Terms and Conditions
The terms, conditions and information described are
applicable to services and programs sold by ZONESERU (Zoneseru S.A),
owners and operators of the Catamaran Lonesome George, which
hereinafter will be referred as Galaventure or Lonesome George, and the services
offered and contracted by ZONESERU Travel Agency, Tour Operator for Ecuador and
the Galapagos Islands, which hereinafter will be referred as SWT. Galaventure / SWT refer to the participation or joint responsibility of
both companies in this strategic alliance. Its afiliates are travel
agents or tour operators, which keep the respective sales agreement with Galaventure and / or SWT. The customer is subject to the Terms and
Conditions described below, which should be read, understood and
accepted before payment of the reservation. By signing the reservation
or making the first deposit, the client will automatically accept these
terms and conditions.
Reservations
You can make your reservation by completing and
submitting our electronic contact form, by telephone calling to
593-52-524119 or writing to the e-mail sales@catamaranlonesomegeorge.com
requesting the required spaces. Due most of our trips fill their quota
with an advance of 6 to 12 months; we recommend to make your
reservations with enough anticipation. The requested spaces will be kept
for a period of 5 days, if they are requested with more than three
months of anticipation, or determined by our assistant, if the time
before the trip is less. Once you confirm your participation in the
trip, you will receive our booking confirmation electronically and you
will have a term of 8 days, within you must make the initial deposit to
ensure the spaces. In last minute sales case, where the time before the
trip is to short, the client will accept to the reservation and payment
terms that Lonesome George / SWT resolve specifically for the case. If
the dates requested are not available, Lonesome George / SWT will help
you with suggestions and give alternatives, trying to satisfy your
request. If the required payment is not made within the respective time
period, the reservation will be automatically canceled. After receiving
your deposit we will send an electronic registration form, which must be
filled out with all the required information - one for each participant
- and sent back to our e-mail and our office address, which will help
us to prepare and organize your trip. We will send the balance and
payment schedule, a detailed booklet containing information about your
trip, lists of equipment and clothing to bring with you and other
necessary information to prepare for your trip.
Coverage
Payment of reservation fees, as signaled in the
Payment Schedule, guarantees the reservation of the corresponding spaces
on the catamaran, all meals during the trip, guided tours and additional
services acquired, such as hotels, land transportation, meals, guides,
tours, entrance to museums and all services specified in the invoice
approved by the client.
Not included in the payment are international
flights, airport taxes, excess baggage charges, tips, alcoholic
beverages, laundry service, telephone calls, personal expenses, travel
insurance nor coverage for cancellation, interruption, accident, delays,
lost or delayed luggage, medical expenses, hospitalization and
repatriation. Neither included are local flights, the Galapagos National
Park entrance fee, fuel surcharges, new fees and taxes and any other
charge subject to change without previous notification and out of our
control.
Air tickets
To ensure the spaces on flights to and from Galapagos
and other domestic destinations, ZONESERU / SWT is responsible
of making reservations and acquire your tickets, so a prepayment of
these with your reservation is necessary. ZONESERU / SWT acts
only as an intermediary between the passenger and the airline for the
air ticket payment, so ZONESERU / SWT is not responsible for the
alteration in prices, flight schedules, or for errors or omissions by
airlines, therefore the participant accept the terms and conditions of
the airline and its claims and reimbursement conditions.
Payment
Through direct transfers to the bank account of SWT
in Quito. The deposit details must be sent to SWT to verify with the
bank if your deposit has been credited. The booking date will be
considered the same date as the credited deposit date. Any transfer or
deposit expense must be paid by the depositor and will be reflected in
the payment balance. All our prices are in U.S. Dollars and the payments
must be made in the same currency.
Payment Schedule
From time of reservation until 91 days prior to departure |
30% |
90 to 61 days prior to departure |
60% |
60 days prior to departure |
Balance |
The entire bill must be credited to our account before
the departure date, with anticipation as above described. ZONESERU /
SWT reserves the right to cancel the tour and charge the
amounts described in the Cancellation Policy if the client did not stay
by the above mentioned deadlines. The price of a tour can change at any
time, without being notified; the total advanced payment guarantees that
there will be no surcharge.
For the LAST MINUTE reservation the payment has been done immediately the whole amount otherwise ZONESERU /
Solitario Jorge reserves the right to cancel the tour.
