Terms and Conditions
THE CONTRACT
All persons wishing to make a booking must complete the online registration form and accept the terms and conditions, or they must sign the paper reservation form. All such persons (hereafter called the client) will be bound by the conditions which follow. (Southern Exposure Tours hereafter called S.E.T.).
PAYMENT
The online or paper reservation form must be completed and accepted by all clients wishing to travel. All forms should be submitted to S.E.T. with a deposit of 20% per person, or 35% deposit per person when booking any cruise product. Plus a photocopy of the information page of the passport. Acceptance of the client’s reservation will be confirmed in writing, which is when a contract comes into existence. Balance of the tour is due for payment 60 days prior to departure date, or 95 days prior to departure for any cruise product. PAYMENTS BY BANK DEPOSIT CAN BE MADE TO OUR BNZ ACCOUNT: 02-0692-0007464-00 with surname as a reference.
The client acknowledges that payment by Credit card (Mastercard or Visa) and Paypal will attract an administration fee which the client agrees to pay to S.E.T. Currently, the administration fee is 3%
PRICES AND SURCHARGES
S.E.T. reserve the right to impose surcharges up to 60 days before departure, or before final payment is made, due to unfavourable fluctuations in exchange rates, increases in air fares or other transport costs, taxes, or if government action should require us to do so. Once the client has paid in full, S.E.T. will not be entitled to pass on any surcharges or increases mentioned above.
CANCELLATION BY THE CLIENT
Any cancellation by a client must be made in writing and sent via facsimile, email or post. The date on which the letter is received by S.E.T. will determine the cancellation charges applicable. The cancellation charges below are a percentage of the total tour price, excluding insurance.
For tours running from 1st January 2021 onwards:
Cancellation 60 days or more before departure: Loss of deposit.
59-30 days before departure: 50%
29 days before departure: 100%
Cruise tours only:
Cancellation 95 days or more before departure: Loss of deposit.
94-60 days before departure: 50%
59-30 days before departure: 80%
29 days before departure: 100%
You are strongly advised to take out travel insurance at time of reservation.
Unused Services: There will be no refunds for unused services.
CANCELLATION OF THE TOUR BY S.E.T.
S.E.T. reserves the right to cancel a tour for any reason, but will not cancel a tour less than 8 weeks before departure except for unusual or unforeseen circumstances outside S.E.T.’s control, such as, but not limited to, force majeure or political unrest. When a tour is cancelled by S.E.T. the client may request of S.E.T. a refund of monies paid that the company can reasonably and properly refund, allowing for all the circumstances. Or a credit to any alternative tour offered in lieu by S.E.T. that the company can reasonably and properly credit.
FLEXIBILITY AND CHANGES
The client appreciates and acknowledges that the nature of this type of travel requires considerable flexibility and should allow for alternatives. S.E.T. may, in order to provide maximum opportunities for the client, propose flexible or alternate arrangements. Any flexible or alternate arrangements may extend to the route, schedules, itineraries, amenities and mode of transport, without prior notice due to local circumstances or events, which may include sickness or mechanical breakdown, flight cancellations, strikes, events emanating from political disputes, entry or border difficulties, climate and other unpredictable or unforeseeable circumstances. The client accepts, at the time of booking, the possibility for and appropriateness of such flexible or alternate arrangements and shall make no claim against S.E.T. in respect thereof.
ACCEPTANCE OF RISK
The client acknowledges that the nature of the tour is adventurous and that such holidays may involve a significant amount of personal risk. Due to political and cultural differences, as well as generally tougher physical conditions, travel to the areas we visit involves risks other than those we take in our daily lives. It is important clients make themselves aware of the risks involved. Travel in Third World countries is different to travel at home.
LIABILITY OF FACTORS OUTSIDE OF S.E.T. CONTROL
S.E.T. cannot accept any liability for matters outside its control such as political disputes, border closures, refusal of visas, industrial action, delayed/cancelled flights, and unforeseeable climate conditions which may prevent the itinerary being followed. The client also acknowledges that there may be travel delays (due to circumstances beyond S.E.T. control) that may lead to interference with a tour of which the client has booked.
S.E.T. will not be responsible for any travel delays or loss of travel connections whether such loss is caused by the client, S.E.T. any of its suppliers, an airline or other. In the case of any loss of flight or travel connections, whilst every effort will be made by S.E.T. to continue with the booked tour, they will not be liable to compensate clients for any lost part of their itinerary and S.E.T. will not be liable to pay for any additional costs that may be incurred by the client as a result of any loss. S.E.T. will endeavour to minimise any extra costs as best possible, while ensuring the safety of the client. Please check your conditions of travel insurance cover.
AUTHORITY ON TOUR
At all times the decision of S.E.T.’s tour leader will be final on all matters likely to endanger the safety and well being of the client. Should the client fail to comply with the laws, customs, foreign exchange and drug regulations of all countries visited, the tour leader may request the client to leave the tour without any refund.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
The client must be in possession of a valid passport and all visas, permits and certificates including vaccination certificates. It is ultimately the responsibility of the client to ensure they have the necessary travel documentation.
INSURANCE
The client accepts full responsibility for insurance which must be taken out prior to final payment of the tour, to cover at the very minimum cancellation costs, personal accident, medical expenses, and repatriation costs. It is compulsory that all clients have personal travel insurance and the company may at any time request a copy of the travel insurance policy. Failure to provide a copy of insurance documents within 7 days of the request, may result in the cancellation of the booking.
RESPONSIBLITY
All services herein are organised by Southern Exposure Tours. Notice is hereby given that all arrangements made on behalf of customers are made by organisers on the sole condition that the organisers shall not be held responsible for any injury, death, accident, delay, loss, damage or irregularity.
S.E.T. acts as an agent for transport companies, hotels and other contractors and shall not be held liable for any injury, damage, loss, delay or irregularity that may occur.
CLAIMS AND COMPLAINTS
If a client has a complaint against S.E.T. they must first inform their Tour Leader whilst on the tour so that they can attempt to rectify the matter. Any further complaint must be put in writing to S.E.T within 30 days of the end of the tour.
AIRLINES
The contents of this website do not commit the airlines mentioned therein, or any airline whose services are used in the course of any tour. The responsibility of the airlines is limited to the carriage of passengers and baggage in accordance with their conditions of carriage. The client cannot cancel the contract without penalty in the event of a change of aircraft operator, aircraft type or destination
DATA PROTECTION
S.E.T. will use its best endeavours to protect the client’s personal information. However, the client acknowledges that the company will, in order to provide the services or products in question, need to provide some or all of the client’s personal information to third parties, including overseas tour suppliers.
EMAIL NEWSLETTER:
By agreeing to the terms and conditions, we have subscribed you to our monthly email newsletter, which informs you of travel tips & tricks to the areas we visit, new tours, specials and travel evenings that may be taking place near you. However you are free to unsubscribe at any time.