Terms and Conditions
Valid from June 22, 2008 to August 30, 2008
Go Ahead Vacations
The tour operator for your trip is EF Cultural Travel Ltd. Haldenstrasse 4, CH-6006, Lucerne, SWITZERLAND, organization number: CH-100.3.026.585-3. Go Ahead Vacations, Inc. (“Go Ahead Tours” or “GAT”) is an affiliate of EF Cultural Travel, LTD., and acts only as a sales and marketing provider for that company. GAT does not provide and goods or services for our trip. Invoices pertaining to such tours are issued by Go Ahead Vacations, Inc. on behalf of EF Cultural Travel Ltd. Haldenstrasse 4, CH-6006, Lucerne, SWITZERLAND, organization number: CH-100.3.026.585-3. Note: The services provided are tax-exempt with credit in accordance with Swiss Federal Law with regard to Value-Added Tax Art. #19.
Reserving Your Tour
To reserve a place on a land tour, a Reservation Fee of $300 per person is required. To reserve a place on a land & sea tour, private tour and customized tour, a Reservation Fee of $450 per person is required. GAT travel vouchers cannot be used as a Reservation Fee for a tour. We accept waitlist reservations on most tours. The full Reservation Fee is required to secure a place on the waitlist. If we are unable to confirm your reservation by 50 days prior to departure, your Reservation Fee will be refunded in full.
Terms of Reservations
The reservation fee is fully refundable if a cancellation is made within 72 hours of booking the tour, after 72 hours, cancellation fees do apply (see Refunds & Cancellations section). Reservations made fewer than 72 hours prior to the Final Payment Due Date (see “Making Payments section”), will be refundable up until the Final Payment Due Date for the tour. Prior to the Final Payment Due Date, you may change your reservation to a new tour for a rebooking fee of $30 (which must be collected at time of rebooking), plus any difference in tour price due to price increases, changes in travel season or tour. If you have purchased insurance, you will also be responsible for any additional cost as the price of the insurance package will be based on the new tour price, which must be collected at the time of rebooking. Terms & Conditions in place at the time of rebooking will apply to all changed reservations.
Making Payments
Your final payment is due according to the following schedule:
Tour Type Final Payment Due Date
Land tours 70 days prior to departure
Private/Customized tours 90 days prior to departure
Land & Sea tours 90 days prior to departure
Tour Cancellation and Interruption Insurance may be purchased up until the Final Payment Due Date for your tour. All checks and money orders should be made payable to “Go Ahead Tours, Inc.” Please note that a $75 late fee will automatically be applied to accounts for which payment is not received by the Final Payment Due Date. In addition, a $30 fee will be added for any check returned to us by your bank and/or for any requested transactions. GAT reserves the right to cancel a reservation if payment is not received on time, in which case cancellation fees will apply. In the unlikely event that an invoice is not received, payment is still due as stated above. GAT will mail final travel documents and airline tickets only after your account has been paid in full and your completed confirmation statement has been received. All payments are due in U.S. dollars.
Best Price Guarantee
Applies to the price of the tour including airfare and after the value of any promotional offer or discount is applied. Valid only at time of booking for new reservations received between the validity dates above. Not applicable to tour extensions. To qualify, comparable tours must provide the same included items at an equivalent quality level, be fully escorted, have the same duration, provide the exact number and locations of overnight stays and have an equivalent departure day and date. Any eligible difference between the price of the GAT tour and a comparable tour at the time of booking will be applied as a discount to the GAT tour price. Final determination will be at GAT’s sole discretion.
Pricing
Prices are per person based on double occupancy. Prices and terms in this catalog are valid until August 30, 2008 and supersede those of any previously published catalog. Airline fuel surcharges, as applicable at the time of pricing, are included in the tour prices. All prices are based on exchange rates, airfares, fuel prices/surcharges and land costs at the time of catalog pricing (June 21, 2008) and are therefore subject to increase. Please note: Government taxes and fees with respect to air travel, including the September 11th Security Fee, and port taxes are not part of the tour price. These will be billed separately on your invoice. All prices are in U.S. Dollars. GAT cannot be held responsible for fluctuations in exchange rates when calculating refunds due to trip cancellations. Referral program is not combinable with Friends & Family or Group Travel programs. Referral credits may only be applied if both referrer and referee have completed their first tour. World Traveler Club discounts are combinable with promotional offers. Total discount (including reduced cost of insurance packages if applicable) may not exceed $400.
Young Travelers
GAT does not accept travelers less than 6 years of age unless traveling on a Customized, Private or City Stay tour. Reservations for children ages 6-18 will be subject to individual review. Child rates are not available on GAT tours, including Land & Sea tours and optional excursions however triple room discounts may apply.
