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2012 Travel Terms & Conditions

These terms and conditions apply to 2012 vacations

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
The purchase of any travel services offered by Group Voyagers, Inc., (“GVI”) doing business as Cosmos, Globus, Avalon Waterways and Monograms (hereinafter “Cosmos”) constitutes a contractual arrangement between you and GVI, and represents your unconditional acceptance of the GVI Terms & Conditions set out herein. Please ensure that you read carefully and understand these Terms & Conditions prior to booking. These Terms and Conditions are subject to change after the publication of the website. You are advised to request the latest version of Terms & Conditions from your Travel Agent or Cosmos prior to booking as your booking represents your unconditional acceptance of all the GVI Terms & Conditions. Terms & Conditions for vacations offered by Cosmos are given herein. Terms & Conditions for vacations offered by Globus, Monograms & Avalon Waterways can be found at www.globusfamily.com/india

RESERVATIONS:
To make your reservation see your travel agent or contact Cosmos.

DEPOSIT:
A non-refundable, non-transferable deposit of $250 per land vacation per person is required for Cosmos to reserve space for you, with some limited exceptions as noted below. Your booking is not confirmed & payment is not deemed made until the vacations deposit is received by Cosmos and you receive a confirmation invoice for your booking. Cosmos accepts Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. Your reservation will be automatically canceled if deposit is not received by Cosmos by the deposit due date. On certain departures, the vacation deposits may be required at time of booking to immediately hold & to confirm space for you. Payment of the vacation deposit indicates you have read and unconditionally accepted these terms & conditions.

Please review and verify your booking invoice thoroughly and contact your Travel Agent or Cosmos immediately if your vacation invoice appears to be incorrect or incomplete, as it may not be possible to make changes or modifications later. Cosmos cannot accept responsibility of inaccuracies if not notified of inaccuracy within 5 days of sending out the invoice. In the case of billing errors, Cosmos reserves the right to re-invoice you with correct pricing.

FINAL PAYMENT:
Final payment is due 45 days prior to commencement of services, with some limited exceptions as set forth below. If final payment is not received by the due date, your reservation will be canceled and your full deposit, including Trip Protection payments, will be retained and fortified. Cosmos is not responsible for, nor liable to compensate you for, any canceled land and/or air reservations in the event payment is not received by the final payment date. Payment in full is required at time of booking for reservations made within the final payment date of your vacation (in most cases, within 45 days of departure). For group reservations, group policies will apply. Cosmos will provide Group Policies upon request to you or your travel agent.

Acceptance on the vacation is subject to presentation of the Cosmos Traveler Certificate, which will be available in your final Travel Documents.

EXCEPTIONS APPLY TO THESE VACATIONS:
The deposit and/or final payment dates mentioned herein under apply to the vacations identified. Please see your confirmation invoice for more information on deposit and/or final payment dates.

OTHER VACATIONS:

CANCELLATIONS & CANCELLATION FEES:
If cancellation is received by Cosmos before the final payment date of your vacation, your non-refundable deposit and Trip Protection payments will be retained and fortified in addition to any other entity’s imposed cancellation fees or penalties, including but not limited to airline, hotels and cruises. 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.)

STANDARD CANCELLATION FEES FOR ESCORTED AND INDEPENDENT VACATIONS:

EXCEPTIONS TO THE STANDARD CANCELLATION FEES:

For vacations that include a Holland America cruise (vacation codes 8425, 8921, 8922, 8923, 8924, 8925, 8926, 8927, 8928, 8929, 8575):

For vacations that include an overnight train (vacation codes 8930/5, 8335, 8960/5, 8335 and 8640):

North America Single-City, Multi-City Getaways, Road Trip by Monograms & Hawaii Islands vacations:

North America Rail Vacations (vacation code JA, JR, and JAR):

Cancellation fees may also apply to any additional services, including extra night accommodations, independently supplied services, and optional excursions reserved prior to, during, and after the tour. Cancellation penalties will be calculated at the time of cancellation. Any change of flight(s), including but not limited to flight cancellations and /or name changes, requested after full land and air deposits are received revisions fees, change fees, or airline cancellation fees will apply (see “Revision Fees” below). In many instances, airline revision or change fees can be up to $250 per ticket but in some instances may be up to 100% of the ticket price.

