Applicable for The Cultivist Inc. in the USA and Cultivist Ltd. for the Rest of the World.
Last updated: September 2026
1. Introduction and Acceptance of Terms
By proceeding with a tour, experience, or ticket purchase through The Cultivist website, mobile app, or any other booking channel, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions in their entirety.
These Terms apply to all bookings made by members and non-members of The Cultivist. Where you are booking on behalf of other participants, you confirm that you have the authority to bind those participants to these Terms and that you have made them aware of these Terms prior to booking.
The Cultivist reserves the right to update these Terms at any time. The version in effect at the time of your booking will apply to that booking.
2. Who You Are Contracting With
Your booking contract is with The Cultivist Inc. (if your booking is located in the United States) or Cultivist Ltd. (if your booking is located outside the United States), collectively referred to in these Terms as "The Cultivist", "we", "us", or "our".
Whether The Cultivist acts as principal or as your booking agent depends on how your booking is delivered, not on its product category. Where your tour, experience, or visit is delivered by a museum, institution, or independent guide (a "Guide") — whether booked as a Tour Guide booking or as a Curated Experience — The Cultivist acts solely as your booking agent. Your contract for delivery is between you and the Guide, and The Cultivist is not a party to that contract and accepts no liability for the acts or omissions of the Guide, except to the extent set out in Section 7 below. For Tickets, and for Curated Experiences that The Cultivist delivers directly without a Guide, The Cultivist is the principal party to your booking contract unless otherwise stated at the point of booking.
3. Assumption of Risk
You acknowledge that tours, excursions, and experiences organized or facilitated by The Cultivist may involve physical activity and carry inherent risks, including but not limited to walking on uneven surfaces, navigating crowded public spaces, outdoor excursions in variable weather conditions, and participation in activities that may require a degree of physical fitness.
By proceeding with a booking, you voluntarily assume all risks associated with your participation, including risks arising from the inherent nature of the activity, the condition of venues or outdoor locations, and the acts or omissions of third parties including other participants.
You confirm that you and all participants in your booking are in suitable health and physical condition to participate in the booked activity. If you have any medical conditions, disabilities, or other factors that may affect your ability to participate safely, it is your responsibility to disclose these to The Cultivist prior to booking and to seek appropriate medical advice.
The Cultivist does not warrant that any activity is suitable for any particular individual and reserves the right to exclude any participant from an activity on safety grounds at any time, without liability.
4. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, The Cultivist's total liability to you in connection with any booking — whether arising in contract, tort (including negligence), breach of statutory duty, or otherwise — shall not exceed the total amount paid by you to The Cultivist for the relevant booking.
The Cultivist shall not be liable for any indirect, consequential, special, or punitive loss or damage, including but not limited to loss of enjoyment, loss of earnings, or travel costs, whether or not such losses were foreseeable at the time of booking.
Nothing in these Terms limits The Cultivist's liability for death or personal injury caused by our own gross negligence, for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or for any other liability that cannot be excluded or limited by applicable law.*
5. Release and Waiver
Subject to Section 4 above, and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, you hereby release The Cultivist, its officers, employees, contractors, and agents from any and all claims, demands, damages, costs, and liabilities arising out of or in connection with your participation in any tour, trip, experience, or activity booked through The Cultivist, including claims arising from the ordinary negligence of The Cultivist.
This release does not extend to any third party, including Guides, venues, or other partners engaged in connection with your booking. Liability of those third parties, if any, is governed by the terms applicable to their role as set out in Sections 7, 8, and 9.
This release does not apply to claims arising from gross negligence, willful misconduct, or fraud on the part of The Cultivist.
6. Tickets
Cancellation may be made up to 48 hours in advance of the scheduled time for a full refund, unless a different cancellation window is specified during the booking process, in which case that window will apply.
Some spaces offered with a 'Request Ticket' or 'Purchase Ticket' option use tickets supplied by our affiliate partner, Tiqets ("Tiqets"). By proceeding with such a purchase, you also accept Tiqets International B.V.'s Terms and Conditions. In the event of any conflict between Tiqets' Terms and these Terms, these Terms shall prevail in relation to your booking with The Cultivist.
All complaints and queries relating to ticket bookings must be directed to The Cultivist and not to any affiliate partner.
The Cultivist cannot guarantee access to venues and is not responsible for last-minute or unforeseen venue closures, exhibition changes, or access restrictions outside of our control. In the event of a closure or cancellation attributable to the venue, we will use reasonable endeavors to provide a refund or alternative tickets, but cannot guarantee either outcome.
7. Tour Guides
As set out in Section 2, The Cultivist acts as your booking agent for Tour Guide bookings. The delivery of the tour is the responsibility of the Guide.
Tours cancelled more than 48 hours prior to the scheduled start time will be fully refunded, unless otherwise stated at the time of booking.
