COSMOS TERMS AND CONDITION
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
The purchase of any travel services offered by Cosmos constitutes a contractual
arrangement between you and Cosmos and represents your acceptance of Cosmos
Terms & Conditions set out herein. Please ensure that you read carefully
and understand these Terms & Conditions prior to booking.
Deposit & Final Payment
We accept checks, money orders, Visa, MasterCard, Discover/Novus, and American
Express. Your payment is not deemed made until it is received by Cosmos. Unless
otherwise noted below, the following applies to all vacations:
A non-refundable deposit of $200 per vacation per person is required for us to
reserve space for you. Final payment is due 45 days prior to commencement of
services. If we do not receive final payment by the due date, we reserve the
right to cancel the reservation. In the case of billing errors, we reserve the
right to reinvoice with correct pricing. Payment in full is required at time of
booking for reservations made within the final payment date. In order to secure
booked space, your travel agent should advise Cosmos of your credit card number
when making your reservation. For group reservations, travel agents should
refer to the Group Policy, which may be requested.
Acceptance on the vacation is subject to presentation of the Cosmos Traveler
Certificate.
Cancellations & Cancellation Fees
If cancellation is received by Cosmos outside of the final payment date, your
non-refundable deposit and Travel Protection premiums will be retained in
addition to any air cancellation fees or penalties. For individual
reservations, the following per person cancellation fees apply. Total price
does not include discounts, promotions, or special incentives. (For group
reservations, refer to the Group Policy.)
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45–22 days prior to commencement of services: 20% of total price plus Travel
Protection premiums
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21–8 days prior to commencement of services: 30% of total price plus Travel
Protection premiums
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7–1 days prior to commencement of services: 50% of total price plus Travel
Protection premiums
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On departure day and later: 100% of total price plus Travel Protection premiums
Cancellation fees may also apply to any additional services, including
accommodations; independently supplied services; and optional excursions
reserved prior to, during, and after the tour.
Cosmos reserves the right to cancel or re-schedule any vacation departure. If
cancellation is made prior to departure, the only responsibility of Cosmos will
be to refund to the passenger the amount we have received for the reservation.
We will try to re-book the same vacation with a different departure date, or a
similar vacation. Where Cosmos has confirmed flights, we will try to confirm
air seats for the selected new dates, subject to availability. Cosmos cannot
assume responsibility for any additional costs or any fees relating to the
issuance and/or cancellation of air tickets or other travel arrangements not
made through Cosmos.
Revision Fees
A fee of $30 per transaction will be charged for any alteration or revision
made to a reservation. Airline penalties may also apply. A change of traveler
name, vacation date, or itinerary within final payment will be treated as a
cancellation and new reservation; standard cancellation fees apply.
Participation
For the benefit of everyone on your vacation, Cosmos reserves the right to
accept or reject any vacation participant and to remove any participant whose
conduct is deemed incompatible with the interests of the other participants.
Travelers Who Need Special Assistance
You must report any disability requiring special attention to Cosmos at the
time the reservation is made. Cosmos will make reasonable attempts to
accommodate the special needs of disabled travelers, but is not responsible in
the event it is unable to do so nor is it responsible for any denial of
services by carriers, hotels, restaurants, or other independent suppliers. The
Americans with Disabilities Act is only applicable within the United States and
facilities for disabled individuals are limited outside its borders. Most
transportation services, including the touring motorcoach, are not equipped
with wheelchair ramps. We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance
to a vacation participant for walking, dining, getting on and off motorcoaches
and other vehicles, or other personal needs. A qualified and physically able
companion must accompany travelers who need such assistance and must assume
full responsibility for their well being. With prior permission and waivers, we
will attempt to accommodate motorized scooters on domestic tours as the
itinerary permits. The passenger assumes the full risk of use and of any
prohibitions imposed by vendors. Generally motorized scooters are not allowed
on international tours.
Young Travelers
Travelers who are less than 18 years old on the departure date must be
accompanied by an adult. For any special requirements regarding airline tickets
for children, contact your airlines directly.
Due to heightened security, many countries have adopted practices to prevent
international abductions of children. If a child will be traveling with adults
other than the parents or with only one parent, it is recommended that a
notarized letter be written by the parents or non-traveling parent granting
authorization to travel, including the dates of travel. We suggest that you
also contact the appropriate consulate and airlines because they may have
additional requirements.
