top of page

Terms & Conditions

Last Updated: September 5, 2026

Welcome to Shorescape Travel. These Terms & Conditions govern your use of this website and your interactions with Shorescape Travel for travel planning, research, recommendations, reservations, and related services.

By using this website, submitting a trip inquiry, requesting travel planning services, or authorizing a reservation, you acknowledge and agree to the terms below.

1. About Shorescape Travel

Shorescape Travel is an independent travel advisory business based in West Michigan and affiliated with Fora Travel, Inc.

Shorescape Travel provides travel planning, research, recommendations, itinerary assistance, and booking services for accommodations, cruises, tours, activities, transportation, and other travel-related products.

As a Fora-affiliated travel advisor, Shorescape Travel may utilize Fora's booking platform, industry credentials, supplier relationships, preferred travel programs, and other resources when arranging travel for clients.

Shorescape Travel is independently operated and is not owned by the hotels, resorts, cruise lines, airlines, tour operators, transportation companies, or other travel suppliers that may be recommended or booked.

Fora states that its advisors operate as independent contractors and that advisors may operate under their own business brands while remaining affiliated with Fora.

2. Fora Travel and Travel Supplier Relationships

Travel reservations may be facilitated through Fora Travel, Inc. and its network of travel suppliers and partners.

Depending on the reservation, the actual travel service may be provided by an independent third party, including but not limited to:

  • Hotels and resorts

  • Cruise lines

  • Airlines

  • Tour operators

  • Destination management companies

  • Transportation providers

  • Rental car companies

  • Excursion and activity providers

  • Travel insurance providers

  • Other travel-related suppliers

When a reservation is made, the traveler may also become subject to the individual supplier's own terms, conditions, payment policies, cancellation policies, liability limitations, and other contractual requirements.

Shorescape Travel does not own, operate, manage, or control these independent suppliers.

3. Travel Recommendations

Shorescape Travel provides recommendations based on information available at the time of planning and on the preferences, priorities, budget, and information provided by the traveler.

Recommendations may take into consideration factors such as:

  • Destination

  • Travel dates

  • Budget

  • Accommodation preferences

  • Travel style

  • Activities and interests

  • Family or group composition

  • Cruise preferences

  • Transportation needs

  • Available rates and promotions

Travel recommendations represent professional planning guidance but do not guarantee that any destination, accommodation, activity, cruise, restaurant, or other experience will meet every traveler's personal expectations.

4. Pricing and Availability

Travel pricing and availability can change at any time until a reservation is confirmed.

Quotes may be affected by:

  • Availability

  • Seasonal demand

  • Currency fluctuations

  • Supplier pricing changes

  • Taxes and government fees

  • Resort fees

  • Port charges

  • Fuel surcharges

  • Airfare changes

  • Promotions

  • Room or cabin category

  • Occupancy

  • Transportation costs

  • Other supplier-imposed charges

Unless specifically stated otherwise, a quote is not a reservation and does not guarantee availability or price.

Prices are considered confirmed only after the applicable supplier has accepted the reservation and required payment or deposit.

5. Planning Around a Budget

Shorescape Travel is happy to work with travelers who have a specific target budget.

Providing an accurate budget helps identify realistic destinations, hotels, cruises, activities, transportation, and travel dates.

A requested budget does not guarantee that a particular destination, hotel, room type, cruise, airfare, or itinerary will be available within that amount.

When appropriate, Shorescape Travel may suggest changes to travel dates, trip length, accommodations, destination, room category, or other components to better align a trip with the traveler's budget.

6. Planning and Service Fees

Many travel reservations may be planned and booked without a separate planning fee.

However, custom planning fees may apply to certain itineraries, including those involving extensive research, complex routing, multiple destinations, detailed itinerary development, unusually time-intensive requests, or other specialized planning.

If a planning or service fee applies, the amount and scope of services will be disclosed before the fee is charged or paid planning work begins.

Planning fees, when charged, compensate Shorescape Travel for professional research and planning services and may be separate from amounts paid to travel suppliers.

Unless otherwise stated in writing, planning fees are non-refundable once planning work has begun.

7. Deposits and Payments

Many travel suppliers require a deposit to confirm a reservation.

Deposit amounts, payment schedules, final-payment deadlines, refundability, and cancellation terms are determined by the applicable supplier.

Some reservations may require full payment at the time of booking.

Travelers are responsible for reviewing and meeting all payment deadlines associated with their reservations.

Failure to make required payments by the applicable deadline may result in cancellation by the supplier.

