Avalon Waterways - Terms and Conditions
2012 Avalon Waterways Travel Terms & Conditions
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
The purchase of any travel services offered by Group Voyagers, Inc., doing
business as Avalon Waterways (hereinafter "Avalon") constitutes a contractual
arrangement between you and Avalon, and represents your acceptance of the Avalon
Terms & Conditions set out herein. Please ensure that you read carefully and
understand these Terms & Conditions prior to booking. You are advised to check
on the Web sites or to request the latest version of the Terms & Conditions from
your Travel Agent or Avalon prior to booking your vacation.
Cruise Deposit & Final Payment:
A non-refundable, non-transferable cruise deposit of $250 per person per
vacation is required for Avalon to reserve space for you, with some limited
exceptions as noted below. Avalon accepts checks, money orders, Visa,
MasterCard, Discover/Novus, and American Express. Your booking is not confirmed
and payment is not deemed made until the deposit is received by Avalon and you
receive a confirmation invoice. Your reservation will be automatically canceled
if deposit is not received by Avalon by the deposit due date. On certain
departures, deposits may be required at time of booking to hold or to confirm
space for you. Payment of the deposit indicates you have read and accepted these
Terms & Conditions.
Please review and verify your booking invoice thoroughly and contact your Travel
Agent or Avalon immediately if your invoice appears to be incorrect or
incomplete, as it may not be possible to make changes later. Avalon cannot
accept responsibility if we are not notified of inaccuracies within 5 days of
sending out the invoice. In the case of billing errors, Avalon reserves the
right to re-invoice you with correct pricing.
Final payment for your cruise vacation is due 90 days prior to commencement of
services. If final payment is not received by the due date, your reservation
will be canceled and your full deposit, including Travel Protection payments and
any air deposits or Instant Purchase Air purchases, will be retained by Avalon.
Avalon is not responsible for canceled land, cruise or air reservations in the
event payment is not received by the final payment date. Payment in full is
required at time of booking for reservations made within the final payment date
of your vacation.
For group reservations, Travel Agents should refer to the Group Policy, which
will be provided to you by Avalon upon request and is also located in the Travel
Agent Portal.
Acceptance on the vacation is subject to presentation of the Avalon Traveler
Certificate, which will be available in your final Travel Documents.
Avalon air options: Flex-Air and Instant Purchase Air. Flex-Air allows
flexibility if you want to make changes to your vacation schedule. Instant
Purchase Air may offer additional airline options but has more restrictions.
Some vacations may only offer one Air type option.
Air-Inclusive Vacation Deposits and Final Payment:
The following additional payments are required for International air added to
the start and/or end of your vacation and/or for Intra-vacation air as specified
in the itinerary. International air and/or Intra-vacation air price quotes will
show how much of your total trip cost is made up of government-imposed taxes and
fees applicable at the time of booking. Air pricing is guaranteed upon receipt
of full land plus air deposit or land plus full airfare price depending on type
of airfare purchased (Flex-Air or Instant Purchase Air).
Flex-Air: An additional $250 per person, non-refundable air deposit is required
for Flex-Air booked in conjunction with an Avalon vacation. Applicable cruise
deposit as above is also required at time of booking.
Instant Purchase Air: Full air payment plus a $30 service fee is required, and
will be included with the quote, at time of booking for Instant Purchase Air
booked in conjunction with an Avalon vacation. Applicable cruise deposit as
above also required at time of booking. Once booked Instant Purchase Air is
non-changeable and non-refundable after 24-hours from purchase.
Flex-Air or Instant Purchase Air can only be booked by Avalon in conjunction
with an Avalon vacation package and is only available from the United States.
Intra-vacation air: An additional $250 per person, non-refundable air deposit is
required for packages with Intra-vacation air as noted in the itinerary.
Applicable land plus Flex-Air deposits or Instant Purchase Air full payment as
above is also required at time of booking.
Airfare prices include all taxes, fees and fuel surcharges though may be broken
out into separate invoice line items. These taxes and fees include:
• September 11th Security Fee up to $10 per person
• Passenger facility charges up to $18 per person
• Federal domestic flight segment fees up to $3.70 per segment
• All U.S. and International arrival and departure and other government-imposed
fees added by the airlines and applicable at the time of booking.
Booking Cancellations & Cancellation Fees:
If a booking cancellation is received by Avalon prior to the final payment date
of your vacation, your non-refundable cruise deposits plus your Flex-Air
deposit, Instant Purchase Air payment and service fee and/or Intra-vacation air
deposit plus Travel Protection payments will be retained. 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.)
Standard Cancellation Fees:
• 90-60 days prior to commencement of services: 35% of total price* plus Travel
Protection payments
• 59-30 days prior to commencement of services: 50% of total price* plus Travel
Protection payments
• 29-1 days prior to commencement of services: 80% of total price* plus Travel
Protection payments
• On departure day and later: 100% of total price* plus Travel Protection
payments
*Total price does not include Instant Purchase Air or Instant Purchase Air
service fees which are non-refundable after 24-hours from purchase and will be
retained in addition to the above cancellation fees. Airfare taxes are
refundable however.
Cancellation fees may also apply to any additional services, including extra
night accommodations, independently supplied services, and optional excursions
reserved prior to, during, and after the tour. If flight changes, including but
not limited to flight cancellations or name changes, are requested after full
land/cruise and air deposits are received, revision fees, change fees, or
airline cancellation fees will apply (see "Revision Fees" below). In many
instances, airline revision or change fees can be up to $250, but in some
instances may be up to 100% of the ticket price. Cancellation penalties will be
quoted at time of cancellation.
Avalon reserves the right to cancel or reschedule any vacation departure for any
reason, including insufficient demand or force majeure. If a vacation is
canceled prior to departure, Avalon's only responsibility will be to refund the
amount received for the reservation. Avalon will try to rebook the same vacation
with a different departure date or a similar vacation but there are no
guarantees of availability or offering. For air-inclusive vacations, Avalon will
try to confirm air schedules for the selected new dates, subject to
availability. Avalon 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.