Cancellations and Reimbursements
Cancellations must be notified in written to ZONESERU / SWT and sent electronically, mail, chat, fax, from the same person
or contracting group. The following values or percentages will be
charged to cover cancellation costs, based on the date on which ZONESERU / SWT receives the written notice:
From time of reservation until 90 days prior to departure |
30% |
89 to 60 days prior to departure |
60% |
59 days prior to departure |
100% |
The initial 30% deposit is not refundable; in any case, if we
receive your cancellation notice in written, at least 120 days before
departure, a transfer of this deposit, less a fee of $ 100 per person,
can be realized only once, for another date or for another person, for
any other ZONESERU trip with departure date within the next 18
months from the date of cancellation. The new date or reservation shall
fit in according to space availability, prices set for the new date,
the payment and cancellation conditions described above and it does not
admit later transfers.
If Galadventue / SWT can resell the canceled spaces, a
reimbursement is possible, applying a 10% fee charge plus the difference
with the resoled price, if this is less. Any reimbursement will be made
once the cruise finished and all money transfer costs, including taxes,
will be paid by the customer.
Once the trip has begun, no partial or total reimbursements
will be made by ZONESERU / SWT for any unused service, including
arrangements before and after the trip, like hotels, meals, parts of
the tour and all unused services for any reason such as delays,
cancelled flights, transport failures, bad sold or wrong reservation(e.g. Wrong boat category, wrong trip or wrong services), mechanical failure, sociopolitical problems, environmental
problems, changes in the policies of parks and reserves, port and
transit authorities, weather or whatever circumstance beyond our
control) or any other reason, which does
not let you get that services/goods or which does
not let us fill in.
Alterations
Passengers can’t make modifications to the cruise. It is not
always possible to make changes to the segment before and after the trip at a close date before departure or after the tour starts;
although we do not guarantee the modification of your trip dates, SWT
will be always ready to do the best for our passengers. In case of
making any changes to the trip, there will be no reimbursements and we
reserve the right to charge any additional costs that these changes may
cause. Galadevnture / SWT reserves the right to make changes to the
cruise or any part of your trip at any time because of acts of God
(e.g. mechanical failure, sociopolitical problems, environmental
problems, changes in the policies of parks and reserves, port and
transit authorities, weather or whatever circumstance beyond our
control). These changes are generally minor and may involve the
itinerary, accommodation, transport, etc. and are made principally for
your safety and well-being or for reasons of cultural or environmental
conservation. In no case are changes made where the client is
disadvantaged by the quality of the service offered. ZONESERU /
SWT will inform the client or the travel agency as far in advance as
possible about any changes that we are forced to make.
Trip Cancellations
When a cruise is cancelled, due a mechanical failure and / or
unscheduled maintenance, or any other case, ZONESERU / SWT will search, wherever
possible, a similar replace-Hotel for your visit to the islands.
ZONESERU / SWT reserves the right to cancel a trip due to unforeseen
causes, including logistical problems caused by civil disturbances, acts
of vandalism, war, insurrection, terrorism, government restrictions,
permissions or
regulations, natural disasters, adverse weather, failure of
transportation, infrastructure damage, operational changes set by third
parties such as air and maritime transport and any other unsafe
situation and out of our control. In such cases ZONESERU / SWT
may or may not return the money paid in its total or parts, depending on
penalties imposed by third parties or service providers, without legal
responsibility for any compensation for any reason. If any of these
reasons for cancellation take place after the beginning of the tour, we
reserve the right to make the necessary changes to it. If cruise
cancellations or trip changes result in any delay, miss of transport
connections, loss of tickets, and any other expenses for the trip
preparation, ZONESERU / SWT are free from any obligation to pay
compensations.
Medicine and Health
Although a cruise in the Galapagos has an easy difficulty level,
participants must be in good health and physical condition to
participate in a cruise around the islands. The trip includes wet
landings on the beach or on rocks, walking over rough terrain and rocky
tracks, up and down stairs, swimming and snorkeling in cold water (16°
C) and there may be streams. Quito is at an altitude of 2.800 meters
and some travel tracks can exceed 4000 meters over sea level. It is very
important for passengers with medical problems or dietary restrictions
to let us know their condition and needs well in advance of the trip.
If you have a health problem or disability, if you are over 65 years old
or are unsure of your ability to make your trip to the Galapagos
Islands, you should consult your doctor about your intentions and
ability to make the trip. If your participation in the trip has been
already confirmed and your doctor does not approve your participation in
it, we will apply the normal cancellation penalties. ZONESERU /
SWT reserves the right to disqualify any member of the group during the
trip, if we consider that he is not able to continue, or if his
participation puts the group or himself in risk. If we have not prepared
such a situation, due to lack of correct and complete information, or
we have not rejected your participation before, there will not be any
reimbursement nor expenses compensations. ZONESERU / SWT do not
assume responsibility for the medical care provision in these cases. It
is each passenger responsibility to choose a tour trip according to his
ability and his performance and health. We recommend you to exercise
yourself in order to improve your fitness and so the cruise and your
trip extensions will be more enjoyable. Contact us; we are always ready
to answer your questions regarding your participation in a cruise for
any particular case.
