Privacy & Policy

Air Inclusive Deposit Amounts, Final Payment Dates & Cancellation Fee Schedule

Airfare Contract

All airlines are independent from The Company; The Company does not own, manage or operate any air carrier or aircraft.

Your airline ticket is a contract between you and the air carrier only, even if you purchase through The Company. By purchasing your air services through The Company, you waive all liability for The Company for such air services, to the extent allowable under applicable law.

Airfare Options

Flex-Air, Instant Purchase Air and Intra-Trip Air:

• Flex-Air allows flexibility if you want to make changes to your trip schedule with lower revision fees.
• Instant Purchase Air may offer additional airline options, but has more restrictions, may be non-refundable and/or have higher revision fees.

Depending on product and destination, some trips may only offer one air option.

Intra-Trip Air

Intra-Trip Air (or intra-vacation air as commonly known) is airfare that is provided within a tour or cruise itinerary and required for transport from one itinerary location to another. Intra-trip air may be Flex-Air or Instant Purchase Air depending on the product. This will be explained at the time the reservation is made. On some Independence by Globus itineraries, intra-trip air is optional in that it does not require purchase through The Company. This airfare will be additional to the tour or cruise itinerary pricing, payable at time of selection.

Air Inclusive Trips

At the time of booking, additional per person, non-refundable, non-transferable deposits and payments are required for your domestic and/or international flights and/or for intra-trip air. These are in addition to the deposits and payments above. Air-inclusive trip pricing is guaranteed upon receipt of deposit or payment in full for the entire reservation as specified in the information below. Air services are subject to the carrier’s terms and conditions, to these Terms, and to any applicable law.

Flex Air:

• Deposit Amount: $300 per person up to the full ticket amount
• Final Payment Date: Per product schedule above
• Cancellation Fees: $300 per person up to the full ticket amount 

Instant Purchase Air:

• Deposit Amount: Full ticket amount at time of reservation + processing fee* (USD)
• Final Payment Date: At time of reservation
• Cancellation Fees: Full air ticket amount plus processing fee

Intra-Trip Air

• Deposit Amount: $250 per person
• Final Payment Date: Per product schedule above
• Cancellation Fees: Airfare is part of the tour or cruise total package and subject to the cancellation fees noted above in the Cancellation Fee Schedule section.

Processing Fee

*Processing fees per person: $30 North & Central America; $50 Europe/Middle East; $80 for all other destinations. These fees are always non-refundable.

Airfare Fees

After your airfare is booked, any revisions you make may incur fees. This includes correcting errors in your information or services (names, dates, schedules, class of service, airlines, other). At the time of request, fees are applied and payable immediately. The Company is not liable for necessary amendments due to errors in information provided by you. See “Accuracy of Invoice Details” above for your responsibilities and liability.

Air Routings

Air routings are subject to availability. Routings are not guaranteed and are subject to change at any time.

Airline Mileage Accrual

Frequent Flyer mileage accrual is at the discretion of the airline(s), and is not always granted for airfare purchased through The Company. The Company has no liability if accrual is denied and/or if upgrades are not allowed. Many airlines do not permit upgrades on airfare purchased through The Company using frequent flyer miles, status or certificates. This is at the sole discretion of the airlines. Cancellation fees, as noted above, will apply to all airfare, regardless of accrual grants.

Seat Assignments

Seat assignments and and cabin assignments are not guaranteed even after they are assigned and The Company has no control over airline seat assignments. Airlines, the tour operator if applicable, and The Company reserve the right to change seat, and cabin assignments at any time without notice, for any reason. Most airlines charge a fee to pre book a seat.

Airfare Schedule Changes

Unless provided for in these Terms or under applicable law, The Company is not responsible or liable for any airline cancellations, schedule changes or delays. Prior to check-in, for airfare purchased through The Company, The Company may be able to assist if you are rescheduled, delayed or cancelled. After you check-in, The Company can no longer assist you and you must work with the airline directly to arrive at your destination. The Company is not liable for expenses you incur if you miss your flight or flight connection.

Any amendments you make voluntarily to your air or air schedule may incur change fees or additional charges up to the full ticket price. These are your responsibility to pay.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Information

At the time of air reservation through The Company, you are required to provide all Transportation Security Administration (TSA) information. This information includes full name, date of birth, gender and redress number (if available) for all participants. We submit information to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Reservations without this information are not processed and an air reservation will not be secured.

