9th Conference on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems

September 20 - 27, 2014, Venice-Istanbul
SDEWES
The local organizing committee wishes to thank all participants for a very successfull conference!

You can find some of the images in the gallery. Additionally, you can download plenary lectures' presentations as well as all the presentations from the panels.

Please beware of invitations for publishing from journals not related to the conference! Official invitation will be distributed only from the sdewes conference email, and will have a conference header and an option to accept or decline the invitation.

For all attendees who have submitted a full paper which is included in the proceedings, please cite it as follows:

N1. Surname1, N2. Surname2, other authors, Title, Proceedings of the 9th Conference on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems, SDEWES2014.nnnn, 1-m (2014)
(where "nnnn" is your submission code and "m" is the page count of your submission)


If you attended the conference, make sure you log in into the conference system and fill our post-conference survey.
Bizztravel's Terms and Conditions

THESE ARE THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, WHICH APPLY TO YOUR CRUISE. PLEASE READ THEM CAREFULLY AS YOU WILL BE BOUND BY THEM.


SDEWES2014 BOOKING CONDITIONS
PAYMENT

You can choose between two forms of payment, either credit card payment or bank transfer. We strongly recommend the credit card payment as charges for bank transfers may apply twice, once in the country of origin, and a second time in the target country.

Credit card (AMEX, Eurocard / Mastercard, VISA).

Bank transfer to the official treval agency bank account:
Beneficiary Name: BIZZ putovanja Ltd
Beneficiary Address: Mitnicka 3, 10040 Zagreb, Croatia
Beneficiary IBAN: HR9723600001501089823
(Bank account for payments in HRK: 2360000-1501089823)
Beneficiary Contact: + 385 99 4987 444
Bank Name: Zagrebacka banka d.d.
Bank Address: Paromlinska 2, 10000 Zagreb,Croatia
Wiring Instructions: SWIFT: ZABAHR2X
Bank contact: +385 1 3773 333

Bank charges are the responsibility of the payer and should be paid in addition to the total amount.
Please indicate SDEWES2014 and your name on the transaction draft and send the copy by e-mail to sdewes2014@bizztravel.biz or by fax to: +385 1 4102 079.

CONFIRMATION

Upon receipt of the booking and the corresponding payment, Bizz travel Ltd. will send a confirmation to the participant which also serves as an invoice. Final cruise ticket will be sent to participant few weeks prior to the cruise.

CANCELLATION

SDEWES2014 reserves the right to cancel the Conference by 30th March 2014 in case of low interest for the Conference. In that case organizer will refund received amount to the payer in full.

Cancelation conditions:
Until 30th March 2014 – 10% penalty fee
From 31st March until 31st May 2014 – 40% penalty fee
From 1st June until 10th August 2014 – 70% penalty fee
From 11th August and NoShow – 100% penalty fee

All cancellations must be sent by e-mail to sdewes2014@bizztravel.biz.
Please note that you must receive an e-mail confirmation for your cancellation to be processed. If you do not receive cancellation confirmation within 48 hours please contact Bizz travel Ltd by phone.
All refunds will be processed to the account from which the transaction has been made. All bank fees related to the refunds will be paid by the participant.

INSURANCE

SDEWES2014 strongly recommend all participants to issue travel health insurance policy as well as travel cancellation insurance policy.

LIABILITY

It is agreed that the SDEWES2014, its officers, volunteers, contracted staff, contracted companies and agents shall not be held liable or responsible for any loss, injury, or damages, however caused, to any person or the property of any person engaged by, participating in or attending SDEWES2014, unless due solely to the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of the SDEWES2014, its officers, volunteers, contracted staff and contracted companies, in program dates, content, speakers, or location or cancellation of any programs or functions. It is agreed that the SDEWES2014, its employees agents and officers, reserve the right to refuse admission, cancel or reschedule programs, change speakers, locations or revise content.


