Terms and Conditions
1. Conclusion of the Package Travel Contract
1.1 Travel bookings may be made verbally, by telephone, electronically, by e-mail, SMS, or fax. The package travel contract shall be concluded using the tour operator’s forms (travel registration and travel confirmation), including all agreements, ancillary agreements, and specifications provided by the traveler. Upon conclusion of the contract, the traveler shall receive a travel confirmation via e-mail, fax, SMS, or similar means, which shall also serve as confirmation of the contract and comply with Section 651d para. 3 sentence 2 German Civil Code (BGB).
If both parties are present at the time of conclusion of the contract or if the contract is concluded outside the business premises of ST-Eventkreuzfahrten, the traveler shall be entitled to receive a paper copy of the contract confirmation.
1.2 The traveler shall be bound by the travel booking for a period of 10 days; in the case of bookings made by fax, e-mail, or SMS, for a period of 5 days. Within this period, ST-Eventkreuzfahrten may confirm the booking.
The booking made by the applicant shall also apply to all persons listed in the booking registration. The applicant shall be liable for the contractual obligations of such persons as for their own obligations, provided that the applicant has assumed such obligation through an explicit and separate declaration.
1.3 When bookings are made by telephone, ST-Eventkreuzfahrten shall only make binding reservations, and the traveler must be expressly informed thereof. Thereafter, the package travel contract shall be concluded in accordance with Clause 1.1.
1.4 Any travel confirmation differing from the original booking request or not issued in due time shall constitute a new contractual offer to which ST-Eventkreuzfahrten shall remain bound for 10 days and which the traveler may accept within this period.
1.5 Bookings made through electronic commerce shall be governed by the explanations provided on our website and the General Terms and Conditions accessible there.
1.6 In the case of online bookings, the traveler submits a binding offer to conclude the package travel contract with ST-Eventkreuzfahrten by clicking the button “Book My Trip Now with Payment Obligation”.
Receipt of the booking request shall be confirmed electronically without undue delay (confirmation of receipt only, not acceptance of the offer). Acceptance shall occur by means of the travel confirmation within 3 days.
In all other respects, the information regarding booking procedures and travel confirmations published on the website shall apply.
2. Arranged Services – Additional Services Provided Only After Commencement of the Journey
2.1 In the case of expressly and clearly designated additional ancillary services in brochures, travel documents, or other communications as merely arranged services (e.g. attendance at events), ST-Eventkreuzfahrten shall not be deemed the organizer of such services but merely an intermediary within the meaning of Section 651v BGB.
As intermediary, we shall generally only be liable for the proper arrangement of such services (including booking errors attributable to us pursuant to Section 651x BGB), but not for the performance of the arranged services themselves (cf. Sections 675, 631 BGB).
Our contractual liability as intermediary shall be excluded except in cases involving bodily injury, intent, or gross negligence, breaches of essential contractual obligations under the travel agency agreement, absence of an agreed characteristic, or where a reasonable possibility existed to obtain insurance coverage.
2.2 Clause 2.1 shall also apply to services selected by the traveler only after commencement of the package travel services, for example at the holiday destination.
3. Passport, Visa, and Health Requirements
3.1 Prior to booking, ST-Eventkreuzfahrten shall inform the traveler about general passport and visa requirements, including approximate periods for obtaining visas, as well as health formalities applicable in the destination country, including any changes occurring in the meantime.
3.2 After fulfillment of the information obligations pursuant to Clause 3.1, the traveler shall be solely responsible for fulfilling all personal requirements necessary for participation in the trip and for carrying the required travel documents, unless ST-Eventkreuzfahrten has expressly undertaken responsibility for obtaining visas, travel documents, certificates, or similar documentation.
3.3 If the traveler is unable to commence the trip due to missing personal prerequisites, the traveler shall be solely responsible if this circumstance results from their own fault (e.g. invalid visa, missing vaccination).
In such cases, Clause 9 (Cancellation) shall apply accordingly.
3.4 The customer shall provide ST-Eventkreuzfahrten with all personal data required for the respective journey for each passenger no later than six weeks prior to departure and shall ensure that the provided information corresponds exactly with the information contained in the travel documents (e.g. passport or identity card).
