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Terms of Service

Effective Date: January 10, 2026
Last Updated: January 10, 2026

1. Introduction and Acceptance of Terms

Welcome to CruiseMates ("we," "our," "us," or the "Service"). These Terms of Service ("Terms" or "Agreement") constitute a legally binding agreement between you and CruiseMates governing your access to and use of our mobile application, website, and related services (collectively, the "Service").

By creating an account, accessing, or using CruiseMates, you agree to be bound by these Terms, our Privacy Policy, Community Guidelines, and Safety Tips, which are incorporated herein by reference.

PLEASE READ THESE TERMS CAREFULLY BEFORE USING OUR SERVICE. THESE TERMS CONTAIN IMPORTANT PROVISIONS INCLUDING AN ARBITRATION AGREEMENT AND CLASS ACTION WAIVER IN SECTION 16, WHICH AFFECT YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS.

If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not access or use our Service.

1.1 About CruiseMates

CruiseMates is a social networking and dating platform designed specifically for cruise ship passengers to connect with other passengers on the same voyage or at the same ports. Our Service enables users to:

  • Create profiles and share information about themselves
  • Discover and match with other users based on shared voyages and preferences
  • Communicate through our messaging platform
  • Join voyages and view port itineraries
  • Report safety concerns and block users

1.2 Modifications to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. We will notify you of material changes by:

  • Posting the updated Terms in the app with a new "Last Updated" date
  • Sending you an email notification (if you have provided an email address)
  • Displaying a prominent notice in the app

Your continued use of the Service after changes become effective constitutes your acceptance of the updated Terms. If you do not agree to the modified Terms, you must stop using the Service and delete your account.

1.3 Additional Terms

Certain features, products, or services may be subject to additional terms and conditions, which will be presented to you at the time of use. Those additional terms are incorporated into these Terms by reference.

2. Eligibility and Account Requirements

2.1 Age Requirement

You must be at least 18 years of age to use CruiseMates. We do not knowingly collect information from or direct any of our content specifically to anyone under 18 years of age. If we learn or have reason to suspect that you are under 18, we will immediately terminate your account and delete your information.

2.2 Eligibility Requirements

To use our Service, you represent and warrant that:

  1. You are at least 18 years old
  2. You are legally capable of entering into binding contracts
  3. You are not prohibited from using the Service under the laws of the United States or any other applicable jurisdiction
  4. You have not been convicted of, or pled no contest to, a felony, sex crime, or any crime involving violence, threat of violence, or sexual misconduct
  5. You are not required to register as a sex offender with any government entity
  6. You do not have more than one account on our Service
  7. You have not previously been banned or removed from our Service unless you have our express written permission to create a new account
  8. You are not located in a country subject to a U.S. Government embargo or designated as a "terrorist supporting" country
  9. You are not on any U.S. Government list of prohibited or restricted parties

2.3 Account Registration

To use certain features of the Service, you must register for an account by providing:

  • A valid email address or phone number
  • Your display name
  • Your date of birth
  • Any other information requested during registration

You agree to:

  • Provide accurate, current, and complete information
  • Maintain and promptly update your account information
  • Keep your login credentials secure and confidential
  • Notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account
  • Accept responsibility for all activities that occur under your account

2.4 Account Security

You are solely responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials. We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from your failure to protect your account information. You agree to immediately notify us of any unauthorized access to or use of your account.

3. User Conduct and Prohibited Activities

3.1 Acceptable Use

You agree to use the Service only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms. You agree to:

  • Comply with all applicable local, state, national, and international laws and regulations
  • Respect the rights and dignity of other users
  • Use the Service in a manner consistent with its intended purpose
  • Review and comply with our Community Guidelines and Safety Tips
  • Report any violations of these Terms or inappropriate behavior

3.2 Prohibited Conduct

You agree NOT to:

Account Misuse:

  • Create multiple accounts or impersonate any person or entity
  • Share your account with others or allow others to access your account
  • Buy, sell, rent, or lease access to your account
  • Use automated systems (bots, scrapers, crawlers) to access the Service