CRUISE COMPANY BOOKING CONDITIONS

All cruises featured in this brochure are offered for sale by MSC Crociere S.A, the “Company”. In the Conditions (as defined below) the following expressions shall have the meanings defined hereunder: “Booking” means the steps taken by the passenger to enter into a Contract with the Company. “Booking Terms & Conditions” means the terms and conditions and the information contained in the relevant Company brochure and/or other information which will form the express terms of your contract with the Company. “Carrier” means the entity who has undertaken the obligation to carry or performs the carriage of the Passenger from one place to the other as indicated in the cruise ticket, airline ticket or other ticket issued for the transport by road and is thereby indicated on such documents as “carrier”. Carrier includes the owner and/or the charterer and/or operator and/or their servants and/or agents of any transport provider “Company” means MSC Crociere S.A. whose registered address is 12-14, Chemin Rieu, CH-1208 Geneva, Switzerland who organises Cruises and/or packages and sells or offers them for sale, whether directly or through a Sales Agent “Conditions of Carriage” means the terms and conditions under which the Carrier provides transport either by air, road or sea. The Conditions of Carriage may refer to the provisions of the law of the country of the Carrier and/or International conventions which may limit or exclude the liability of the Carrier. Copies of the Conditions of Carriage of any Carrier are available to the Passengers upon request. “Contract” means the contract concluded between the Company and the Passenger relating to the relevant Cruise or Package which is evidenced by the issue of the confirmation invoice sent by the Company or its Sales Agent to the passenger. “Cruise” means the cruise as described in the relevant Company brochure or other documentation produced for or on behalf of the Company. “Disabled Person” or “Person with Reduced Mobility”; means any person whose mobility when using transport is reduced as a result of any physical disability (sensory or locomotors, permanent or temporary), intellectual or psychosocial disability or impairment, or any other cause of disability or impairment or as a result of age, and whose situation needs appropriate attention and adaptation to his/ her particular needs for the services made available to all passengers. “Force Majeure” means any unforeseeable and unpredictable event out of the Company’s control including Acts of God (such as, flood, earthquake, storm, hurricane or other natural disasters), war, invasion, act of foreign enemies, hostilities (regardless of whether war is declared), civil war, rebellion, revolution, insurrection, military or usurped power or confiscation, terrorist activities, riots, civil disturbances, industrial disputes, natural and nuclear disasters, fire, epidemics, health risks, nationalisation, government sanction, blockage, embargo, labour dispute, strike, lockout or interruption or failure of electricity or telephone ser vice and/or any unforeseen technical problems with transport including changes due to rescheduling or cancellation or alteration of flights, closed or congested airports or ports. “Package” means the cruise, and flight(s) and or any pre-cruise and/or post-cruise arrangement for accommodation. It does not include shore excursions or shuttle services which do not form part of the inclusive Package price. “Passenger” means each and every person named either on the Booking confirmation or on the invoice or on a ticket issued by the Company “Sales Agent” means the person who sells or offers for sale the Cruise or Package put together by the Company, or on behalf of the Company “Shore Excursion” means any excursion, trip or activity ashore that is not included as part of the all-inclusive price of the Cruise and is offered for sale by the Company on board its vessels.

1. BOOKING PROCEDURE AND DEPOSIT

1.1 In order to proceed with a Booking, the Passenger must contact the Company or the Company’s authorised agent or representative.
1.2 By Booking for a Cruise or Package, the person making the booking confirms, agrees and accepts
that all persons named in the Booking request and on the invoice have agreed to be bound by the Booking Conditions and that he/she has authority to accept these Booking Conditions on behalf of all
the persons named on the Booking request and invoice.
1.3 A non-refundable deposit in the amount of 25% of total value of the cruise booked per person is due and payable by the Passenger at the time of booking.
1.4 A Booking will be completed and the Contract will be effective only when the Company accepts the booking by sending a confirmation invoice to the Passenger or to the Passenger’s Sales Agent.

2. CONTRACT

2.1 Every Cruise is subject to availability at the time of booking. No Contract shall be made until the deposit or full amount is paid and the confirmation invoice provided to the Passenger.
2.2 Full payment is required no later than 30 days prior to departure.
2.3 If the booking application is made within 30 days prior to departure, then full payment must be sent at the time of Booking.
2.4 If any Passenger fails to pay the balance 30 days prior to departure, the Company has the right to cancel the booking without notice and levy cancellation charges in accordance with paragraph 9 below, whether the Cruise is resold or not.

3. PRICES AND PRICE GUARANTEE

3.1 No change to the Contract price will be made within the 20-day period before departure or once full payment has been received by the Company.
3.2 The Company reserves the right to modify the Contract price at all times prior to those detailed in 3.1 above to allow variations for:
a) Air transportation costs;
b) Fuel costs for the propulsion of the vessel;
c) Dues, taxes or fees chargeable for services such as embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports or airports. Variations may be upwards or downwards.
For paragraph a) any variation of the Package price will be equal to the extra amount charged by the airline. For paragraph b) any variation of the package price will be equal to 0.33% of the price of the cruise for every dollar of increase of the fuel per barrel (NYMEX Index). For paragraph c) any variation of the Package price will be equal to the full amount of the fees.
3.3 If the increase amounts to more than 10% on the total Contract price, the Passenger will be entitled to cancel the Contract with a full refund of the Contract price. Such refund does not include insurance premiums paid which are in no case refundable.
3.4 To exercise the right to cancel the Passenger must notify the company in writing within 7 working days of receiving the price increase notification.