For bookings made less than six weeks before departure, such data must be provided without undue delay.
Required passenger data include, in particular, though not exclusively:
- full name (first and last name),
- booking and invoice numbers where applicable,
- numbers and/or sequences appearing on identity documents, passports, or similar travel documents,
- date and place of birth,
- mobile telephone number,
- full address (street, city, state/province, country, postal code),
- e-mail address,
- emergency contact details (full name and telephone number).
3.5 The customer shall comply with all laws, regulations, official orders, and travel requirements of the countries and ports affected by the journey, as well as all rules and instructions issued by ST-Eventkreuzfahrten and third parties commissioned by it (e.g. Costa).
3.6 The customer shall be responsible for compliance with all customs and foreign exchange regulations. Any costs arising therefrom shall be borne solely by the customer.
Any disadvantages resulting from non-compliance with such regulations, including but not limited to cancellation fees, penalties, fines, additional expenses, or additional travel costs, shall be borne by the customer.
This shall not apply where ST-Eventkreuzfahrten or third parties commissioned by it (e.g. Costa) failed to provide information, provided insufficient information, or provided incorrect information.
4. Payments
4.1 Upon conclusion of the package travel contract, a deposit of 15% of the travel price per person shall be payable for coach tours after delivery of the insolvency protection certificate (“Sicherungsschein”), unless the parties expressly agree otherwise.
For air travel, river cruises, ocean cruises, and special events, a deposit of 25% shall be due.
4.2 The remaining balance shall be payable no later than 21 days prior to departure concurrently with delivery of the complete travel documents, provided that the insolvency protection certificate has been issued and the trip can no longer be cancelled pursuant to Clause 13 below.
At the same time as the deposit payment, any premiums for arranged travel insurance policies shall be payable in full.
4.3 Contracts concluded within two weeks prior to departure shall obligate the traveler to pay the full travel price immediately upon receipt of the complete travel documents and the insolvency protection certificate.
4.4 For themed cruises, ocean cruises, and special charter events (e.g. “The Firebirds Rock’n’Roll Cruise”), the remaining balance shall become due 40 days prior to departure.
4.5 If the traveler fails to make due payments (deposit and/or final payment), ST-Eventkreuzfahrten may, after issuing a reminder and granting a reasonable grace period, withdraw from the contract and demand cancellation compensation pursuant to Clause 9 below.
5. Services and Obligations
5.1 ST-Eventkreuzfahrten reserves the right to make changes to brochure/catalog information, in particular changes to service descriptions and prices.
ST-Eventkreuzfahrten may declare a specific change to brochure details or pricing provided the traveler is informed thereof prior to booking.
5.2 Prior to booking, ST-Eventkreuzfahrten shall fulfill all statutory information obligations pursuant to Section 651d para. 1 BGB, insofar as relevant to the intended package tour, including in particular:
- the essential characteristics of the travel services,
- the travel price,
- payment arrangements,
- minimum participant numbers,
- cancellation compensation,
- and the standard information form for package travel.
5.3 The contractual content and scope of services shall be determined by the information provided by ST-Eventkreuzfahrten prior to departure pursuant to Clause 5.1 and, in particular, by the agreed specifications requested by the traveler, unless expressly agreed otherwise.
Such terms should be contained in the travel registration and travel confirmation (see Clause 1 above).
Unless already included in the acceptance of the booking request (travel confirmation) at the time of contract conclusion, a complete travel confirmation or copy of the contract shall be provided to the traveler without undue delay after conclusion of the contract.
5.4 ST-Eventkreuzfahrten shall comply with its statutory duty to provide assistance pursuant to Section 651q BGB and shall provide appropriate support if the traveler encounters difficulties, particularly regarding agreed return transportation or for other reasons.
Where such difficulties were caused by the traveler, ST-Eventkreuzfahrten may demand reimbursement of reasonable and actually incurred expenses.
5.5 ST-Eventkreuzfahrten shall provide the traveler with the necessary travel documents in due time prior to departure and inform the traveler of any changes occurring after conclusion of the contract (see also Clauses 6 and 7).