Revisions and Revision Fees:
In addition to any airline-imposed change fees, a fee of $30 per transaction
will be charged by Avalon for any alteration or revision made to a reservation
after deposit or payment is received. Any revision to a booking, including but
not limited to flight cancellations or name changes, may result in the loss of
confirmed airline reservations or increased airfare, which will be payable by
you. In many instances for Flex-Air purchases airline revision or change fees
are up to $250, but in some instances may be up to 100% of the ticket price.
Instant Purchase Air and associated service fees are non-refundable and non
changeable after 24-hours from purchase thus alterations or revisions to a
booking with Instant Purchase Air will require new air to be purchased and is
subject to full payment as above. Payment of refundable air taxes will be
applied to the amended booking.
Intra-vacation air and hotel penalties may also apply to alternations or
revisions to a booking and may be up to 100% of the full price. A change of
traveler name, vacation date, or itinerary within final payment will be treated
as a full cancellation and new reservation; vacation and airfare cancellation
fees (as above) apply.
Air Arrangements:
International airfare may be purchased through Avalon for travel originating
from the United States. All carriers are independent operators and are not
owned, managed or operated by Avalon. Your airline ticket is a contract between
you and the air carrier only, even if you purchase through Avalon. By purchasing
your air services through Avalon you waive all liability for Avalon for such air
services.
Avalon is not responsible if an airline cancels, reschedules, or delays a flight
for any reason. If you purchased air through Avalon, we will try to assist in
making new arrangements providing you have not already checked in with your
airline for your first flight segment. After check-in, you must work with the
airline directly to reach your destination or to make any alternate arrangements
including amendments to return services. Please be aware that airline fees often
apply for modifications to air schedules not related to airline-imposed flight
cancellations, reschedules, or delays. These fees will be payable to the airline
directly at time of request. If you miss your departure flight or connection, it
is your responsibility to work with the airline on which you are ticketed to
reach your destination. No refunds will be provided by Avalon for portions of
trips missed due to canceled, rescheduled, or delayed flights after airport
check-in, nor is Avalon responsible for any additional expenses you may incur
prior to joining your trip if you miss your departure flight or flight
connection.
For air purchased through Avalon, if any air schedule requires an overnight stay
in a gateway city, Avalon can assist you with hotel reservations; however, the
cost of the overnight stay (including but not limited to hotel and meals) is at
your expense. Air routings are subject to availability. Routings are not
guaranteed and are subject to change at any time.
If you make your own flight arrangements, Avalon will not be responsible for any
loss resulting from cancellation or changes in international gateways,
itineraries, or travel dates. We recommend that you do not purchase airline
tickets with high penalty charges for changes.
Under the new Secure Flight Program enacted by the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requires airlines to
collect information from you for the purposes of watch list matching. TSA may
share information you provide with law enforcement or intelligence agencies or
others under its published system of records notice. At time of booking a
vacation with air reservations, Avalon will collect the required information and
add to your air booking to pass to the airline(s) for the Secure Flight Program.
The information includes full name, date of birth, gender, and redress number
(if available). Failure to provide the required TSA information at time of
booking will result in the loss of confirmed flights and airfare price as
information is required for ticketing. Rebooking lost airfare is subject to
schedule availability at time of rebooking and may result in alternate flight
schedules and/or increases in airfare price. Any increase in airfare price is
payable by you.
Some countries may require aircraft cabin insecticide treatment for in-bound
foreign flights. For more information about aircraft disinfection requirements
and a list of countries requiring disinfection of in-bound flights, please visit
http://ostpxweb.dot.gov/policy/safetyenergyenv/disinsection.htm
Participation:
For the benefit of everyone on your vacation, Avalon 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.
Avalon will not refund or cover any cost or expenses incurred for termination of
vacation arrangements due to unacceptable behavior.
Travelers Who Need Special Assistance on Tours and/or Cruises:
You must report any disability requiring special attention while on tour or on
cruise to Avalon at the time the reservation is made. Avalon 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 responsible for any
denial of services by air carriers, hotels, restaurants, or other independent
suppliers. Avalon cannot provide individual assistance to a vacation participant
for walking, dining, getting on and off motorcoaches, cruise ships, and other
vehicles, or other personal needs. Avalon strongly recommends a qualified and
physically able companion accompany travelers who need such assistance. All
travelers with Avalon are subject to the Participation clause above.
Not all sightseeing stops/sites accommodate wheelchairs and some locations and
sightseeing activities require extensive standing, sitting, or walking,
sometimes on unpaved or cobblestone streets. Avalon is not responsible for any
missed activities due to a participant's inability to participate with the
group. 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 motorcoaches and cruise
ships, are not equipped with wheelchair ramps. Motorized scooters are not
typically suitable on international tours.
Although some of our ships have elevators, many of our small ships do not.
Passengers requiring ship elevators should inquire before making reservations.
Additionally, most stateroom 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.
Pregnant Travelers
Avalon does not have specialized facilities and/or treatments required for
childbirth, prenatal or early infant care on board its cruise ships nor may
those facilities be available at ports of call or on land stays. Avalon strongly
urges pregnant travelers to consider the risks of traveling where necessary
medical care for pregnancy may not be available and may not be reachable in a
timely manner to address potential medical complications, problems and
emergencies that can occur during pregnancy.
Young Travelers:
Travelers who are under 18 years old on the departure date must be accompanied
by an adult throughout the vacation and are requested to share an adult's
accommodation. Children under 8 years of age are not allowed on any Avalon
vacation. For any special requirements regarding airline tickets for children,
contact your airline directly.
There are no discounts for young travelers on Avalon cruise vacations.
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 or recommendations.
Smoking:
Smoking is not allowed on transportation that is exclusively provided by Avalon.
On cruise ships, smoking is restricted to certain areas of the vessel. On
European river cruise ships, smoking is allowed only on the vessels' outside
decks where ashtrays are available.
Price Policy:
All vacation prices are based on rates (reflecting foreign exchange rates) known
at the time of publication and expected to be in effect at the time of
departure, and do not include airfare except where noted on specific
itineraries. Vacation prices are per person, based on double occupancy (two
people sharing a room). Single room supplements and triple reductions are listed
where applicable. Not all accommodation types are available on all vacations.
Prices are subject to increase without notice, subject to the guarantees set
forth below.
Once Avalon has received your full cruise deposit for any cruise vacation, that
cruise price is guaranteed and you are protected against any base land or cruise
price increase due to currency surcharge. Any subsequent land or cruise cost
increases are at Avalon' expense, not including energy cost increases and/or any
government tax increases.
