Plan and cabin descriptions). All cabins are equipped with individual climate control and have TV, a mini-refrigerator, direct-dial internal-use telephones, safe boxes, hair dryers, and bathrooms with showers. During the day life on board centers on the outdoor areas, the Sun Deck and the shaded exterior deck on the aft of Panorama. The swimming platform at the stern enables guests to swim when weather and anchorage conditions permit. Snorkeling equipment and inflatable kayaks are available. The light-filled dining room within the ship accommodates all guests in one dinner seating, with cuisine reflecting local and international influences. Meals may also be served outdoors. Generous breakfast and lunch buffets are provided, and most special dietary requirements or preferences are available if arranged in advance. 10

12 Panorama Deck Plan UPPER DECK A1 Category A Category B Category C Category D A2 MAIN DECK Overall All cabins are equipped with individual controlled air conditioning, television with satellite channels, telephone for internal use, mini safe box, mini-fridge and hairdryer adapters (220V) CATEGORY A Upper Deck (Twin Beds or Double Bed) Category A cabins are located on the upper deck offering windows and bathroom with showers. 25 LOWER DECK CATEGORY B Main Deck (Twin Beds or Double Bed) Category B cabins are located on the main deck offering windows and bathroom with showers. SHIP DATA 24 Launched: 1993 Renovated: 2014 Masts: 3 Length: feet Beam (breadth): 39.3 feet Draft: 16.4 feet Cruising speed: 11 knots Decks: 3 Passenger cabins: 25 Passengers: 49 Crew: Registry: Greece CATEGORY C Lower Deck (Twin Beds or Triple Beds) Category C cabins are located on the lower deck offering portholes and bathroom with showers. CATEGORY D Lower Deck (Double Bed) Category D cabins are outside cabins located fore and aft on the Lower Deck. They have portholes and private bathrooms with showers. 11

13 Unforgettable Cuba: Trinidad/Casilda to Havana Additional Information Participation Group IST has been issued a license (#CT ) by the Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) authorizing them to organize and operate People to People exchange program, one of twelve categories of travel U.S. citizens are permitted to undertake to Cuba. To comply with the terms of authorization, participants are expected to attend the exchange events (barring illness or physical limitations). Passport and visa You will receive instructions on obtaining your visa. At Cuban Immigration & Customs, you will present your passport and your visa. If you hold a U.S. passport, the officer will stamp both portions of the visa and return one to you, which you must submit when leaving Cuba. Itinerary The itinerary is at the discretion of the captain, who may make changes in consideration of sea and weather conditions or other factors. Since space at the dock in Havana is severely limited, this itinerary may involve having to transfer to/from shore by tender instead of docking at one of the two piers. Onshore programs may be changed because of factors beyond our control. Your days will be filled with enlightening experiences, though some may differ from those described here. Dietary needs Some dietary restrictions can be accommodated on board, though some foods are not available or plentiful. Paladores are small, family-owned restaurants that may not have a wide selection of dishes available. If you are vegetarian or vegan, or must follow a gluten-free or similarly restricted diet, please discuss your needs with a Cross-Culture Journeys representative before registering. 12

14 Unforgettable Cuba: Trinidad/Casilda to Havana Dates & Prices April 15 22, 2017 Tour Code: RCBR CATEGORY D CATEGORY C CATEGORY B CATEGORY A Price before DECEMBER 31, 2016 $5,645 $6,345 $6,745 $7,345 Price after DECEMBER 31, 2016 $5,895 $6,595 $6,995 $7,595 Please note, pricing is per person with double occupancy. Pricing includes airfare! Free airfare from Miami is included in the pricing chart above. We are happy to arrange airfare from the airport of your choice, please call for details. Port charges, Cuba visa, medical insurance and fees $525 of which $410 is port charges Single supplement 75% for Categories C & D; 100% for Categories A & B We are able to book First Class please call for more information. Deduct $400 if you are making your own air arrangements. Airport-ship transfers may be purchased at an additional cost if you are arriving and departing on the scheduled cruise dates. BONUS SAVINGS FREE AIRFARE PLUS SAVE $500 PER COUPLE Book & pay in full by December 31, 2016 Hometown airports* Pricing from your home airport to Miami Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Orlando, Raleigh-Durham, Tampa, Washington DC only an additional $200 Boston, Hartford, Newark, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh only an additional $250 Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas-Fort Worth, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Minneapolis, St. Louis only an additional $350 Denver, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle only an additional $400 *Please call for prices from other airports Group IST has been issued a license (#CT ) by the Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) authorizing us to organize and operate People to People programs to Cuba in accordance with OFAC regulations. Group IST, working with local suppliers, arranges visits, exchanges and excursions in Cuba designed to promote people-to-people contact and cultural exchange. l l 13