5.6 Price changes and changes to services after conclusion of the contract are governed exclusively by Clauses 6 and 7.
5.7 Seat allocation shall generally be made according to the order in which bookings are received; however, seat assignments shall not constitute a contractual obligation.
Changes may become necessary for transportation-related reasons. ST-Eventkreuzfahrten shall endeavor to maintain originally allocated seating arrangements wherever possible.
5.8Where admission tickets (e.g. musicals or festival tickets) are included in the travel price, contiguous seating for larger groups cannot be guaranteed due to group ticket contingents.
We shall always endeavor to arrange adjacent seating for spouses or travelers booking together. If this is not possible, no claim for damages shall arise.
6. Minor and Major Changes to Services
6.1 Minor changes to travel services by ST-Eventkreuzfahrten shall be permissible unilaterally, provided that such changes are communicated clearly, comprehensibly, and prominently to the traveler prior to departure, for example by e-mail, fax, SMS, or in writing.
The traveler’s statutory rights in the event of travel defects shall remain unaffected.
6.2 Major changes to the contract shall not be permitted unilaterally and shall only be permissible prior to departure under the strict conditions set out in Section 651g BGB.
ST-Eventkreuzfahrten must expressly inform the traveler thereof, for example by e-mail, fax, SMS, or in writing.
The traveler may either withdraw from the contract or accept the proposed amendment or substitute trip within the period specified by the organizer.
If the traveler fails to respond within the specified period, the offer by ST-Eventkreuzfahrten shall be deemed accepted.
In all other respects, Section 651g para. 3 BGB shall apply.
6.3 If the traveler accepts a major change or substitute trip, the traveler shall be entitled to a price reduction pursuant to Section 651m para. 1 BGB if the substitute trip is not at least of equivalent value.
If the amendment results in lower costs for ST-Eventkreuzfahrten, the traveler shall be reimbursed the difference corresponding to the reduced costs pursuant to Section 651m para. 2 BGB.
6.4 In the case of special cruises or proprietary events, the shipping company may make short-notice route changes.
Ports of departure or arrival may be changed for technical, political, or weather-related reasons.
6.5In the case of special cruises, the shipping company may substitute the booked cruise vessel.
As the package tour operator, we shall ensure that the replacement services are equivalent to the originally booked services.
6.6 Prior to embarkation, events beyond the control of the tour operator — including but not limited to earthquakes, political instability, civil unrest, port closures, travel bans, COVID-19 outbreaks, or other diseases declared endemic or pandemic by competent health authorities — may require adjustments to the planned itinerary.
6.7 If, during the cruise, an unforeseeable event constituting force majeure occurs and renders the performance of the cruise wholly or partially impossible, or endangers the health and safety of passengers and crew members, the tour operator shall, at its reasonable discretion and with due regard to the health and safety of all persons concerned, use all reasonable efforts to arrange suitable alternatives for continuation of the cruise.
Such measures may include modification of the planned itinerary and/or provision of an alternative vessel.
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7. Price Increases and Price Reductions Prior to Departure
7.1 ST-Eventkreuzfahrten may unilaterally increase the travel price by up to 8% only where such increase results directly from circumstances arising after conclusion of the contract, including:
- increased transportation costs (fuel or other energy sources),
- increased taxes or other charges (tourist taxes, port charges, airport fees),
- or changes in exchange rates applicable to the package travel services.
Any resulting adjustment to the agreed travel price shall be calculated based on the additional costs incurred, divided proportionally among the travelers, and allocated per person accordingly.
A price increase shall only be valid if ST-Eventkreuzfahrten informs the traveler clearly and comprehensibly — by e-mail, fax, SMS, in writing, or similar means — of:
- the price increase,
- the reasons for the increase,
- and the calculation thereof,
no later than 20 days prior to departure.
7.2 If the price increase reserved under Clause 7.1 exceeds 8% of the travel price, ST-Eventkreuzfahrten may not impose such increase unilaterally but only under the strict conditions set out in Section 651g BGB.
In such case, ST-Eventkreuzfahrten may offer the traveler a corresponding price increase and require the traveler either:
- to accept the increase within a reasonable period specified by ST-Eventkreuzfahrten, or
- to withdraw from the contract.