Pricing for air-inclusive vacations, including those with Intra-vacation air,
are guaranteed when Avalon has received your full cruise plus air deposits as
noted above. Avalon reserves the right to ticket Flex-Air bookings, and
vacations with Intra-vacation air upon receipt of full deposits thus any
subsequent reservation changes made at your request are subject to
airline-imposed change fees, cancellation fees and/or changes in airfare price,
which are your responsibility to pay. Instant Purchase Air is ticketed upon
receipt of full air payment and thus full cancellation fees as noted above
apply. International air is only available to passengers traveling from the
United States and only available when booked in conjunction with a cruise
vacation.
Vacation departures in 2016 are subject to itinerary modifications. Full details
will be available in May 2014. Travelers have the right to cancel their
reservation without penalty within 7 days of notification in the event of
itinerary modifications for departures in 2016 prior to the release of the 2016
brochure. Vacations with Instant Purchase Air will receive full refunds for
changes to vacations or vacations dates in 2014 with the release of the 2014
brochure providing notification of cancellation is received within 7 days.
Visas & Passports:
You are responsible for obtaining and paying for all visas and entry documents,
for meeting all health and other requirements, and for any documents required by
the laws, regulations, orders, and/ or requirements of the countries you will
visit. Visa and entry documents must be obtained independently. Non-U.S.
citizens must consult with appropriate consulates to determine if any visas are
needed. Avalon is not responsible for providing you with specific visa and
passport information or documentation, for any fees associated with obtaining
these documents, and Avalon cannot accept liability for any passenger refused
entry onto any transport or into any country due to failure of the passenger to
carry correct documentation.
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. It is your responsibility
to verify all visa and passport requirements. The process of obtaining a visa
and/or passport can take up to three months or more.
Some government agencies in foreign countries require Avalon to collect and pass
on certain personal and other details related to you, including but not limited
to government-issued identification and passport details. If you fail to supply
the details as requested fully and accurately, your trip may be interrupted or
cancelled. There are no refunds for failure to provide documentation or failure
to provide documentation by the time required.
Hotels & Accommodations:
The hotels listed in this brochure are intended to be used on all departures
however hotels are not guaranteed. Avalon reserves the right to substitute other
hotels than those listed on the itinerary pages. If a change becomes necessary
for any reason, including alternate hotels for additional departures on the same
date, or hotel location changes within or outside itinerary cities, the hotel
substituted will be of an equivalent or higher quality to those shown. No
refunds are provided for hotel changes; full cancellation penalties as noted
above apply. Every effort is made to reserve only twin-bedded rooms.
Occasionally, some hotels will only provide double-bedded rooms. These rooms
will be allocated to couples. Please note that check-in times vary worldwide;
Avalon cannot control or guarantee check-in times.
Baggage Allowance:
Porterage at hotels for one suitcase per person is included in the vacation
price. Airport and train station porterage is not included unless otherwise
specified in your travel documents. Please be prepared to carry your own
suitcase on and off airplanes and trains and through airports and train
stations.
Your single bag should have dimensions not exceeding 30"x21"x11" and weight not
exceeding 50lbs (22kg). We regret that we are unable to accept a second suitcase
or any luggage exceeding these limits on any Avalon vacation outside of Europe.
Some vacations have more restrictive regulations than these listed above. Please
refer to your Travel Documents for more information.
Air carrier restrictions may vary from the limitations listed above. 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. While
making a booking online at www.Avalonwaterways.com you will be provided with
baggage fee information. After booking, up-to-date information on carrier
specific standard checked baggage allowance (including size and weight
limitations), the standard allowance (and fee, if applicable) for carry-on
baggage, and the standard fee for the first and second checked bag, along with
the information that additional discounts may apply depending on flyer-specific
factors (.e.g. frequent flyer status, military, credit card used for purchase or
early purchase over the internet, etc.) can be found on the carrier's website or
by accessing www.iflybags.com. Please read this information carefully as Avalon
is not responsible for additional fees imposed by air carriers for baggage and
these fees are not included in the airfare or the vacation package price. You
will be required to pay these fees directly to the airline at check-in.
Regulations within most airports require that travelers handle their own luggage
through customs. No responsibility is accepted by Avalon for loss of or damage
to baggage or any of the traveler's belongings throughout the duration of the
vacation. Baggage insurance is recommended. See the Avalon Web site for an
all-inclusive Travel Protection plan.
Carry-on bags should not exceed the dimensions of 12"x11"x6". For safety
reasons, wheeled carryon bags are not suitable as hand luggage on motorcoaches
and mini-buses. Carry-on bags must be small enough to store in overhead bins or
under the seat in front of you on motorcoaches and other transportation.
Travel Documents:
Passenger Travel Documents, including e-ticket itineraries, are sent by regular
ground delivery approximately 2-3 weeks prior to departure, provided full
invoice payment has been received. If available, a service charge per
reservation is added for documents requested in advance and/or for 2-day
delivery. Please indicate at the time of reservation whether you prefer regular
ground delivery or 2-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; charges will be quoted at
time of reservation.
Gratuities
Gratuities are included for services during the land stay of your vacation. This
includes wait staff at included meals, hospitality staff at hotels for nights
purchased through Avalon, and porterage at hotels for one suitcase per person.
Gratuities for your Tour or Cruise Director, Local Hosts, Local Guides, and
ship's crew are not included in the vacation price and are discretionary.
Not Included In The Land/Cruise Vacation Price (When Air Is Not
Purchased Through Avalon):
The following charges are not included in the cruise vacation price: airfare to
and from the start of your vacation; Intra-vacation air unless specified as
included in the itinerary; airline baggage fees including checked and/or excess
baggage fees; Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and
Immigrations; International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; other per
person taxes imposed by government entities; airport taxes and fees including
the September 11th Security fee up to $10 per person, passenger facility charges
up to $18 per person, Federal domestic flight segment fees up to $3.70 per
segment, and U.S. and International arrival and departure and other
government-imposed fees added by the airline and applicable at time of booking;
port fees and taxes; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your Tour or
Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ship's crew;
gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar;
alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted Avalon menu as presented
at a hotel or restaurant or onboard your vessel (these extra items will be
billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); optional
excursions; additional activities and excursions purchased online; airport
transfers on non-qualifying flights; airport transfers with cruise only
vacations, porterage at airports and train stations; Travel Protection; and all
other items of a personal nature.