Illegal or Harmful Activities:

  • Engage in any illegal activity or promote illegal activities
  • Harass, threaten, stalk, intimidate, assault, defame, or harm another user
  • Solicit money or other items of value from other users
  • Use the Service for commercial purposes without our written consent
  • Engage in or promote prostitution, sex trafficking, or sexual exploitation
  • Distribute or promote hate speech, violence, or discrimination
  • Share content depicting minors in a sexual or suggestive manner

Content Violations:

  • Post false, misleading, or fraudulent information
  • Post content that infringes intellectual property rights
  • Post sexually explicit content (nudity, pornography, sexual acts)
  • Post violent, graphic, or disturbing content
  • Post spam, advertising, or promotional content
  • Post malware, viruses, or harmful code

Platform Abuse:

  • Interfere with or disrupt the Service or servers
  • Attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Service or other users' accounts
  • Reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble any part of the Service
  • Remove, circumvent, or disable any security features or access controls
  • Collect or harvest user information without consent

Privacy Violations:

  • Share another user's personal information without consent (doxxing)
  • Screenshot or record conversations without consent where prohibited by law
  • Use information obtained from the Service to contact users outside the Service without consent

3.3 Consequences of Violations

Violation of these Terms may result in:

  • Warning or temporary suspension
  • Permanent account termination without refund
  • Removal of content
  • Legal action, including reporting to law enforcement
  • Liability for damages caused by your violations

We reserve the right to investigate violations and take appropriate action at our sole discretion, with or without notice.

4. User Content

4.1 Your Content

"Your Content" means all information, photos, text, messages, and other materials you upload, post, or transmit through the Service.

You are solely responsible for Your Content. You represent and warrant that:

  • You own or have the necessary rights to Your Content
  • Your Content does not violate these Terms, applicable laws, or third-party rights
  • Your Content is accurate and not misleading
  • Your Content does not contain viruses, malware, or harmful code

4.2 Content Standards

Your Content must:

  • Be relevant to the intended use of the Service (dating, social connection)
  • Comply with our Community Guidelines
  • Be appropriate for a diverse, adult audience
  • Not contain personal contact information (phone numbers, email addresses, home addresses, financial information)

Your Content must NOT contain:

  • Nudity or sexually explicit material
  • Violence, gore, or graphic content
  • Hate speech or discriminatory content
  • Illegal activity or promotion of illegal activity
  • Harassment, bullying, or threats
  • Spam or commercial solicitation
  • Copyrighted material you don't have rights to use

4.3 Content Moderation

We reserve the right, but have no obligation, to:

  • Monitor, review, or screen Your Content
  • Remove, edit, or refuse to post Your Content at any time for any reason
  • Use automated systems and AI to moderate content
  • Suspend or terminate your account for Content violations

Bio Moderation: Profile bios are subject to AI-based content moderation. Bios containing inappropriate content will be flagged for review and may be rejected.

Photo Moderation: Photos are subject to review and may be removed if they violate our content standards.

AI Content Moderation and Data Training Policy:

CruiseMates uses enterprise-grade artificial intelligence (AI) services exclusively for content moderation and safety purposes. We are legally and contractually committed to protecting your data rights:

  • Your data is NEVER used to train AI models. Your personal information, profile content, photos, messages, and any user-generated content are strictly prohibited from being used to train, improve, or develop any AI models or machine learning systems.

  • All AI processing is real-time and ephemeral. Your data is analyzed only for the specific moderation task and is immediately deleted or anonymized by AI service providers after processing.

  • Enterprise-grade privacy standards. All AI service providers must comply with GDPR, CCPA, and applicable data protection laws, maintain strict data processing agreements, and undergo regular security audits.

  • Final decisions. AI content moderation decisions do not produce legal or similarly significant effects and are made solely for safety, policy enforcement, and community standards compliance. AI moderation decisions are final and are not subject to human review or appeal.

  • No data sales or licensing. We do not sell, license, or share your data with AI companies for model training, development, or any purpose beyond immediate content safety moderation.