4. INSURANCE

4.1 The Company recommends that every passenger undertakes an adequate insurance policy which covers them sufficiently from the time the holiday has been confirmed as booked to the end of the cruise.

5. PASSPORT AND VISAS

5.1 Passengers must hold fully valid passports for the whole duration of the cruise and the expiry date must be at least 6 months after the return date. Certain countries insist on machine-readable and digital photo passports, especially Russia and USA.
5.2 The Company is not responsible for obtaining visas for any Passenger; this is the responsibility of the individual Passenger.

6. FITNESS TO TRAVEL

6.1 The safety of all Passengers is of paramount importance to the Company, hence all Passengers warrant that they are fit to travel by sea and by air and that their conduct or condition will not impair the safety or convenience of the vessel or aircraft and the other passengers, and that they can be carried safely in accordance with applicable safety requirements established by International EU or national law.
6.2 The Company has the right to require the Passenger to produce medical certificates supporting the fitness to travel.
6.3 Any Passenger with a condition that may affect fitness to travel taking into account the vessel’s itinerary must submit a doctor’s certificate prior to booking.
6.4 Pregnant women are advised to seek medical advice before travelling at any stage of their pregnancy.
6.5 The Company and/or the Carrier does not have on board any of the cruise vessels adequate medical facilities for childbirth. The Company cannot accept a booking or carry any Passenger who will be 24 weeks pregnant or more by the end of the Cruise.
6.6 The Company expressly reserves the right to refuse boarding rights to any Passenger who appears to be in any advanced state of pregnancy and shall have no liability in respect of such refusal.
6.7 Passengers who are up to 23 weeks pregnant at the end of the Cruise must obtain a medical certificate from a doctor confirming their fitness to travel on board the vessel taking into account the specific itinerary.
6.8 In the case of a booking made by a Passenger who was not aware at the time of booking and could not have reasonably known at the time of booking that they were pregnant then, the Company will refund the full price paid by that Passenger for any cancellation of booking as long as such cancellation is notified immediately as soon as such a Passenger becomes aware of her condition.
6.9 If it appears to the Carrier, the Master or the ship’s Doctor that a Passenger is for any reason unfit
to travel, likely to endanger safety, or likely to be refused permission to land at any port or likely to render the Carrier liable for maintenance, support or repatriation, then the Master shall have the right to refuse to embark the Passenger at any port or disembark the Passenger at any port or transfer the Passenger to another berth or cabin. The Doctor onboard shall have the right to administer first aid and any drug, therapy or other medical treatment and/or to admit and/or confine the Passenger to the ship’s hospital or other similar facility, if such measure is considered necessary by the Doctor and is supported by the Master’s authority. Refusal by the Passenger to cooperate with regard to such treatment may result in the Passenger being disembarked at any port, if necessary through the intervention of local police officers or other competent authorities, and neither the Company nor the Carrier shall be liable for any loss, expense or compensation to the Passenger.
6.10 Where a Passenger is assessed as unfit to travel and refused embarkation then neither the Company nor the Carrier has any liability to the Passenger.