Some South America countries (Argentina and Chile) require international
travelers to pay entry and/or exit fees at the airport. These fees will be
collected by the local government and are payable by the traveler at time of
travel. Your confirmation booking information will contain information about
these fees. If you would like more information prior to booking, please contact
your Travel Consultant.
Refunds:
Please note that any request for refunds is subject to these Terms & Conditions;
no refund will be made for unused services, for unused transportation where
group activity tickets are involved or for voluntary modifications made by the
traveler. Airport transfers are complimentary with air booked through Avalon on
qualifying flights and dates; not all flights or dates qualify. Customers not
using the included transfer will not be given a cash equivalent or vacation
price reduction.
Service Inquiries after the Vacation:
As it is difficult and sometimes impossible to properly investigate a complaint
if Avalon is not advised of such complaint quickly, any compensation you may
have been able to claim could be reduced or even forfeited if you do not follow
the complaints procedure set out in this clause.
After returning from your vacation, if you wish to inquire about any services
provided, please ensure that all correspondence relating to those services is
received by Avalon, Traveler Services, Group Voyagers, Inc. (see address under
"Responsibility").
Any complaint or claim involving the vacation services offered in this brochure,
involving the negligence of any suppliers, sub-contractors, or agents in
relation to any service provided to the vacation participant, must be notified
to Avalon while on vacation or within 30 days of the vacation completion, except
where such time limitations are prohibited by law.
Holidays and Special Events:
During local or national holidays or special events, peek seasons, on Sundays,
and during religious occasions, certain facilities such as museums, churches,
restaurants, sightseeing tours, hotels, and shopping may be limited or not
available. Alternatives will be offered whenever possible. Avalon cannot be held
responsible for any closures, necessary itinerary changes or curtailments for
any reason.
Christmas Market Vacations:
Please note that Christmas markets generally close around the third week of
December.
Safety:
Please be aware that during your participation in vacations operated by Avalon,
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; 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
will not have liability regarding provision of medical care or the adequacy of
any care that may be rendered. While Avalon will use its best efforts to ensure
that adequate measures are taken, by agreeing to participate in a vacation
and/or optional excursions you agree that you will hold Avalon harmless
regarding any provision of medical care or the adequacy of any care rendered.
Avalon is not responsible for such risks and dangers that may arise beyond our
control. Payment of your deposit indicates you accept these risks and dangers
and agree to hold Avalon harmless for such.
Photographs or Pictures:
Photographs or pictures appearing on the website should be used solely as an
indication of facilities and attractions. Actual facilities and attractions may
vary according to itinerary. Maps shown on the vacation pages are current at the
time of printing and may not reflect the actual routing should the itinerary
change.
Optional Excursions & Activities:
Optional activities and excursions ("the Services") available for booking are
provided by local operators or other third parties that are entirely independent
of Avalon and do not form any part of the product or services sold to you by
Avalon or of these Terms & Conditions, even where Avalon suggests particular
operators/other third parties and/or assists you in booking such optional
activities or excursions. Your contract for such Services will be with the
organizer or operator of that Service and will be subject to its Terms &
Conditions, which may contain exclusions or limitations of liability. Avalon has
no liability for any such optional activity or excursion or for any act(s) or
omission(s) of the organizer or operator or for any of its employees or agents
or any other person(s) connected with the optional activity or excursion.
Any advice or assistance on or with any Service provided by any local
representative does not mean or imply that the Service is sold, supervised, or
controlled by Avalon or that any such advice or assistance is given on behalf of
Avalon. Vacation participants are asked to check with the operator of any
optional activity or excursion and the applicable Terms & Conditions before
booking.
For operational reasons, not all optional excursions listed in the cruise
itinerary, this brochure, in print, online or in travel documents may be
available during your vacation. Your Cruise Director will advise of availability
while on cruise.
Itinerary Changes – Cruises:
In the event of water level problems on stretches of any river, or of technical
problems of any nature, it may be necessary to operate part of the itinerary by
motorcoach. Avalon 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. In addition, river and other
local authorities often need to carry out repair or maintenance work on the
river or canal banks, stretches of river or canal, bridges, locks or docks, or
other areas which may impede river cruise travel. This is frequently undertaken
with little or no advance notice to river cruise operators, and can cause Avalon
Waterways to make changes to the published itinerary or to operate part of the
itinerary by motorcoach with little to no advance notice. These events are
beyond our control and Avalon Waterways will not be responsible for any loss,
expense, or inconvenience caused by reasons of such changes.
Avalon 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 participants by
reason of any such cancellation, advancement, or postponement. In the event of
cancellation by Avalon, tour/cruise participants' only right of recourse shall
be to a refund of monies paid to Avalon 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 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.
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 brand name, and arrange for the
vacation services offered in this brochure, including transportation,
sightseeing, and accommodations through independent contracts. Air carriers,
accommodations, and other suppliers (including but not limited to trains,
cruises, ferries, motorcoaches, hotels, and restaurants) 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 &
Conditions specified by the supplier, which are available upon request, and to
the laws of the countries in which the services are supplied.
The international carriage of passengers is subject to international conventions
and treaties, where applicable. These international agreements limit and, in
some events, exclude the carrier's liability to passengers (vacation
participants). Where any claim or part of a claim (including those involving
death or personal injury) concerns or involves any travel arrangements
(including the process of getting on or off the transport concerned) provided by
any air, sea, inland waterways, rail, or road carrier or any stay in a hotel,
the Company's maximum liability is the maximum which would be payable by the
carrier or the hotel keeper concerned under the applicable international
convention, treaty, or regulation applicable to the travel arrangements or hotel
stay (e.g., the Warsaw Convention, the Montréal Convention for international
travel by air, the EU Regulation on Air Carrier Liability for air carriers with
an operating license granted by an EU country, the Athens Convention for
international travel by sea) in that situation.
After departure, if the services included in the vacation cannot be supplied or
there are changes in an itinerary for reasons beyond the control of the Company,
depending on the circumstances, the Company will take reasonable action to
arrange for the provision of comparable services. Any resulting additional
expense will be the responsibility of vacation participants, 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 & 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 attorneys' 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 vacation 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 on its
Web site, including any term or condition set forth in the preceding provisions.