For questions about our AI usage or to exercise your rights regarding AI processing, contact privacy@cruisemates.app.

4.4 License Grant to CruiseMates

By posting Your Content, you grant CruiseMates a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, transferable, sublicensable license to:

  • Use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, and display Your Content
  • Create derivative works from Your Content
  • Distribute and transmit Your Content through the Service
  • Use Your Content for promotional and marketing purposes

This license continues even after you delete Your Content or terminate your account, to the extent Your Content has been shared with other users or is necessary for the operation of the Service.

4.5 Content Removal

You may delete Your Content at any time through the app settings. However:

  • Content shared with other users (messages, photos) may remain visible to those users
  • We may retain copies for backup, legal, or safety purposes
  • Cached or archived copies may persist temporarily

4.6 Other Users' Content

You do not have any rights to other users' content. You may not:

  • Copy, reproduce, or distribute other users' content
  • Use other users' content for commercial purposes
  • Screenshot or record content without permission where prohibited by law
  • Use other users' content outside the Service

5. Voyages and Cruise Information

5.1 Voyage Participation

Users may join voyages to indicate they are or will be on a specific cruise. By joining a voyage, you represent that:

  • You are or will be a passenger on that cruise
  • The voyage information you provide is accurate
  • You have the right to be on that cruise

5.2 No Verification

We do not verify that users are actually on the cruises they claim to be on. Voyage participation is based on user-provided information and is not independently verified.

5.3 Cruise Line Relationships

CruiseMates is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any cruise line, ship operator, or port authority. Cruise and ship information is provided for informational purposes only.

5.4 Port Information

Port information and itineraries are provided for convenience and may not be accurate or current. We are not responsible for:

  • Changes to cruise itineraries
  • Port closures or cancellations
  • Accuracy of port information

6. Matching and Discovery

6.1 Matching Algorithm

Our Service uses algorithms to suggest potential matches based on:

  • Voyage information (same ship, overlapping ports)
  • User preferences (age range, gender identity, etc.)
  • Profile completeness
  • User activity

We do not guarantee:

  • The number of matches you will receive
  • The quality or compatibility of matches
  • That you will meet anyone through the Service

6.2 No Background Checks

WE DO NOT CONDUCT CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS, IDENTITY VERIFICATION, OR ANY OTHER SCREENING OF USERS.

We make no representations or warranties regarding:

  • The identity, intentions, or legitimacy of users
  • The accuracy of information provided by users
  • The safety or suitability of any user
  • The conduct of users on or off the Service

YOU ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR INTERACTIONS WITH OTHER USERS.

6.3 Safety Precautions

You agree to:

  • Use caution when interacting with other users
  • Follow our Safety Tips
  • Meet in public places if you choose to meet in person
  • Inform friends or family of your plans
  • Trust your instincts and report suspicious behavior
  • Not share personal or financial information prematurely

7. Messaging and Communications

7.1 Messaging Features

Our Service provides messaging features for matched users to communicate. You agree that:

  • Messages are private between you and the recipient
  • We may monitor messages for safety and compliance purposes
  • Messages may be retained for legal or safety reasons
  • You are responsible for the content of your messages

7.2 Message Content

Messages must comply with Section 3.2 (Prohibited Conduct) and Section 4.2 (Content Standards). Inappropriate messages may result in account termination.

7.3 No Encryption Guarantee

While we use industry-standard security measures, we do not guarantee that messages are encrypted end-to-end. Do not share sensitive personal or financial information through messages.

8. Safety Features

8.1 Blocking

You may block other users at any time. When you block a user:

  • You will not see each other in discovery
  • You cannot message each other
  • Any existing match will be removed
  • The blocked user will not be notified

8.2 Reporting

You may report users or content that violate these Terms or our Community Guidelines. We will investigate reports and take appropriate action, which may include:

  • Warning the user
  • Removing content
  • Suspending or terminating the user's account
  • Reporting to law enforcement if necessary

8.3 No Guarantee of Action

While we take reports seriously, we do not guarantee that we will take action on every report or that we will notify you of the outcome.