7. DISABLED PERSONS AND PERSONS WITH REDUCED MOBILITY

7.1 The Company’s priority is always the comfort and safety of its Passengers and in order to achieve this, the Passenger is asked at the time of booking to provide as much detail as possible of the matters given below so that the Company can consider its obligation to carry the Passenger in a safe or operationally feasible manner, taking into account any issues relating to the design of the passenger ship or port infrastructure and equipment including port terminals which may make it impossible to carry out the embarkation, disembarkation or carriage of the Passenger which may have an impact on the Passengers safety and comfort.
7.2 The Passenger is asked to provide full details at the time of booking if the Passenger is unwell, infirm, Disabled or has Reduced Mobility. The Passenger is asked to provide full details at the time of booking:
a) if the Passenger requires a special Disabled cabin, since there are a limited number of these available and since the Company would like to, wherever possible, accommodate the Passenger so that the Passenger is comfortable and safe for the duration of the cruise.
b) if the Passenger has any special seating requirements.
c) if the Passenger needs to bring any medical equipment on board.
d) if the Passenger needs to bring a recognised assistance dog on board the vessel. Please note that assistance dogs are subject to national regulations.
7.3 Where the Company considers strictly necessary for the safety and comfort of the Passenger and in order for the Passenger to fully enjoy the cruise, it may require a Disabled Person or Persons with Reduced Mobility to be accompanied by another person who is capable of providing the assistance required by the Disabled Person or Person with Reduced Mobility. This requirement will be based entirely on the Company assessing the need of the Passenger on grounds of safety and may vary from vessel to vessel and/or itinerary to itinerary. Passengers confined to a wheelchair are asked to kindly furnish their own standard size collapsible wheelchair and must also be accompanied by a travelling Passenger fit and able to assist them.
7.4 If the Passenger has any particular conditions, Disability or Reduced Mobility which require personal care or supervision then such personal care or supervision must be organized by the Passenger and at the Passenger’s expense. The vessel is unable to provide respite services, one-to-one personal care or supervision or any other form of care for physical or psychiatric or other conditions.
7.5 If after careful assessing the Passenger’s specific needs and requirements, the Company concludes that the Passenger cannot be carried safely and in accordance with applicable safety requirements then the Company can refuse to accept a booking or embarkation of a Disabled Person or Person with reduced Mobility on the grounds of safety.
7.6 The Company reserves the right to refuse to carry any Passenger who has failed to adequately notify the Company of any Disabilities or needs for assistance in order for the Company to make an informed assessment that the Passenger can be carried in a safe or operationally feasible manner on the grounds of safety. If the Passenger does not agree with a decision of the Company under clauses
7.5 to 7.6 of these Terms and Conditions then the Passenger must provide a complaint in writing with all supporting evidence to the Company and the matter will be considered by a Senior Manager.
7.7 The Company reserves the right to refuse to carry any Passenger who in the opinion of the Company and/or the Carrier is unfit for travel or whose condition may constitute a danger to themselves or others on the Cruise on the grounds of safety.
7.8 For the safety and comfort of the Passenger, if the Passenger becomes aware between the date of booking the Package and the date of commencement of the Package that he/she will require special care or assistance as detailed above the Passenger is asked to inform the Company immediately so that the Company can make an informed assessment whether or not the Passenger can be carried in a safe or operationally feasible manner.
7.9 Infirm Passengers or Passengers with wheelchairs or reduced mobility may not be able to go ashore at ports where vessels do not berth alongside. A list of these ports is available upon written request.

8. PUBLIC HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRE

8.1 The Company and/or the Carrier and/or the health authorities in any port shall be entitled to administer a public health questionnaire on their own behalf. The Passenger shall supply accurate information regarding symptoms of any illness including but not limited to gastrointestinal illness and H1N1. The Carrier may deny boarding to any Passenger that it considers in its sole discretion to have symptoms of any illness including viral or bacterial illness including but not limited to Norovirus and H1N1. Refusal by a Passenger to complete the questionnaire may result in denied boarding.
8.2 Where Passengers become ill on board the cruise with viral or bacterial illness the ship’s doctor may request them to remain in their cabin for reasons of safety.

9. FOOD ALLERGIES

9.1 Passengers are reminded that some foods may cause an allergic reaction in certain people due to intolerance of some ingredients. If the Passenger has any known allergies, or is intolerant to any food, he/she is required to report it to the Maître d’hôtel as soon as convenient after boarding the ship.
9.2 It is the responsibility of the Passenger to ensure that he/she actively avoids any food he/ she is allergic to. The Company will take all reasonable care if made aware in writing of any specific food or ingredient the Passenger has an allergic reaction to and assist the passenger within reason to avoid any such food or ingredients if made aware by the Passenger prior to ordering such food. The Company will not be held responsible for preparing special meals for the Passenger or any prepared meals consumed by the Passenger.

10. MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

10.1 Passengers must have comprehensive travel health insurance covering medical treatment and repatriation costs and expenses. 10.2 In compliance with Flag State requirements, there is a qualified Doctor on board and a medical centre equipped for first aid and minor conditions only. The Passenger hereby acknowledges and accepts at the time of Booking that the medical centre is not equipped as a land based hospital and the Doctor is not a specialist. Neither the Company, the Carrier, nor the Doctor shall be liable to the Passenger as a result of any inability to treat any medical condition as a result.
10.3 The Passenger acknowledges that whilst there is a qualified Doctor on board the vessel, it is the Passenger’s obligation and responsibility to seek medical assistance if necessary during the cruise and will be responsible to pay for on board medical services.
10.4 In the event of illness or accident, Passengers may have to be landed ashore by the Company, the Carrier and/or the Master for medical treatment. Neither the Carrier nor the Company make any representation or accept any responsibility regarding the quality of the available medical facilities or treatments at any port of call or at the place at which the Passenger is landed. Medical facilities and standards vary from port to port. Neither the Company nor the Carrier makes any representations or warranties in relation to the standard of medical treatment ashore.
10.5 The Doctor’s professional opinion as to the fitness of the Passenger to board the vessel or to continue the cruise is final and binding on the Passenger.
10.6 It is recommended that medical advice is sought before booking for children up to 12 months of age.