8. Credit Card Authorization

When a traveler authorizes Shorescape Travel or Fora to submit payment information to a travel supplier, the traveler authorizes the applicable amount to be charged according to the reservation terms provided.

Charges may appear on a credit card statement under the name of the hotel, cruise line, tour operator, airline, Fora, or another travel supplier or payment processor.

Shorescape Travel does not guarantee how a supplier's charge will appear on a bank or credit card statement.

9. Cancellations, Changes and Refunds

Cancellation and change policies vary significantly among travel suppliers.

Before booking, travelers should carefully review the applicable terms.

A reservation may be:

  • Fully refundable

  • Partially refundable

  • Non-refundable

  • Subject to cancellation penalties

  • Subject to change fees

  • Subject to fare differences

  • Subject to supplier-specific deadlines

Shorescape Travel does not determine supplier refund policies and cannot guarantee that a supplier will issue a refund, credit, waiver, or exception.

Where possible, Shorescape Travel may assist the traveler in communicating with the applicable supplier regarding changes or cancellations.

10. Travel Insurance

Travel insurance may provide protection for certain covered circumstances involving cancellation, interruption, medical emergencies, delays, lost baggage, or other travel-related events.

Coverage varies significantly by policy.

Shorescape Travel may provide information about available travel protection options but does not provide legal, insurance, or financial advice.

Travelers are responsible for reviewing:

  • Policy terms

  • Coverage limits

  • Exclusions

  • Pre-existing-condition provisions

  • Cancellation coverage

  • Claim procedures

  • Coverage effective dates

The insurance provider is solely responsible for determining whether a claim is covered.

11. Passports, Visas and Entry Requirements

Each traveler is responsible for ensuring they possess all documentation required for their trip.

Requirements may include:

  • Valid passport

  • Visa

  • Electronic travel authorization

  • Tourist card

  • Proof of onward travel

  • Required permits

  • Parental consent documentation for minors

  • Health documentation

  • Other government-required documentation

Passport validity rules vary by destination, and some countries require passports to remain valid for several months beyond the scheduled travel dates.

Shorescape Travel may provide general information as a convenience, but travelers are responsible for verifying current requirements directly with appropriate government authorities.

12. Health, Vaccinations and Destination Requirements

Entry, vaccination, health, customs, and immigration requirements may change.

Travelers are responsible for determining whether any vaccination, medication, health documentation, testing, or other requirement applies to them.

Travelers should consult appropriate medical professionals and official government sources for health-related guidance.

Shorescape Travel does not provide medical advice.

13. Airlines and Flight Arrangements

Airlines maintain their own rules regarding:

  • Schedules

  • Delays

  • Cancellations

  • Baggage

  • Seat assignments

  • Fare restrictions

  • Name corrections

  • Flight credits

  • Refunds

  • Schedule changes

Airline schedules may change after booking.

Shorescape Travel is not responsible for airline schedule changes, delays, missed connections, cancellations, baggage issues, or other airline operational decisions.

When assistance is available, Shorescape Travel may help clients understand or respond to airline changes.

14. Cruises

Cruise passengers are subject to the cruise line's passenger contract, payment rules, cancellation terms, documentation requirements, embarkation requirements, and onboard policies.

Cruise itineraries and ports may be changed or canceled due to weather, mechanical issues, port restrictions, safety concerns, governmental action, or other circumstances.

Shorescape Travel does not control cruise-line operational decisions.

Travelers are responsible for arriving at the embarkation port within the time required by the cruise line.

15. Hotels, Resorts and Preferred Benefits

Through its affiliation with Fora and its travel industry relationships, Shorescape Travel may have access to preferred programs, amenities, promotional rates, or other benefits at participating properties.

Depending on the reservation and property, potential benefits may include:

  • Breakfast

  • Hotel or resort credits

  • Welcome amenities

  • Early check-in

  • Late checkout

  • Possible room upgrades

  • Preferred rates

  • Other property-specific benefits

Benefits are not universal.

Some amenities are subject to availability, property participation, rate eligibility, or other supplier conditions. Room upgrades, early check-in, and late checkout should not be considered guaranteed unless specifically confirmed.

16. Activities, Excursions and Tours

Tours, excursions, rental vehicles, water activities, adventure activities, and other experiences may involve inherent risks.

Travelers participate voluntarily and are responsible for determining whether an activity is appropriate for their abilities, health, experience, and circumstances.

The activity provider is responsible for operating the activity.