15 Unforgettable Cuba: Trinidad/Casilda to Havana Registration Form A deposit of $1,000 per person is required to confirm your reservation for Unforgettable Cuba: Havana to Trinidad/Casilda. The applicable deposit is being paid by: the enclosed check for $ my credit card for $ (If paying by credit card, please complete the credit card information at right) Traveler One NAME ADDRESS CITY Preferred departure city TRAVELER ONE TRAVELER TWO Check here if you would like to purchase the program on a land/cruise-only basis. I/we would like to request a cabin upgrade: Category C Category B Category A I wish to share a room or cabin with: I prefer a single room, subject to availability. I would like to share a twin room, if a roommate is available (shares are not guaranteed). I authorize Cross-Culture to charge the applicable deposit per person, per program or segment of combination programs to the following credit card: CREDIT CARD NUMBER EXPIRATION DATE SECURITY CODE (Our bank requires the embossed digits plus the last three digits printed in the signature box on the back of your card) CARD HOLDER S NAME (as it appears on the credit card) SIGNATURE TRAVELER ONE SIGNATURE TRAVELER TWO STATE HOME PHONE BUSINESS PHONE ZIP By making a deposit and enrolling in a Cross-Culture travel program, I am indicating that I have read and understand and agree to the General Terms and Conditions included in this package and on the website(s). Traveler Two NAME ADDRESS CITY STATE HOME PHONE BUSINESS PHONE ZIP Toll Free: Fax: White Pine Road Amherst, MA travel@ccjourneys.com 14