11. MEDICAL EQUIPMENT

11.1 It is important that Passengers contact the manufacturer or supplier to ensure that any medical equipment they are intending to bring on board is safe to use. It is the responsibility of the passengers to arrange delivery to the docks prior to departure of all medical equipment and to notify the Company prior to booking if they need to have medical equipment on board so that the Company can ensure that the medical equipment can be carried safely.
11.2 It is the Passengers responsibility to ensure that all medical equipment is in good working order and for arranging enough equipment and supplies to last the entire voyage. The ship does not carry any replacement and access to shore side care and equipment may be difficult and expensive. Passengers must be able to operate all equipment.

12. BOOKING CHANGES REQUESTED BY THE PASSENGER

12.1 Save as provided under the provision 12.2 related to requests of name changes, other changes to bookings may be requested after the confirmation invoice has been issued until 6 days prior to departure, subject to a minimum administration fee of 10€ per person per amendment. Any additional costs including cancellations fees and/or increased prices levied by airlines or other transport providers will be exclusively for the Passenger’s account.
12.2 Name changes to bookings may be requested issued until 6 days prior to departure, subject to a
minimum administration fee of 10€ per person. Name changes requested within 5 of the departure will be considered as cancellation. Name changes are not always allowed by airlines and other transport providers whenever they are made. Most airlines and other transport providers treat name changes as a cancellation and charge accordingly. Any additional costs including cancellations fees and/or increased prices levied by airlines or other transport providers will be exclusively for the Passenger’s account.
12.3 The Company will make reasonable endeavours to comply with the Passenger requests for changes to flight arrangements. In no case whatsoever will the Company be held liable for flight change requests that cannot be satisfied.
12.4 Requests of amendments to the Booking received within 5 days of departure will be treated as cancellations and the cancellation charges detailed in paragraph below will apply.
12.5 In case the changes requested by the passengers entail the printing of new Cruise tickets, further to the above mentioned fees an amount of 25€ per cabin will be charged to cover the extra costs.

13. CANCELLATION BY THE PASSENGER

13.1 Cancellation of booking must be requested in writing (registered letter, email or fax) to the Company or via the Passenger’s Sales Agent. All tickets issued and the confirmation invoice must be returned together with the notice of cancellation.
13.2 It may be possible for the Passenger to claim these cancellation charges from his/her travel insurance provider, subject to any applicable deductibles. It is the passenger’s responsibility to make such a claim under the terms of his/her insurance policy.

14. BOOKING CHANGES EFFECTED BY THE COMPANY

14.1 Arrangements for the Cruise are made many months in advance by the Company. Very occasionally it may be necessary to alter them and the Company expressly reserves the right to change the arrangements for the Cruise or Package, should such changes become necessary or advisable for operational, commercial or safety reasons.
14.2 In the event of a significant alteration to an essential term of the Contract, the Company will inform the Passenger or his/her travel agent of such change in writing as soon as reasonably possible.
The Passenger will be offered the choice of:
a) accepting the alteration; or
b) booking another Cruise from the brochure of equivalent or superior quality, if available; or
c) booking another Cruise from the brochure of lower quality, if available, with a refund of the difference in price; or
d) cancelling and receiving a full refund of all monies paid.
14.3 Passengers must notify the Company of their decision in writing or via their travel agent within 7 working days of receiving the notification of alteration.

15. CANCELLATION BY THE COMPANY

15.1 The Company reserves the right to cancel any Cruise at any time by giving written notice to the Passenger.
15.2 If the cancellation is by virtue of a Force Majeure and/or due to any unusual or unforeseeable circumstances beyond the Company’s control, the consequences of which could not have been avoided by the Company even though it has exercised all due care, the Company will offer the Passenger the choice of:
a) receiving a full refund of all money paid; or
b) booking another Cruise from the brochure of equivalent or superior quality at no extra cost, if available; or
c) booking another Cruise from this brochure of lower quality, if available, with a refund of the difference in price.
15.3 If the cancellation is due to reasons other than those indicated in 11.2, the Company will offer the Passenger the same choices as detailed in 11.2.
15.4 The Passenger’s decision must be notified to the Company in writing or via their travel agent within 7 working days of the notice of cancellation.