On Cosmos escorted vacations, young travelers aged 8–17 receive a 10% discount
on the land price. We regret that we are unable to accept children less than 8
years old on these types of vacations.
Smoking
Smoking is not allowed on transportation that is exclusively provided by
Cosmos.
Price Guarantee
All vacation prices are based on rates (including foreign exchange rates) known
at the time of publication and expected to be in effect at the time of
departure. Prices are subject to increase without notice if such rates change
prior to departure. The current price will be confirmed at the time of
reservation. However, once Cosmos has received your deposit for any vacation
departing in 2008, that land price is guaranteed, and any subsequent land cost
increases are at our expense, not including land surcharges and any government
tax increases. Airfares included as part of air-inclusive vacation prices are
guaranteed when we receive full invoice payment. Air-inclusive vacations are
only available to passengers traveling from the United States. 2009 departures
are subject to itinerary and price modifications. Vacation prices are per
person, based on double occupancy. Single room supplements and triple
reductions are listed where applicable. Not all accommodation types are
available on all vacations.
Visas & Passports
For vacations requiring visas for U.S. citizens, detailed visa information will
be mailed or faxed. You are responsible for obtaining and payment of all visas
and entry documents prior to travel, and for meeting all health and other
requirements and any documents required by laws, regulations, orders, and/or
requirements of the countries to be visited. Non-U.S. citizens must consult
with appropriate consulates to determine if any visas are needed and are
responsible for obtaining all visas and entry documents independently. All
passengers traveling internationally are required to have a passport. Most
countries require that the passport be valid for at least six (6) months beyond
the conclusion of your trip. It is recommended you have a minimum of six blank
pages in your passport when traveling as many countries require blank pages.
Multiple-entry visas are required for some vacations. You will need to check
with your consulate to verify all requirements.
Accommodations
The accommodations listed on the Web site are intended to be used on all
departures; however, if a change becomes necessary for any reason, the
accommodations substituted will be equivalent in standard to those shown. Every
effort is made to reserve only twin-bedded rooms. It may occasionally happen
that an accommodation provides some double-bedded rooms instead. These rooms
will be allocated to couples.
Please note that accommodation check-in times vary worldwide.
Private Bath & Single Rooms
In exceptional cases where private bath or single rooms as reserved by us are
not available, refunds will be made by the Tour Director. Claims made in this
respect cannot be accepted after the vacation is completed.
Baggage Allowance
Size and weight limitations for carry-on and checked baggage vary from airline
to airline and even according to destination, and are becoming more
restrictive. Cosmos is not responsible for additional fees imposed by air
carriers regarding baggage. Regulations within most airports require that
travelers handle their own luggage through customs. No responsibility is
accepted for loss of or damage to baggage or any of the traveler’s belongings.
Baggage insurance is recommended. See our Web site for all-inclusive Travel
Protection Plans.
Carry-on bags, should not exceed the dimensions of 12"x11"x6". For safety
reasons, wheeled carry-on bags are not suitable as hand luggage on motorcoaches
and mini-buses.
Porterage for one suitcase is included in the vacation price. Airport porterage
at the beginning and end of the vacation is not included, nor is porterage at
train stations included. Due to limited coach capacity, a single bag should
have dimensions not exceeding 30"x21"x11" and weight not exceeding 50 lb (22kg)
or less if your air carrier has more strict weight/dimension limitations. We
regret we are unable to accept a second suitcase or any luggage exceeding these
limits.
Travel Documents
Travel documents, including any paper air tickets or e-ticket itineraries, are
sent by regular ground delivery approximately two to three weeks prior to
departure, provided full payment has been received. If available, a service
charge per reservation is added for documents requested in advance and/or for
two-day delivery. Please indicate at the time of reservation whether you prefer
regular ground delivery or two-day delivery. (Two-day delivery with related
charges is required for reservations made within 45 days of commencement of
services.)
Not Included in the Vacation Price
Federal Inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigration;
International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; any other taxes;
security fees; airport taxes and fees; port taxes; passports; visas and
vaccinations; tips to your Tour Director, Cruise Director, driver, Local
Guides, and ships' crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships;
laundry; telephone; mini bar; alcohol, beverages, and food not on the regular
table d’hôte menu (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the
hotel, ship, or restaurant); optional excursions; porterage at airports and
train stations; travel protection; excess baggage fees; and all other items of
a personal nature.
Refunds
Please note that any request for refunds is subject to these Terms &
Conditions; no refund can be made for unused services of less than 48
consecutive hours, for unused transportation where group activity tickets are
involved, or for voluntary modifications made by the traveler. Airport
transfers are complimentary with air-inclusive bookings on qualifying flights.
Customers not using the included transfer will not be given a cash equivalent
or vacation price reduction.
Service Inquiries After the Vacation
If, after returning from your vacation, you wish to inquire about any services
provided, please ensure that all correspondence relating to those services is
received by Cosmos, Traveler Services, Group Voyagers Inc. (see address under
“Responsibility”), within 60 days of the tour completion date. This will enable
Cosmos to make a timely investigation.
Holidays
During local or national holidays or special events, on Sundays and religious
occasions, certain facilities such as museums, churches, sightseeing tours,
restaurants, and shopping may be limited or not available. Alternatives will be
offered whenever possible.
Safety
Please be aware that during your participation in vacations operated by Cosmos,
certain risks and dangers may arise beyond our control including, but not
limited to, the hazards of traveling in undeveloped areas; travel by boat,
train, automobile, aircraft, or other means of transportation; the forces of
nature; political unrest; acts of lawlessness or terrorism; and accident or
illness in remote regions without means of rapid evacuation or medical
facilities. Cosmos will not have liability regarding provision of medical care
or the adequacy of any care that may be rendered. It is understood that Cosmos
will use its best efforts to ensure that adequate measures are taken.
Photographs & Pictures
Photographs and pictures appearing on this Web site should be used solely as an
indication of facilities and attractions. Actual facilities and attractions may
vary according to availability.
Responsibility
Group Voyagers Inc., located at 5301 South Federal Circle, Littleton, Colorado
80123, is an independent company (“the Company”) licensed to market and
distribute travel products under the Cosmos brand name, and arrange for the
vacation services offered in its brochure or on its Web site, including
transportation, sightseeing, and accommodations through independent contracts.
The carriers, accommodations, and other suppliers providing services are
independent contractors and are not agents, employees, servants, or joint
venturers of the Company or its affiliates. All certificates and other travel
documents for services issued by the Company are subject to the terms and
conditions specified by the supplier (which may be requested) and to the laws
of the countries in which the services are supplied.
If, after departure, the services included in the vacation cannot be supplied,
or there are changes in an itinerary for reasons beyond the control of the
Company, the Company will arrange for the provision of comparable services. Any
resulting additional expense will be payable by travelers, and any resulting
savings will be refunded by the Company to vacation participants.
The Company reserves the right to accept or reject any person as a vacation
participant; to expel any participant from the vacation; to make changes in the
itinerary whenever the Company deems it necessary for the comfort, convenience,
or safety of the participants; and to cancel a vacation at any time.
The vacation participant agrees that neither the Company nor its affiliates
shall be liable for any damage, loss (including personal injury, death, and
property loss), or expense occasioned by any act or omission of any supplier
providing services, any insurer or insurance administrator under the Travel
Protection Plan, or any other person.
Any dispute between the vacation participant and the Company directly or
indirectly relating to the Terms & Conditions shall be first submitted to
mediation at Denver, Colorado, before a mediator mutually agreed to by the
parties. If mediation is not successful, the dispute must be resolved by
binding arbitration under Colorado law before the Judicial Arbiter Group or its
successor located at 1601 Blake Street, Denver, Colorado 80202. The prevailing
party shall be entitled to an award of costs and reasonable attorney’s fees.
Any action to enforce the arbitrator’s decision shall be brought in the state
or federal courts in the State of Colorado.
Arbitration against the Company must be commenced within one year following the
date of tour completion. Neither the Company nor any affiliate shall in any
case be liable for other than compensatory damages, and you hereby waive any
right to punitive damages.
No person, other than an authorized representative of the Company by a document
in writing, is authorized to vary, add, or waive any term or condition on this
Web site, including any term or condition set forth in the preceding
provisions.
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