^Top of page^
2013 Avalon Waterways Travel Terms & Conditions
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
The purchase of any travel services offered by Group Voyagers, Inc., doing
business as Avalon Waterways (hereinafter "Avalon") constitutes a contractual
arrangement between you and Avalon, and represents your acceptance of the Avalon
Terms & Conditions set out herein. Please ensure that you read carefully and
understand these Terms & Conditions prior to booking. You are advised to check
on the Web sites or to request the latest version of the Terms & Conditions from
your Travel Agent or Avalon prior to booking your vacation.
Cruise Deposit & Final Payment:
A non-refundable, non-transferable cruise deposit of $250 per person per
vacation is required for Avalon to reserve space for you, with some limited
exceptions as noted below. Avalon accepts checks, money orders, Visa,
MasterCard, Discover/Novus, and American Express. Your booking is not confirmed
and payment is not deemed made until the deposit is received by Avalon and you
receive a confirmation invoice. Your reservation will be automatically canceled
if deposit is not received by Avalon by the deposit due date. On certain
departures, deposits may be required at time of booking to hold or to confirm
space for you. Payment of the deposit indicates you have read and accepted these
Terms & Conditions.
Please review and verify your booking invoice thoroughly and contact your Travel
Agent or Avalon immediately if your invoice appears to be incorrect or
incomplete, as it may not be possible to make changes later. Avalon cannot
accept responsibility if we are not notified of inaccuracies within 5 days of
sending out the invoice. In the case of billing errors, Avalon reserves the
right to re-invoice you with correct pricing.
Final payment for your cruise vacation is due 90 days prior to commencement of
services. If final payment is not received by the due date, your reservation
will be canceled and your full deposit, including Travel Protection payments and
any air deposits or Instant Purchase Air purchases, will be retained by Avalon.
Avalon is not responsible for canceled land, cruise or air reservations in the
event payment is not received by the final payment date. Payment in full is
required at time of booking for reservations made within the final payment date
of your vacation.
For group reservations, Travel Agents should refer to the Group Policy, which
will be provided to you by Avalon upon request and is also located in the Travel
Agent Portal.
Acceptance on the vacation is subject to presentation of the Avalon Traveler
Certificate, which will be available in your final Travel Documents.
Avalon air options: Flex-Air and Instant Purchase Air. Flex-Air allows
flexibility if you want to make changes to your vacation schedule. Instant
Purchase Air may offer additional airline options but has more restrictions.
Some vacations may only offer one Air type option.
Air-Inclusive Vacation Deposits and Final Payment:
The following additional payments are required for International air added to
the start and/or end of your vacation and/or for Intra-vacation air as specified
in the itinerary. International air and/or Intra-vacation air price quotes will
show how much of your total trip cost is made up of government-imposed taxes and
fees applicable at the time of booking. Air pricing is guaranteed upon receipt
of full land plus air deposit or land plus full airfare price depending on type
of airfare purchased (Flex-Air or Instant Purchase Air).
Flex-Air: An additional $300 per person, non-refundable air deposit is required
for Flex-Air booked in conjunction with an Avalon vacation. Applicable cruise
deposit as above is also required at time of booking.
Instant Purchase Air: Full air payment plus a $30 service fee is required, and
will be included with the quote, at time of booking for Instant Purchase Air
booked in conjunction with an Avalon vacation. Applicable cruise deposit as
above also required at time of booking. Once booked Instant Purchase Air is
non-changeable and non-refundable after 24-hours from purchase.
Flex-Air or Instant Purchase Air can only be booked by Avalon in conjunction
with an Avalon vacation package and is only available from the United States.
Intra-vacation air: An additional $250 per person, non-refundable air deposit is
required for packages with Intra-vacation air as noted in the itinerary.
Applicable land plus Flex-Air deposits or Instant Purchase Air full payment as
above is also required at time of booking.
Airfare prices include all taxes, fees and fuel surcharges though may be broken
out into separate invoice line items. These taxes and fees include:
• September 11th Security Fee up to $10 per person
• Passenger facility charges up to $18 per person
• Federal domestic flight segment fees up to $3.70 per segment
• All U.S. and International arrival and departure and other government-imposed
fees added by the airlines and applicable at the time of booking.
Booking Cancellations & Cancellation Fees:
If a booking cancellation is received by Avalon prior to the final payment date
of your vacation, your non-refundable cruise deposits plus your Flex-Air
deposit, Instant Purchase Air payment and service fee and/or Intra-vacation air
deposit plus Travel Protection payments will be retained. 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.)
Standard Cancellation Fees:
• 90-60 days prior to commencement of services: 35% of total price* plus Travel
Protection payments
• 59-30 days prior to commencement of services: 50% of total price* plus Travel
Protection payments
• 29-1 days prior to commencement of services: 80% of total price* plus Travel
Protection payments
• On departure day and later: 100% of total price* plus Travel Protection
payments
*Total price does not include Instant Purchase Air or Instant Purchase Air
service fees which are non-refundable after 24-hours from purchase and will be
retained in addition to the above cancellation fees. Airfare taxes are
refundable however.
Cancellation fees may also apply to any additional services, including extra
night accommodations, independently supplied services, and optional excursions
reserved prior to, during, and after the tour. Cancellation penalties will be
quoted at time of cancellation.
Avalon reserves the right to cancel or reschedule any vacation departure for any
reason, including insufficient demand or force majeure. If a vacation is
canceled prior to departure, Avalon's only responsibility will be to refund the
amount received for the reservation. Avalon will try to rebook the same vacation
with a different departure date or a similar vacation but there are no
guarantees of availability or offering. For air-inclusive vacations, Avalon will
try to confirm air schedules for the selected new dates, subject to
availability. Avalon 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.
Revisions and Revision Fees:
In addition to any airline-imposed change fees, a fee of $30 per transaction
will be charged by Avalon for any alteration or revision made to a reservation
after deposit or payment is received. Any revision to a booking, including but
not limited to flight cancellations or name changes, may result in the loss of
confirmed airline reservations or increased airfare, which will be payable by
you. In many instances for Flex-Air purchases airline revision or change fees
are up to $300, but in some instances may be up to 100% of the ticket price.
