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The purchase of any travel services offered by Avalon Waterways constitutes a contractual arrangement between you and Avalon Waterways and represents your acceptance of Avalon Waterways’ Terms and Conditions set out herein. Please ensure that you read carefully and understand these Terms and Conditions prior to booking.
Deposit and Final Payment:
We accept checks, money orders, Visa, MasterCard, Discover/Novus, and American Express. Your payment is not deemed made until it is received by Avalon Waterways.
A non-refundable deposit of $200 per vacation per person is required for us to reserve space for you. Final payment is due 90 days prior to commencement of services. If we do not receive final payment by the due date, we reserve the right to cancel the reservation. In the case of billing errors, we reserve the right to reinvoice with correct pricing. Payment in full is required at time of booking for reservations made within the final payment date. In order to secure booked space, your travel agent should advise Avalon Waterways of your credit card number when phoning in your reservation. For group reservations, travel agents should refer to the Group Policy, which may be requested.
Acceptance on the vacation is subject to presentation of the Avalon Waterways Traveler Certificate.
Cancellations and Cancellation Fees:
If cancellation is received by Avalon Waterways before the final payment date, your non-refundable deposit and Travel Protection premiums will be retained in addition to any air cancellation fees or penalties. For individual reservations, the following per person cancellation fees apply. Total price does not include discounts, promotions, or special incentives. (For group reservations, refer to the Group Policy.)
- 90-60 days prior to commencement of services: 35% of total price plus Travel Protection premiums
- 59-30 days prior to commencement of services: 50% of total price plus Travel Protection premiums
- 29-1 days prior to commencement of services: 80% of total price plus Travel Protection premiums
- On departure day and later: 100% of total price plus Travel Protection premiums
Cancellation fees may also apply to any additional services, including accommodations; independently supplied services; and optional excursions reserved prior to, during, and after the tour.
If flight changes, including flight cancellations, are requested, revision fees or airline cancellation fees will apply. If an air-inclusive vacation is canceled after air tickets have been issued, refunds will be processed after air tickets are returned to Avalon Waterways.
Avalon Waterways reserves the right to cancel or reschedule any vacation departure. If cancellation is made prior to departure, the only responsibility of Avalon Waterways will be to refund to the passenger the amount we have received for the reservation. We will try to re-book the same vacation with a different departure date, or a similar vacation. Where Avalon Waterways has confirmed flights, we will try to confirm air seats for the selected new dates, subject to availability. Avalon Waterways cannot assume responsibility for any additional costs or any fees relating to the issuance and/or cancellation of air tickets or other travel arrangements not made through Avalon Waterways.
Revision Fees:
A fee of $30 per transaction will be charged for any alteration or revision made to a reservation. Airline penalties may also apply. A change of traveler name, vacation date, or itinerary within final payment will be treated as a cancellation and new reservation; standard cancellation fees apply.
Participation:
For the benefit of everyone on your vacation, Avalon Waterways reserves the right to accept or reject any vacation participant and to remove any participant whose conduct is deemed incompatible with the interests of the other participants.
Travelers Who Need Special Assistance:
You must report any disability requiring special attention to Avalon Waterways at the time the reservation is made. Avalon Waterways will make reasonable attempts to accommodate the special needs of disabled travelers, but is not responsible in the event it is unable to do so nor is it responsible for any denial of services by carriers, hotels, restaurants, or other independent suppliers. The Americans with Disabilities Act is only applicable within the United States and facilities for disabled individuals are limited outside its borders. Most transportation services, including the touring motorcoach, are not equipped with wheelchair ramps. We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to a vacation participant for walking, dining, getting on and off motorcoaches and other vehicles, or other personal needs. A qualified and physically able companion must accompany travelers who need such assistance and must assume full responsibility for their well being. Motorized scooters are unsuitable for Avalon Waterways vacations.
The majority of our ships do not have elevators. Cabin doors and restrooms are not wide enough to allow access by standard wheelchairs, and bathrooms and other doorways may be fitted with coamings. For safety reasons, passengers in wheelchairs cannot be carried on ramps in ports where the ship is at anchor.
Young Travelers:
Travelers who are less than 18 years old on the departure date must be accompanied by an adult and must share the adult’s accommodations. For any special requirements regarding airline tickets for children, contact your airlines directly. There is no discount for young travelers, though children 8-17 are welcome on board our cruises. We do not accept children less than 8 years old.
Due to heightened security, many countries have adopted practices to prevent international abductions of children. If a child will be traveling with adults other than the parents or with only one parent, it is recommended that a notarized letter be written by the parents or non-traveling parent granting authorization to travel, including the dates of travel. We suggest that you also contact the appropriate consulate and airlines because they may have additional requirements.
