Terms & Conditions

Portugal River Cruise Knit Retreat 2026

Land Arrangements will be priced in Canadian Dollars unless otherwise stated.

Pricing:

• CATEGORY E FIXED WINDOW - $6,599CAD per person based on double or twin share
• CATEGORY D FIXED WINDOW - $6,899CAD per person based on double or twin share
• CATEGORY C FRENCH BALCONY $7,999CAD  per person based on double or twin share
• CATEGORY B OUTSIDE BALCONY $8,499CAD per person based on double or twin share
• CATEGORY A OUTSIDE BALCONY $8,599CAD per person based on double or twin share

• SINGLE CATEGORY D FIXED WINDOW - $11,389CAD - SOLD OUT
• SINGLE CATEGORY C FRENCH BALCONY - $14,149CAD - SOLD OUT
  

ONCE ABOVE SINGLE ROOM ALLOCATION IS SOLD OUT, SINGLE ROOMS CAN STILL BE BOOKED BUT THE RATE IS 2 X THE PER PERSON RATE FOR ROOM CATEGORY.

BECAUSE WE HAVE FACTORED IN THE COST OF OUR SPECIAL GUEST KNIT INSTRUCTORS FOR THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF GUESTS ONBOARD, THE CRUISE RATE IS THE SAME FOR KNITTERS AND NON-KNITTERS ALIKE.

Deposit Required to Secure your Seat:

Initial non-refundable deposit of $1,000CAD per person is due at time of registration.

Final payment of balance will be due by no later than  20 August,  2025

This package includes:

• Accommodation during the 7 night Douro River cruise (Porto to Porto, Portugal)
• Port Charges & Pre-Paid Gratuities onboard AMASintra
• All gourmet meals onboard (Early Riser Coffee and Croissants, a Rich Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea & Coffee with Cake, Cookies & Sandwiches and a Multi-Course Dinner
• Premium Drink Package including select premium liquors, Red and White Wine from the local regions, Beer, Soft Drinks, Tea, Ice-Tea,  Coffee including Cappuccino, Latte and Espresso throughout the cruise
• Complimentary "Sip & Sail" menu cocktail hour offering a selection of beverages on five evenings - one hour before dinner
• Bottled Water, fluffy bathrobes and slippers are provided free of charge in each cabin
• Pre-Paid Gratuities onboard AMASintra $215CAD per person (does not include Cruise Director gratuity)
• Cruise Port Charges valued at $305CAD per person
• Use of the Heated Swimming Pool on the Sun Deck and use of the indoor fitness equipment free of charge
• Use of Bicycles and helmets onboard free of charge
• Complimentary use of the internet onboard
• Complimentary In-Cabin Movies
• Every AMAWaterways vessel is equipped with an elevator; however, it does not go to the lowest passenger Deck (Stateroom CAT E and D) nor does it go to the Sun Deck
• Special knit related events/classes throughout the cruise
• AMAWaterways shore excursion program during the cruise with English speaking guides.  Use of AMAWaterways' Quiet Vox headsets are also included at no additional cost
• Special non-AMAWaterways shore excursions will be on offer closer to departure date.  These knit-related shore excursions are not included, and can be booked closer to departure (extra costs will apply should you wish to book these special experiences).  Details will be announced in the Spring of 2025.
• Services of AMAWaterways' professional English Speaking Cruise Director

PLUS these experiences not available on any other River Cruise:

• Meet & Greet with Kim O'Brien Evans, Laura Nelkin and Tracie & Jodi from Grocery Girls Knit
• Knitting Classes/Workshops with Kim O'Brien Evans, Laura Nelkin and Grocery Girls Knit (workshop schedule has been designed so that everyone will be able to experience all classes on offer over the course of the cruise
• A Knitter's Circle with Kim O'Brien Evans, Laura Nelkin and Grocery Girls Knit

This package does not include:

• International Airfare (it is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they arrive in time for embarkation or sailing on Day 1).  SPJ Retreats, Vision Travel nor Direct Travel assume any responsibility for those travellers who are delayed or miss their cruise due to travel disruptions and/or flight cancellations.  Please ensure you take out adequate travel insurance.
• Airport Transfers and pre or post land arrangements
• All other beverages not listed above
• Premium Spirits and Wines/Champagne (available to purchase)
• Gratuity for Cruise Director
• Use of Telephone in each cabin for ship to shore calls
• Items purchased in the Gift Shop
• Items of a personal nature
• Optional shore excursions that might be offered in addition to AMAWaterways' daily included shore excursion program
• Visa/Passport related fees (if applicable)
• Any fees related to possible COVID-19 testing/hospitalisation
• Any unforeseen increase in local/government taxes or Fuel Surcharges

