2016/17 - Botanica World Discoveries

64 For more information visit www.botanica.travel General Information & Conditions The following terms and conditions ('booking conditions') form the basis of your contract with Australian Pacific Touring Pty Ltd (Botanica's parent company – "APT", "Botanica", "we", "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 Botanica. 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 is set out in this brochure unless it is varied by advertising or a special offer, or is changed after the publication date to cover changes in government taxes and charges, exchange rate variations, fuel surcharges, a force majeur event or other material increases by suppliers. Fares are in Australian currency (see insert for New Zealand and Great British Pound) and are land content only. Airfares need to be added. For International Cruises a $2,000* security deposit per person, per cruise is required within seven days of booking confirmation. For international tours, a $1,000 security deposit per person, per tour is required within seven days of booking confirmation. Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure. For Australian and New Zealand Tours a $200 security deposit must be received within 7 days of booking. Final payment is due 42 days prior to departure unless stated in the terms of a special offer. Botanica/APT reserves the right to cancel any ticket or booking or to refuse to carry any passenger where payment has not been received by Botanica/APT within the specified time. Included in Our Cruise and/or Tour Price All coach/cruise travel, port charges, accommodation, sightseeing, meals as indicated, specific excursions, airport transfers on first and last day, gratuities (on specified tours) and the services of a cruise/tour director and Botanical Guide as stated in the itineraries. Not Included in Our Cruise &/or Tour Price Airfares, airport taxes (not specified in itineraries), laundry, passport and visa fees, meals not specified in the itinerary, excess baggage, fuel surcharges and optional excursions not specified in the itinerary. Extra overnight accommodation is not included at the start or end of tour if not specified in the itinerary or transfers if not specified in the itinerary. Airport & Cruise Transfers Airport transfers are included on tours where indicated in the tour inclusions and are on the first and last day of exclusive Botanica cruises, where we are advised of your flight details. No refund will be given for unused transfers. Transfers cannot be re-routed to other pick-up points or destinations. Passengers who miss their pre- booked transfers must make their own way to/from the ship/hotel at own expense. Transfers must be booked and details advised to Botanica/APT at least 60 days prior to travel, otherwise transfers cannot be guaranteed. See itinerary pages for any variations to the above. Travelling with Minors Children under twelve years of age are not recommended on tours and cruises. Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult and share their accommodation with an adult. Passengers Needing Special Assistance Botanica/APT welcomes passengers with disabilities or special needs provided they are accompanied by one companion capable of providing all assistance required. Any disability or medical condition requiring special attention must be reported to Botanica/APT at the time of booking. Botanica/APT will make reasonable efforts to accommodate the special needs of disabled tour and cruise participants, but is not responsible for any denial of services by carriers, hotels, restaurants or other independent suppliers, or any additional expenses incurred. Motor coaches and minibuses are not equipped with wheelchair ramps. Cabin doors and restrooms are not wide enough to allow access by standard wheelchairs. Wheelchairs and walkers cannot be carried on motor coaches, due to space limitations. Wheelchair passengers should be aware of these limitations. We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to a passenger for walking, dining, getting on and off motor coaches or other transportation vehicles or other personal needs. You have an obligation to advise Botanica/APT of any limitations or needs. A Health, Fitness & Mobility checklist will need to be completed before your deposit is paid. Health & Fitness Due to the nature of Botanica's excursions, a high level of mobility is required. Often lifts aren't available and you will be walking on uneven ground. For your enjoyment, you need to be able to walk and stand continuously for one hour. Visa and Passports All passengers must have a valid passport with at least six months validity from the return date. Passengers must consult with the appropriate consulates to ensure any applicable visas for countries visited have been obtained prior to departure. Meeting necessary passport and visa entry requirements and cost is the sole responsibility of the passenger. Botanica/APT is not responsible for delays or missed portions of cruise/ tour relating to incorrect travel documents or visas. Meeting necessary passport and visa entry requirements and costs are the sole responsibility of passengers. It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have obtained all necessary visas before departing their home country. Vaccinations Vaccinations are required for travel to some destinations. Please consult your doctor for details. It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have obtained all necessary vaccinations before departing your country of residence. Please also consult with your doctor or travel clinic regarding the latest malaria zones and medication. Please note vaccinations are the responsibility of the traveller, not Botanica/APT. Shore Excursions The timing of the shore excursions may differ slightly. They are intended as a guide only and are subject to change without notice. It is not possible for large motor coaches to be used for some city sightseeing. Many towns and cities will be visited by way of walking tours and accordingly, a reasonable level of fitness is required. For river and sea cruising, clients must be able to climb ramps, for ship embarkation/disembarkation and to be able to get in and out of Zodiacs. Depending on river and sea levels, these may have a number of steep steps. Please consult with your doctor to ensure you have an adequate level of fitness and are in good health before booking a cruise and participating in these touring excursions (Freedom of Choice Touring is subject to minimum and maximum numbers). Gardens We have endeavoured to select an interesting and diverse range of gardens, however we can't be responsible for their presentation. Variations to the gardens visited are at the discretion of Botanica. Solo Travellers A limited number of single rooms/suites/cabins