Making Your Own Flight Arrangements

If you make your own flight arrangements, The Company is not responsible for any loss resulting from cancellation or changes in international gateways, itineraries, or travel dates. It is best to avoid airline tickets with high change fees.

Participation Eligibility & Reductions

Except as set forth below, the minimum age to participate in any Globus and Cosmos travel service is 5 years of age and the minimum age for Avalon Waterways is 8 years of age, unless otherwise specified in the information below. An adult must accompany participants under 18 years of age (“minors”) on all services, including the sharing of accommodations. You are responsible for the behavior, security and supervision of all minors on your reservation.

Restrictions & Minimum Age

Reductions

Price reductions may be available to minors (see below). Reductions only apply when sharing accommodations with two adults using existing beds. Additional beds, if available, are at the discretion of the hotel with costs billed directly to you at checkout. You are solely responsible for these costs.

Reductions are off the base land price only and do not include airfare. Final reductions are quoted with your reservation.

Reduction Amounts & Exceptions

The aforesaid percentage of reductions are subject to change

Cancellations & Refunds

Participant Cancellations

You may cancel your reservation by notifying The Company (and / or the tour operator if applicable). The cancellation fee amount is based on the total amount of all services and fees on the invoice nd calculated based on the number of days prior to departure hen The Company receives notification of cancellation. See the information above.

Cancellation by The Company or the Tour Operator

To the extent permitted by applicable law, The Company, or the tour operator if applicable, reserve the right to cancel or reschedule any trip departure for any reason, including insufficient demand, strikes, lockouts, riots, stoppage of labor or Force Majeure Event (see under Force Majeure).

In the event of a cancellation by The Company (or the tour operator if applicable) prior to departure for reasons excluding Force Majeure (see section “Force Majeure”), The Company, on behalf of the tour operator if applicable, will try, at your discretion, to rebook the same trip with a different departure date, or a similar trip, but there is no guarantee of availability or re-cancellation upon re-booking.. The Company, on behalf of the tour operator if applicable, will refund the difference in price if the alternate booking is a lower price. You are responsible for additional costs if the alternate booking is a higher price. If the rebooking option is not acceptable to you, The Company’s only responsibility is refunding you the amounts paid by you for the reservation.

In the event of a cancellation by The Company (on behalf of or by the tour operator if applicable) prior to departure or during your trip for conditions under Force Majeure (see section Force Majeure), The Company (on behalf of the tour operator if applicable) may offer a future travel/credit for the portion of your trip that was impacted. Future travel/credits will be added to the welcome back credit and can be redeemed for travel with The Company or the tour operator if applicable for up to one year following your original trip start date. If a future travel/credit is not acceptable to you, in the majority of Force Majeure situations, you can notify the company within 21 days of advisement and you could be refunded the amounts paid by you for the portion of your trip impacted. If you do not notify the Company and/or the tour operator if applicable within 21 days of advisement, a refund is no longer available.

The Company is not liable or responsible for any arrangements made independently of The Company. The Company assumes no responsibility for costs or fees you incur for independent arrangements not booked through The Company, inclusive of, but not limited to, airline, hotel, excursion and Trip Protection related charges.

Refunds

Any request for refunds is subject to these Terms and subject to approval from the tour operator if applicable.

Private Touring

Changes made en route at your discretion to tour features, timings, or tour services (e.g. meals, included sightseeing, etc...) are not refundable and cannot be exchanged for other services.

Unused Services

No refunds will be issued for unused services (late arrivals, temporary absences from your trip or early departures), for unused transportation where group activity tickets are involved, or for voluntary modifications made by you.

Subject to Change Itineraries

The Company (and/or the tour operator if applicable) will notify you via email when the final itinerary is available for departures advertised with “subject to itinerary modifications".

Force Majeure

To the extent permitted by applicable law, in the event of a Force Majeure Event (as defined below), The Company (and/or the tour operator if applicable) shall be excused, discharged, and released from performance to the extent such performance is so limited or prevented, without liability of any kind.