Instant Purchase Air and associated service fees are non-refundable and non
changeable after 24-hours from purchase thus alterations or revisions to a
booking with Instant Purchase Air will require new air to be purchased and is
subject to full payment as above. Payment of refundable air taxes will be
applied to the amended booking.
Intra-vacation air and hotel penalties may also apply to alternations or
revisions to a booking and may be up to 100% of the full price. A change of
traveler name, vacation date, or itinerary within final payment will be treated
as a full cancellation and new reservation; vacation and airfare cancellation
fees (as above) apply.
Air Arrangements:
International airfare may be purchased through Avalon for travel originating
from the United States. All carriers are independent operators and are not
owned, managed or operated by Avalon. Your airline ticket is a contract between
you and the air carrier only, even if you purchase through Avalon. By purchasing
your air services through Avalon you waive all liability for Avalon for such air
services.
Avalon is not responsible if an airline cancels, reschedules, or delays a flight
for any reason. If you purchased air through Avalon, we will try to assist in
making new arrangements providing you have not already checked in with your
airline for your first flight segment. After check-in, you must work with the
airline directly to reach your destination or to make any alternate arrangements
including amendments to return services. Please be aware that airline fees often
apply for modifications to air schedules not related to airline-imposed flight
cancellations, reschedules, or delays. These fees will be payable to the airline
directly at time of request. If you miss your departure flight or connection, it
is your responsibility to work with the airline on which you are ticketed to
reach your destination. No refunds will be provided by Avalon for portions of
trips missed due to canceled, rescheduled, or delayed flights after airport
check-in, nor is Avalon responsible for any additional expenses you may incur
prior to joining your trip if you miss your departure flight or flight
connection.
For air purchased through Avalon, if any air schedule requires an overnight stay
in a gateway city, Avalon can assist you with hotel reservations; however, the
cost of the overnight stay (including but not limited to hotel and meals) is at
your expense. Air routings are subject to availability. Routings are not
guaranteed and are subject to change at any time.
If you make your own flight arrangements, Avalon will not be responsible for any
loss resulting from cancellation or changes in international gateways,
itineraries, or travel dates. We recommend that you do not purchase airline
tickets with high penalty charges for changes.
Under the new Secure Flight Program enacted by the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requires airlines to
collect information from you for the purposes of watch list matching. TSA may
share information you provide with law enforcement or intelligence agencies or
others under its published system of records notice. At time of booking a
vacation with air reservations, Avalon will collect the required information and
add to your air booking to pass to the airline(s) for the Secure Flight Program.
The information includes full name, date of birth, gender, and redress number
(if available). Failure to provide the required TSA information at time of
booking will result in the loss of confirmed flights and airfare price as
information is required for ticketing. Rebooking lost airfare is subject to
schedule availability at time of rebooking and may result in alternate flight
schedules and/or increases in airfare price. Any increase in airfare price is
payable by you.
Some countries may require aircraft cabin insecticide treatment for in-bound
foreign flights. For more information about aircraft disinfection requirements
and a list of countries requiring disinfection of in-bound flights, please visit
http://ostpxweb.dot.gov/policy/safetyenergyenv/disinsection.htm
Participation:
For the benefit of everyone on your vacation, Avalon 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.
Avalon will not refund or cover any cost or expenses incurred for termination of
vacation arrangements due to unacceptable behavior.
Travelers Who Need Special Assistance on Tours and/or Cruises:
You must report any disability requiring special attention while on tour or on
cruise to Avalon at the time the reservation is made. Avalon 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 responsible for any
denial of services by air carriers, hotels, restaurants, or other independent
suppliers. Avalon cannot provide individual assistance to a vacation participant
for walking, dining, getting on and off motorcoaches, cruise ships, and other
vehicles, or other personal needs. Avalon strongly recommends a qualified and
physically able companion accompany travelers who need such assistance. All
travelers with Avalon are subject to the Participation clause above.
Not all sightseeing stops/sites accommodate wheelchairs and some locations and
sightseeing activities require extensive standing, sitting, or walking,
sometimes on unpaved or cobblestone streets. Avalon is not responsible for any
missed activities due to a participant's inability to participate with the
group. 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 motorcoaches and cruise
ships, are not equipped with wheelchair ramps. Motorized scooters are not
typically suitable on international tours.
Although some of our ships have elevators, many of our small ships do not.
Passengers requiring ship elevators should inquire before making reservations.
Additionally, most stateroom 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.
Pregnant Travelers
Avalon does not have specialized facilities and/or treatments required for
childbirth, prenatal or early infant care on board its cruise ships nor may
those facilities be available at ports of call or on land stays. Avalon strongly
urges pregnant travelers to consider the risks of traveling where necessary
medical care for pregnancy may not be available and may not be reachable in a
timely manner to address potential medical complications, problems and
emergencies that can occur during pregnancy.
Young Travelers:
Travelers who are under 18 years old on the departure date must be accompanied
by an adult throughout the vacation and are requested to share an adult's
accommodation. Children under 8 years of age are not allowed on any Avalon
vacation. For any special requirements regarding airline tickets for children,
contact your airline directly.
There are no discounts for young travelers on Avalon cruise vacations.
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 or recommendations.
Smoking:
Smoking is not allowed on transportation that is exclusively provided by Avalon.
On cruise ships, smoking is restricted to certain areas of the vessel. On
European river cruise ships, smoking is allowed only on the vessels' outside
decks where ashtrays are available.
Price Policy:
All vacation prices are based on rates (reflecting foreign exchange rates) known
at the time of publication and expected to be in effect at the time of
departure, and do not include airfare except where noted on specific
itineraries. Vacation prices are per person, based on double occupancy (two
people sharing a room). Single room supplements and triple reductions are listed
where applicable. Not all accommodation types are available on all vacations.
Prices are subject to increase without notice, subject to the guarantees set
forth below.
Once Avalon has received your full cruise deposit for any cruise vacation, that
cruise price is guaranteed and you are protected against any base land or cruise
price increase due to currency surcharge. Any subsequent land or cruise cost
increases are at Avalon' expense, not including energy cost increases and/or any
government tax increases.
