Luxury European River Cruises, Tours of Europe, Rhine River Cruises, Danube, Deals, Seine River Cruise
Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/715161
GENERAL INFORMATION & CONDITIONS 106 | GENERAL INFORMATION & CONDITIONS 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 $1,000 security deposit per person, per holiday package is required within seven days of booking confirmation. 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. If APT is unable to confirm your reservation, all monies will be refunded. Travelling with Minors Children under eight years of age are not permitted on tours. Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult and share their accommodation with an adult. Included in Holiday Package Price All coach and travel, accommodation, airfares (as indicated in individual itinerary), gratuities, airport transfers on the first and last day, sightseeing, specified excursions, meals, admissions, and the services of a Tour Director as stated in your itinerary. 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 hotel at their own expense. Some holiday packages include group transfers from or in between airports/hotels and vice versa. A group transfer is generally a shared transfer departing at a set time and the type of vehicle used will normally be dependent upon the size of the group. Not Included in Holiday Package Price Airfares (unless stated), airport taxes, laundry, passport and visa fees, food not on the regular table d'hôte menu, drinks may or may not be included as indicated in your itinerary, excess baggage, fuel surcharges, optional excursions and gratuities not specified in your itinerary. Choosing Your Holiday The holidays contained within this brochure are for departures between 1 April 2017 and 31 October 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. Gratuities Have been included for all services as indicated in the itinerary on all APT Tours and cannot be redeemed for a cash refund. Hotels Hotel rooms in Europe are often smaller than those in Australia and New Zealand. 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. The hotels listed in this brochure will be used on almost all 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 may be available by request at time of booking your holiday package. Single rooms are usually smaller than standard twin or double rooms and often only have one single bed. 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. APT is unable to provide individual assistance to any passenger for walking, dining, boarding or alighting coaches or other transportation vehicles or other personal needs. 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. Health and Fitness A good level of fitness and health is required to participate on APT's holiday packages. In some destinations there are extensive sightseeing excursions by foot and which can include climbing of stairs and uneven surfaces. Mobility is needed boarding or alighting coaches and trains. 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. 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. Visa and 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 cannot obtain group visas on your behalf. APT is not responsible for delays or missed portions of the holiday package resulting from incorrect travel documents or visas. Excursions The timing of the excursions on all holiday packages may differ slightly for each package. The published times are a guide only and are subject to change without notice. It is impossible for large coaches to be used for some city sightseeing excursions and many towns and cities will be visited by way of walking tours. Holiday packages including time in Switzerland and other alpine regions may include mountain excursions to, at times, high altitudes. Should Eiffel Tower tickets be unavailable, APT reserves the right to substitute a suitable alternative. Freedom of Choice™ Minimum and maximum group numbers apply on some Freedom of Choice excursions. Due to venue closures, some options may not be available as listed. If your first choice of Freedom of Choice is unavailable you may be asked to choose an alternative. 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. Superdeals and Special Offers Conditions Apply. For full terms and conditions relating to any Superdeal or Special Offer on your booking, please go to: www.aptouring.com.au/specialdeals Other Special Offers Special Deals and Special Offers other than those advertised in the brochure may be promoted by APT after the brochure is released. These new special deals/offers do not apply to existing bookings unless otherwise stated. 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. 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 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 three 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 at the time of booking 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 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 early am departures. Approximately 21 days before departure you will receive your e-ticket together with your final itinerary. However in the case of late bookings, charges or late payment, tickets may be emailed to you. Special Requests Where a special request (e.g. 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. APT will pass your request onto the hotel, airline or other supplier but cannot guarantee that it will be accommodated. 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, or can, be met. Unless and until specifically confirmed, all special requests are subject to availability. Credit Card Surcharges If you pay APT by credit card credit card surcharges of between 1% and 3% will be added your tour price. IF YOU WANT TO CHANGE OR CANCEL YOUR HOLIDAY Changes or Additions to Your Holiday If you want to change any part of your holiday arrangements after the invoice has been issued, we will do our best to make the change, but it may not be possible. Any request for changes must be made in writing by the person who made the original booking, or his or her travel agent. If it is possible to make the change, it will be subject to an administration charge and payment of any further costs incurred as a result of the change. Cancellation Policy For all holiday packages in this brochure, the following APT cancellation fees will apply: Days of Notice Fee Per Person 100 days or more Loss of deposit 99-61 days 50% of holiday package price 60 days or less 100% of holiday package price