16. THE COMPANY’S LIABILITY

16.1 Subject to 12.4 to 12.8 the Company accepts responsibility for death, injury or illness caused by the negligent acts and or omissions of it and anyone who supplies services, which form part of the Package. The Company limits its liability, where applicable, by the conventions mentioned in 12.4 to 12.8 inclusive. The liability of the Company toward the Passenger is governed also by the International Conventions mentioned hereunder (see cl. 12.3 to 12.8) which provide limitations of liability of the Carrier. The Company is not responsible for any improper or non-performance which is:
a) wholly attributable to the fault of the Passenger.
b) the unforeseeable or unavoidable act or omission of a third party unconnected with the supply of any service to be provided under the Contract;
c) an unusual or unforeseeable circumstance beyond the control of the Company and/or anyone who supplies services which form part of the Package the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all due care had been exercised, including (but not limited to) an event of force majeure; or
d) an event which the Company and/or anyone who supplies services which form part of the Cruise could not even with all due care have foreseen or forestalled.
16.2 For claims not involving personal injury, death or illness or which are not subject to the conventions referred to in 12.3 to 12.8 inclusive, the Company’s liability for improper performance of the Contract shall be limited to a maximum of twice the price which the affected Passenger paid for the Cruise (not including premiums and amendment charges).
16.3 All carriage (by land, air and sea) is subject to the Conditions of Carriage of the actual Carrier. These may limit or exclude liability. They are expressly incorporated into the Contract and are deemed to be expressly accepted by the Passenger at the time of booking. Copies of these terms and conditions are available on request from the Company.
16.4 Carriage of passengers and their luggage by air is governed by various International conventions (“The International Air Conventions”), including the Warsaw Convention 1929 (as amended by The Hague Protocol 1955 or the Montreal Protocol 1999 or otherwise) or the Montreal Convention 1999. To the extent that the Company may be liable as a non-performing air carrier to Passengers in respect of carriage by air, the terms of the International Air Conventions (including any subsequent amendments and any new convention which may be applicable to a Contract for a Cruise between the Company and a Passenger) are expressly incorporated into these Conditions. The International Air Conventions fix limitations of liability of the Carrier for death and personal injury, loss of and damage to luggage and delay. Any liability of the Company toward the Passenger arising from a carriage by air is subject to the limitation of liability provided by said Conventions. Copies of these conventions are available upon request.
16.5 Carriage of Passengers and their luggage by sea shall be governed by the Athens Convention 1974 and EU Regulation 392/2009 when in force (“the Athens Convention”) as subsequently amended in 1976 The Athens Convention is expressly incorporated into these Conditions and any liability of the Company and/or the Carrier for death or personal injury or for loss of or damage to luggage arising out of carriage by sea shall be solely determined in accordance with the Athens Convention. The Athens Convention limits the Carrier’s liability for death or personal injury or loss of or damage to luggage and makes special provision for valuables. It is assumed that luggage has been delivered undamaged to the Passenger unless the latter gives written notice to the Company or Carrier in the following terms:
a) in case of apparent damage, before or at the time of disembarkation or redelivery; or
b) in case of damage which is not apparent or of loss, within 15 days from the date of disembarkation or redelivery or from the time when such redelivery should have taken place. Any damages payable by the Company up to the Athens Convention limits shall be reduced in proportion to any contributory negligence by the Passenger and by the maximum deductible specified in Article 8 (4) of the Athens Convention. Copies of the Athens Convention are available from the Company upon request.
16.6 Insofar as the Company may be liable to a Passenger in respect of claims arising out of carriage by air, land or sea, the Company shall be entitled to all the rights, defences, immunities and limitations available, respectively, to the actual Carriers (including his own terms and conditions of carriage) and under the Athens Convention, and nothing in these Conditions shall be deemed as a waiver thereof. If any term, condition, section or provision becomes invalid or be so judged, the remaining terms, conditions, sections and provisions shall be deemed severable and shall remain in force.
16.7 The Company’s liability will not at any time exceed that of any Carrier under its Conditions of Carriage and/or applicable or incorporated conventions.
16.8 Except for claims arising out of carriage by air (as provided by 12.4), any liability in respect of death and personal injury and loss of and damage to luggage which the Company may incur to the Passenger, whether under the Contract in accordance with these Conditions or otherwise, shall always be subject to the limits of liability contained in the Athens Convention of 46,666 SDRs per Passenger for death/personal injury.
16.9 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary elsewhere in these Conditions, the Company shall not in any circumstances be liable for any loss or anticipated loss of profits, loss of revenue, loss of use, loss of contract or other opportunity nor for any other consequential or indirect loss or damage of a similar nature.
16.10 The liability of the Company is excluded for claims arising out of loss or damage directly or indirectly occasioned by circumstances where performance and/or prompt performance of the Contract is prevented by reason of war, or threat of war, riot, civil strife, industrial dispute whether by the Company’s employees or others, terrorist activity or the threat of terrorist activity, failure of power supplies, health risks or epidemics natural or nuclear disaster, fire or adverse weather conditions or adverse sea states, Passenger’s suicide or attempted suicide or the Passenger’s deliberate exposure to unnecessary danger (except in an attempt to save human life), or the consequences of participating in an unusual and dangerous activity and any other circumstance of any nature whatsoever outside the Company’s control.
16.11 Where the Company has any legal liability for loss of or damage to property otherwise than in accordance with the Athens and/or Montreal Conventions then its liability shall not at any time exceed 500€ and the Company shall not at any time be liable for money or valuables. Passengers must not pack money or other valuables in their luggage.