Tours cancelled within 48 hours of the scheduled start time are strictly non-refundable.
If you wish to amend or extend your tour within 48 hours of the start time, you must arrange this directly with the Guide and ensure any additional payment is settled directly with them.
While The Cultivist takes reasonable care in selecting and recommending Guides, we do not warrant the standard of any Guide's services and accept no liability for the acts or omissions of Guides, except where The Cultivist has been directly negligent in the selection or briefing of that Guide.
8. Curated Experiences
All Curated Experience sales are final and non-refundable unless otherwise stated at the point of booking. If you are required to cancel, we will endeavor to find an amicable solution on a case-by-case basis, but are not obligated to do so.
Where an experience is delivered in coordination with a partner and the partner collects fees directly, any refund is at the discretion of that partner. The Cultivist will use reasonable endeavors to advocate on your behalf but cannot guarantee a refund from any third-party partner.
If an experience does not reach the minimum number of registrants required to proceed, The Cultivist reserves the right to cancel the experience. In this case, a full refund will be provided.
Once a booking is confirmed, The Cultivist will use all reasonable endeavors to deliver the experience as described. We reserve the right to alter or cancel an experience where we are unable to avoid doing so, including due to severe weather, safety concerns, government travel restrictions, or other events beyond our reasonable control. In such cases, we will offer either a rescheduled date or a refund at our discretion.
Cultivist Curated Experiences are provided for the personal, non-commercial use of the member/ experience customer and their invited guests only. Members/ experience customers may share their experience personally and non-commercially, including via personal social media, provided no compensation, sponsorship, or commercial partnership is attached to the content. Experiences may not be used for brand activations, influencer or paid partnerships, commercial promotion, resale, or transfer without The Cultivist's prior written agreement. No branding, photography, or filming intended for commercial, promotional, or sponsored use is permitted during any experience without The Cultivist's express written consent. Members/ experience customers must also comply with any filming or photography policies of the host venue or collection. Breach of this policy may result in immediate termination of membership and/or liability for any resulting loss or claim, and members agree to indemnify The Cultivist against any claim arising from their breach or that of their guests.
9. Trips
A completed booking form is required to confirm and hold your space on a trip. Submission of a booking form constitutes acceptance of these Terms. Where a booking form is not submitted within the timeframe communicated by The Cultivist, we reserve the right to release your space without liability.
Cancellation and Refunds
All trip sales are final and non-refundable unless otherwise stated at the point of booking. If you are required to cancel, we will use reasonable endeavors to reach an amicable solution on a case-by-case basis, but are not obligated to do so.
Where a trip is produced in coordination with a partner and that partner collects fees directly, any refund is at the discretion of the partner. The Cultivist will use reasonable endeavors to advocate on your behalf but cannot guarantee a refund from any third-party partner.
If a trip does not receive the minimum number of registrants required to proceed, The Cultivist reserves the right to cancel the trip. In this case, a refund will be provided of all amounts paid directly to The Cultivist, less any reasonable administration costs that have been unavoidably incurred on your behalf. The Cultivist will provide a written breakdown of any such deductions upon request.
There are no refunds for costs not included in the trip price (including but not limited to flights, airport transfers, travel insurance, excess baggage charges, and personal expenditure).
What Is and Is Not Included
Unless otherwise stated in your trip confirmation, the trip price includes: local transportation within the itinerary, all tickets and entry fees within the itinerary, the services of professional guides, accommodation, meals, and offered beverages during itinerary meals.
The trip price does not include: international and domestic flights, airport transfers, travel insurance, excess baggage charges, travel outside of the stated itinerary, food and beverages beyond itinerary meals, personal expenditure, and any items specifically noted as excluded in your trip confirmation.
Alterations and Cancellation by The Cultivist
Once your booking is confirmed, The Cultivist will use all reasonable endeavors to deliver the trip as described. We reserve the right to alter or cancel the whole or any part of the trip where we are unable to avoid doing so, including due to severe weather, safety concerns, government travel restrictions, war, or other events beyond our reasonable control. In such circumstances, we will use reasonable endeavors to offer an alternative arrangement or a partial refund proportionate to the services not delivered, but cannot guarantee either outcome.
Travel Documents and Entry Requirements
It is your responsibility to ensure that your passport (with at least six months' validity beyond your return date), visas, and all other necessary travel documents are in order prior to departure. The Cultivist accepts no liability for any costs, losses, or disruption arising from your failure to hold the required documentation.
Participant Conduct
It is a condition of your contract that you act with reasonable prudence and care throughout the trip and that you comply with all health, safety, and conduct requirements of the venues, accommodations, and activities visited.
The Cultivist reserves the right to terminate the participation of any person whose behaviour is, in our reasonable opinion or that of any hotel manager, guide, or other person in authority, likely to cause distress, danger, damage, or annoyance to other clients, staff, property, or any third party. In such circumstances, full cancellation charges will apply and The Cultivist will have no responsibility for any costs incurred for the continuation of the trip, including return travel arrangements, nor will any compensation be payable.
