Terms & Conditions

Guests are advised to carefully read the Terms and Conditions of the Guest Ticket Contract set forth below which affect your legal rights and are binding.

1. Definitions

This Contract is between Universal Shore Excursions Ltd (hereinafter “USE”) and the Passenger. The Passenger is each person whose name appears on the ticket and/or uses the ticket for participating in the shore excursion, and includes any accompanying minors.

The term “Passenger” shall include the plural where appropriate. Whenever the term “USE” is used in this Contract it shall include USE, its owners, officers, directors, and employees, and its related and affiliated companies, as well as companies involved in the operation of the shore excursion programme.

2. The Contract

The Passenger agrees that this Contract governs the relationship between the Passenger and USE, regardless of the Passenger’s age, whether the Passenger purchased the ticket on his or her own behalf, and/or whether the ticket has been held and/or presented by another person on behalf of the Passenger.

Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, this Contract constitutes the entire agreement between USE and the Passenger and supersedes all other representations and agreements, whether oral or written. The receipt or use of this ticket by the Passenger shall be deemed acceptance and agreement by him or her to all of the terms and conditions of this Contract. Should any provision of this Contract be contrary to or invalid by virtue of the law of the jurisdiction in which this Contract is sought to be enforced or be so held by a court of competent jurisdiction, such provision(s) shall be deemed to be severed from the Contract and of no effect and all remaining provisions herein shall be in full force and effect.

3. Independent Service Providers and Operators

The Passenger acknowledges that all shore excursions and activities are provided by independent shore excursion operators, and USE makes arrangements for Passengers for shore excursions solely for the convenience of the Passenger. USE does not act on behalf of, or supervise the parties, entities, or persons who own, or operate such shore excursions and activities, and the shore excursions are provided and operated by independent contractors. USE has no ownership or control over the means of transportation or any other services furnished in connection with such independent shore excursions. The owners or contractors providing such transportation or any other services are independent contractors and control these operations and services. These owners or contractors have no relationship with USE other than that of independent contractor.

Passengers also acknowledge that USE does not maintain, control, oversee, or supervise the independent providers of shore excursions, and the Passenger acknowledges and agrees that USE shall not be liable for any loss, damage, injury, costs or delays resulting from Passenger’s use of the shore excursion or any services provided in connection therewith. Guest also acknowledges and agrees that USE shall not be responsible or liable for any kind of loss, damage, or injury to person or property relating to COVID-19 or any communicable diseases associated with the Passenger’s participation in the independent shore excursion or any services provided in connection therewith, and the Passenger voluntarily assumes all risks related to exposure. Participation may also be subject to the independent shore excursion operator’s own terms and conditions. Guest hereby releases USE from any and all liability associated with the independent shore excursion(s) and agrees to hold USE blameless from any and all loss, injury or death, illness or damages to property, however caused and of whatsoever nature, in connection with the independent shore excursions.

4. Governing Law

Guest acknowledges and agrees that any claims, disputes or lawsuits whatsoever arising out of or relating to the Terms and Conditions of this Contract, or the services provided by the independent shore excursion operator, shall be brought exclusively in a court of general jurisdiction where the principal office of the independent shore excursion operator is located, and the choice of law with respect to any such dispute, lawsuit or claim shall be the law of that jurisdiction, to the exclusion of the laws of any other country, state, city or country where suit might otherwise be brought, regardless of that jurisdiction’s choice of law rules.

5. Cancellations

USE reserves the right to cancel any excursion due to adverse weather conditions or for any other reason and shall not be liable for any loss whatsoever to Passengers due to an excursion cancellation. USE will issue a full refund for all cancelled excursions, including those cancelled due to a delay in ship arrival or an inability of a ship to call on a particular port.

In order to receive a refund for a cancelled excursion, Guests must submit a refund request by contacting USE within 14 days of excursion’s departure date.

All personal items, including coats, cameras, handbags, and similar personal articles should remain at all times through the excursion under your personal control. USE is not responsible for the loss, theft, or damage of personal items while Passengers are on the excursion.

The right is reserved to withdraw any excursion, to change the sequence of excursion activities, or to omit specific activities for any reason, including the safety or best interest of the Passengers. Independent shore excursion operators may also decline to provide excursion services to any Passenger at any time.

Unless otherwise noted within the excursion description, excursion purchases are fully refundable outside of 28 days prior to the tour date. Beginning on the 27th day prior to the tour date, excursion purchases are non-refundable. No refunds will be made to any Passenger who fails to show up for an excursion departure at the designated time and place, or who leaves, or otherwise does not use all of the services scheduled to be provided by an excursion.

Most excursions will operate in a variety of weather conditions, and no refunds will be made to any Passenger who chooses not to participate in a departing excursion due to weather conditions. Passengers of any excursion who elect to leave the designated tour transportation must provide their own transportation at their own expense back to the landing place of the vessel.

The prices for shore excursions are in UK Pounds, with a currency conversion facility available via the website, and are subject to change without notice. Charges shown in currency other than GBP are approximate, and actual rates used by your card issuer will be shown on your card statement. However, USE will honour the price at the time of the confirmed excursion booking even if prices change before excursion departure. USE detailed excursion descriptions list all features included in each excursion, which may or may not include guide services, meals, transportation, and entrance fees. The USE site and all USE affiliated sites are intended for personal, non-commercial use and/or to make legitimate requests to book the products or services offered. This site may not be used to make any speculative, false or fraudulent requests. Robots or other automated means to access this site are not permitted.

Back to Ship Guarantee

For all excursion reservations that include transportation to and from the cruise port, we guarantee to get you back to your ship in time for your cruise ship’s departure. If for reasons beyond our control, for example road accidents etc., you are not able to reach your ship in time, we will reimburse your expenses to travel to the next port of call on your itinerary up to GBP £500 per person and will assist in making travel arrangements. Please retain all travel receipts and submit to us via email at commercial@universalshoreexcursions.co.uk within 14 days. This policy is void in instances where delay is caused by your own actions and/or you have deviated from the excursion. Failure to follow your guide’s instructions regarding meeting times and locations for return transportation will void this guarantee. Reservations where transportation is not included and is at your discretion do not include a back to ship guarantee.

6. Newsletter Sign Up

When making a reservation with Universal Shore Excursions Ltd, you will automatically be enrolled to receive regular Newsletters and other information from us. We DO NOT sell or pass your name or email address to 3rd parties. You can unsubscribe from the Newsletter at any time by clicking the Unsubscribe link.