Cosmos reserves the right to cancel or reschedule any vacation departure for any reason, including insufficient demand. If a vacation is canceled prior to departure, Cosmos' only responsibility will be to refund the amount received for the reservation. Cosmos will try to rebook the same vacation with a different departure date, or a similar vacation. For air-inclusive vacations, Cosmos will try to confirm air schedules 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. Any revision to a booking may result in the loss of a confirmed airline reservations or increased airfare or increased hotel / cruise tariff which will be payable by you. Additional airline and hotel / cruise penalties may also apply and may be up to 100% of the full price which will be payable by you. A change of traveler name, vacation date, or itinerary within final payment will be treated as a full cancellation and new reservation; vacation cancellation fees (as above) apply.

AIR ARRANGEMENTS:
Cosmos is not responsible if an airline cancels, reschedules, or delays a flight for any reason. If you have purchased air travel through Cosmos, Cosmos will try and assist in making new arrangements provided you have not already checked in with your airline for your first flight segment. After check -in, you must work with airline directly to reach your destination or to make alternate arrangements including amendments to return services. Please be aware airline fees often apply for modifications to air schedules not related to airline imposed flight cancellations, reschedules or delays. These fees will be payable by you at time of request. If you miss your departure flight or connection, it is your responsibility to work with the airline on which you are ticketed to reach your destination. No refunds will be provided by Cosmos for portions of trips missed due to canceled, rescheduled, or delayed flights after airport check-in, nor is Cosmos responsible for any additional expenses you may incur prior to joining your trip if you miss your departure flight or flight connections.

For air travel purchased through Cosmos, if any air schedule requires an overnight stay in a getaway city, Cosmos can assist you with the hotel reservations at your request however without any assurances of a confirmed booking. The cost of the overnight stay (including but not limited to hotel and meals) is your expense. Air routings are subject to availability. Routings are not guaranteed and are subject to change at any time.

When you make your own flight arrangements, Cosmos will not be responsible for any loss resulting from cancellation or changes in international getaways, itineraries or travel dates. We recommend that you do not purchase airline tickets with high penalty charges for changes.

Under the new Secure Flight Program enacted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requires airlines with flights over /or in USA to collect information from you for the purposes of watch list matching. TSA may share information you provide with law enforcement or intelligence agencies or others under its published system of records notice. At time of booking a vacation with air reservations, Cosmos will collect the required information and add to your air booking to pass to the airline(s) for the Secure Flight Program. The information includes full name, date of birth, gender and redress number (if available). Failure to provide the required TSA information at time of booking will result in the loss of confirmed flights & airfare as information is required for ticketing. Rebooking lost airfare is subject to schedule availability at time of rebooking and may result in alternate flight schedules and/or increases in airfare price. Any increase in airfare price is payable by you.

PARTICIPATION, ON TOUR BEHAVIOUR & PUNCTUALITY:
As you are traveling with a group of international travelers on Cosmos vacations, all participants are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that is not disruptive to the group and in a manner that is appropriate for group travel. To understand travel etiquette, please visit www.cosmosvacations.in/travel_faq.aspx

For the benefit of everyone on the vacation, Cosmos reserves the right to accept or reject the booking of any vacation participant and to remove any vacation participant from participating in or being a part of one or more itineraries were his or her conduct is deemed inappropriate & incompatible with the interest of the other travelers. Cosmos is not responsible for any losses, including missed sightseeing or having to make alternate travel arrangements, if you fail to meet the representatives of Cosmos at assigned timings and places/pick up points while on tour. Cosmos will not refund nor cover any cost or expenses incurred for termination of vacation arrangements due to unacceptable behavior or inability to maintain punctuality. The decision of behavior being acceptable or unacceptable rests solely with Cosmos.

TRAVELERS WHO NEED SPECIAL ASSISTANCE ON TOURS AND/OR CRUISES:
You must report any disability requiring special attention while on tour or on cruise to Cosmos at the time of making the reservation. 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 responsible for any denial of services by air carriers, hotels, restaurants, or other independent suppliers. Cosmos cannot provide individual assistance to any vacation participant for walking, dining, getting on and off motorcoaches, cruise ships 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. All travelers with Cosmos are subject to the Participation clause above.