Unless provided for in these Terms or under applicable law, The Company (and/or the tour operator if applicable) assumes no liability for any loss, damage, or entry of any nature in whole or in part resulting from an Act of God or any other condition outside The Company’s responsibility, the tour operator’s control (Force Majeure Event), including without limitation:

• Fire
• Landslides
• Volcanic eruption
• Inclement weather
• Environmental pollution or contamination
• Earthquake
• Low or high water levels
• Flood
• Water or power shortages or failures
• Tropical storms or hurricanes
• Riots or civil commissions or disturbances or any other acts of similar nature
• Sabotage
• Strikes of labor disruptions
• Arrests
• Governmental action 
• Expropriations
• Acts of terrorism
• War
• Insurrection
• Quarantine restrictions
• Government health advisories or warnings or alerts of any kind of nature, including, but not limited to, warnings or regulations due to an epidemic/pandemic
• Government seizures
• Refusal or cancellation or suspension or delay of any government authority or any license, permit or authorization
• Damages to its facilities or the travel supplier and its facilities
• Or any other unforeseen circumstances or any other factors unforeseen by The Company, or the tour operator if applicable, that adversely affects or hampers its ability to fulfil any of its contractual conditions.

If The Company, or the tour operator if applicable, cancels or reschedules a trip departure due to a Force Majeure Event, the cancellation and refund terms in this agreement shall apply.

Unless otherwise required by applicable law, The Company will not be responsible for paying any costs or expenses you may incur as a result of a delay or a cancellation due to a Force Majeure Event.

Special Needs & Participation Requirements

Any special requirements or disabilities must be disclosed to The Company at time of reservation, or if such requirements arise after the reservation, as soon as such requirements are or reasonably should be known by the participant. If The Company (or the tour operator if applicable) has not received disclosure of requirements or disabilities that require reasonable accommodations for accessibility, and/or if your participation poses a threat to the safety or health to self or others, The Company (or the tour operator if applicable) may be unable to accommodate you for part or all of the Tour, Cruise or any services provided in connection with the trip. Below are additional details regarding the Americans with Disability Act, accessing the tour or cruise Suitability and Accessibility, Personal Services, Service Animals, Wheelchairs and Motorized Scooters among other details as they relate to Special Needs & Participation Requirements.

Americans with Disability Act

The Americans with Disability Act is only applicable in the United States. Outside the United States, countries often do not have similar disability laws or regulations and The Company is not liable for denial of services by air carriers, hotels, restaurants or other independent suppliers.

Suitability & Accessibility

Certain activities or venues may be limited or inaccessible to you if your mobility is limited in any manner. Many excursions and sightseeing involve extended periods of walking and standing often on uneven pavement or surfaces, and may include staircases, paths, walkways, or locations that are narrow or inaccessible or of limited accessibility by wheelchair.

You are responsible for assessing if the itinerary is suitable for all participants on the reservation. We recommend you contact The Company prior to making a reservation to determine what reasonable assistance might be available.

The Company (or the tour operator if applicable) will make reasonable efforts to accommodate special needs but cannot guarantee that it can accommodate in all cases.

No refunds are provided for missed services or activities due to your inability to fully participate with the group, including keeping pace with the group, if conditions requiring assistance are not known to The Company at the time of reservation or when reasonably known by the participant.

Personal Services

The Company (or the tour operator if applicable) do not provide personal services or individual assistants to trip participants. Our staff and the Service Providers are not required or trained to assist with personal tasks. This includes eating, dressing, toileting, lifting or pushing a wheelchair, walking, getting on or off transportation, or other personal needs. If you need such assistance, ou should make your own arrangements for personal assistance support.   

Service Animals

The Company may permit Trained Service Dogs (herein after “Service Dogs”) on tours or cruises. Service Dogs are dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.  The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability.  Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as Service Dogs, and such dogs are not permitted on tours or cruises. Service Dogs must be housebroken and must be under the control of the handler at all times.  A Service Dog shall have a harness, leash, or other tether, unless either the handler is unable because of a disability to use a harness, leash, or other tether, or the use of a harness, leash, or other tether would interfere with the Service Dog’s safe, effective performance of work or tasks, in which case the Service Dog must be otherwise under the handler’s control (e.g., voice control, signals, or other effective means).    The Company and its employees or agents are not responsible for the care or supervision of a Service Dog. On Avalon cruises, a mobile animal toilet will be provided. Any damages caused by the Service Dog will be charged to you. The Company requires all Service Dogs to be current on all vaccinations.  The Service Dog must always be outfitted in an identifiable vest and/or harness so that others know the dog is a Service Dog.  