Smoking
Participants on a trip with ZONESERU / SWT are not able
to smoke in means of transportation, cabins, rooms , social areas of the
catamaran or hotel and anywhere it affects the other passengers
freedom to breathe clean
air. Smoking is allowed only in specifically places of the catamaran and
in
outdoor areas designated by the guide, if it does not affect the other
passengers. It is not allowed to smoke at the visitor sites.
Responsibilities of Trip Members
Participants in a trip with ZONESERU / SWT have some
responsibilities. Trip members are responsible for knowing and
understanding the conditions involved in the trip and its itinerary, for
choosing a trip according to his interests, abilities and fitness, and
for preparing themselves for the trip by studying the complimentary
information and the itinerary given by ZONESERU / SWT. The
passengers’ participation in activities, scheduled or not, in any of our
trips that involve some kind of risks, is under their own
responsibility. Minors that participate in a trip or any activity with ZONESERU / SWT are under their parents’ or legal guardian
responsibility and must be every time accompanied by an adult. ZONESERU / SWT is not responsible for any acts, activities and its
consequences of any passenger, because of consumption, possession,
purchase or acquisition, by whatever means, of alcoholic beverages or
illegal drugs; this is solely the responsibility of the passenger.
According to Ecuadorian laws, drugs consumption and possession is not
allowed. In case of problems presented by these reasons, the passenger
involved will be separated from the trip and must compensate ZONESERU / SWT for any injury or damage there may be. ZONESERU /
SWT reserve the right to remove any passenger from the trip that puts
in danger other trip members, other people, himself or nature and
environment, due to his acts or behavior. The same happens if a
passenger invades the rights, welfare and entertainment of the other
passengers or if somehow he prevents the normal development of the trip.
If a member is separated prematurely from the trip, due to one of the
reasons described in this document, he has not the right to claim for
compensation or reimbursements. ZONESERU / SWT is not responsible
for lodging, meals, transportation and deportation cost or others that
the passenger have to incur due to any of the reasons described above.
Travel Insurance
ZONESERU / SWT recommends all trip members to acquire a
travel insurance in their home country covering trip
cancellation/interruption, missed flights, lost luggage, belongings
theft, accidents, illness, medical expenses, medical emergency
evacuation. Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance shall reimburse the
payments which are not refundable, if you have to cancel the trip due
to reasons out of your control, such as illness of yourself or your
traveling companion, or any other circumstance that justifies the trip
cancellation or interruption. Make sure it covers travel expenses due to
loss, delays or cancellations of international flights.
Limitations of Liability
ZONESERU / SWT, as Trip-cruise organizers; act only as agents
for service providers related to transportation, lodging and all other
services related or additional to the trip with Lonesome George. All
tickets, orders or vouchers are issued in accordance with the terms and
conditions under which these services are offered or provided. ZONESERU and its affiliates are not responsible for any injury,
damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity which may be caused by a
defect in any vehicle or equipment supplied by another company or person
to fulfill the contracted services, nor for infringement of the
previously agreed arrangements, or by the negligent conduct of any other
company or person providing or failure in providing the services
expected, for which tickets or vouchers are issued, or for delays or
failure due to compelling reasons, including arrests, accidents, traffic
changes and discrepancies, civil disturbances, acts of vandalism, war,
attempted war, insurrection, terrorism, government restrictions or
regulations, natural disasters, adverse weather, damage or technical
problems in means of transportation and / or infrastructure, operational
changes established by third parties such as hotels, land, air or
maritime transportation companies, and any other unsafe situation and
out of our control. Reasonable changes in itinerary and services may
happen in these cases for the passengers’ welfare and comfort. The
airline companies are not responsible for any act, omission or event
during the time passengers are not aboard their transport. The flight
tickets used by the involved airlines is, by the fact of its issuance,
the only contract between ZONESERU / SWT and / or its affiliates,
the airline and its purchaser and / or passenger. Air rates, entrance
fees to parks and reserves, fuel and other surcharges imposed by central
or local governments described for information purpose, are subject to
change without previous notice. With the deposit to SWT, the
depositor/client/agent accepts and agrees to the terms and conditions
explained in this document.