9. Intellectual Property Rights

9.1 Our Intellectual Property

The Service and all content, features, and functionality (excluding Your Content) are owned by CruiseMates and are protected by copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, and other intellectual property laws.

You are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to access and use the Service for personal, non-commercial purposes, subject to these Terms.

9.2 Restrictions

You may not:

  • Copy, modify, or create derivative works of the Service
  • Reverse engineer or attempt to extract source code
  • Remove or alter any copyright, trademark, or proprietary notices
  • Use our trademarks, logos, or branding without written permission
  • Frame or mirror any part of the Service

9.3 Trademarks

"CruiseMates" and our logos are trademarks of CruiseMates. You may not use our trademarks without our prior written consent.

9.4 Copyright Infringement

We respect intellectual property rights. If you believe content on our Service infringes your copyright, please contact us at legal@cruisemates.app with:

  • Identification of the copyrighted work
  • Identification of the infringing material
  • Your contact information
  • A statement of good faith belief
  • A statement of accuracy under penalty of perjury
  • Your physical or electronic signature

We will investigate and take appropriate action, which may include removing the content.

10. Third-Party Services and Links

10.1 Third-Party Services

Our Service may integrate with or link to third-party services (e.g., Google OAuth, Apple Sign In, payment processors). Your use of third-party services is governed by their respective terms and privacy policies.

10.2 No Endorsement

We do not endorse, control, or assume responsibility for third-party services. We are not liable for any damages or losses caused by third-party services.

10.3 Third-Party Links

The Service may contain links to third-party websites or resources. We provide these links for convenience only and do not endorse or assume responsibility for their content or practices.

11. Premium Passes and Payments

11.1 Free and Premium Service

CruiseMates offers both free and premium features:

Free Tier:

  • Core features including unlimited swipes, messaging, and same-ship matching are available to all users at no cost
  • Free tier users can access all essential functionality of the Service

Premium Passes:

  • Premium day-based passes unlock additional features including:
    • See Who Liked You
    • Rewind Swipes
    • Priority Profile placement
    • Read Receipts
    • Daily Boost
    • Incognito Mode
    • Shared Port Matching (match with users across all ports in common, not just your ship)

11.2 Premium Pass Pricing and Duration

Pass Options:

  • Premium passes are sold as one-time, non-recurring purchases for specific durations:
    • 1-Day Pass
    • 3-Day Pass
    • 5-Day Pass
    • 7-Day Pass
    • 14-Day Pass

Pricing:

  • Current pricing is displayed in the app and may vary by region and currency
  • Prices are subject to change with notice
  • Promotional pricing may be offered at our discretion

Pass Activation and Expiration:

  • Passes activate immediately upon successful purchase
  • Pass duration is calculated from the time of activation
  • Passes expire automatically at the end of the purchased duration
  • No automatic renewal - you must manually purchase a new pass when your current pass expires
  • Unused pass time does not roll over or extend

11.3 Payment Processing

Third-Party Payment Processors:

  • All payments are processed through Apple App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android)
  • You agree to the payment processor's terms and conditions
  • We do not store your payment information
  • Payment disputes must be resolved through the applicable app store

Supported Payment Methods:

  • Payment methods accepted by Apple App Store (iOS users)
  • Payment methods accepted by Google Play Store (Android users)

Transaction IDs:

  • Each purchase generates a unique transaction ID
  • Transaction IDs are used for receipt validation and purchase verification
  • We store transaction IDs for fraud prevention and customer support

11.4 Receipt Validation and Fraud Prevention

We validate all purchases with Apple and Google to ensure legitimacy:

  • Receipts are validated with the app store before activating premium features
  • Fraudulent purchases will result in immediate account termination
  • Duplicate or shared purchases are prohibited
  • Each purchase is tied to a single user account

11.5 Refunds and Cancellations

No Refunds:

  • Premium passes are non-refundable once activated
  • Partial refunds for unused pass time are not available
  • You are responsible for purchasing the correct pass duration