Not all sightseeing stops/sites accommodate wheelchairs and some locations and sightseeing activities require extensive standing, sitting or walking. Cosmos is not responsible for any missed activities due to a participant’s inability to participate with the group. The status titled as Americans with Disabilities Act is only applicable within the United States and facilities for disabled individuals are limited outside its borders. With prior permission and waivers, Cosmos will attempt to accommodate motorized scooters on North America vacations, depending on the suitability of the itinerary. You assume the full risk of use and of any prohibitions imposed by any vendor. Most transportation services, including the touring motorcoaches, and cruise ships are not equipped with wheelchair ramps.

Motorized scooters are not typically suitable on international tours. The vacation participation must clarify the details of any required assistance with Cosmos before making a booking request.

YOUNG TRAVELERS:
Travelers who are under 18 years of age on the departure date must be accompanied by an adult throughout the vacation and must share an adult’s accommodation. Children under 8 years of age are not allowed on any Cosmos escorted vacations. For any special requirements regarding airline tickets for children, contact your airline directly.

On Cosmos escorted vacations, young travelers ages 8-17 receive a 10% discount on the base land vacation price. The price does not include internal air transportation.

The following young traveler discounts apply to Monograms vacations:

On Monograms Single-City & Multi –City Getaways in North America: Children 12-17 receive a 10% discount on the land vacation price; children 11 and under receive a 25% discount.

On North America Rail Vacations (JR, JA, JAR), children 2-11 receive a 25% discount. There is no discount for children 12 and older.

On Monograms North America Road trip by Monograms vacations & Hawaii Island Vacations the land vacation price for children 2-11 is free when sharing accommodation with two adults. Children 12-17 receive a 10% discount (except vacation code VG). The land vacation price does not include air between cities (internal air), when applicable, or sightseeing costs on Hawaii Island Getaways.

To receive the young traveler’s discount, the age of the traveler must qualify at commencement of services. Cosmos reserves the right to require documentation verifying the age of any person stated to be a young traveler or an infant.

Note:We require that children under 12 years of age share accommodations with an adult.

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 the vacation participant also contact the appropriate consulate and airlines because they may have additional requirements or recommendations.

SMOKING:
Smoking is not allowed on transportation that is exclusively provided by Cosmos. On cruise ships, smoking is allowed only on the the vessel’s outside decks where ashtrays are available or to certain areas of vessel.

Many hotels in North America have imposed a 100% non-smoking policy and many cities have imposed non-smoking regulations in public spaces. As a standard rule, non-smoking hotel rooms are booked and confirmed on Cosmos vacations. If you require a smoking room a request may be submitted, but Cosmos cannot guarantee availability of smoking rooms.

PRICE POLICY:
All vacation prices are based on rates (reflecting foreign exchange rates) known at the time of publication and expected to be in effect at the time of departure, and do not include airfare except where noted. Vacation prices are per person, based on double occupancy. Single room supplements and triple room reductions are listed where applicable. Not all accommodation types are available on all vacations.

Prices are subject to increase without notice, subject to the guarantees set forth below.

Once Cosmos has received your full deposit for any vacation that land vacation price is guaranteed and you are protected against any land price increase due to currency surcharge. Any subsequent cost increases are at Cosmos’ expense, not including energy cost increases and/or any government tax increases.

Land only vacations that include air travel between cities (internal air) are guaranteed when Cosmos has received your full land and air deposit (if applicable). Cosmos reserves the right to ticket bookings upon receipt of full land and air deposit and thus any subsequent change made upon your request are subject to airline imposed change fees and /or changes in airfare price, which are your responsibility to pay.

Vacation departures in 2013 are subject to itinerary modifications. Full details will be available in October 2012. Travelers have the right to cancel their reservation without penalty within 7 days of notification of the final itinerary by Cosmos in the event of itinerary modifications for departures in 2013.

VISAS & PASSPORTS:
You are responsible for obtaining and paying for all visas and entry and exit documents, for meeting all health and other requirements, and for any documents required by the laws, regulations, orders, and/or requirements of the countries you will visit. You must consult with appropriate consulates to determine if any visas are needed and are responsible for obtaining all visas and entry documents independently. Cosmos is not responsible for providing you with specific visa and passport information or documentation, and Cosmos cannot accept liability for any passenger refused entry onto any transport or into any country due to failure of the passenger to carry correct documentation. Cancellations due to visa denials will be charged per the cancellation policy (as noted above). All passengers travelling internationally are required to have a valid 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 three blank pages in your passport when traveling, as many countries require blank pages. Multiple-entry visas are required for some vacations. It is your responsibility to verify all visa and passport requirements from concerned embassies of the countries where you intend to travel. The process of obtaining a visa and/or passport can take up to three months or more.