You are responsible for verifyingyou have the correct documentation, vaccinations, microchips, or other requirements for travel with a Service Dog to the destinations on your itinerary.  If travel is disrupted due to missing or incomplete documentation, vaccinations, microchips, etc, the Company shall not provide any refunds.  In some destinations where outside the USA, The Company may request you provide certification, documentation or information if The Company is obligated to provide these details to Suppliers to secure services.

Speech To Text

When available, The Company may offer speech-to-text conversion services through an app on your mobile device. In order to ensure availability of this service, requests for this speech-to-text should be made in advance prior to your departure. The accuracy of the transcription is dependent on the quality of the connection and while The Company strives for 100% accuracy, The Company is not liable for any errors or omissions in the transcription. In some countries, the speech-to-text may require a payment of a fee to the tour operator (or service provider).

Wheelchairs

You must notify The Company at the time of reservation if you are traveling with a wheelchair, or if the need for a wheelchair arises after the reservation, then as soon as that need is known. Outside of the United States,  you must be able to walk up/down steps and on ramps without a wheelchair or walker. Motorcoach entrances and gangways/ramps may not be wide enough or equipped to accommodate these items. Furthermore, side by side docking with other river cruise ships may require guests to climb and descend stairs to cross over other vessels to disembark and embark.

The Company (on behalf of the tour operator if applicable) may allow collapsible wheelchairs that fit within the restrictions (1030mm/40.55” length x 555mm/21.85” width) when travel with a wheelchair is disclosed to The Company.

You are responsible for storage (e.g. in your room) and maintenance of any permissible wheelchair.

Motorized Scooters 

For trips outside the United States, motorized scooters are not permitted and cannot be accommodated on services provided by The Company (or the tour operator if applicable). If you arrive with a motorized scooter, you will be responsible for its alternate transportation arrangements to your end destination at your expense.

For trips in the United States, we will attempt to reasonably accommodate motorized scooters. We require notice at time of reservation to arrange services in accordance with the ADA, or if the need for such services arises after reservation, as soon as the need is known.

Authority to Remove or Refuse Participants

In the sole discretion of The Company, the tour operator, the Ship’s Operator or Captain, The Company and/or the tour operator if applicable may refuse transport to you or may require you to leave the tour or disembark if it is reasonably believed that you

• are dangerous to others or to yourself;
• have engaged in, are engaged in, or are threatening to engage in behavior that may adversely affect the safety, security, comfort, enjoyment, or well-being of other participants, suppliers (including Service Providers), the tour operator, The Company representatives, or crew members, including, but not limited to, behavior that is disruptive, verbally abusive, physically abusive, obnoxious, harassing, discriminatory, or obscene;
• have failed or refused to follow, or are failing or refusing to follow The Company’s or the tour operator’s rules and procedures or the instructions of The Company, the tour operator, its representatives, the Captain, or the crew members.

In the event you are removed, you may be left at any city, port or place the motorcoach stops at or the ship calls without any liability to The Company, the tour operator, or its representatives. The Company (on behalf of the tour operator if applicable) shall not be required to refund any portion of the amount paid by you if you are removed pursuant to this section.

In the event you are removed, The Company or the tour operator will not be responsible for expenses for lodging, medical care, meals, transportation, or any other expenses incurred by you. The Company and the tour operator if applicable shall be entitled to recover from you any costs or expenses incurred by The Company, its representatives, the tour operator, or the crew members in your removal or the exercise or enforcement of this clause.

Information Required for Reservation & Travel

As a condition of reservation, you must provide information requested by The Company and/or the tour operator if applicable along with your initial payment. The Company (on behalf of the tour operator if applicable) reserves the right to cancel your reservation and all services, and retain all related cancellation fees, if your information is incomplete or inaccurate. Your personal data secured for your reservation is used to process your services with our Service Providers. It may be necessary to transfer these details to other countries or authorities whose data protection and privacy laws are less stringent than those of the United States of America. This may include requirements to pass details to Service Providers as well as certain governments or government-appointed bodies, or agencies in the interest of security or because we are obliged to by law.