App Store Refund Policies:

  • Refund requests must be submitted to Apple App Store or Google Play Store
  • Refunds are subject to the app store's refund policies
  • We do not control or process refunds directly
  • If a refund is granted by the app store, your premium access will be immediately revoked

Account Termination:

  • If your account is terminated for violating these Terms, you forfeit all remaining pass time
  • No refunds will be provided for accounts terminated due to Terms violations

11.6 Restore Purchases

Purchase Restoration:

  • You may restore previous purchases on new devices using the "Restore Purchases" feature
  • Purchases are tied to your Apple ID (iOS) or Google Play account (Android)
  • Only valid, non-expired purchases can be restored
  • Restored purchases must match the account email used for the original purchase

11.7 Premium Feature Access

Feature Availability:

  • Premium features are available only while you have an active, non-expired pass
  • Features are immediately unlocked upon pass activation
  • Features are immediately locked upon pass expiration
  • We reserve the right to modify, add, or remove premium features with notice

Service Availability:

  • We do not guarantee uninterrupted access to premium features
  • Premium features may be temporarily unavailable due to maintenance or technical issues
  • No refunds or extensions will be provided for temporary service interruptions

11.8 Pricing Changes

We reserve the right to change pricing at any time:

  • Price changes will not affect active passes
  • New pricing applies to future purchases only
  • We will provide notice of significant price changes in the app

11.9 Promotional Offers

Discounts and Promotions:

  • We may offer promotional pricing or discounts at our discretion
  • Promotional offers may have additional terms and conditions
  • Promotional offers cannot be combined unless explicitly stated
  • We reserve the right to modify or cancel promotions at any time

11.10 Taxes

You are responsible for any applicable taxes:

  • Prices displayed may not include taxes
  • Taxes are calculated and collected by Apple App Store or Google Play Store
  • Tax rates vary by jurisdiction

11.11 Payment Disputes

Dispute Resolution:

  • Payment disputes must be resolved through the applicable app store (Apple or Google)
  • We cannot process chargebacks or payment disputes directly
  • Unauthorized chargebacks may result in account termination

11.12 Free Trial and Promotional Periods

If we offer free trials or promotional periods:

  • Terms and duration will be clearly disclosed
  • You must cancel before the trial ends to avoid charges (if applicable)
  • Only one trial per user
  • We reserve the right to determine trial eligibility

12. Account Termination

12.1 Termination by You

You may delete your account at any time through the app settings. Upon deletion:

  • Your profile will be removed from discovery
  • Your matches and messages will be deleted
  • Your account information will be deleted in accordance with our Privacy Policy
  • Some information may be retained for legal or safety purposes

12.2 Termination by Us

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account at any time, with or without notice, for:

  • Violation of these Terms
  • Violation of our Community Guidelines
  • Illegal activity or suspected illegal activity
  • Behavior that harms other users or the Service
  • Inactivity for an extended period
  • Any other reason at our sole discretion

12.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

  • Your right to use the Service immediately ceases
  • We may delete Your Content
  • These Terms remain in effect for provisions that survive termination
  • You remain liable for any obligations incurred before termination

12.4 Survival

The following sections survive termination: 4.4 (License Grant), 9 (Intellectual Property), 13 (Disclaimers), 14 (Limitation of Liability), 15 (Indemnification), and 16 (Dispute Resolution).

13. Disclaimers and No Warranties

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED.

13.1 No Warranties

WE DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

  • MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT
  • ACCURACY, RELIABILITY, OR COMPLETENESS OF CONTENT
  • UNINTERRUPTED, SECURE, OR ERROR-FREE SERVICE
  • RESULTS OR OUTCOMES FROM USING THE SERVICE
  • COMPATIBILITY WITH OTHER USERS
  • SAFETY OF USERS OR MEETINGS

13.2 User Responsibility

YOU ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT:

  • WE DO NOT CONDUCT BACKGROUND CHECKS ON USERS
  • WE CANNOT VERIFY THE IDENTITY OR INTENTIONS OF USERS
  • WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR USER CONDUCT ON OR OFF THE SERVICE
  • YOU USE THE SERVICE AT YOUR OWN RISK
  • YOU ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR INTERACTIONS WITH OTHER USERS