HOTELS & ACCOMODATIONS:
The hotels /accommodations listed on the Web site are intended to be used on all departures; however, if a change becomes necessary for any reason, including additional departures on the same date and/or hotel location changes, the accommodations substituted will be equivalent to those shown. No refunds are provided for hotel changes, full cancellation penalties as noted above apply.

Every effort is made to reserve only twin-bedded rooms. Occasionally, some hotels will only provide double-bedded rooms. These rooms if available may be allocated to couples. Please note that accommodation check-in times vary worldwide. Cosmos cannot control or guarantee the check in times & will not be held liable for any compensation in the event of late check-in by any hotel.

BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE:
Porterage for one suitcase per vacation participant is included in the vacation price. Airport/train station porterage is not included unless otherwise specified in your travel documents. Please be prepared to carry your own suitcase on and off airplanes and trains and through airports and train stations.

Your single bag should have dimensions not exceeding 30"x21"x11" and weight not exceeding 50lbs (22kg) unless otherwise noted in the travel documents. We regret that we are unable to accept a second suitcase or any luggage exceeding these limits on any vacation. Some vacations have more restrictive regulations than these listed above. Please refer to your Travel Documents for more information.

Air carrier restriction may vary from the limitations listed above. 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. Most airlines charge fees for checked baggage and these fees are not included in the airfare or the vacation package price. Please check with your airline(s) directly for baggage information, regulations and fees. Cosmos is not responsible for additional fees imposed by air carriers for baggage which will have to be paid by the vacation participant directly to the airline at the airport. Regulations within most airports require that travelers handle their own luggage through customs. No responsibility is accepted by Cosmos for loss of or damage to baggage or any of the traveler’s belongings throughout the duration of the vacation. Baggage insurance is recommended in addition to Cosmos’ Trip Protection since Trip Protection does not cover lost or damaged baggage.

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. Carry-on bags must be small enough to store in overhead bins or under the seat in front of you on motorcoaches and other transportation.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS:
Passenger Travel Documents including air e-ticket itineraries are sent by regular ground delivery approximately 2-3 weeks prior to departure, provided full invoice payment has been received. If available, a service charge per reservation is added for documents requested in advance. If documents cannot be received through your Travel Agent or via email and need to be delivered to any address by mail or courier, charges as applicable, are paid by the passengers and these costs will be quoted at the time of reservation. Delivery of paper airline tickets will attract an extra delivery charge for covering courier expenses. This charge will be informed to you at the time of making the reservation. Travel documents for select Monograms, North America vacations are sent to the first hotel at an additional cost of $20-$60.

NOT INCLUDED IN THE VACATION PRICE:
Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigrations; International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; other per person taxes imposed by government entities; airport taxes and fees including the September 11th Security fee up to $10 per person, passenger facility charges up to $18 per person, Federal domestic flight segment fees up to $3.70 per segment, and U.S. and International arrival and departure and other government-imposed fees between $200-$600 per person; port taxes; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your Tour or Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ship’s crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted Cosmos menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant or onboard your vessel (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); optional excursions; additional activities; airport transfers on non-qualifying flights; airport transfers with cruise only, porterage at airports and train stations; Trip Protection; 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 will 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 booked through Cosmos on qualifying ex-USA flights and dates. Not all flights or dates qualify. Customers not using the included transfer will not be given a cash equivalent or vacation price reduction.

SERVICE INQUIRIES AFTER THE VACATION:
After returning from your vacation, if 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”). Any complaint or claim involving the vacation services offered on this Web site must be notified to Cosmos within 30 days of the tour completion, failing which it will be deemed that the vacation participant is satisfied with the services availed.

As it is difficult and sometimes impossible to properly investigate a complaint if Cosmos is not advised of such complaint quickly, any compensation you may have been able to claim from a supplier should be made known to Cosmos immediately and Cosmos will forward the same to the concerned supplier for appropriate review but does not guarantee any payment. Any delay in forwarding the complaint to Cosmos could result in reduction or even non-payment of the expected compensation from the supplier if you do not follow the complaints procedure set out in this clause.