Further details are governed by Section 651g BGB.
7.3 The traveler may request a reduction in the travel price if, after conclusion of the contract and prior to departure, the prices, charges, or exchange rates referred to in Clause 7.1 decrease and thereby reduce the costs incurred by ST-Eventkreuzfahrten.
If the traveler has paid more than the amount owed under the adjusted calculation, the excess amount shall be reimbursed by ST-Eventkreuzfahrten.
ST-Eventkreuzfahrten may deduct actually incurred administrative expenses from the amount to be refunded and shall provide evidence of such expenses upon the traveler’s request.
8. Transfer of Contract – Substitute Traveler
8.1 Within a reasonable period and, in any event, no later than seven days prior to departure, the traveler may notify ST-Eventkreuzfahrten in writing, by e-mail, fax, SMS, or similar text form, that a third party shall assume the rights and obligations arising from the package travel contract in place of the traveler.
8.2 ST-Eventkreuzfahrten may object to the substitution if the third party does not fulfill the contractual travel requirements.
8.3 If a third party enters into the contract, both the substitute traveler and the original traveler shall be jointly and severally liable toward ST-Eventkreuzfahrten for:
- the travel price, and
- any additional costs arising from the substitution.
ST-Eventkreuzfahrten may only request reimbursement of additional costs actually incurred and only insofar as such costs are reasonable.
8.4 ST-Eventkreuzfahrten shall provide proof to the traveler of the amount of additional costs incurred due to the substitution.
9. Cancellation by the Traveler Prior to Departure – Failure to Commence the Journey
9.1 The traveler may withdraw from the contract at any time prior to departure.
Cancellation should be declared to ST-Eventkreuzfahrten in writing or in text form (e-mail, fax, SMS). Notification to the travel agent shall also be deemed sufficient.
The decisive factor shall be the receipt of the cancellation notice by ST-Eventkreuzfahrten or the intermediary.
9.2 If the traveler withdraws from the contract or fails to commence the journey, ST-Eventkreuzfahrten shall lose its entitlement to the agreed travel price.
Instead, ST-Eventkreuzfahrten may generally claim the following lump-sum cancellation compensation based on the total travel price and depending on the type of journey and timing of cancellation prior to departure:
- a) Car, Coach, and Rail Travel
- up to 4 weeks prior to departure: 10%
- from the 28th calendar day prior to departure: 15%
- from the 21st calendar day prior to departure: 35%
- from the 14th calendar day prior to departure: 50%
- from the 3rd calendar day prior to departure: 75%
- on the day of departure: 90%
- b) Air Travel
- up to 4 weeks prior to departure: 25%
- from the 28th calendar day prior to departure: 35%
- from the 21st calendar day prior to departure: 50%
- from the 14th calendar day prior to departure: 75%
- from the 3rd calendar day prior to departure: 90%
- c) Ocean Cruises / River Cruises
- up to the 60th calendar day prior to departure: 35%
- from the 59th calendar day prior to departure: 40%
- from the 28th calendar day prior to departure: 50%
- from the 21st calendar day prior to departure: 70%
- from the 14th calendar day prior to departure: 90%
- d) Spa Holidays / Spa Shuttle Services
- up to the 30th calendar day prior to departure: 15%
- from the 29th calendar day prior to departure: 20%
- from the 21st calendar day prior to departure: 50%
- from the 14th calendar day prior to departure: 70%
- from the 8th calendar day prior to departure: 90%
- cancellation on the day of departure: 100%
For combined travel arrangements, the specific designation of the trip in the brochure, catalog, or on the website shall be decisive.
9.3 In the case of cancellations of trips that include admission tickets as part of the travel services or additional services, the full ticket price shall additionally become payable from 60 days prior to departure unless ST-Eventkreuzfahrten is able to resell such tickets elsewhere.
9.4 Where a booking is only partially cancelled (e.g. number of persons or individual services), the above compensation rates shall apply to the difference between the original and revised invoice amounts.
9.5 The traveler shall expressly retain the right to prove that:
- no compensation claim has arisen at all, or
- the compensation is substantially lower than the lump-sum compensation claimed.