Triple Room Discounts
Triple room accommodations are available on a limited basis at a reduced cost of 10% off the land-only price for the third person. Triple rooms usually consist of a twin-bedded room with an additional cot or folding bed for the third person. Triple rooms may not be comfortable for three adults and are not available in Paris and on Land & Sea tours.
Reservations after Final Payment Date
Reservations made after the Final Payment date (See “Making Payments”) are considered Late Additions. Late Additions are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis and will be subject to additional costs based on the availability of flights at the time of booking. Your payment must be in the form of a credit card, certified personal check, bank check or money order, and mailed by overnight courier to: Go Ahead Tours, One Education St., Cambridge, MA 02141. Late Additions are subject to standard cancellation fees (see “Refunds & Cancellations”) applicable at the time of reservation.
Revision Fees
Each traveler is responsible for providing GAT with complete and accurate reservation information by the Final Payment Date (see “Making Payments”); changes made thereafter will be considered Late Changes and are at the sole discretion of GAT. Late Changes may be subject to a service charge of $75 plus any cost GAT incurs from its suppliers. Once the tour has departed, changes affecting return date or gateway will not be permitted.
Special Arrangements
A $125 service charge plus any additional costs incurred from our suppliers is applied to deviations (such as, but not limited to, dates and gateways) from published tour itineraries. Unfortunately, GAT cannot provide transportation to and from the airport and hotel when you are not traveling with the group so you will be responsible for making your own arrangements. GAT can arrange pre- or post-tour hotel accommodations, when available, for $120 per person per night for twin or double accommodations, or $170 per person per night for single accommodations. While fulfillment cannot be guaranteed, GAT will make every effort to accommodate special travel requests. Please note due to the nature of GAT’s hotel contracts, pre or post stay arrangements may be in a different hotel than that of the main tour. GAT must be notified of all special arrangement requests prior to the Final Payment Date for consideration.
Optional Excursions
Optional excursions may be purchased up to 20 days prior to departure or while on tour. Some select optional excursions require advance booking. Pre-purchased optional excursions can not be cancelled within 20 days prior to departure or while on tour. GAT accepts payment by cash, Visa or MasterCard for optional excursions purchased on tour. Excursions require a minimum number of participants to operate, details and prices are subject to change. Due to seasonal hours of operation and availability some excursions may not operate. If this occurs, you will be refunded any payments made for that excursion post tour.
Please note: If you have received an optional excursion as a promotional offer and it was canceled while on tour, you will not be eligible for a refund as all promotional offers are not redeemable for cash.
Cruise Tours
For each cruise tour, GAT is given a certain inventory of cabin categories to reserve for its customers. Therefore not all cabin categories/ types on a vessel are available to GAT. Please make sure to discuss all cabin preferences with your Tour Consultant at time of booking to decide which is best for you. Also, specific cabin numbers cannot be guaranteed at time of booking as they are assigned by the cruise line.
About Our Hotels
The hotels listed in this brochure will be used on most departures. If a change becomes necessary for any reason, hotels substituted will be comparable to those shown. Hotels are chosen based on criteria including comfort and cleanliness. Hotel rooms in Europe are typically smaller and less standardized than those in the United States and do not always offer air conditioning. Please note that a twin room will have two single beds placed side by side. Also, single rooms tend to be smaller than twin rooms, and may not have as desirable a location within the hotel. Please note that in Europe it is standard policy that hotel rooms are not available for check-in before 1 p.m.
Flight Routings
In order to provide you with the lowest possible prices, GAT negotiates special rates with major air carriers. Due to the nature of GAT’s contracts, air arrangements may be subject to change and to certain constraints, including, but not limited to, the availability of certain routing, travel times, and direct or non-stop flights. Unfortunately, it is not possible for GAT to arrange for specific seat assignments. All specific seat assignment requests must be done within 30 days of departure and directly through the airline. GAT cannot arrange for the crediting of frequent flier miles, or guarantee booking flights in upgradeable classes of service. Nor can GAT guarantee that you will receive frequent flier mileage credit. Occasionally, due to specific tours or flight routings, an overnight stay is required en route. If this is the case, GAT will make arrangements for hotel accommodations. Confirmation of hotel information for this overnight will be included in your final travel documents (see Final Travel Documents section). If you and your traveling companion(s) make reservations at separate times and/or are originating from different gateways, you may not travel on the same flight(s). Additionally, GAT cannot guarantee that you will be on the same flight itinerary as others in a group/family if some of you have purchased the extension/pre-extension and/or are doing a deviation from the tour itinerary.