13.3 No Guarantee of Matches

WE DO NOT GUARANTEE:

  • That you will receive any matches
  • The number or quality of matches
  • That you will meet compatible people
  • That you will form relationships through the Service

13.4 Technical Issues

WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT:

  • The Service will be available at all times
  • The Service will be free from errors, bugs, or viruses
  • Defects will be corrected
  • The Service will meet your requirements

14. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, CRUISEMATES AND ITS AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, AND LICENSORS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES ARISING FROM YOUR USE OF THE SERVICE.

14.1 Types of Damages

WE ARE NOT LIABLE FOR:

  • INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES
  • LOSS OF PROFITS, REVENUE, DATA, OR USE
  • LOSS OF BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
  • PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE
  • EMOTIONAL DISTRESS
  • DAMAGES ARISING FROM USER CONDUCT OR CONTENT
  • DAMAGES ARISING FROM THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

14.2 Maximum Liability

TO THE EXTENT LIABILITY CANNOT BE EXCLUDED, OUR TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ALL CLAIMS ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO THE SERVICE SHALL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF:

  • $100 USD, OR
  • THE AMOUNT YOU PAID US IN THE 12 MONTHS BEFORE THE CLAIM

14.3 Basis of the Bargain

YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THESE LIMITATIONS ARE A FUNDAMENTAL BASIS OF OUR AGREEMENT AND THAT WE WOULD NOT PROVIDE THE SERVICE WITHOUT THESE LIMITATIONS.

14.4 Jurisdictional Limitations

SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF CERTAIN WARRANTIES OR DAMAGES. IN SUCH JURISDICTIONS, OUR LIABILITY IS LIMITED TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

15. Indemnification

15.1 Your Indemnification Obligation

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless CruiseMates, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents, licensors, and service providers from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, expenses, or fees (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from or related to:

  • Your use or misuse of the Service
  • Your violation of these Terms
  • Your violation of any law or regulation
  • Your violation of any third-party rights, including intellectual property rights or privacy rights
  • Your Content
  • Your interactions with other users
  • Any claim that Your Content caused damage to a third party

15.2 Defense and Settlement

We reserve the right to assume the exclusive defense and control of any matter subject to indemnification by you, and you agree to cooperate with our defense of such claims. You may not settle any claim without our prior written consent.

16. Dispute Resolution and Arbitration

PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY. IT AFFECTS YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING YOUR RIGHT TO FILE A LAWSUIT IN COURT.

16.1 Informal Dispute Resolution

Before filing a claim, you agree to contact us at legal@cruisemates.app to attempt to resolve the dispute informally. Provide:

  • Your name and contact information
  • A description of the dispute
  • The relief you seek

We will attempt to resolve the dispute within 60 days. If we cannot resolve it, you may proceed with arbitration or small claims court.

16.2 Binding Arbitration

EXCEPT FOR DISPUTES THAT QUALIFY FOR SMALL CLAIMS COURT, ALL DISPUTES ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO THESE TERMS OR THE SERVICE SHALL BE RESOLVED THROUGH BINDING ARBITRATION.

You and CruiseMates agree that:

  • Arbitration will be conducted by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its Consumer Arbitration Rules
  • The arbitration will be conducted by a single arbitrator
  • The arbitration will take place in [Your State/Location] or remotely
  • The arbitrator's decision will be final and binding
  • Judgment on the award may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction

16.3 Class Action Waiver

YOU AND CRUISEMATES AGREE THAT DISPUTES WILL BE RESOLVED ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS ONLY. YOU WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN A CLASS ACTION, CLASS ARBITRATION, OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTION.