9.6 Clauses 9.2 to 9.5 shall apply accordingly in the event the traveler fails to commence the journey.
9.7 Following cancellation by the traveler, ST-Eventkreuzfahrten shall reimburse the travel price without undue delay and, in any event, within 14 days after receipt of the cancellation notice.
9.8 Notwithstanding Clause 9.2, ST-Eventkreuzfahrten may not claim cancellation compensation if unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances occur at the destination or in its immediate vicinity which substantially impair:
- the performance of the package tour, or
- the transportation of persons to the destination.
Circumstances shall be deemed unavoidable and extraordinary if they are beyond the control of the party invoking them and their consequences could not have been avoided even if all reasonable precautions had been taken.
10. Cancellation for Day Trips
Cancellation by the Traveler
The traveler may cancel a booked trip at any time, irrespective of the reason for cancellation. In the traveler’s own interest, written confirmation of cancellation is recommended.
In the event of cancellation, the tour operator shall be entitled to charge proportional cancellation fees.
The cancellation fees for day trips are as follows per person:
- from the day of booking until the 22nd day prior to departure: EUR 5
- from the 21st day until the 15th day prior to departure: 50% of the travel price
- from the 14th day until the 1st day prior to departure / failure to commence the trip: 100% of the total travel price
For day trips including admission tickets to public events, cancellation fees amount to 100% of the total travel price from the day of booking onward.
Cancellation by the Tour Operator
The tour operator may withdraw from the travel contract for day trips up to 7 days prior to departure if the minimum number of 25 participants is not reached.
For groups of up to 24 persons, we reserve the right to use a smaller coach with reduced equipment standards in the interest of operating the booked trip.
If the traveler cannot accept an offered rebooking alternative, the paid travel amount shall be refunded immediately.
For this purpose, please provide your bank account details (IBAN).
11. Rebookings and Amendments Requested by the Traveler
11.1 As a general principle, the traveler shall have no entitlement to amendments of the contract after its conclusion.
However, ST-Eventkreuzfahrten may, where feasible, legally permissible, and reasonable, accommodate the traveler’s requested amendments.
11.2 If the traveler requests amendments or rebookings after conclusion of the contract, ST-Eventkreuzfahrten may charge a flat-rate processing fee of EUR 30, unless ST-Eventkreuzfahrten demonstrates that higher compensation has been incurred.
Such compensation shall be calculated based on the travel price less the value of expenses saved by ST-Eventkreuzfahrten and any benefits obtained through alternative use of the travel services.
12. Interruption of the Journey
If the journey is interrupted after commencement due to circumstances within the traveler’s sphere of responsibility (e.g. illness), no entitlement shall arise to reimbursement of the proportional travel price.
However, ST-Eventkreuzfahrten shall endeavor to obtain reimbursement from service providers for saved expenses and any proceeds generated through resale of unused services.
This shall not apply where only insignificant services are concerned or where reimbursement is prohibited by statutory or official regulations.
13. Termination Due to Serious Disruption by the Traveler – Duties to Cooperate
13.1 ST-Eventkreuzfahrten may terminate the travel contract without notice if the traveler, despite warning, continues to substantially disrupt the trip such that further participation is no longer reasonable for ST-Eventkreuzfahrten and/or other travelers.
This shall also apply where the traveler fails to comply with objectively justified instructions.
In such cases, ST-Eventkreuzfahrten shall retain entitlement to the travel price insofar as no saved expenses or benefits from alternative use of the travel services arise.
Any further claims for damages shall remain unaffected.
13.2 The traveler shall take all reasonable measures within their capacity (e.g. notifying the organizer) to prevent or minimize unusually high damages.
14. Failure to Reach the Minimum Number of Participants
14.1 ST-Eventkreuzfahrten shall inform the traveler prior to booking and in the travel confirmation of any required minimum number of participants and the applicable deadline.
14.2 ST-Eventkreuzfahrten may withdraw from the contract prior to departure if fewer persons have registered for the package tour than the minimum number specified in the contract.
