GENERAL TERMS & CONDITIONS
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Reservations are limited and on a first-come basis. To reserve space on an expedition, return the enclosed signed application form with a DEPOSIT of US$500 per person per trip.
- A SECOND PAYMENT of $500 per person per trip is due 150 days (5 months) prior to departure
- FULL PAYMENT of the total price of the expedition is due no later than 90 days (3 months) before departure
We reserve the right to cancel your reservation if payment is not made on time. In such cases, all payments are nonrefundable.
For deposits, Credit Cards (Visa, Master Card and American Express) are accepted for the $500 deposit only; see Travel Protection Policy note below. All other payments must be made by personal check, money order, certified or cashier’s check, in US Dollars.
Late Bookings: A special handling fee of $25 may apply to bookings received within 30 days of trip date.
International Transactions: a conversion fee cost of $35 per transaction will apply
Cancellations: If you cancel your reservation, it must be in writing and is effective the day we receive written cancellation in our office. You will be entitled to refund of your payments made to us, less a cancellation fee, according to the following schedule:
Effective Cancellation Date
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Cancellation Fee (per person)$ 50.00 |
Note: For expeditions listed as a package which includes air fare as part of the package, cancellation fees apply to the entire expedition cost, including air and land cost.
Transfer from one trip to another six months prior to departure is at no charge. If you transfer less than six months prior to departure, you are subject to the stated cancellation fees listed in the above paragraph.
Cancelled Trips: We reserve the right to cancel any trip prior to scheduled departure due to undersubscription or logistical problems (vessel breakdown, strikes, etc.). You may transfer to another expedition or we will refund all payments made to Bluecology in full. In no event, however, shall our liability exceed the obligation to refund the amount you paid to us. Trip cancellation due to undersubscription normally occurs at a minimum of one month prior to departure. Please see “Travel Protection Policy” and “Budget Air Fare Caution.”
Refunds will not be given for unused hotel rooms, meals, sightseeing trips or expedition arrangements for any reason. Expedition costs are quoted as a package; credits are not given for services not used.
Trip Cost Includes: Accommodations, some group flights and airport transfers as specified in the trip itinerary, excursions, entrance fees, leadership, crew, local guides, permits and most meals, unless otherwise indicated in the itinerary. The right is reserved to make any changes in the itinerary or to substitute hotels, modes of transport, or guides, for those mentioned in the literature.
Trip Cost Does Not Include: The cost of air flights unless otherwise indicated in the itinerary, airport taxes, passports, visas, immunizations, insurance of any kind, alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, laundry, gratuities, excess baggage, items of a personal nature, medical costs, costs of hospitalization, additional expenses arising from the delay or extension of a trip due to weather, political disputes, illness, failure of transportation, or other causes beyond our control.
Air and Land Cost Combined: On some of our expeditions air fare and land cost are combined. In order to offer you special low cost air fares, we work with specific carriers for group bookings.
Trip Cost: We reserve the right to raise the trip fee if there are exceptional cost increases beyond our control.
Travel Protection Policy: We strongly recommend you obtain Travelers and Trip Cancellation/Interruption insurance to protect yourself and your equipment. Travel insurance may reimburse you for nonrefundable air and expedition costs should you cancel or interrupt your trip.
Accommodations: Land accommodations are based on double occupancy, unless otherwise indicated in the trip description. Most vessel accommodations are double but some are triple or quadruple occupancy. Cabins on charter vessels vary greatly in size, amenity and privacy.
Single Travelers: Single travelers wishing to share: if you are a single traveler wishing to share accommodations, we will try to match you with a roommate. LAND BASED TRIPS: If no roommate becomes available, you must pay the Single Supplement Fee listed in the trip description. The Single Supplement Fee usually does not apply to vessel-based trips.
Request for Single Accommodations: If you request a single room on a land-based trip you must pay the Single Supplement Fee listed in the trip description regardless of signup date. Please note that single accommodations are not always available.
Airline Clause: The airlines and/or travel agencies concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time the passengers are not aboard the aircraft. The passenger tickets in use by the airlines when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the airline and the purchaser of these tickets or the passenger. Money paid to Bluecology for air tickets is money paid in trust to the airlines and Bluecology can assume no responsibility for fluctuations in price or scheduling, and in the event of a default, clients must look to the airline for refunds.
Budget Air Fare Caution: We recommend against buying non-refundable airline tickets until your trip departure has been confirmed (usually a minimum of 60 days before departure). Budget air tickets often carry many restrictions, and you risk heavy penalties in the event of itinerary or date changes, or trip cancellation. Please call for departure confirmation before buying a high penalty airline ticket.
Tier Pricing: Tier pricing does not apply to all Bluecology trips. If applicable, tier pricing to permit a trip’s departure with fewer than our minimum signups will be reflected in the detailed trip description.
Withdrawal: Bluecology reserves the right to require any participant to withdraw from an expedition at any time if the expedition director deems his/her acts or conduct to be detrimental to or incompatible with the interest, harmony, comfort or welfare of the expedition. In such cases no refund will be given.
Medical: Although Bluecology’s trips are not physically demanding, you must be in general good health to participate. It is the participants’ responsibility to judge the appropriateness of their physical capabilities to these travel activities. Anyone with medical problems or restrictions must make them known to us well in advance of the trip, and should have a personal supply of any special medications they may need; a medical release may be required. The trip director has the right to disqualify any member from the group at any time if considered medically necessary; no refund will be made under such circumstances. Bluecology and its affiliates take no responsibility for special arrangements required by passengers physically unable to complete a trip, and assume no liability regarding provision of medical care or medical evacuation.
Tour Operator Release: On some expeditions you will need to sign an additional tour operator release form.
Smoking: Participants may not smoke below decks on our chartered vessels, in buses or cars. If rooming with a nonsmoker, smokers may not smoke in rooms.
Children on Trips: Bluecology trips are adult oriented, but some may be suitable for children, depending on the child’s age and experience. With the exception of our specialized high school program, anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Please call before sending a trip deposit for anyone under 18 years of age.
Suppliers of Services: Bluecology is performing a nonprofit service by informing potential participants of worthwhile expeditions. However, Bluecology is acting independently and has no business association as partner or joint venturer with any boat owner, resort, hotel, carrier or other services. Any and all claims for inadequate performance or nonperformance of such services may be made against the supplier of those services but shall not be made against Bluecology.
Baggage: Weight limits and other restrictions imposed by air carriers vary considerably from trip to trip. Bluecology cannot assume any responsibility for loss or damage to baggage or personal property or charges for excess baggage.
Scuba: Certification through a nationally recognized agency is required to participate in scuba activities.
BLUECOLOGY
336 Bon Air Center, Suite 155
Greenbrae, CA 94904
415 755-5174