Cancellation Policy for this Retreat:

• Cancellations made by 19 August,  2025 or earlier - loss of non-refundable deposit ($1000CAD per person for twin share room.$2000CAD for single share room
• Cancellations made on 20 August,  2025 or later - 100% non-refundable

NOTE:  All cancellations must be received in writing.  Cancellations received on Saturdays, Sundays, on Public Holidays or outside our normal business hours (9am - 5pm Eastern time (Canada)) will be considered received on next business day and actioned on next business day.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: In the unlikely event that the Grocery Girls, Kim O'Brien Evans, Laura Nelkin or Grocery Girls Knit become unable to teach on our Knit Retreat, SPJ Retreats reserves the right to substitute their knitting classes with a suitable knit instructor.  Cancellations by either of our Special Guests due to unforeseen circumstances are out of our control.  By booking a spot on this retreat, you understand and accept that should it become necessary to change knit instructors, SPJ does so at their discretion and without refunds.

Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption & Out of Country Emergency Medical Insurance Coverage:

SPJ Retreats requires that all participants be adequately covered for Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption and Emergency Out of Country Medical.  Please note we do not accept travel insurance offered by credit card companies as sufficient coverage for this trip.  South Pacific Journeys offers Allianz Travel Insurance for residents of Ontario.  Guests who reside outside of Ontario will need to purchase travel insurance from an insurance provider in their home state/province.  SPJ Retreats, Vision Travel nor Direct Travel assumes no responsibility for guests who miss embarkation due to travel delays or cancellations.  Please ensure you arrive early.

Passports:

All travellers require a valid passport with at least 6 months validity beyond expected return date.  Canadian and American citizens do not currently require a visa to enter the European Union. If you are citizen of another country other than Canada, please ensure you meet all entry requirements for Portugal.   South Pacific Journeys, Vision Travel, Direct Travel or any of their agents assume no responsibility for participants not presenting the required documentation to enter Portugal.  Refunds will not be granted to anyone who arrives in Portugal without the required documentation.

Travel Agent's Responsibility:

SPJ Retreats, Vision Travel Solutions, Direct Travel and/or their agents, act as agents for the clients in matters pertaining to travel.  They assume no responsibility nor liability in connection with the service of any train, vessel, carriage, aircraft, motor or other conveyances which may be used, either wholly or in part in the performance of its duty to the passenger; neither will it be responsible for any act, error or omission, or any injury, loss accident, delay or irregularity engaged in conveying the passenger; or for any hotel proprietor, or hotel service, or for any other person engaged in carrying out the purpose for which tickets or coupons are issued.  In the event that it becomes necessary or advisable for alterations to be made to itinerary, we reserve the right to make changes.  Additional expenses, if any, shall be borne. by the passengers.  The Airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission, or event, during the time passengers are not on sole contract between the Airlines and the purchaser of these tours and/or passenger.  The right is reserved to withdraw any or all tours should conditions warrant, also to decline or accept or retain any passengers as members of the tour.  South Pacific Journeys or agent can assume no responsibility for lost tickets or coupons.  SPJ Retreats shall not be liable for any claims, losses, damages, costs, expenses, delays or loss of enjoyment of any nature or kind whatsoever, resulting from events beyond our or a supplier's reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, strikes, lockouts or other labour disputes or disruptions, wars, blockades, insurrections, riots, earthquakes, weather conditions, floods or act of restraints imposed by government authorities (such as lockdowns due to pandemics).  In the event the foreign currency exchange rate increases by more than 7%, SPJ Retreats reserve the right to pass on this increased cost to each participant.  This is in accordance with current TICO (Travel Industry Council of Ontario) regulations.

SPJ Retreats is an Affiliate of Vision Travel a Direct Travel Company. We are registered with the Travel Industry Council of Ontario - Registration # 50023507.

1020 Bayridge Drive, Suite 207, Kingston ON K7P 2S2

Phone:  613 507 2869 Toll-Free:  1 855 607 2869