Smoking:
Smoking is not allowed on transportation that is exclusively provided by Avalon Waterways nor in the interior of Avalon Waterways’ vessels in Europe and the Galàpagos. On the Yangtze and Nile river cruise ships, smoking is restricted to certain areas of the vessel.
Price Guarantee:
All vacation prices are based on rates (including foreign exchange rates) known at the time of printing and expected to be in effect at the time of departure. Prices are subject to increase without notice if such rates change prior to departure. The current price will be confirmed at the time of reservation. However, once Avalon has received your deposit for any vacation departing in 2008, that land price is guaranteed, and any subsequent land-cost increases are at our expense, not including land surcharges and any government tax increases. 2009 departures are subject to itinerary and price modifications. Airfares included as part of air-inclusive vacation prices are guaranteed when we receive full invoice payment. Vacation prices are per person, based on double occupancy. Single room supplements and triple or quad room reductions are listed where applicable.
Visas and Passports:
For vacations requiring visas for U.S. citizens, detailed visa information will be mailed or faxed. You are responsible for obtaining and payment of all visas and entry documents prior to travel, and for meeting all health and other requirements and any documents required by laws, regulations, orders, and/or requirements of the countries to be visited. Non-U.S. citizens must consult with appropriate consulates to determine if any visas are needed and are responsible for obtaining all visas and entry documents independently. All passengers traveling internationally are required to have a passport. Most countries require that the passport be valid for at least six (6) months beyond the conclusion of your trip. It is recommended you have a minimum of three blank pages in your passport when traveling as many countries require blank pages. Multiple-entry visas are required for some vacations. You will need to check with your consulate to verify all requirements.
Accommodations:
The accommodations listed in the brochure or on the Web site are intended to be used on all departures; however, if a change becomes necessary for any reason, the accommodations substituted will be equivalent in standard to those shown. Every effort is made to reserve only twin-bedded rooms. It may occasionally happen that an accommodation provides some double-bedded rooms instead. These rooms will be allocated to couples.
Please note that accommodation check-in times vary worldwide.
Private Bath and Single Rooms:
In exceptional cases where private bath or single rooms as reserved by us are not available, refunds will be made by the Cruise Director or Local Host. Claims made in this respect cannot be accepted after the vacation is completed.
Baggage Allowance:
Porterage for one suitcase is included in the vacation price. Airport porterage at the beginning and end of the vacation is not included. Due to limited coach capacity, bags should have dimensions not exceeding 30"x21"x11" and weight not exceeding 50 lb (22kg) or less if your air carrier has stricter weight/dimension limitations. Size and weight limitations for carry-on and checked baggage vary from airline to airline and even according to destination, and are becoming more restrictive. Avalon Waterways is not responsible for additional fees imposed by air carriers regarding baggage. Regulations within most airports require that travelers handle their own luggage through customs. No responsibility is accepted for loss of or damage to baggage or any of the traveler’s belongings. Baggage insurance is recommended. See our Web site for an all-inclusive Travel Protection Plans.
Carry-on bags, should not exceed the dimensions of 12"x11"x6". For safety reasons, wheeled carry-on bags are not suitable as hand luggage on motorcoaches and mini-buses.
Travel Documents:
Travel documents, including any paper air tickets or e-ticket itineraries, are sent by regular ground delivery approximately two to three weeks prior to departure, provided full payment has been received. If available, a service charge per reservation is added for documents requested in advance and/or for two-day delivery. Please indicate at the time of reservation whether you prefer regular ground delivery or two-day delivery. (Two-day delivery with related charges is required for reservations made within 45 days of commencement of services and for delivery outside the continental United States.)
Not Included in the Vacation Price:
Federal Inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigration; International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; any other taxes; security fee; airport taxes and fees; port taxes; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your Tour or Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and ships' crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; mini bar; alcohol, beverages, and food not on the regular table d’hôte menu (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); optional excursions; porterage at airports; travel protection; excess baggage fees; and all other items of a personal nature.
Refunds:
Please note that any request for refunds is subject to these terms and conditions. Airport transfers are complimentary with air-inclusive bookings on qualifying flights and dates. Not all flights qualify. Customers not using the included transfer will not be given a cash equivalent or vacation price reduction.
Service Inquiries After the Vacation:
If after returning from your vacation, you wish to inquire about any services provided, please ensure that all correspondence relating to those services is received by Avalon Waterways, Traveler Services, Group Voyagers Inc. (see address under “Responsibility”), within 60 days of the vacation completion date. This will enable Avalon Waterways to make a timely investigation.
