2017 - APT Antarctica

58 General Information & Conditions www.aptouring.com.au The following terms and conditions ('booking conditions') form the basis of your contract with Australian Pacific Touring Pty Ltd ('APT', 'we' or 'our'). Please read them carefully as they set out your and our respective rights and obligations. By asking us to confirm your booking, we are entitled to assume that you have had the opportunity to read and have read these booking conditions, that you agree to them and that you agree to them applying to your holiday arrangements that you book with us and which we agree to make, provide or perform (as applicable) as part of our contract with you. References in these booking conditions to your 'holiday package' are references to the tour or cruise package you have booked with APT. References to 'excursions' are references to short trips or tours included or available as part of your holiday package. Governing law These booking conditions are governed by the law in force in Victoria, Australia. BEFORE YOU BOOK Prices – Deposits – Discounts – Payments Your booking price will be set out in this brochure unless it is varied by advertising or a special offer, or is changed after the publication date for any reason including, without limitation, to cover changes in government taxes and charges, exchange rate variations, fuel surcharges, airline charges, a force majeure event or other material increases by suppliers. Once you pay your deposit your holiday package price is guaranteed (except for any changes resulting from a force majeure event – see below). A $2,500 AUD security deposit per person, per holiday package is required within seven days of booking confirmation for Antarctica cruises. Deposit requirements may vary when booking a special offer. Final payment of the balance of your holiday package price is due 100 days prior to departure unless stated in the terms of a special offer. APT reserves the right to cancel any ticket or booking or to refuse to carry any passenger where payment has not been received by APT within the specified time. All fares and charges are in Australian currency. Payment in full is required at time of booking for reservations made less than 100 days before departure from Australia or New Zealand. If APT is unable to confirm your reservation, all monies will be refunded. Included in Our Holiday Price All flights within South America, minimum airport taxes, coach/ cruise travel, gratuities for all land/cruise arrangements including local guides, drivers, restaurants, luggage service (one bag) & port charges if applicable. Accommodation, sightseeing, shore excursions in Antarctica, and services of an APT Tour and/or Cruise Director (are included as indicated in the itinerary). Flights Within South America Economy flights within South America and airport taxes are included in the price. These internal flights must be booked by APT and are subject to passengers who are non residents of South America and booking an international flight to South America operated by LATAM. Surcharges will apply if passengers fly with another international carrier such as Qantas or fly on a ticket using frequent flyer points, inclusive of AD tickets. Airport taxes are an estimate only and are subject to change without notice. Internal air prices are valid at the time of publication. Travelling With Minors Children under twelve years of age are not able to participate in an Antarctica cruise. Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult and share their accommodation with an adult. Transfers Airport transfers are included on the first and last day of the holiday package at designated times. No refund will be given for unused transfers. Transfers cannot be re-routed to other pick-up points or destinations. Passengers who miss the pre-booked transfers must make their own way to/from the ship/hotel at their own expense. Some holiday packages include group transfers from or in between airports/hotels/ships and vice versa. A group transfer is generally a shared transfer and the type of vehicle used will normally be dependent upon the size of the group. Not Included in Our Cruise and/or Tour Price Airfares between Australia or New Zealand and South America, optional tours, shore excursions on the Patagonia/Chilean Fjord Cruise meals & drinks others than those specified in the itinerary, passport and visa fees, excess baggage, vaccinations, government taxes and laundry. Unforeseen changes to flight schedules may require you to book additional accommodation and services at your own expense. Choosing Your Holiday The holidays contained within this brochure are for departures in January to February 2017. To maximise your enjoyment of your APT holiday and to ensure that it lives up to your expectations it is important that you choose the right holiday package for you. Our brochures contain limited information, however, there is more information online at www.aptouring.com.au and our qualified staff are available to discuss your options. Hotels In more remote places, hotel standards may not be quite as high as in major centres. APT endeavours to utilise the most suitable accommodation available in each destination to ensure that passengers enjoy high levels of cleanliness, comfort and service. Accommodation at Lake Titicaca is limited and the property we use is the most suitable based on location and services. The hotels listed in this brochure will be used on the holiday packages, however, if a change is necessary for any reason, APT will endeavour to ensure that alternative accommodation is of an equivalent standard to those shown. Hotel rooms are generally not available for check-in before 3pm and require check-out by 10am. Twin or Double Rooms Accommodation in all hotels, regardless of the rating, is in standard rooms (sometimes named superior/deluxe) based on twins or doubles unless otherwise stated. Solo Travellers A limited number of single rooms/suites/cabins may be available by request at time of booking your cruise/holiday package. Single room/suites/cabins are not available on certain cruises. Single rooms/suites/cabins are usually smaller than standard twin or double rooms and often only have one single bed. Cruising – Cabin/Suite/Stateroom Selection APT will make every effort to assign specific cabins, cabin numbers or locations on the ship if requested. If this is not possible, APT reserves the right to make changes to cabin assignment, within the category booked, without prior notice. Antarctica Itinerary The Sea Explorer's Captain and Expedition Team will do everything possible to complete the voyage as outlined in the voyage itinerary. However itineraries in polar regions are heavily dependent on weather and ice conditions. Occasionally conditions and or safety concerns require itinerary changes. Passengers Needing Special Assistance APT welcomes passengers with disabilities or special needs provided they are accompanied by a companion capable of providing all necessary assistance. Any disability or medical condition requiring special attention must be reported to APT at the time of booking. APT will make reasonable efforts to accommodate the special needs of disabled passengers, but is not responsible for any denial of services by carriers, hotels, trains, restaurants or other independent suppliers, or for any additional associated expenses. Coaches, and minibuses are not equipped with wheelchair ramps. Cabin doors and restrooms on the cruise ship are not wide enough to allow access by standard wheelchairs. Wheelchairs and walkers cannot be carried on coaches, due to space limitations. For safety reasons, passengers in wheelchairs cannot be carried on ramps in ports where the cruise ship is at anchor. Visa & Passports All passengers must have a valid passport that is valid for at least six months after the holiday package return date. Passengers must consult with the appropriate consulates to ensure that they have any applicable visas for countries included in the holiday package prior to departure. Passengers are solely responsible for meeting necessary passport and visa entry requirements and paying all associated costs. APT is not responsible for delays or missed portions of the holiday package resulting from incorrect travel documents or visas. Passengers Medical Information Antarctica is one of the most remote areas on earth, and medical capabilities on board are limited. Our facility is a first aid clinic, not a full functioning medical site. We require all passengers to submit basic medical information prior to departure. Upon receipt of that basic medical information, specific physical conditions may necessitate additional documentation from a passenger's physician certifying fitness to travel on a voyage to Antarctica. Pregnant women require doctor's permission and will need to sign a specific waiver. If additional medical confirmation is requested, boarding will not be allowed without receipt of that confirmation. Please note that medical information will, if necessary, be available to designated APT or Le Boreal ship staff. Freedom of Choice TM Minimum and maximum group numbers apply on Freedom of Choice excursions. If your first choice of excursion is unavailable you may be asked to choose an alternative. Machu Picchu Inca Trail, Glacier Camping & Kayaking Optional Tours Both the Optional Inca Trail Hike and the Optional Sea Kayak & Camping Adventure are subject to limited availability and must be pre-booked before you leave Australia. Note that if you choose a second day visit to Machu Picchu, the permit is based on availability while you are on tour. Public Holidays/Festivals Virtually all countries have public holidays, religious or otherwise. The festivities may temporarily disrupt your holiday and some religious holidays may result in a reduction of facilities and entertainment. Late Bookings & Special Offers Many of the hotels and holiday packages included in our late bookings promotions or special offers are also featured in APT's other main brochures and on its website. Late booking promotions and special offers do not apply to existing bookings unless otherwise stated. Superdeals, Fly Deals and Special Offers Conditions Apply. For full terms and conditions relating to any Superdeal, Fly Deal or Special Offer on your booking, please go to www.aptouring.com.au/specialdeals BOOKING & PAYING FOR YOUR HOLIDAY Airfares Air travel is arranged with independent airlines. APT will arrange air travel as advertised in connection with your holiday package or otherwise arranged with APT. All airfares are subject to flight and booking class availability. Airfares will be booked and ticketed upon receipt of your deposit to avoid price or tax increases. Seat requests are considered as a request only and are subject to airline approval. Airlines reserve the right to change seat allocations. Airport taxes vary for each departure point and routing of airline. Airline schedules are subject to change without notice. Once air tickets are issued, airline amendment and/or cancellation fees apply and, in some cases, are non-refundable. Name changes and voluntary date and schedule changes will incur fees. APT is not liable for delays or disruptions of air travel. Once tickets are issued APT will have no other liability and will not be responsible for refunding the cost of any services booked in conjunction with the flights. Out of Date Range Flights If airlines have not published their schedule at the time this brochure was printed or at the time of booking, APT will estimate the cost of airfares connected with your holiday package. When the airline releases flight inventory and airfares, APT will confirm seats and pricing to you by sending you an updated invoice. Once flights have been confirmed by you and payment has been received, APT will issue your ticket/s. APT Deposit Cancellation Cover Peace of Mind Applicable when an upfront fee of $75 per person is paid with your deposit. The holiday package can be cancelled prior to the final payment date and your deposit will be retained as an APT holding credit to be used for future bookings. If Deposit Cancellation Peace of Mind is claimed, monies held must be used on a future cruise or tour and cannot be redeemed against the original cruise or tour departure date. Deposit held in credit will exclude fees imposed by third parties, including but not limited to air travel, rail travel and hotels. When booking airfares through APT (including when taking advantage of a special offer that includes air travel), standard airline cancellation fees will apply. In some cases, airfares will be non-refundable. In the event of cancellation, these fees will be deducted from the deposit paid, and therefore the credit being held. APT Deposit Cancellation Peace of Mind applies to new bookings only and is only valid up until 100 days prior to travel. After five years, unused credit funds will incur the original cancellation conditions as per brochure. This does not replace travel insurance, which we strongly recommend at the time of booking. Travel Insurance Travel Insurance is not included in your holiday package. For your protection we strongly recommend that you purchase comprehensive travel insurance that includes (without limitation) coverage for medical expenses, loss of luggage, cruise and land content and airfare charges that may occur due to cancellation, disruption, loss of deposit or strikes. Travel Insurance for Antarctica All passengers are required to carry valid travel insurance. This insurance must contain medical and evacuation coverage and should include cancellation and trip interruption as well. As any potential evacuation from Antarctica can cost approximately $150,000 we recommend that no policy carry less than this amount of coverage. As part of the pre-departure forms we will require information as to travel insurance carrier, policy number, and a 24-hour contact number. Health & Fitness A good level of fitness and health is required to participate on APT's holiday packages to Antarctica. In some destinations there are extensive sightseeing excursions by foot and which includes climbing of stairs. For tours in Antarctica, the shore excursions will be in inflatable Zodiacs. Getting on/off Zodiacs requires good balance and mobility walking down steep narrow steps from the ship to the Zodiac. This also includes wet landings, which can be walking through shallow water to the glaciers and/or walking on slippery surfaces and in snow. Our Expedition Team members can help you into the Zodiac and on to shore, but cannot escort you once on shore as they have other duties. The Expedition Leader and Captain reserve the right to limit the landing participation of people with limited mobility. If choosing a land tour in Peru, you will visit high altitude in Cusco. We recommend a visit to the doctor and dentist before travelling to overseas destinations. It is your responsibility to advise APT of any pre-existing medical conditions that may affect the normal conduct of a holiday package and the enjoyment of other passengers. Vaccinations are required for travel to South America. A Health, Fitness & Mobility Questionnaire will be provided and requested to be completed at the time of booking if you advise of any health, fitness or mobility issues APT is not liable for any injury, illness, or loss of enjoyment which could have been reasonably prevented had we been made aware of a pre-existing condition and been provided an opportunity to review it. We will not be responsible for any costs associated with cancellation penalties or the return of passengers from a tour, and a refund for lost touring cannot be claimed.

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