Pricing for air-inclusive vacations, including those with Intra-vacation air,
are guaranteed when Avalon has received your full cruise plus air deposits as
noted above. Avalon reserves the right to ticket Flex-Air bookings, and
vacations with Intra-vacation air upon receipt of full deposits thus any
subsequent reservation changes made at your request are subject to
airline-imposed change fees, cancellation fees and/or changes in airfare price,
which are your responsibility to pay. Instant Purchase Air is ticketed upon
receipt of full air payment and thus full cancellation fees as noted above
apply. International air is only available to passengers traveling from the
United States and only available when booked in conjunction with a cruise
vacation.
Vacation departures in 2016 are subject to itinerary modifications. Full details
will be available in May 2014. Travelers have the right to cancel their
reservation without penalty within 7 days of notification in the event of
itinerary modifications for departures in 2014 prior to the release of the 2016
brochure. Vacations with Instant Purchase Air will receive full refunds for
changes to vacations or vacations dates in 2014 with the release of the 2014
brochure providing notification of cancellation is received within 7 days.
Visas & Passports:
You are responsible for obtaining and paying for all visas and entry documents,
for meeting all health and other requirements, and for any documents required by
the laws, regulations, orders, and/ or requirements of the countries you will
visit. Visa and entry documents must be obtained independently. Non-U.S.
citizens must consult with appropriate consulates to determine if any visas are
needed. Avalon is not responsible for providing you with specific visa and
passport information or documentation, for any fees associated with obtaining
these documents, and Avalon cannot accept liability for any passenger refused
entry onto any transport or into any country due to failure of the passenger to
carry correct documentation.
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. It is your responsibility
to verify all visa and passport requirements. The process of obtaining a visa
and/or passport can take up to three months or more.
Some government agencies in foreign countries require Avalon to collect and pass
on certain personal and other details related to you, including but not limited
to government-issued identification and passport details. If you fail to supply
the details as requested fully and accurately, your trip may be interrupted or
cancelled. There are no refunds for failure to provide documentation or failure
to provide documentation by the time required.
Hotels & Accommodations:
The hotels listed in this brochure are intended to be used on all departures
however hotels are not guaranteed. Avalon reserves the right to substitute other
hotels than those listed on the itinerary pages. If a change becomes necessary
for any reason, including alternate hotels for additional departures on the same
date, or hotel location changes within or outside itinerary cities, the hotel
substituted will be of an equivalent or higher quality to those shown. No
refunds are provided for hotel changes; full cancellation penalties as noted
above apply. Every effort is made to reserve only twin-bedded rooms.
Occasionally, some hotels will only provide double-bedded rooms. These rooms
will be allocated to couples. Please note that check-in times vary worldwide;
Avalon cannot control or guarantee check-in times.
Baggage Allowance:
Porterage at hotels for one suitcase per person is included in the vacation
price. Airport and train station porterage is not included unless otherwise
specified in your travel documents. Please be prepared to carry your own
suitcase on and off airplanes and trains and through airports and train
stations.
Your single bag should have dimensions not exceeding 30"x21"x11" and weight not
exceeding 50lbs (22kg). We regret that we are unable to accept a second suitcase
or any luggage exceeding these limits on any Avalon vacation outside of Europe.
Some vacations have more restrictive regulations than these listed above. Please
refer to your Travel Documents for more information.
Air carrier restrictions may vary from the limitations listed above. 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. While
making a booking online at www.Avalonwaterways.com you will be provided with
baggage fee information. After booking, up-to-date information on carrier
specific standard checked baggage allowance (including size and weight
limitations), the standard allowance (and fee, if applicable) for carry-on
baggage, and the standard fee for the first and second checked bag, along with
the information that additional discounts may apply depending on flyer-specific
factors (.e.g. frequent flyer status, military, credit card used for purchase or
early purchase over the internet, etc.) can be found on the carrier's website or
by accessing www.iflybags.com. Please read this information carefully as Avalon
is not responsible for additional fees imposed by air carriers for baggage and
these fees are not included in the airfare or the vacation package price. You
will be required to pay these fees directly to the airline at check-in.
Regulations within most airports require that travelers handle their own luggage
through customs. No responsibility is accepted by Avalon for loss of or damage
to baggage or any of the traveler's belongings throughout the duration of the
vacation. Baggage insurance is recommended. See the Avalon Web site for an
all-inclusive Travel Protection plan.
Carry-on bags should not exceed the dimensions of 12"x11"x6". For safety
reasons, wheeled carryon bags are not suitable as hand luggage on motorcoaches
and mini-buses. Carry-on bags must be small enough to store in overhead bins or
under the seat in front of you on motorcoaches and other transportation.
Travel Documents:
Passenger Travel Documents, including e-ticket itineraries, are sent by regular
ground delivery approximately 2-3 weeks prior to departure, provided full
invoice payment has been received. If available, a service charge per
reservation is added for documents requested in advance and/or for 2-day
delivery. Please indicate at the time of reservation whether you prefer regular
ground delivery or 2-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; charges will be quoted at
time of reservation.
Gratuities
Gratuities are included for services during the land stay of your vacation. This
includes wait staff at included meals, hospitality staff at hotels for nights
purchased through Avalon, and porterage at hotels for one suitcase per person.
Gratuities for your Tour or Cruise Director, Local Hosts, Local Guides, and
ship's crew are not included in the vacation price and are discretionary.
Not Included In The Land/Cruise Vacation Price (When Air Is Not
Purchased Through Avalon):
The following charges are not included in the cruise vacation price: airfare to
and from the start of your vacation; Intra-vacation air unless specified as
included in the itinerary; airline baggage fees including checked and/or excess
baggage fees; Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and
Immigrations; International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; other per
person taxes imposed by government entities; airport taxes and fees including
the September 11th Security fee up to $10 per person, passenger facility charges
up to $18 per person, Federal domestic flight segment fees up to $3.70 per
segment, and U.S. and International arrival and departure and other
government-imposed fees added by the airline and applicable at time of booking;
port fees and taxes; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your Tour or
Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ship's crew;
gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar;
alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted Avalon menu as presented
at a hotel or restaurant or onboard your vessel (these extra items will be
billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); optional
excursions; additional activities and excursions purchased online; airport
transfers on non-qualifying flights; airport transfers with cruise only
vacations, porterage at airports and train stations; Travel Protection; and all
other items of a personal nature.