are available by request at time of booking. Single supplement must be paid with final payment. Late Bookings Payment in full is required at time of booking for reservations made less than 100 days before an international tour or 42 days before a tour of Australia or New Zealand. If a reservation cannot be confirmed, all monies will be refunded. BOOKING AND PAYING FOR YOUR HOLIDAY Price Guarantee Once your deposit is paid we guarantee the price, giving you peace of mind. Flight & Airline Changes The flight timings shown in our brochure, on our website and detailed on your confirmation invoice are for guidance only and are subject to alteration and confirmation. Flight timings are set by airlines and affected by events outside our control. Scheduled and charter flight timings, and days of operation are also subject to change. Botanica/APT will advise you of any significant changes as soon as it is informed by the airline. Minor timing changes will be shown on your flight tickets. Any change in the identity of the airline, flight timings or aircraft type (if advised) will not entitle you to cancel or make other arrangements without paying any applicable cancellation fees except where specified in these booking conditions. Botanica Deposit Cancellation 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 a Botanica holding credit to be used for future bookings. If Deposit Cancellation Peace of Mind is claimed, monies held must be used on a future Botanica 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. Botanica reserves the right to ticket air at their discretion and this may be done upon receiving deposit. 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. Botanica 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 cost. For your protection it is a condition of travel that you purchase adequate comprehensive insurance that includes 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. Ask your booking agent about this. Travel Information and Documents After booking you will receive an invoice with all important information relevant to your holiday package. We strongly recommend you check the details carefully and read the included information. Please ensure that you check your flight timings carefully on your tickets, particularly pre or post midnight departures. Approximately 21 days before departure you will receive your eticket together with your final itinerary. However in the case of late bookings, changes or late payment, tickets may be emailed to you. Special Requests Where a special request (eg. diet, room location, twin or double bedded room, a particular facility at a hotel, flight seat requests and/or particular meals) is an important factor in your choice of holiday, you must advise us when your booking is made. Botanica/ APT will pass your request onto the hotel, airline or other supplier but cannot guarantee that it will be accommodated. Botanica/APT will also pass on any dietary requests to the airline but we strongly recommend that you check directly with the airline once your tickets have been issued. The provision of any special request does not constitute a term of your contract with us. Confirmation that a special request has been noted or passed on to the supplier or the inclusion of the special request on your confirmation invoice or any other documentation is not confirmation that the request will be met. Unless and until specifically confirmed, all special requests are subject to availability. Credit Card Surcharges If you pay Botanica/APT by credit card, surcharges of between 1% and 3% will be added to your tour price. IF YOU NEED TO CHANGE OR CANCEL YOUR HOLIDAY BEFORE DEPARTURE Cancellation Policy for International Tours & Cruises The following applies: Days of Notice: Fee Per Person 100 days or more Loss of deposit 99-61 days 50% of tour fare 60 days or less 100% of tour fare Cancellation Policy for Australian & New Zealand Tours The following applies: Days of Notice: Fee Per Person 42 days or more Loss of deposit 41-31 days 35% of tour fare 30-16 days 50% of tour fare 15 days or less 100% of tour fare All cancellations must be received in writing by Botanica/APT and are not effective until this notification has been received. If the tour or cruise has commenced, 100% of the full tour price is charged. There is no refund for unused services or if portions of the cruise and/or land arrangements are missed. Cancellation fees also apply to additional accommodation reserved prior to and after the tour or cruise. These cancellation fees are in addition to any fees that may be levied by your travel agent. You acknowledge that the amounts estimated under the Cancellation Policy are reasonable and represent a genuine pre-estimate of Botanica/ APT's loss. Amendment Fees A fee of $70 per person will apply to any additional changes requested to your original booking after it has been made and confirmed. Once documents are issued, a fee of $70 per person is applicable for any changes. Cancellation of Ticketed Airfares A Botanica/ APT cancellation fee of $50 per person applies for ticketed airfares, in addition to any airline cancellation fees that are applicable. Changes to Ticketed Airfares If you wish to amend the date or routing on your ticketed air booking, a Botanica/APT amendment fee of $30 per person for the first change and $85 for any subsequent changes will be charged in addition to airline change fees and additional taxes that are applicable. If, for any reason, a name change to a ticketed airfare is required, a $125 per person name change fee will apply for every change in addition to any applicable airline fees. IF WE NEED TO CHANGE OR CANCEL YOUR HOLIDAY BEFORE DEPARTURE Botanica/APT endeavours to provide you with all the services confirmed to you at the time of your booking. However, we plan arrangements a long time in advance of your departure date using independent suppliers such as airlines, hotels etc., over whom we have no direct control. On occasions changes do have to be made, and Botanica/APT reserves the right to cancel or amend holiday packages/excursions accordingly. Brochure A ccuracy Botanica/APT has endeavoured to ensure that the information given in this brochure about accommodation, itineraries etc., is correct to the best of its knowledge at the time of going to print. However, advertised descriptions and facilities and prices may change after publication. We recommend that you confirm the details of your chosen holiday package at the time of booking. Additionally, flight times, carriers and routes in the brochure are given for guidance only as there may be changes. Final details will be shown on your tickets. Holiday package or excursion itineraries may change or be different from those described in the brochure as

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