In the event of a problem or complaint involving the negligence of any suppliers, sub-contractors, or agents in relation to any service provided to the vacation participant, Cosmos must receive the complaint while on the tour or cruise or within 30 days of tour completion.

HOLIDAYS:
During local or national holidays or special events, on Sundays, and religious occasions, certain facilities such as museums, churches, restaurants, sightseeing tours, and shopping may be limited or not available. Alternatives will be offered whenever possible. Cosmos cannot be held responsible for any closures or curtails for any reason.

Christmas Market Vacations:
Please note that Christmas markets generally close around third week of December.

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; 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. While Cosmos will use its best efforts to ensure the adequate measures are taken, by agreeing to participate in a tour and/or optional excursions you agree that you will hold Cosmos harmless regarding any provision of medical care or the adequacy of any care rendered.

PHOTOGRAPHS OR PICTURES:
Photographs or pictures appearing on the web site should be used solely as an indication of facilities and attractions. Actual facilities and attractions may vary according to itinerary. Maps shown on the vacation pages are current at the time of printing and may not reflect the actual tour routing should the itinerary change.

OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITES:
Optional activities and excursions (“the Services”) available for booking are provided by local operators or third parties that are entirely independent of Cosmos and do not form any part of the product or services sold to you by Cosmos or of these Terms & Conditions, even were Cosmos suggests particular operators third parties and /or assists you in booking such optional activities or excursions. Your contract for such Services will be with the organizer or operator of that service and will be subject to its Terms & Conditions, which may contain exclusions or limitations of liability. Cosmos has no liability for any such optional activity or excursion or for any act(s) or omission(s) of the organizer or operator or for any of its employees or agents or any other person(s) connected with the activity or excursion.

Any advice or assistance on or with any service provided by any local representative does not mean or imply that is sold, supervised, or controlled by Cosmos or that any such advice or assistance is given on behalf of Cosmos. Vacation participants are asked to check with the operator of any optional activity or excursion and the applicable Terms & Conditions before booking.

RESPONSIBILITY:
Group Voyagers, Inc., located at 5301 South Federal Circle, Littleton, Colorado 80123, USA, is an independent company (“the Company”) licensed to market and distribute travel products under the Cosmos, Globus, Avalon Waterways & Monograms brand name, and arrange for the vacation services offered on its Web site, including transportation, sightseeing, and accommodations through independent contracts.

Air carriers, accommodations, and other suppliers (including but not limited to trains, cruises, ferries, motorcoaches, hotels, and restaurants) providing services are independent contractors and are not agents, employees, servants, or joint ventures of the Company or its affiliates. All certificates and other travel documents for services issued by the Company are subject to the Terms & Conditions specified by the supplier, which are available upon request, and subject to the laws of the countries in which the services are supplied.

The international carriage of passengers is subject to international conventions and treaties, where applicable. These international agreements limit and, in some events, exclude the carrier’s liability to passengers (vacation participants). Where any claim or part of a claim (including those involving death or personal injury) concerns or involves any travel arrangements (including the process of getting on or off the transport concerned) provided by any air, sea, inland waterways, rail, or road carrier or any stay in a hotel, the Company’s maximum liability is the maximum which would be payable by the carrier or the hotel keeper concerned under the applicable international convention, treaty, or regulation applicable to the travel arrangements or hotel stay (e.g., but not limited to the Warsaw Convention, the Montréal Convention for international travel by air, the EU Regulation on Air Carrier Liability for air carriers with an operating license granted by an EU country, the Athens Convention for international travel by sea) in that situation.

After departure, if 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 the responsibility of vacation participants, 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 any itinerary in 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 Trip Protection Plan, or any other person.

DISPUTE RESOLUTION:
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 attorneys’ fees.

Arbitration against the Company must be commenced within one year following the date of tour completion under the laws of the state of Colarado. 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. The Governing law for the Arbitration proceedings would be laws of the state of Colorado, USA.

Any action to enforce the arbitrator’s decision shall be brought in the state or federal courts in the State of Colorado, USA.

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 its Web site, including any term or condition set forth in the preceding provisions.

TRADE NAME:
Cosmos is a service mark registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

CST#2017032-20