For New York flights, La Guardia and J.F.K. airports are used interchangeably; for Washington, D.C. and Baltimore flights, Dulles, Ronald Reagan National and Baltimore airports are used interchangeably. GAT can sometimes offer customized flight itineraries and routings based on availability for a service fee of $75, plus any additional costs incurred from our airline partners; however, flight itineraries are subject to change up to departure due to schedule, equipment or routing changes by airlines and GAT cannot be held responsible for these changes or additional costs associated with them. Business class upgrades may be available, for an additional fee on some tours. Upgrades are based on availability and in most cases will only include overseas flights. Upgrades do not include flights between cities as designated in your tour itinerary. Each airline has its own policy on baggage allowances; please check with each airline for specific restrictions prior to travel. If you exceed baggage allowances you are responsible for any additional fees. Many airlines have begun to issue Electronic Tickets as standard tickets for all travelers. If you are traveling on an airline that issues Electronic Tickets and wish to receive a paper ticket for your tour, a service charge of $25 in addition to any fees imposed by the airline will be applied.
Important Information Regarding Flight Delays & Cancellations
GAT cannot be held responsible for any flight delays or cancellations caused by reasons including, but not limited to, weather, mechanical or strike. In the event of a flight delay, you must work directly with the airline to be rebooked. Once your new flight is confirmed, you must then notify GAT with your new arrival time. Please note, if you are arriving later than your original scheduled flight, you may not be met by a GAT representative at the airport. If this is the case, transportation from airport to meet up with group will be at your own expense. Flight delays or cancellations causing missed tour components (including, but not limited to, meals, excursions, sightseeing tours) or portions of tour will not be refunded by GAT nor will you be able to change your return date. GAT strongly recommends purchase of our TravelSafe Gold insurance with Flight Cancellation protection so as to allow coverage for such delays and costs associated with these delays.
Making Your Own Flight Arrangements
While GAT does not encourage it, you may make your own flight arrangements for your tour. If you choose to make your own flight arrangements, you are also responsible for arranging your own transportation to and from all airports and for arranging flights between cities as designated in the tour itinerary. If it is necessary for GAT to change or cancel the travel program in any way, you will be responsible for altering your flight plans accordingly and for any costs that result from such changes or cancellations.
Final Travel Documents
Final travel documents, including travel itineraries, hotel accommodations and airline tickets, are mailed approximately 14 days prior to departure. Final documents for cruise tours and some land tours are sent via signature-required courier service and cannot be delivered to post office boxes. A supplemental fee of $25 will apply to all international deliveries (with the exception of Puerto Rico and Canada). If your mailing address changes or you want your final documents sent to another address, you must notify GAT prior to the Final Payment Date otherwise you’ll be responsible for any additional mailing costs.
Refunds & Cancellations
If you cancel your reservation, the cancellation fee schedule below will apply. If you are booked in a double/twin room and your roommate cancels, you will be responsible for paying the single supplement fee at the time your roommate cancels. Upon notifying GAT of your cancellation, you will be given a confirmation number that verifies your cancellation. If you purchased insurance through GAT and are canceling for a reason covered under the policy guidelines, cancellation fees will be reimbursed to you directly from the insurance company. All insurance packages are non-refundable. In the event you have to cancel your tour on the day of departure, you must notify GAT prior to the departure of your first flight in order to file an insurance claim. Any penalties for supplemental services/guarantees (included but not limited to flights, hotels, late additions) resulting from cancellations made at your request will be your responsibility and all service fee are non-refundable. Substitution of travelers is not permitted. If you don’t show up for your trip, if you cancel your trip after the departure date or if you leave before the scheduled completion of a trip you won’t be eligible for any refund from GAT for any unused portion of your trip or reimbursement for any additional costs incurred by leaving your trip early.
Cancellation of Land Tours
Days Prior to Departure Cancellation Fee (Includes Reservation Fee)
71 days or more $300
70–46 days $450
45–8 days $900 (or full price if less than $900)
7–0 days 100%
Cancellation of Land & Sea tours, Private Tours and Customized Tours
Days Prior to Departure Cancellation Fee (Includes Reservation Fee)
91 days or more $450
90–61 days 30%*
60–46 days 50%*
45–14 days 75%*
13–0 days 100%*
* Percentages listed above are of the total tour cost including reservation fee.
Health and Capabilities
The pace of GAT tours vary, but in general require that participants be in good physical and mental health. While GAT encourages participation of disabled passengers on our tours, some itineraries and sites are not accessible by wheelchair or motorized scooter. When reserving your tour, please inform your Tour Consultant of any physical disabilities and limitations so that they can help you determine the appropriateness of the itinerary you select. If such limitations cause you to require additional assistance, GAT asks that you plan to travel with a companion who can provide assistance.
Group Travel Requirements
GAT reserves the right, up to final payment date, to reschedule or cancel any tour that has an insufficient number of travelers. If an insufficient number of travelers register for your tour (not applicable to Private or Customized tours), GAT will offer you a choice: choose another tour and/or departure date with a sufficient number of travelers; or cancel your tour without penalty. GAT reserves the right to cancel a tour extension for low enrollment. If GAT is forced to cancel a tour extension and a traveler thereby chooses to cancel from the tour, standard cancellation fees will apply.