By making a reservation with The Company

• you consent to The Company storing, using, and transferring on this data to other third parties (including third parties outside your home country) for the purposes as stated above;
• you indemnify and hold harmless The Company and its affiliates in respect of The Company for storing, using and transferring this data as described above.

See The Company Privacy Policy for more information on usage of your data.

https://www.globusandcosmos.com/privacy.html

Information Required

• Full name as per government issued ID with which you will travel
• Address
• Date of birth
• Full passport details
• Email address
• Credit card information/Debit card information/any other source through which the payment is made
• Conditions requiring special attention (see Special Needs & Participation Requirements section above)
• Dietary restrictions you make known to The Company or the tour operator if applicable
• Emergency contact (non-participant)
• On tour contact information (your mobile phone or email address)
• If any additional information is required, it will be requested from you with your reservation.

On Trip Experience

Baggage: Size, Weight, Quantity & Restrictions

Allowance & Porterage 

Hotel porterage (where available) is limited to one bag per participant for an adittional charge. Additional bags, if space is available, are charged and payable to the Tour or Cruise Director. If no space is available, you are responsible for arrangements for your extra bag(s) from location to location at your expense. Porterage may not be available at either or both the commencement and conclusion of the tour.

Porterage is not included at hotels on Cosmos or Globus Independent tours; exceptions exist on select tours based on hotel facilities and operational necessity. Porterage is not included at train stations or at airports

Restrictions

For Travel via The Company:

• Dimensions: 30” x 21” x 11” / 76cm x 53cm x 28cm maximum
• Weight: 50lbs / 22kg maximum

Motorcoach Carry-on:

• Carry-on bags must be small enough to store in overhead bins or under the seat in front of you.
• Dimensions: 12”x11”x 6” / 30cm x 28 cm x 15 cm maximum.
• For safety reasons, wheeled carry-on bags are not permitted.

For Asia Trips with Intra-Trip Air:

• Weight: 44lbs / 20kg maximum.
• Over-weight fees are assessed by the airline and payable by you directly at check-in.

For India Trips with Intra-Trip Air:

• Weight: 33lbs / 15kg maximum.
• Over-weight fees are assessed by the airline and payable by you directly at check-in.

For Trips to Botswana’s Okavango Delta:

• Dimensions: 26” x 12” x 10” / 66cm x 30cm x 25cm maximum
• Weight: 44lbs / 20kg maximum including hand luggage
• Baggage must be soft sided

For Trips to South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Chobe National Park:

• Dimensions: 30” x 21” x 11” / 76cm x 53cm x 28cm maximum
• Weight: 44lbs / 20kg maximum

For Trips to Kenya and Tanzania:

• Dimensions: 30” x 21” x 11” / 76cm x 53cm x 28cm maximum
• Weight: 33lbs / 15kg maximum
• Baggage must be soft sided

For Trips to South Pacific that include Intra-Trip Air:

• Dimensions: No single side of baggage (including wheels and handles) shall be longer than 1 meter (1000mm/ 39in)
• Weight: 44lbs / 20kg maximum
• Over-weight/ Oversized fees are assessed by the airline and payable by you directly at check-in.

Independent Airlines:

• All airlines have their own baggage policies and restrictions. These can be found on the carrier’s website or at www.iflybags.com. Baggage fees are not included in airfare price and The Company is not liable for any additional fees. You are required to pay all fees directly to the airline at check-in.

Damage & Liability

Except as provided by applicable law, The Company (and/or the tour operator if applicable) has no responsibility for loss or damage to any baggage or personal belongings throughout the trip. We recommend purchasing your preferred travel insurance to cover lost or damaged luggage.

Dietary Requests

On Avalon Waterways

Avalon Waterways will attempt to honor dietary requests when possible.

General Touring

Special dietary or meal requests cannot be processed and are subject to availability at the hotel or venue. There is no guarantee of availability and The Company or the tour operator if applicable has no liability for availability.  

When available, special requests are at the venue’s discretion. Any additional charge for the request is payable by you directly to the venue at the time of service.

Elevators

Some ships and hotels have elevators, but many small ships do not. If you require an elevator, inquire before making a reservation.

Language

All Tour / Cruise Directors, Local Hosts®, Local Guides, and ships’ crews speak E