17. ITINERARY / RIGHT TO CHANGE

17.1 The Company reserves the right at its sole discretion and/or that of the Master of any vessel (which will not be exercised unreasonably) to decide whether to deviate from the advertised or ordinary itinerary, to delay or anticipate any sailing, to omit or change scheduled por ts of call, to arrange for substantially equivalent carriage by another vessel, to tow or be towed or assist other vessels or to perform any similar act which, in its and/or Master’s sole discretion will deem advisable or necessary for the safety, of the Passenger, of the vessel and crew. In such circumstances the Company will be under no liability or obligation to the Passenger.

18. PASSENGER’S RESPONSIBILITY

18.1 The Passenger has a duty to follow the instructions and orders of the Master and Officers while on board. The Passenger hereby accepts and agrees that the Master and Officers are entitled and have authority to inspect any person on board, any cabin, baggage and belonging for safety, security or other lawful reasons.
18.2 The Passenger hereby expressly agrees to allow any such search.
18.3 Passengers must have received all necessary medical inoculations prior to the cruise and have in their possession all tickets, valid passports, visas, medical cards and any other documents necessary for the scheduled ports of call and disembarkation.
18.4 Each Passenger warrants that he/she is physically and mentally fit to undertake the Cruise.
18.5 The Company and/or the Master have the right of refusing the boarding or order the disembarkation of any Passenger should they deem it necessary, for the safety, security, of the Passenger, of the other Passengers or of the ship or should the Passenger’s conduct which, in the reasonable opinion of the Master, is likely to endanger or impair the comfort and enjoyment of other Passengers on board.
18.6 No Passenger shall bring on board any goods or articles of dangerous nature, or any animals whatsoever.
18.7 The Company will be under no liability whatsoever to any Passenger in respect of any breach or non-observance by any Passenger of the provisions of this clause and any Passenger shall indemnify the Company against any loss or damage occasioned to the Company or any of its suppliers by such breach or non-observance.
18.8 Passenger’s behaviour must not affect and reduce the safety, peace and enjoyment of the cruise by other Passengers.
18.9 Passengers must not bring live animals, firearms, ammunition, explosives or flammable, toxic or dangerous substances on board any vessel, without the written consent of the Company.
18.10 Passengers shall be liable for any damage suffered by the Company and/or the Carrier and/or any Supplier of any service that forms part of the Package as a result of the Passenger’s failure to comply with his contractual obligations. In particular, the Passenger shall be liable for all damages caused to the vessel or its furnishings and equipment, for injury or loss to other Passengers and third parties, and also for all penalties, fines and expenses attributable by the Passenger that the company, Carrier or Supplier may be liable to pay.

19. FLIGHTS

19.1 The Company is unable to state the identity of the carrying airline or the aircraft type. All flights will be operated on scheduled or chartered services of recognised air lines. In those circumstances the air ticket payment needs to be made by the Company in advance and is non-refundable under any circumstances. Any cancellation by the Passenger at any time will result in the air fare cost being payable by that Passenger regardless of the cancellation provisions with regard to the cruise.
19.2 The Passenger will receive confirmation of flight timings and routes with their travel documents.
19.3 For travel on dates other than those published in the brochure or on a particular carrier or routing a higher fare may apply in which case the Passenger will be notified before booking.
19.4 The Company is not the air carrier or an operating air carrier as defined by The Civil Aviation (Denied Boarding, Compensation and Assistance) Regulations 2005 (the “2005 Regulations”) The obligations under these Regulations for compensation are exclusively those of the air carrier and/or operating air carrier and all claims relating to cancellation, delay or denied boarding in respect of air transportation must therefore be made to the relevant air carrier.
19.5 The Company shall have no liability under the 2005 Regulations such liabilities being entirely those of the air carrier to whom the Passenger must address all claims. In exercising their rights under the 2005 Regulations the Passenger must seek to take as much of the Contract as possible and must not prejudice the Company’s rights under these Booking Conditions or in law.
19.6 Where air carriage is included in the Contract, the Company will advise Passengers of flight timings from data supplied by the air carrier as part of the holiday documentation. The flight schedule is for information only. The Passenger’s contract of carriage and the rights and obligations arising under it remain with the air carrier. It is the Passenger’s responsibility to ensure arrival at the airport in sufficient time to check in and board the aircraft. Passengers must note that not all medical equipment can be carried or used on board aircraft. Passengers must check with the airline prior to carriage.
19.7 If the Contract does not include flights, it is the Passenger’s responsibility to obtain a valid ticket directly from an air carrier suitable for and in time for travel to the vessel (and including local transfers which the Passenger must arrange). The Company shall not be responsible for any liabilities arising in respect of flights or transfers arranged by the Passenger.

20. COMPLAINTS

20.1 Any Passenger with a complaint whilst on a Cruise must bring it to the attention of the Cruise staff on board as soon as possible. If the Cruise staff is unable to resolve the problem, any complaint must be notified in writing to the Company within 10 days of the termination of the Cruise. Failure to report the complaint within this time may adversely affect the Company’s ability to deal with it. Complaints relating to any other part of a package must be made promptly to the Company or the supplier.

21. CONSUMER PROTECTION

21.1 This clause has to be adapted to the local guarantee fund rules and the relevant local laws on the protection of consumers in case of bankruptcy of the Tour Operator.

22. DATA PROTECTION

22.1 This clause must be reviewed by a local counsel in light of the data protection laws of the country.

23. VARIATION

23.1 No variation of these terms shall be effective unless in writing and signed by the Company.

24. SMOKING POLICY

24.1 MSC Cruises respects the needs and desires of all Guests, and we have considered carefully the subject of those who smoke and those who do not. In compliance with global standards, smoking is freely permitted in dedicated areas throughout the ship and equipped with a special air extraction system.
24.2 In principle, smoking is not permitted in any food service areas (buffets and restaurants, the medical centres, child-care areas, corridors or elevator foyers, areas where Guests are assembled in groups for safety exercises, disembarkation or tour departures, public toilets, or in bars close to areas where food is served.
24.3 The Company highly recommends Passengers avoid smoking in the cabins because of the risk of fire. Smoking on the cabin balconies is not allowed.
24.4 Smoking is permitted in several bars on each ship, and on one side (indicated by signage) of the principal outer pool deck areas, where ashtrays are provided.
24.5 Throwing cigarette butts over the side of the ship is prohibited.

25. LIABILITY OF EMPLOYEES, SERVANTS AND SUBCONTRACTORS

25.1 It is hereby expressly agreed that no servant or agent of the Company and/or the Carrier, including the Master and crew of the cruise vessel concerned including independent subcontractors and their employees as well as the underwriters of these parties shall in any circumstance whatsoever be under any liability whatsoever beyond these Booking Conditions and these parties may invoke these General Booking Conditions and the Conditions of Carriage to the same extent as the Company and/or the Carrier.
25.2. Shore Excursions are operated by independent contractors even if sold by Sales Agents or on board the cruise ship. MSC shall not be responsible in any way for the services provided by such independent contractors. The Company operates as mere agent for the Shore excursion provider. The Company has no direct control over the shore excursion providers and their services hence in no case whatsoever will the Company be held liable for loss, damages and injuries suffered by the Passenger as a result of the negligence or otherwise of the Shore Excursion providers. The Company will exercise reasonable skill and care in the selection of a reputable Shore Excursion provider. In assessing performance and/ or liability of Shore Excursion providers, local laws and regulations will apply.

26. LAW AND JURISDICTION

26.1 The present contract is governed by European Union law. Should any dispute arise on the interpretation or application of the present contract, it will be deferred to the Tribunal/Court of Geneva to be considered has having exclusive jurisdiction on every dispute.

27. ERRORS, OMISSIONS AND CHANGES

27.1 Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of the brochure content but certain changes and revisions may take place after the printing of this brochure. It is recommended to check with the travel agent or by visiting the Company’s website for the most up to date terms and conditions.