14.3 If the minimum number of participants pursuant to Clause 14.1 is not reached and ST-Eventkreuzfahrten intends to withdraw from the contract, the organizer must declare withdrawal within the contractually agreed period, but no later than:
- 20 days prior to departure for trips lasting more than 6 days,
- 7 days prior to departure for trips lasting between 2 and 6 days,
- 48 hours prior to departure for trips lasting less than 2 days.
14.4 If ST-Eventkreuzfahrten withdraws from the contract, entitlement to the agreed travel price shall cease.
14.5 Following withdrawal, ST-Eventkreuzfahrten shall reimburse the travel price without undue delay and, in any event, within 14 days after withdrawal.
15. Withdrawal by ST-Eventkreuzfahrten Due to Unavoidable Extraordinary Circumstances
15.1 ST-Eventkreuzfahrten may withdraw from the contract prior to departure if unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances prevent fulfillment of the contract and if the withdrawal is declared immediately upon becoming aware of the reason for withdrawal.
15.2 In the event of withdrawal pursuant to Clause 15.1, ST-Eventkreuzfahrten shall lose entitlement to the agreed travel price and shall reimburse the travel price without undue delay and, in any event, within 14 days after withdrawal.
16. Travel Defects, Rights, and Obligations of the Traveler
16.1 Notification of Defects by the Traveler
The traveler shall notify ST-Eventkreuzfahrten without undue delay of any travel defect.
If ST-Eventkreuzfahrten was unable to remedy the defect due to culpable failure by the traveler to provide such notification, the traveler shall not be entitled to claim:
- price reduction pursuant to Section 651m BGB, or
- damages pursuant to Section 651n BGB.
16.2 Recipient of Defect Notices
Travel defects must be reported during the journey to the tour guide.
If no tour guide or representative of ST-Eventkreuzfahrten is available or agreed upon, defects must, where rapid communication is possible, be reported directly to ST-Eventkreuzfahrten or to the contact point specified in the travel confirmation.
Relevant contact details (e-mail, fax numbers, telephone numbers) are stated in the travel confirmation.
16.3 Request for Remedy and Self-Remedy
The traveler may request remedy of the defect.
ST-Eventkreuzfahrten shall remedy the travel defect accordingly.
The recipient of such request shall be the tour guide. Clause 16.2 shall otherwise apply accordingly.
If ST-Eventkreuzfahrten fails to remedy the defect within a reasonable period set by the traveler, the traveler may remedy the defect themselves and claim reimbursement of necessary expenses.
No deadline shall be required where remedy is refused or immediate remedy is necessary.
ST-Eventkreuzfahrten may refuse remedy only where:
- remedy is impossible, or
- remedy would involve disproportionate costs considering the extent of the defect and the value of the affected travel service.
In such cases, Section 651k paras. 3–5 BGB shall apply.
ST-Eventkreuzfahrten shall inform the traveler specifically about replacement services, return transport, consequences, and assistance obligations pursuant to Section 651q BGB.
16.4 Price Reduction
For the duration of a travel defect, the travel price shall be reduced pursuant to Section 651m BGB.
Reference is made to Clause 16.1 above.
16.5 Termination
If the package tour is substantially impaired by a travel defect, the traveler may terminate the contract after expiry of a reasonable deadline set for remedy.
If ST-Eventkreuzfahrten refuses remedy or immediate remedy is necessary, termination may occur without setting a deadline.
The legal consequences of termination shall be governed by Section 651l paras. 2 and 3 BGB.
16.6 Damages
Without prejudice to price reduction or termination rights, the traveler may claim damages pursuant to Section 651n BGB.
Where liability for damages exists, ST-Eventkreuzfahrten shall provide compensation without undue delay.
16.7 Set-Off of Compensation
If the traveler is entitled to damages or reimbursement of overpaid amounts resulting from price reduction due to the same event, the traveler must allow set-off of amounts already received as compensation or reimbursement pursuant to international conventions or statutory provisions based thereon in accordance with Section 651p para. 3 BGB.
17. Limitation of Liability
17.1 The contractual liability of ST-Eventkreuzfahrten for damages other than bodily injury shall be limited to three times the travel price, provided that the damage suffered by the traveler was neither caused intentionally nor through gross negligence, or insofar as ST-Eventkreuzfahrten is responsible for damage incurred by the traveler solely due to the fault of a service provider.