Shorescape Travel does not control the safety procedures, staffing, equipment, transportation, or operations of independent activity providers.

17. Traveler Responsibilities

Travelers are responsible for reviewing their travel documents promptly after receiving them.

This includes confirming:

  • Traveler names

  • Dates

  • Destinations

  • Hotel information

  • Room categories

  • Cruise cabins

  • Flight information

  • Transportation

  • Activities

  • Payment deadlines

  • Passport details

  • Other reservation information

Names provided for reservations should match the traveler's required identification documents.

Any error should be reported as soon as possible.

18. Force Majeure and Events Beyond Our Control

Travel can be disrupted by events beyond the control of Shorescape Travel, Fora, or individual suppliers.

Examples may include:

  • Severe weather

  • Hurricanes

  • Wildfires

  • Earthquakes

  • Volcanic activity

  • Pandemics or health emergencies

  • Labor disputes

  • Government restrictions

  • Political unrest

  • War

  • Terrorism

  • Transportation disruptions

  • Mechanical failures

  • Natural disasters

  • Supplier insolvency

  • Airport or port closures

Shorescape Travel is not responsible for losses caused by events beyond its reasonable control.

Any refunds, credits, rebooking rights, or other remedies are subject to the policies of the applicable travel supplier and, where applicable, travel insurance coverage.

19. Third-Party Websites and Information

The Shorescape Travel website may contain links to third-party websites or resources.

These links are provided for convenience and informational purposes.

Shorescape Travel does not control and is not responsible for the accuracy, security, privacy practices, availability, content, or services offered by third-party websites.

20. Website Content

Destination information, photographs, travel guides, articles, pricing examples, descriptions, and other website content are provided for general informational and planning purposes.

Travel information can change quickly.

Shorescape Travel does not guarantee that all website information will remain current, complete, or applicable to every traveler.

21. Intellectual Property

Unless otherwise stated, Shorescape Travel branding, original written content, graphics, page layouts, marketing materials, and other original materials may not be copied, reproduced, redistributed, or used commercially without permission.

Third-party photographs, logos, trademarks, supplier names, cruise line names, hotel names, and other intellectual property remain the property of their respective owners.

Use of a supplier's name or logo does not imply that Shorescape Travel owns or controls that supplier.

22. Privacy

Personal information submitted through this website or during the travel planning process may be used to:

  • Respond to inquiries

  • Research travel

  • Prepare proposals

  • Complete reservations

  • Communicate with travel suppliers

  • Process authorized transactions

  • Provide ongoing trip support

  • Communicate about Shorescape Travel services

Additional information regarding data handling should be provided in the Shorescape Travel Privacy Policy.

When reservations are processed through Fora or travel suppliers, their respective privacy policies may also apply.

23. Limitation of Responsibility

Shorescape Travel acts as a travel advisor and intermediary in arranging travel provided by independent travel suppliers.

Shorescape Travel does not own, manage, operate, or control those suppliers and therefore cannot guarantee their acts, omissions, services, facilities, equipment, employees, or operations.

To the extent permitted by applicable law, Shorescape Travel is not responsible for injury, damage, loss, delay, inconvenience, additional expense, disappointment, or other consequences caused by an independent travel supplier or circumstances outside Shorescape Travel's reasonable control.

Nothing in these Terms is intended to waive any right or protection that cannot legally be waived.

24. Affiliation Disclosure

Shorescape Travel is independently operated and affiliated with Fora Travel, Inc.

Shorescape Travel may use Fora's booking infrastructure, travel industry credentials, supplier relationships, preferred programs, technology, and related resources in providing travel advisory services.

References on this website to hotels, resorts, cruise lines, tourism organizations, preferred programs, or other travel companies do not necessarily mean that those businesses directly sponsor, own, operate, or endorse Shorescape Travel.

Where preferred or partner relationships exist, they may be provided through Shorescape Travel's affiliation with Fora rather than through a separate direct contractual relationship between Shorescape Travel and the supplier.

Fora's current materials describe advisors as independent contractors and note that advisors may operate through their own business entity or brand while using Fora's platform and supplier relationships.

25. Changes to These Terms

Shorescape Travel may update these Terms & Conditions periodically.

Changes become effective when the revised terms are published on this website unless otherwise stated.

The Last Updated date at the top of this page identifies the most recent revision.

26. Contact

Questions regarding these Terms & Conditions may be directed to:

Shorescape Travel
Whitehall, Michigan
West Michigan Shoreline

bottom of page