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of your booking that you and all members of your party hold comprehensive travel insurance prior to departure, covering at minimum: trip cancellation and curtailment, medical expenses, emergency repatriation, and personal liability. The Cultivist cannot accept any responsibility for losses arising from a failure to obtain adequate travel insurance.
10. Urgent Requests
Applies to requests submitted within 72 hours of the experience date, or where The Cultivist is required to undertake expedited supplier engagement on your behalf.
Cost Liability
Certain suppliers require deposits, advance payment, or non-refundable fees to hold availability. Where The Cultivist incurs such costs and you subsequently decline to proceed, you agree to reimburse The Cultivist for all documented hard costs, provided these were clearly communicated to you in advance.
Hard costs include: museum fees, guide fees, venue deposits, transportation, ticket purchases, third-party cancellation fees, and supplier administration charges.
The Cultivist will make reasonable efforts to minimize your financial exposure, but cannot guarantee supplier flexibility once commitments have been made.
Cancellation & Withdrawal
If your request is withdrawn after supplier commitments have been made, you agree to reimburse all documented hard costs that were clearly communicated to you in advance, within 14 days of invoice.
11. Data Sharing
In order to process your booking and ensure your arrangements run smoothly, The Cultivist may share personal information you provide with relevant third-party suppliers involved in delivering your booking, including venues, Guides, ticketing partners, hotels, transportation providers, and other service providers. For Trip bookings specifically, information may also be shared with credit checking companies and public authorities (such as customs and immigration) where required by law. We will not share your information with any party not responsible for a component of your booking.
By making a booking, you consent to your information being shared with relevant suppliers as described above. For full details of how we collect, use, and protect your personal data, please refer to our Privacy Policy available on our website. Where applicable, our data practices comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for EU/UK customers, and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) for California residents.
12. Force Majeure
The Cultivist shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performing its obligations where such failure or delay results from circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, severe weather events, pandemics or public health emergencies (including COVID-19 and its variants), acts of government or regulatory authorities, war, civil unrest, terrorism, strikes, or infrastructure failures ("Force Majeure Events").
In the event of a Force Majeure cancellation, fees are non-refundable. However, The Cultivist will use reasonable endeavors to reschedule the booking to a mutually suitable date and to recover costs from the relevant venue or Guide, though neither outcome is guaranteed.
13. Insurance
The Cultivist maintains valid public liability insurance covering our operations. Details of our current coverage are available on request.
We strongly recommend that all participants obtain appropriate personal travel insurance prior to any booking. For Trip bookings specifically, travel insurance covering trip cancellation and curtailment, medical expenses, emergency repatriation, and personal liability is a mandatory condition of contract, as set out in Section 9. The Cultivist accepts no liability for losses that would otherwise be covered by adequate personal travel insurance.
14. Dispute Resolution
In the event of any dispute arising out of or in connection with these Terms or any booking, the parties agree to first attempt to resolve the dispute informally by contacting The Cultivist directly at the details provided on our website.
If the dispute cannot be resolved informally within 30 days, both parties agree to attempt resolution through mediation before initiating any formal legal proceedings.
The arbitration and class-action waiver provisions below apply only to bookings located in the United States by customers. For such bookings, any unresolved disputes shall be subject to binding arbitration in the State of New York under the rules of the American Arbitration Association, on an individual basis. You waive any right to participate in a class action lawsuit or class-wide arbitration.
For bookings located outside the United States by customers, please refer to the Jurisdiction-Specific Provisions in Section 15.
15. Jurisdiction-Specific Provisions
Governing Law — United States
These Terms and any disputes arising from them shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. The Cultivist Inc. is the contracting entity for all US-based bookings.
European Union and United Kingdom
If you are booking is located in the EU or UK, as a customer, nothing in these Terms affects your statutory rights under applicable consumer protection legislation, including the UK Consumer Rights Act 2015 and EU Directive 2011/83/EU. To the extent that any provision of these Terms conflicts with your statutory rights, your statutory rights shall prevail. Cultivist Ltd. is the contracting entity for EU and UK bookings.
Liability waivers and arbitration clauses may not be enforceable against consumers in the EU or UK to the extent prohibited by local law.
Other Jurisdictions
For bookings made from jurisdictions not listed above, local mandatory consumer protection laws may apply and shall take precedence over any conflicting provisions in these Terms.
17. Contact
For any questions relating to these Terms, please contact The Cultivist through the contact details provided on our website at https://www.thecultivist.com/contact.
*Note: In certain jurisdictions (including EU member states and the United Kingdom), local consumer protection laws may provide you with rights that cannot be waived by contract. These Terms do not seek to exclude any such rights. Please refer to the Jurisdiction-Specific Provisions in Section 15 for further details.