17.2 Where international conventions or statutory provisions based thereon apply to travel services provided by a service provider and such provisions permit claims for damages only under certain conditions or limitations, ST-Eventkreuzfahrten may invoke such conventions and statutory provisions vis-à-vis the traveler.
17.3 Reference is made to Clause 16.7 (Set-Off of Compensation).
17.4 ST-Kreuzfahrten shall assume no liability arising from agreements of shipping companies under which the tour operator may be held responsible where a traveler violates previously communicated onboard rules and/or boarding regulations and damage thereby occurs, unless ST-Eventkreuzfahrten (or a commissioned third party, e.g. Costa) failed to fulfill its information obligations toward the traveler, or failed to do so completely, and such failure caused the damage.
The tour operator shall not be liable for damages caused by the traveler aboard cruise ships or indirectly caused by the traveler to the detriment of third parties (e.g. delays or similar disruptions).
18. Limitation Period – Assertion of Claims
18.1 Claims pursuant to Section 651i para. 3 nos. 2 and 4–7 BGB must be asserted against ST-Eventkreuzfahrten or against the travel intermediary through whom the booking was made.
18.2 Claims of the traveler pursuant to Section 651i para. 3 BGB — excluding claims relating to bodily injury — including remedy, termination, price reduction, and damages, shall become time-barred after two years.
The limitation period shall commence on the date on which the package tour was scheduled to end according to the contract.
19. Consumer Dispute Resolution and Online Dispute Resolution Platform
19.1 ST-Eventkreuzfahrten participates in dispute resolution proceedings before the competent consumer arbitration board.
The competent consumer arbitration body is:
General Consumer Arbitration Board of the Center for Arbitration e.V.
Straßburger Str. 8
77694 Kehl
Germany
Telephone: +49 7851 79579 40
Fax: +49 7851 79579 41
Website: www.verbraucher-schlichter.de
E-mail: mail@verbraucher-schlichter.de
20. Special Events (e.g. Schlager Sea Voyages and Rock’n’Roll Cruises)
20.1 Data Protection
The privacy policies of ST Eventkreuzfahrten GmbH and the travel intermediary ATeams-Touristik shall apply.
Furthermore, travelers are expressly informed that their personal data will be transferred to and processed by the executing charter company (Costa Crociere S.p.A.).
Accordingly, the privacy policy of Costa Crociere S.p.A. shall also apply.
20.2 Boarding Regulations
Costa shall inform customers in due time prior to departure of all requirements and/or measures applicable to the booked journey.
Such requirements and measures may also be reviewed at any time at:
www.costakreuzfahrten.de/boardingregeln
These requirements and measures may include, in particular but not limited to:
- provision of residence and health information prior to arrival and during check-in,
- proof of vaccination, recovery, or testing,
- COVID-19 testing before departure, upon embarkation, and, where applicable, during the journey,
- health examinations during check-in and throughout the journey,
- compliance with distancing requirements and mandatory wearing of face coverings,
- restrictions on onboard services, particularly regarding dining, wellness, and sports facilities,
- restrictions on shore excursions limited to excursions organized by Costa in compliance with local regulations,
- isolation and disembarkation of persons testing positive for COVID-19 and their close contacts.
Please note that Costa reserves the right to exclude customers with certain increased risk factors from participation in the journey.
Violations of applicable requirements and/or measures shall entitle Costa to exclude the affected customer and, depending on the nature of the violation, accompanying travelers from continued participation in the journey without entitlement to reimbursement of the travel price for unused travel services and/or other purchased services.
20.3 Onboard Rules
Every passenger aboard an ocean cruise shall comply with the onboard rules of the shipping company.
Dangerous items such as weapons, knives, or similar objects may not be brought onboard.
The bringing onboard of goods for commercial purposes and/or live animals, weapons, ammunition, explosives, flammable, toxic, or otherwise dangerous substances, illegal drugs, and electrical devices is prohibited.
The prohibition on electrical devices includes in particular — though not limited to:
- irons,
- kettles,
- hot plates,
- electric cookers,
- hairdryers.