Some South America countries (Argentina and Chile) require international
travelers to pay entry and/or exit fees at the airport. These fees will be
collected by the local government and are payable by the traveler at time of
travel. Your confirmation booking information will contain information about
these fees. If you would like more information prior to booking, please contact
your Travel Consultant.
Refunds:
Please note that any request for refunds is subject to these Terms & Conditions;
no refund will be made for unused services, for unused transportation where
group activity tickets are involved or for voluntary modifications made by the
traveler. Airport transfers are complimentary with air booked through Avalon on
qualifying flights and dates; not all flights or dates qualify. Customers not
using the included transfer will not be given a cash equivalent or vacation
price reduction.
Service Inquiries after the Vacation:
As it is difficult and sometimes impossible to properly investigate a complaint
if Avalon is not advised of such complaint quickly, any compensation you may
have been able to claim could be reduced or even forfeited if you do not follow
the complaints procedure set out in this clause.
After returning from your vacation, if you wish to inquire about any services
provided, please ensure that all correspondence relating to those services is
received by Avalon, Traveler Services, Group Voyagers, Inc. (see address under
"Responsibility").
Any complaint or claim involving the vacation services offered in this brochure,
involving the negligence of any suppliers, sub-contractors, or agents in
relation to any service provided to the vacation participant, must be notified
to Avalon while on vacation or within 30 days of the vacation completion, except
where such time limitations are prohibited by law.
Holidays and Special Events:
During local or national holidays or special events, peek seasons, on Sundays,
and during religious occasions, certain facilities such as museums, churches,
restaurants, sightseeing tours, hotels, and shopping may be limited or not
available. Alternatives will be offered whenever possible. Avalon cannot be held
responsible for any closures, necessary itinerary changes or curtailments for
any reason.
Christmas Market Vacations:
Please note that Christmas markets generally close around the third week of
December.
Safety:
Please be aware that during your participation in vacations operated by Avalon,
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; 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
will not have liability regarding provision of medical care or the adequacy of
any care that may be rendered. While Avalon will use its best efforts to ensure
that adequate measures are taken, by agreeing to participate in a vacation
and/or optional excursions you agree that you will hold Avalon harmless
regarding any provision of medical care or the adequacy of any care rendered.
Avalon is not responsible for such risks and dangers that may arise beyond our
control. Payment of your deposit indicates you accept these risks and dangers
and agree to hold Avalon harmless for such.
Photographs or Pictures:
Photographs or pictures appearing on the website should be used solely as an
indication of facilities and attractions. Actual facilities and attractions may
vary according to itinerary. Maps shown on the vacation pages are current at the
time of printing and may not reflect the actual routing should the itinerary
change.
Optional Excursions & Activities:
Optional activities and excursions ("the Services") available for booking are
provided by local operators or other third parties that are entirely independent
of Avalon and do not form any part of the product or services sold to you by
Avalon or of these Terms & Conditions, even where Avalon suggests particular
operators/other third parties and/or assists you in booking such optional
activities or excursions. Your contract for such Services will be with the
organizer or operator of that Service and will be subject to its Terms &
Conditions, which may contain exclusions or limitations of liability. Avalon has
no liability for any such optional activity or excursion or for any act(s) or
omission(s) of the organizer or operator or for any of its employees or agents
or any other person(s) connected with the optional activity or excursion.
Any advice or assistance on or with any Service provided by any local
representative does not mean or imply that the Service is sold, supervised, or
controlled by Avalon or that any such advice or assistance is given on behalf of
Avalon. Vacation participants are asked to check with the operator of any
optional activity or excursion and the applicable Terms & Conditions before
booking.
For operational reasons, not all optional excursions listed in the cruise
itinerary, this brochure, in print, online or in travel documents may be
available during your vacation. Your Cruise Director will advise of availability
while on cruise.
Itinerary Changes – Cruises:
In the event of water level problems on stretches of any river, or of technical
problems of any nature, it may be necessary to operate part of the itinerary by
motorcoach. Avalon 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. In addition, river and other
local authorities often need to carry out repair or maintenance work on the
river or canal banks, stretches of river or canal, bridges, locks or docks, or
other areas which may impede river cruise travel. This is frequently undertaken
with little or no advance notice to river cruise operators, and can cause Avalon
Waterways to make changes to the published itinerary or to operate part of the
itinerary by motorcoach with little to no advance notice. These events are
beyond our control and Avalon Waterways will not be responsible for any loss,
expense, or inconvenience caused by reasons of such changes.
Avalon 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 participants by
reason of any such cancellation, advancement, or postponement. In the event of
cancellation by Avalon, tour/cruise participants' only right of recourse shall
be to a refund of monies paid to Avalon 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 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.
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 brand name, and arrange for the
vacation services offered in this brochure, including transportation,
sightseeing, and accommodations through independent contracts. Air carriers,
accommodations, and other suppliers (including but not limited to trains,
cruises, ferries, motorcoaches, hotels, and restaurants) 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 &
Conditions specified by the supplier, which are available upon request, and to
the laws of the countries in which the services are supplied.
The international carriage of passengers is subject to international conventions
and treaties, where applicable. These international agreements limit and, in
some events, exclude the carrier's liability to passengers (vacation
participants). Where any claim or part of a claim (including those involving
death or personal injury) concerns or involves any travel arrangements
(including the process of getting on or off the transport concerned) provided by
any air, sea, inland waterways, rail, or road carrier or any stay in a hotel,
the Company's maximum liability is the maximum which would be payable by the
carrier or the hotel keeper concerned under the applicable international
convention, treaty, or regulation applicable to the travel arrangements or hotel
stay (e.g., the Warsaw Convention, the Montréal Convention for international
travel by air, the EU Regulation on Air Carrier Liability for air carriers with
an operating license granted by an EU country, the Athens Convention for
international travel by sea) in that situation.
After departure, if the services included in the vacation cannot be supplied or
there are changes in an itinerary for reasons beyond the control of the Company,
depending on the circumstances, the Company will take reasonable action to
arrange for the provision of comparable services. Any resulting additional
expense will be the responsibility of vacation participants, 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 & 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 attorneys' 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 vacation 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 on its
Web site, including any term or condition set forth in the preceding provisions.
^Top of page^