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Frequently Asked Questions
Travel Insurance
Unexpected events can occur at any time and cause delays or even cancellation
of your vacation. We strongly recommend that you protect your vacation investment
with trip insurance, especially when traveling during hurricane season. There are
many insurance companies to from which to choose. A brochure for Divers Alert Network
Trip Insurance (click here for more information) will be included in your
Travel Packet which we mail to you upon receipt of your deposit. If you would like
to receive the brochure prior to your booking, please contact us or visit their
website.
Divers Alert Network
Divers Alert Network (DAN) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit medical and research
organization dedicated to the safety and health of recreational scuba divers and
associated with Duke University Medical Center. DAN provides vital services no diver
should be without: Help in diving emergencies, 24-hour hotline, Alert Magazine,
DAN’s Medical Info line, DAN products, TravelAssist Air Evacuation Benefits, Medical
Research, Recompression Chamber Assistance Program. Only DAN Members are eligible
for DAN's Diving Accident Insurance Plan. Sign up for DAN Membership and Diving
Insurance online at www.diversalertnetwork.com,
or call toll free (800) 446-2671 to upgrade your coverage today!
Changes to Price
We regretfully have recently been faced with a very volatile economy particularly
in respect to fuel prices. No doubt you have noticed this at the gas pump yourself.
Unfortunately, this situation is beyond our control and we have found it necessary
to implement a fuel surcharge. Please be aware that as a company dependent on fuel
(now our second largest expense), if fuel prices fluctuate significantly between
the date of your deposit and your cruise date, we reserve the right to increase
the fuel surcharge in proportion to the increase in fuel prices. Nekton Diving Cruises,
LLC is committed to keeping our cruises affordable to all and we hope the international
and domestic oil situation changes for the better in the very near future. We pledge
to do our very best to keep our prices down through efficient operations in order
to make our dive cruise vacations affordable for both our loyal return guests as
well as our new guests. Also, please note that port charges, taxes, flights, dive
permits and other fees are subject to change without advance notice. These increases
will be passed on to our guests.
Changes to Your Reservations
If you require to change the date or destination of a reservations after it has
been deposited and your request is given in writing more than 90 days prior to departure,
a $50 administrative fee per reservation will apply. To change the date of a reservations
within 90 days of departure is considered the same as a cancellation and will be
only be allowed a date change if your original space is re-sold and the charter
is full. Group and Full Boat Charter reservations are not changeable. No bookings
can be transferred to a Travel Agent, Wholesaler or Dive Shop once a deposit has
been made directly with Nekton Diving Cruises.
Documentation
Nekton Diving Cruises provides guidelines regarding documentation required to enter
the various foreign ports that we visit. However, as documentation requirements
sometimes change and vary with visitor nationalities, you alone are responsible
for ensuring that you have the proper documentation required for your entry into
the foreign destination and your return. Please double check that you have valid
documentation prior to booking your cruise. Starting December 31, 2005, the U.S.
Government is introducing new passport rules that will affect travel to many destinations.
For information on obtaining or renewing a passport, visit the State Department's
Website.
http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html. U.S. passports
are valid for ten years.
Single Guests
Nekton cruise fares are based on double occupancy but we typically have
single divers on most every week. Singles are welcome to book at the regular cruise
fare if they are willing to share their cabin with another guest of the same gender.
If you require having a cabin alone, you are required to pay a single supplement
of 50% of the full retail cruise fare. Additionally, guests who request a guaranteed
single room are required to pay double the deposit to reserve the whole cabin. We
can never guarantee a cabin alone to a diver who has not paid the single supplement.
Cabin Requests
Our cabin rates are the same for every cabin aboard our vessels. While
the cabins vary slightly, each cabin provides the same amenities. We make an effort
to accommodate requests but can not guarantee any cabin requests. No refunds or
adjustments will be given if you do not for any reason receive the cabin you requested.
Smoking
Smoking is not allowed anywhere inside the vessels. There is a designated
smoking area on the stern of the outdoor sundeck. Smokers must remain in the designated
smoking area while smoking.
Itinerary Change
Itineraries are always weather permitting and are conducted at the sole discretion
of the Captain. Safety is always the first priority. The Captain may also vary itineraries
at his discretion in an attempt to provide guests with the best diving conditions
based on weather forecasts and the Captain’s predictions. No refunds will be given
for itineraries that are altered or canceled due to weather. We appreciate your
understanding that Nekton Diving Cruises has no control over the weather and even
the very best Captain cannot perfectly predict seas, currents, visibility and fish
activity.
Substitution
Nekton Diving Cruises has the right to substitute a similar vessel if for any unforeseen
reason the reserved vessel is unable to fulfill its cruise obligation.
Right to Refuse Service
We are delighted to have provided a safe and enjoyable cruise to thousands of guests
over the years. To facilitate our ability to continue to provide safe and enjoyable
cruises to our guests, Nekton Diving Cruises, its owners and employees reserve the
right to refuse service to any diver whose behavior or health is believed to be
a danger to the safe operation of the vessel. This policy provides, among other
things, that a booking request may be denied, for example, where the guest's conduct
on a prior cruise has resulted in strong negative feedback from former guests and/or
crew. In addition, a guest may be removed from the vessel or be denied air fills
where, in the opinion of the ship's captain, a guest is unfit for diving, travel
or is a risk or danger to him or herself or a disturbance or danger to others. Any
illegal drug use will result in immediately being turned over to local authorities.
Nekton Diving Cruises is not liable for its refusal to provide air fills to any
passenger or for its removal of any guest in accordance with these policies. In
addition, Nekton Diving Cruises shall not be required to refund any amount paid
by any guest who must leave or discontinue diving prematurely pursuant to the either
policy, nor shall Nekton be responsible for lodging, meals, return transportation
or other expenses incurred by the guest or for any consequential or punitive damages.
Nekton does not discriminate based upon race, color, national origin, religion,
sex, ancestry or sexual orientation and is an equal opportunity employer.
Nitrox
Nekton uses RIX Industries brand oil-free compressors to safely pump Nitrox. Yes,
this equipment cost us considerably more than a standard oil-lubricated compressor,
but it assures that the air fills you get aboard the Nekton Pilot and Nekton Rorqual
are the cleanest you will find and the safest way to go aboard a live-aboard. If
you would like to dive Nitrox, you must request Nitrox at the time of booking. Nitrox
is available on a first-come, first pay basis. If due to mechanical reasons, we
are unable to provide Nitrox, you will be refunded any prepaid money for Nitrox.
We are unable to refund any other monies including cruise fare, air fare, taxes,
etc.
Beverage Policy
Nekton vessels are provisioned with a wide assortment of complimentary non-alcoholic
and non-carbonated beverages which typically include healthy fruit juices such as
orange, cranberry and apple, as well as ice tea, lemonade, Gatorade and fruit punch.
Hot coffee, tea and herbal teas are also available. Over the years, we have carefully
considered the feedback of our guests and have developed the following policy: We
do not impose a corking fee for those who wish to bring along a favorite beverage,
whether it be alcoholic or carbonated. We will make arrangements for you to purchase
these beverages, whether it is in a local store or from a vendor that arrives at
the boat, before your boarding the vessel on Saturday evening. Your beverages may
be stored in your cabin – we have a guest ice cooler where you are able to keep
your beverages chilled.
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