Terms and Conditions
These terms and conditions apply to Group IST, LLC. dba eWaterways, Regina Tours, Journeys Unlimited, WorldWaterways, IST Cultural Tours, herein referred to as GROUP IST. This dba list is current as of June 2008. A current dba list can be found at www.groupist.com.
DEPOSIT AND REGISTRATION (Cruises, reservations including cruises and Groups)
A 30% (thirty percent) deposit is due at time of booking.Required for making reservations are passenger's full name (as it appears on passport), mailing address, email address and telephone number. Deposit and/or payment in full must be received within 7 days or reservation will automatically cancel. For some cruises, an additional deposit may be required and will be reflected on your invoice. Full payment is due 120 days prior to the departure date. Payments not received by due dates may result in cancellation of booking and/or loss of confirmed space, cancellation penalties, and re-booking fees.
DEPOSIT AND REGISTRATION (For Custom Groups)
Based on contract.
LATE BOOKING CHARGES
A $50 fee will be charged for all bookings within 30 days of departures.
FORM OF PAYMENT
Personal/Bank / Certified / Travelers Cheques or Money Orders, are accepted forms of payment. Personal checks are acceptable if received more than 30 days prior to departure date. We also accept Credit Cards, (American Express, Visa and Master Card). Please add $25 for wire transfers. Reservations made within 30 days of the departure date are subject to a $50 late registration fee. Returned checks will incur a $50 service fee. In case of computer or human billing error, we reserve the right to re-invoice participants with corrected billing.
REVISIONS/CHANGES
A handling fee of $50 per person will be charged for any alterations or revisions to a reservation. Spelling corrections to clients' names after tickets have been issued are subject to airline revision fees. A change of trip date will be treated as a cancellation and new booking and regular cancellation fees apply.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
A valid passport is required for travel, valid at least 6 months after return date. All travelers are responsible for having the correct visas. Please consult your local embassy or consulate for visa requirements. Cancellations due to lack of appropriate travel documentations (i. e., visa, passports, etc.) will incur usual penalties. All costs incurred en-route as a result of improper documentation will be borne by the traveler. It is the responsibility of all travelers to examine their documents prior to departure, including air tickets, vouchers, cruise tickets, etc. to make sure they are correct.
CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS
All cancellations must be made in writing. Cancellations are only effective from the day they are actually received by Group IST. US Postmark prevails. All requests for refunds after departure must be made in writing and received no later than 30 days after the return of the tour. No refunds are issued for cancellations received after the departure date of the tour. Refunds are not provided for services paid and not used on a trip. If you cancel your tour, cancellation fees and penalties will be deducted from your refund. Cancellation fees apply to each person.
For all individual reservations
For all Cruise reservations, packages including cruises and Groups:
- 121 or more days; 5% of the cruise or package cost.
- 120 - 91 days prior to departure: 25% of the cruise or package cost.
- 90 days or less: 100% of the cruise or package cost.
In all cases, there will be a $100 administrative rebooking fee.
For all custom groups: Based on contract
AIR TRANSPORTATION
Air transportation, when included, is in economy class on IATAN-approved carriers. Ticketing must be completed no later than 30 days prior to departure, though in some instances, discount fares require immediate ticketing and are non-refundable. Fares are based on levels in effect at the time a reservation is made or in the case of tours, at the time of printing; prices and schedules are subject to change without notice. Once ticketed, all changes to air reservations are subject to airline regulations and fees. Passengers are responsible for reconfirming their flights should the airline require so. Airport taxes and fees are not included and are subject to change without notice.
HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS
Hotel accommodations are per person, based on twin-bedded rooms; in some countries double beds are possible. Group IST reserves the right to substitute similar category hotels without prior notice. No reductions are available for triple rooms. A single supplement will be charged if a roommate is not available.
SPECIAL MEDICAL CONDITIONS
We cannot guarantee special facilities or assistance for disabled passengers and it is the passenger responsibility to arrange any such assistance they may require. Group IST is not responsible for any medical conditions that occur prior, during or after the tour. It is the responsibility of the passenger to communicate with airlines to arrange any special services, equipment, etc. that may be needed. It is the passenger's responsibility to make sure that all inoculations and health certificates are up to date if required. Travelers must carry proof of same. Please check with your healthcare provider for requirements. Group IST will do its best to coordinate meals for special diets when possible, but cannot be responsible for same.
CRUISE PROGRAM CHANGES
From time to time, a booked vessel may become inoperative or unavailable (for example mechanical failure, fire or water damage, flooding, etc.) Group IST and its suppliers reserve the right to cancel a sailing prior to departure and transfer passengers to another boat in a similar category with or without the same itinerary or in a different region with a different itinerary. Should no alternate be available, Group IST's sole obligation is to refund all money paid to it by the client who shall have no further claim on Group IST or its agents. If, once departed, navigation must be suspended, passengers will continue to be accommodated on the boat and regular excursions will be made, if possible. In this case, no refund will be made for partial cruises. The captain's judgment on any action or inaction is considered final.