16 Unforgettable Cuba: Trinidad/Casilda to Havana Terms & Conditions RESERVATION, DEPOSIT REQUIREMENT & FINAL PAYMENT SCHEDULE The quickest and best way to make a reservation is to call us at between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. You may also request a reservation online at or Early registration is strongly recommended for the following reasons: Group size is limited (24 on Cultural and Family Journeys; 20 on President s programs); we use small-ship cruise lines with a small number of cabins choice cabins ALWAYS sell out quickly; single accommodations are subject to availability; some trips require additional preparation time and airlines restrict seat inventory. PRIVATE CHARTER PAYMENT SCHEDULE: Initial deposit: $1,000 Second payment: 50% of the cruise price at 225 days prior to departure Final payment: 180 days CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS If it becomes necessary for you to cancel your trip (or any portion thereof), you must notify Cross-Culture in writing, by , or by fax immediately. The effective date of your cancellation will be the date that we receive your notification. Cross-Culture will assess a cancellation charge to cover loss of nonrefundable advance payments we may have made on your behalf to including, but not limited to: ground operators; cruise lines; airlines; government agencies; communication expenses; and the loss of time. The cancellation charge applies regardless of the reason for cancellation, such as State Department travel warnings. Cancellation charges per person are as follows: FOR PRIVATELY CHARTERED CRUISES (INCLUDING PRE/POST TOUR EXTENSIONS) Days prior to departure Charge 216 days or more: $500 (additional $125 for pre/post tour extension) days: 25% of cruise price days: 50% of cruise price days: 75% of cruise price 120 days or fewer: 100% of cruise price (no refund) Any changes to reservation: $150 administrative fee NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR TOUR PRICE Passport and visa fees; airfare from your hometown to your gateway city; personal expenses such as telephone, communication charges, laundry, beverages, room service, and meals not specified; excess baggage fees; independent transfers when purchasing a land-only package; gratuities to shipboard and expedition staff; optional activities or shore excursions; flights connecting two or more programs and cancellation, travel and health insurance. PASSPORTS & VISAS A valid passport is required for all Cross-Culture programs. A visa may be required for some of our programs. As we continue to add new destinations, it is your responsibility to check with the appropriate country for their visa requirements. Cross-Culture is not responsible in any way for providing you with information related to passport and/or visa requirements. Cross-Culture does not accept any responsibility in your failure to secure the necessary documentation for your trip. TRAVELING TO CUBA Group IST has been issued a license (#CT ) by the Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) authorizing us to organize and operate People to People programs to Cuba in accordance with OFAC regulations. Group IST, working with local suppliers, arranges visits, exchanges and excursions in Cuba designed to promote people-to-people contact and cultural exchange. TRAVEL INSURANCE WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR INVESTMENT IN CASE YOU HAVE TO CANCEL OR INTERRUPT YOUR VACATION. This coverage will offset cancellation charges in the event of illness before or during your trip. Trip Cancellation/Interruption, Medical Expense/Emergency Assistance, Baggage and Personal Effects, and Baggage/Travel Delay are some of the benefits of the Preferred Benefits Travel Insurance. Details and an insurance application will be sent along with your confirmation packet. Your deposit can be charged to a MasterCard or Visa credit card or paid by check. If you make your reservation after the final payment date, payment in full will be required at the time of the booking. Final payment for land tours is due at least 95 days prior to departure. Make your check payable to Cross-Culture Journeys and send it to: 12 White Pine Road, Amherst, MA The final payment for small-ship cruises is due at least 120 days prior to departure. If final payment is not paid when due, Cross-Culture reserves the right to regard the reservation as cancelled. If the trip is fully booked when we receive your deposit, we will return your payment, or with your authorization, we will retain your deposit and place your name on a priority waiting list in case other participants cancel. Name changes are considered a cancellation, and the above-listed charges apply. If you are a no-show, if you cancel your trip after the departure date, or if you leave a trip already in progress, you will not receive any refund for any unused portion of your trip. Note: Air refunds, if any, are determined by the individual airlines. Cross-Culture, may, in order to take advantage of schedules and competitive pricing, purchase airlines tickets in advance. These tickets are non-refundable within 95 days of departure. TOUR PRICING & INCLUSIONS Tour prices quoted include accommodations based on double occupancy; airfare from your gateway city (when purchasing tour with airfare), meals, performances, admissions and scheduled group excursions as noted in the itinerary, hotel taxes, airport transfers for group flights, baggage handling for one bag per person, services of a Cross-Culture Travel Guide (if applicable); gratuities and taxes for the following on land: included meals, baggage handling, drivers or guides. Please note that air upgrades, airline taxes, fuel surcharges, departure fees, governmental fees and port charges are subject to change. HEALTH & WALKING Participants in all Cross-Culture programs should be in good physical condition and prepared to enjoy walking, often over uneven cobblestones. We ask you to appraise your own capabilities honestly. And, we ask that you be considerate of the other group members and do not delay the scheduled group activities. We do not provide assistance if you require the use of a wheelchair or have other personal needs; in such cases a companion who will assist you must accompany you. Cross-Culture reserves the right to decline to accept or retain any participant should such person s health or deportment impede the operation of the trip or enjoyment of any other participant. If Cross-Culture decides not to retain a participant during the trip, Cross-Culture assumes no financial responsibility for any unused portion of the tour or for any incidental charges therein. PHOTOGRAPHY ON TOUR Cross-Culture reserves the right to take photographs or video during the operation of any tour or part thereof, and to use the resulting images or video for promotional purposes. By booking a reservation with Cross-Culture, you agree to allow your image to be used for such purposes, without compensation. If you prefer that your image not be used, you must identify yourself to the guide at the commencement of the tour. For full Terms and Conditions please contact