Holidays:
During local or national holidays or special events, on Sundays, and religious occassions, certain facilities such as museums, churches, restaurants, sightseeing tours, and shopping may be limited or not available. Alternatives will be offered whenever possible.
Safety:
Please be aware that during your participation in vacations operated by Avalon Waterways, certain risks and dangers may arise beyond our control including, but not limited to, the hazards of traveling in undeveloped areas; travel by boat, train, automobile, aircraft, or other means of transportation; the forces of nature; political unrest; acts of lawlessness or terrorism; and accident or illness in remote regions without means of rapid evacuation or medical facilities. Avalon Waterways will not have liability regarding provision of medical care or the adequacy of any care that may be rendered. It is understood that Avalon Waterways will use its best efforts to ensure that adequate measures are taken.
Itinerary Changes:
In the event of water level problems on stretches of any river, it may be necessary to operate part of the itinerary by motorcoach.
Avalon Waterways reserves the right to change the itinerary whenever conditions, in the opinion of the Master of the Ship or local waterways regulations, render it advisable or necessary. Avalon Waterways will not be responsible for any loss or expense caused by reason of such changes.
Avalon Waterways reserves the right to cancel, advance, or postpone any scheduled tour and/or sailing date and may, but is not obligated to, substitute another vessel and shall not be liable for any loss whatsoever to tour/cruise particpants by reason of any such cancellation, advancement, or postponement. In the event of cancellation by Avalon Waterways only, tour/cruise participants’ only right of recourse shall be to a refund of monies paid to Avalon Waterways in connection with such tour/cruise. In the event of charters of the vessels, strikes, lockouts, riots, or stoppage of labor for whatever cause or for any other reason whatsoever, Avalon Waterways may at any time cancel, advance, or postpone any scheduled sailing and may, but is not obliged to, substitute another vessel and shall not be liable for any loss whatsoever to tour/cruise participants by reason of any such cancellation, advancement, or postponement.
Photographs or Pictures:
Photographs or pictures appearing in this brochure should be used solely as an indication of facilities and attractions. Actual facilities and attractions may vary according to availability.
Responsibility:
Group Voyagers Inc., located at 5301 South Federal Circle, Littleton, Colorado 80123, is an independent company (“the Company”) licensed to market and distribute travel products under the Avalon Waterways brand name, and arrange for the vacation services offered in its brochure or on its Web site, including transportation, sightseeing, and accommodations through independent contracts.
The carriers, accommodations, and other suppliers providing services are independent contractors and are not agents, employees, servants, or joint venturers of the Company or its affiliates. All certificates and other travel documents for services issued by the Company are subject to the terms and conditions specified by the supplier and to the laws of the countries in which the services are supplied.
If, after departure, the services included in the vacation cannot be supplied, or there are changes in an itinerary for reasons beyond the control of the Company, the Company will arrange for the provision of comparable services. Any resulting additional expense will be payable by travelers, and any resulting savings will be refunded by the Company to vacation participants.
The Company reserves the right to accept or reject any person as a vacation participant; to expel any participant from the vacation; to make changes in the itinerary whenever the Company deems it necessary for the comfort, convenience, or safety of the participants; and to cancel a vacation at any time.
The vacation participant agrees that neither the Company nor its affiliates shall be liable for any damage, loss (including personal injury, death, and property loss), or expense occasioned by any act or omission of any supplier providing services, any insurer or insurance administrator under the Travel Protection Plan, or any other person. Any dispute between the vacation participant and the Company directly or indirectly relating to the terms and conditions shall be first submitted to mediation at Denver, Colorado, before a mediator mutually agreed to by the parties. If mediation is not successful, the dispute must be resolved by binding arbitration under Colorado law before the Judicial Arbiter Group or its successor located at 1601 Blake Street, Denver, Colorado 80202. The prevailing party shall be entitled to an award of costs and reasonable attorney’s fees. Any action to enforce the arbitrator’s decision shall be brought in the state or federal courts in the State of Colorado.
Arbitration against the Company must be commenced within one year following the date of tour completion. Neither the Company nor any affiliate shall in any case be liable for other than compensatory damages, and you hereby waive any right to punitive damages.
No person, other than an authorized representative of the Company by a document in writing, is authorized to vary, add, or waive any term or condition in its brochure or on its Web site, including any term or condition set forth in the preceding provisions.
Trade Name:
Avalon Waterways is a service mark registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
CST#2017032-20
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