RATES
All prices featured in our brochures and websites are subject to change without notice. Some programs require a minimum number of participants. Should that cruise fall below the minimum passengers required, we reserve the right to cancel the tour and/or charge a supplement.
Airport taxes (approximately $85 - $170), border taxes, and items not listed on each program such as meals, beverages, and items of personal nature, excess luggage allowance, laundry, room service, travel insurance, passport and visas costs, shore excursions on cruises, any incurred medical costs and replacement of items forgotten or stolen while on the tour. Following please find our suggestions for gratuities:
Suggested gratuities: $6 - $10 per person per day to tour escorts, guides and drivers. On cruises, it is suggested that 5% (five percent) of the cruise fare be offered as a gratuity.
SMOKING
Smoking is not allowed in the cabins of small ships and barges.
HOLIDAYS
During local or national holidays, certain facilities such as museums and restaurants, sightseeing tours and shopping may be limited or not available. Alternatives will be offered whenever possible.
IMPORTANT CONSUMER DISCLOSURE NOTICE / RESPONSIBILITY - PLEASE READ
Please read the Terms & Conditions carefully, as your deposit and payment for a trip constitutes consent to all conditions and general information contained in this brochure. Responsibility: These trips are arranged by Group IST, ("Operator"). It has made the travel arrangements as agent for the transportation carriers and other suppliers of services connected with the tour ("suppliers"), all of which are independent contractors. Operator in no way owns or operates the vehicles or facilities to be used during the trip, and does not guarantee or assume responsibility for the acts and/or omissions of suppliers, their employees, agents, etc. All bookings are accepted subject to the conditions imposed by suppliers and Operator, including, cruise line, airline, rail, coach, hotel, restaurants, concert or theatrical performances, insurance and other companies, firms or persons concerned with the trip, and Operator will make no refund in the event of their delay, cancellation, overbooking, strike, force majeure or for elements of the package not used by customer. If there is a difference between Operator's Conditions and those published by supplier, the conditions of suppliers shall apply. Price quoted is per person double occupancy. Does not include US/Foreign Govt. fees and taxes of approx. $85-$170 p.p. and Security Fee of up to $10 p.p. Operator reserves the right to cancel a trip, change the itinerary or adjust rates whenever in its sole judgment conditions warrant, or if Operator deems it necessary for your comfort, convenience or safety. The company reserves the right to adjust prices due to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.
Trips outside the USA require a valid passport or other acceptable forms of citizenship proof. You are responsible for, and release Operator from, passport, visa, vaccination requirements and safety conditions in travel destinations. For medical information, call the U.S. Public Health Service at 301-443-2403, and for U.S. State Department travel advisories, 202-647-5225. Operator reserves the right to decline to accept any person as a member of the cruise, or to require any participant to withdraw from the trip at any time who presents a significant risk to the health or safety of himself or others which can not be eliminated or reduced to an acceptable level by Operator's reasonable accommodation. Operator reserves the right to correct an error in the brochure presentation or advertised price prior to your departure.
Prices on our websites are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice due to changes in market factors including but not limited to foreign currency and supplier cost fluctuations. Prices set forth in future web pages shall supersede the prices on this website. Airfare quotes on our websites are subject to airline capacity limitations and higher airfares may apply depending on seat availability at time of reservation. A contract is made when your reservation and payment are accepted by Operator at its office, and any dispute shall be governed by New York law. In calculating the cost of your trip, Operator has relied on your consent to these terms and in the absence of this release, the trip cost would have been higher. Operator reserves the right to substitute hotels of similar quality at any time or to make changes in itinerary of similar quality. Operator will not be responsible to any person for expense, loss of time, money or other circumstance resulting from a change in itinerary or change of tour arrangements. Operator also reserves the right to cancel a tour prior to departure, and in such cases all payments made to date will be refunded and shall constitute full settlement. If you purchase an airline ticket separately, ensure that your travel agent explains the conditions under which the ticket is issued as Operator assumes no responsibility for such airline ticket cancellation fees. Please understand that not all museums and attractions are open every day of the year. Operator reserves the right to vary the sequence of sightseeing and/or to re-route the order of cities if that will enable you to visit all listed excursions. In either case, the itinerary content will be maintained to the extent possible and there are no refunds for any unused or unavailable excursions. Group IST reserves the right to photograph on its cruises and tour programs. If you do not wish to be photographed, you must so indicate this to Group IST in writing, prior to departure.