You may not:

  • Bring claims on behalf of other users
  • Join your claim with claims of other users
  • Participate in a class action lawsuit against us

16.4 Exceptions to Arbitration

The following disputes are NOT subject to arbitration:

  • Claims in small claims court (if they qualify)
  • Claims for injunctive or equitable relief for intellectual property infringement
  • Claims related to sexual assault or sexual harassment occurring in connection with your use of the Service

16.5 Arbitration Costs

Each party will bear its own costs of arbitration. However, if you cannot afford the arbitration fees, we will pay them for you if you provide a declaration of financial hardship.

16.6 Opt-Out Right

You may opt out of arbitration by sending written notice to legal@cruisemates.app within 30 days of first accepting these Terms. Your notice must include:

  • Your name and contact information
  • A statement that you opt out of arbitration

If you opt out, disputes will be resolved in court, subject to Section 16.7.

16.7 Governing Law and Venue

If arbitration does not apply, these Terms and any disputes shall be governed by the laws of the State of [Your State], without regard to conflict of law principles.

Any legal action must be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in [Your County, State], and you consent to the personal jurisdiction of those courts.

16.8 Jury Trial Waiver

TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, YOU AND CRUISEMATES WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL.

17. General Provisions

17.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, Community Guidelines, and Safety Tips, constitute the entire agreement between you and CruiseMates regarding the Service and supersede all prior agreements.

17.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect, and the invalid provision will be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable.

17.3 No Waiver

Our failure to enforce any provision of these Terms does not constitute a waiver of that provision or any other provision. No waiver shall be effective unless in writing and signed by us.

17.4 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms or your account without our written consent. We may assign these Terms to any affiliate or successor without your consent.

17.5 Force Majeure

We are not liable for any failure or delay in performance due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including acts of God, war, terrorism, riots, embargoes, acts of civil or military authorities, fire, floods, accidents, pandemics, strikes, or shortages of transportation, facilities, fuel, energy, labor, or materials.

17.6 Notices

We may provide notices to you:

  • Through the app
  • By email to the address you provided
  • By posting on our website

You may provide notices to us at: Email: legal@cruisemates.app
Mail: CruiseMates Legal Department
Emptyset Solutions LLC
611 South DuPont Highway, Suite 102
Dover, Delaware 19901

17.7 Relationship

These Terms do not create any agency, partnership, joint venture, employment, or franchisee relationship between you and CruiseMates.

17.8 Third-Party Beneficiaries

These Terms do not confer any third-party beneficiary rights.

17.9 Export Controls

You agree to comply with all applicable export and import laws and regulations. You may not use the Service if you are located in a country subject to a U.S. Government embargo or designated as a "terrorist supporting" country.

17.10 Government Users

If you are a U.S. Government user, the Service is "Commercial Computer Software" and "Commercial Computer Software Documentation" as defined in FAR 12.212 and DFARS 227.7202.

18. Special Provisions for Specific Jurisdictions

18.1 California Residents

If you are a California resident, you may have additional rights under California law, including the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). See our Privacy Policy for details.

California Civil Code Section 1789.3 requires us to provide the following information:

  • Provider: CruiseMates
  • Address: Emptyset Solutions LLC, 611 South DuPont Highway, Suite 102, Dover, Delaware 19901
  • Complaints: California Department of Consumer Affairs, Consumer Information Division, 1625 North Market Blvd., Suite N 112, Sacramento, CA 95834, or by phone at (916) 445-1254 or (800) 952-5210.

18.2 European Economic Area, United Kingdom, and Switzerland

If you are located in the EEA, UK, or Switzerland, you may have additional rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). See our Privacy Policy for details.

18.3 Other Jurisdictions

If you are located outside the United States, you acknowledge that we operate the Service from the United States and that your information will be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States.

19. Contact Information

If you have questions about these Terms or need to contact us, please use the following:

General Inquiries: support@cruisemates.app
Legal Inquiries: legal@cruisemates.app
Privacy Inquiries: privacy@cruisemates.app
Safety Concerns: safety@cruisemates.app
Mail:
Emptyset Solutions LLC
611 South DuPont Highway, Suite 102
Dover, Delaware 19901

Last Updated: January 10, 2026
Effective Date: January 10, 2026

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