Itinerary Variations and Holidays
If improvements can be made to tour itineraries or unforeseen circumstances necessitate changes, GAT reserves the right to amend, adjust, or alter itineraries. GAT cannot control program changes on Land & Sea tours and/or railway tours, as cruise lines and railway companies reserve the right to make changes. GAT will make every effort to notify you as early as possible of such changes. Due to local or national holidays, seasonal hours of operation or availability, special events and/or peak harvest seasons, access to certain facilities and attractions including, but not limited to vineyards, museums, historical sites, and stores may be limited. On such occasions, and whenever possible, slight itinerary adjustments will be made by GAT to minimize traveler inconvenience. If, however, your enjoyment might be diminished by such minor limitations, please check with the respective national tourist office before selecting a tour and travel date.
Passports and Visas
You are responsible for obtaining any travel documents and verifying entry requirements necessary for each country of travel on your selected tour itinerary as GAT is not responsible for providing this information or documentation. At the time of the printing of this catalog, U.S. citizens are required to have a passport for all trips outside of the USA, including Mexico and Canada, which must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the completion date of the tour. Entry laws differ with respect to travelers’ citizenship. You are responsible for any expenses incurred as a result of delays or itinerary changes related to your lack of appropriate travel documents and are therefore ineligible for any refund from GAT. GAT recommends that you apply for any necessary visas with a visa service. If you decide to apply for your visa directly with the applicable consulate(s) and require additional assistance and/or documentation from GAT you may be subject to a Special Arrangements fee of $95. For more information on countries requiring visas, please refer to the U.S. Department of State website: www.state.gov.
Legal Responsibilities
Go Ahead Vacations, Inc., its affiliates, its and their employees, officers, directors and shareholders (collectively, "GAT") does not own or operate any entity which is to or does provide goods or services for your trip, including, for example, lodging facilities, airline, vessel, bus, taxi or other transportation companies, local ground or tour operators, visa processing services, providers or organizers of optional excursions, food service or entertainment providers, etc. All such persons and entities are independent contractors. As a result, GAT is not liable for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any such person or entity, or of any third party. Without limitation, GAT is not responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to person or property, death, delay or inconvenience in connection with the provision of any goods or services occasioned by or resulting from, but not limited to, acts of God, force majeure, acts of war or civil unrest, insurrection or revolt, strikes or other labor activities, criminal, terrorist or threatened terrorist activities of any kind, overbooking or downgrading of accommodations, structural or other defective conditions in lodging facilities (or in any heating, plumbing, electrical or structural problem therein), mechanical or other failure of airplanes or other means of transportation or for any failure of any transportation mechanism to arrive or depart timely, dangers associated with animals, sanitation problems, food poisoning, epidemics or the threat thereof, disease, lack of access to or quality of medical care, difficulty in evacuation in case of a medical or other emergency, or for any other cause beyond the direct control of GAT. Participant assumes all such risk.
GAT reserves the right to change or cancel the tour, the tour itinerary or any aspect of a tour at any time. From time to time GAT may photograph tour and tour related activities. Participant consents to the use of his or her likeness in GAT publications, without compensation. GAT makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of its publications, but it cannot be held responsible for typographical or printing errors, including, but not limited to, prices. GAT reserves the right to decline to accept or retain any traveler on the tour if that person’s presence is likely to be detrimental to the enjoyment of the tour by others or for failure to abide by GAT’s regulations and/or the directions of the Tour Director. Travelers who have been removed from their tour waive the
right to a refund of any part of the fee. GAT may send the traveler home at the traveler’s own expense. GAT tours are not for resale and travelers must enroll directly with GAT.
Payment of the required reservation fee/deposit constitutes consent to all provisions of these Terms & Conditions and to the general information contained herein and in the catalog, and for all travelers covered by the payment. No warranties, representations, or waiver of these Terms & Conditions apply to any tour unless expressly stated within these Terms & Conditions (or in a letter signed by an officer of GAT).
The USTOA $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program
GAT shares the coverage available under the United States Tour Operators Association (“USTOA”) $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program with affiliates of EF who, as an active member of the USTOA, is required to post $1 million with USTOA to be used to reimburse, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the USTOA Travelers Assistance Program, the advance payments of EF customers in the unlikely event of EF bankruptcy, insolvency or cessation of business. Complete details of the USTOA Travelers Assistance Program and a list of affiliates may be obtained by writing to USTOA at 275 Madison Avenue, Suite 2014, NY, NY 10016, or by email to information@ustoa.com or by visiting their website at www.USTOA.com.
In the event of any claim, dispute or proceeding arising out of this Agreement, or any claim which in contract, tort, or otherwise at law or in equity arises between the parties, whether or not related to this Agreement, the parties submit and consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the courts of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts.