Terms & Conditions
The purchase of any travel services offered by Bluewater Travel constitutes a contractual arrangement between you and Bluewater Travel and represents your acceptance of the Bluewater Travel Terms & Conditions set out herein.
NOTE: Terms & Conditions differ depending on the type of trip you book. Please ensure that you read carefully and understand the appropriate Terms & Conditions prior to booking. Contact your travel agent or Bluewater Travel at 310-915-6677 if you need further clarification.
Travel with Bluewater trips include all Bluewater-led group trips and photo workshops.
Individual and Group bookings refer to all bookings made by an individual or group of travelers (like friends or families) who will travel independently, rather than guided travel with a Bluewater trip leader.
Deposits and Payments
Any payment of a deposit constitutes full acceptance of the Terms & Conditions stated herein. Bluewater Travel has no obligation and will not confirm reservations until deposits are received.
Travel with Bluewater Trips
- All bookings require a minimum deposit as indicated on the website trip page and/or invoice
- Deposits for trips with a retail price less than $5,000 are refundable up to 12 months prior to trip commencement.
- Deposits for trips with a retail price of $5,000 or more are refundable up to 18 months prior to trip commencement.
- Additional payment amounts and due dates are indicated on the website trip page and/or invoice.
Individual & Group Bookings
- All bookings require a minimum deposit of either $500 per person, or the amount required by supplier(s), whichever is greater.
- All bookings require full payment 65 days prior to the trip departure date, or sooner as required by supplier(s).
- All deposits are non-refundable unless stated otherwise.
Payment Methods
Bluewater Travel accepts payment by cash, personal check, cashier’s check, wire transfer, ACH, Wise, Zelle, and credit cards.
- No credit card fees.
- All bank fees associated with sending or receiving wire deposits and payments are the responsibility of the sender.
Cancellations and Refunds
All cancellations must be received in writing. As a booking agent for airlines, liveaboard, resorts, and other suppliers, Bluewater Travel is subject to the cancellation and refund policies of each contractor/supplier. Air travel is typically non-refundable. PLEASE REFER TO YOUR INVOICE FOR CANCELLATION POLICIES SPECIFIC TO YOUR RESERVATION.
Travel with Bluewater Trips
Cancellation penalties are assessed as follows and are based on the trip’s retail price (not discounted prices):
Trips less than $5,000:
- 12+ months before trip start date: No cancellation fee. Deposit is fully refundable.
- 6 - 12 months before trip start date: Deposit and any additional payments made are non-refundable.
- 6 months or less before trip start date: 100% of trip cost.
Trips $5,000 or more:
- 18+ months before trip start date: No cancellation fee. Deposit is fully refundable.
- 12 - 18 months before trip start date: Deposit is non-refundable.
- 6 - 12 months before trip start date: Deposit and any additional payments made are non-refundable.
- 6 months or less before trip start date: 100% of trip cost.
Individual & Group Bookings
Bluewater Travel reserves the right to assess additional cancellation penalties as follows:
- 60+ days before trip start date: $100 per person
- 30 - 59 days before trip start date: $250 per person
- 30 days or less before trip start date: 100% of trip cost.
Other Important Information
Please read the following items that may be relevant to your Travel with Bluewater, individual, or group booking:
Trip Leaders
Bluewater Travel reserves the right to assign a different trip leader at any time prior to commencement of Travel with Bluewater trips. No refunds will be given for changes to the trip leader or itinerary.
Cabin & room Assignments
While Bluewater Travel tries our best to pair same gender guests in the same room/cabin, we can not guarantee same gender room/cabin assignments when pairing up solo travelers on Travel with Bluewater trips.
Group Bookings
Group bookings are based on a minimum number of participants traveling together. Changes to the number of participants may result in a loss of free spots and/or a loss in group discounts.
Dive Insurance
Bluewater Travel strongly recommends you purchase a comprehensive scuba dive insurance policy that includes medical evacuation and treatment specifically for dive accidents. Many dive operators require divers to provide proof of dive insurance. The most common carriers are Divers Alert Network (DAN) and Dive Assure.
Travel Insurance
Bluewater Travel strongly recommends you purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy. The importance of obtaining travel insurance prior to embarking on a holiday can not be overstated. Without travel insurance issues such as lost bags, missed connections, illness, or even a change to your personal circumstances may have detrimental effects on your holiday plans.
Travel insurance may also provide coverage in the event that a third-party travel supplier (such as a liveaboard, airline, hotel, or tour operator) becomes insolvent or is otherwise unable to provide the contracted services.
As with any type of insurance, there are many types of travel insurance coverage and it’s imperative that you understand the terms and conditions, inclusions and exclusions, and which policy best suits your needs.
Read the Resources section for more information.
Force Majeure
Bluewater Travel will not be responsible for any delay or failure in and performance due, without limitation, to adverse weather, fire, flood, earthquakes, typhoons, hurricanes, acts of God, war, warlike conditions, blockade, embargoes, riots, pandemics, governmental restriction, labor disturbances, unavailability of anticipated usual means of supplies, transportation or loading facilities, wrecks, epidemics, quarantine, explosion, any unforeseen change in circumstances, or any other causes beyond its reasonable control.
Fuel Surcharges and Other Fees
Additional fees such as fuel surcharges, marine park fees, and other fees may be changed or implemented by an operator at any time. You are responsible for paying these fees, as they are set by the operator and not Bluewater Travel.
Assumption of Risks
You acknowledge that:
- You are in appropriate physical condition to engage in the various activities you have signed up for.
- You understand and voluntarily assume all risks associated with engaging in travel or activities organized by Bluewater Travel. Activities including but not limited to scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, safari game drives, trekking, and boating may involve risk, potential exposure to injury, and possibly death.
Waiver of Liability
In the absence of gross negligence, Bluewater Travel, its agents, officers, employees, and contractors are not responsible or liable for any injury, loss, accident, damage, delay, or non-performance occurring in connection with these arrangements.
All travelers are required to sign waivers before the trip. Ask your travel agent for a copy of the resort's or liveaboard's waivers so you can review them before your trip. A link to the Travel with Bluewater waiver can be found in the Resources section below.
Accuracy of Information
The information contained on our website and in our documentation is correct to the best of our knowledge, but we accept no liability for any inaccuracies contained herein. All information is given in good faith, and you are responsible for obtaining any necessary visas and travel documents prior to commencement of travel.
In making use of any services provided by Bluewater Travel, you accept and agree to abide by these Terms & Conditions.
Supplier Failure, Insolvency, or Cessation of Operations
Bluewater Travel acts solely as a booking agent for third-party travel suppliers, including but not limited to liveaboards, dive resorts, airlines, hotels, and tour operators (“Suppliers”). Bluewater Travel does not own, operate, or control any Supplier and does not guarantee the financial solvency, continued operation, or performance of any Supplier. In the event that a Supplier ceases operations, becomes insolvent, suspends services, or is otherwise unable to provide the contracted services, such failure shall not be considered a failure or breach by Bluewater Travel. Refunds, credits, or alternative arrangements, if any, are subject solely to the Supplier’s policies and financial ability to provide such remedies. Bluewater Travel shall not be obligated to issue refunds from its own funds for services not provided due to Supplier insolvency or operational failure.
Resources
Dive Insurance: Read our article about dive insurance . The top providers are DAN and Dive Assure.
Travel Insurance: Read our article about travel insurance here. Our preferred provider is Arch RoamRight.
Travel with Bluewater Waiver: Please click to complete the trip waiver here.
Restricted Destinations Notice
Bluewater does not provide travel, booking, payment, or other services in or to Cuba or any other sanctioned jurisdictions. Any informational or historical content referencing Cuba is provided for editorial purposes only and does not represent current service offerings.