20.4 Security Deposit / Onboard Expenses
Upon embarkation, the charter company (Costa) shall require presentation of a credit card or payment of a deposit to secure payment of onboard expenses incurred by the passenger, including but not limited to:
- beverages,
- casino expenses,
- individual services such as massages and beauty or wellness treatments,
- purchases,
- medical expenses.
21. MEDICAL CARE ON BOARD
Ocean Cruises / Theme Cruises / Schlager Sea Voyages / Rock’n’Roll Cruises
21.1 The ships are equipped with modern medical facilities.
Ship doctors and qualified medical personnel are available to provide onboard medical care. Opening hours are published in the current daily onboard program.
21.2 Customers undergoing medical treatment or having special medical concerns are requested to inform the ship’s doctor at the beginning of the journey.
Please note that the services of the ship’s doctor do not form part of the package travel contract and that the ship’s doctor is not subject to instructions from the shipping company in medical matters.
21.3 Comprehensive medical treatment can only be provided onboard to a limited extent.
Passengers suffering from chronic or serious illnesses are requested to contact the shipping company prior to booking in order to clarify the possibility of participation and any necessary travel arrangements.
21.4 Medical treatment onboard shall be provided against payment.
Settlement shall occur at the end of the journey via the onboard account; settlement via health insurance card or foreign health insurance voucher is not possible.
At the end of the journey, passengers shall receive a detailed hospital invoice for their cabin, which may be submitted to their international travel health insurance provider for reimbursement.
We therefore strongly recommend taking out international travel health insurance coverage.
21.5 In high-risk medical cases, the patient may be disembarked at the next port.
Any costs arising from disembarkation and medical treatment shall be borne by the patient.
Where available, the shipping company shall arrange support through a local agency in the event of medical disembarkation.
For disposal of medical waste (e.g. insulin syringes), please contact the onboard hospital.
Passengers requiring special medication are requested to bring an adequate supply onboard in their hand luggage.
Please also observe applicable EU regulations regarding transportation of liquids in hand luggage as well as any import or customs restrictions applicable in the destination country.
22. RESTRICTIONS FOR EXPECTANT MOTHERS AND INFANTS
For safety reasons and due to the limited medical facilities available onboard, transportation shall not be permitted for:
- expectant mothers who will have reached or exceeded the 24th week of pregnancy by the end of the journey,
- infants who will be less than 6 months old by the end of the journey,
- infants who will be less than 12 months old by the end of the journey where the booked itinerary includes three or more consecutive sea days.
These restrictions shall also apply to:
- transatlantic cruises,
- world cruises,
- cruises lasting 15 nights or more,
- and any itinerary where, due to its specific characteristics, complete protection of the health of young guests cannot be guaranteed.
In the aforementioned cases, the shipping company may withdraw from the travel contract in whole or in part prior to commencement of the journey or terminate the contract after commencement of the journey.
If the traveler was unaware of the pregnancy at the time of booking, the shipping company shall reimburse the travel price already paid, provided notification is given immediately upon becoming aware of the pregnancy.
For safety reasons, pregnant travelers must, upon commencement of the cruise, present a certificate of fitness to travel issued by a gynecologist in English and not older than one week.
The certificate must confirm:
- that there are no medical objections to participation in the journey,
- that no high-risk pregnancy exists,
- and the current week of pregnancy.
23. Miscellaneous Provisions
Applicable only to travel intermediaries:
Where bookings are made through a travel intermediary (travel agency) acting as an agent for ST-Eventkreuzfahrten, the foregoing General Terms and Conditions shall apply mutatis mutandis unless otherwise provided in the agency agreement.
Unless otherwise expressly indicated, all prices stated in the catalog are quoted in Euro and apply per person.
24. Governing Language and Applicable Law
These General Terms and Conditions have been translated into English with the assistance of AI-supported translation technology and subsequently reviewed for linguistic and legal consistency.
In the event of any discrepancies, ambiguities, inconsistencies, or differing interpretations between the English version and the original German version, the German version shall prevail exclusively.
All contractual relationships between ST-Eventkreuzfahrten and the traveler shall be governed exclusively by the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, excluding the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG), unless mandatory consumer protection provisions of the traveler’s country of residence provide otherwise.
