ETCS, Inc. / MIKE ROSS TRAVEL(S) / ROSS TRAVEL & TOUR (ETCS/RTT/MRT) TERMS & CONDITIONS
Refunds: (except when providers require a nonrefundable deposit) Of air fare, according to guidelines of Carrier; of land portion, a minimum $200 cancellation fee, but not more than 30% of land cost if cancelled more than 100 days prior to departure, EXCEPT where governments, hotels and other providers have imposed a non-refundable deposit fee or in similar circumstances; Acts of God, such as but not limited to earthquakes, disease, civil unrest, national health emergencies, may also affect the amount of refund or eliminate it entirely. If a tour is re-scheduled there may be other fees assessed due to higher costs at the re-scheduled time period. If the passenger(s) are unable to participate in the time period of a re-scheduled tour, all efforts will be made to refund as much as possible to the passenger(s), dependent upon the guidelines of the providers (governments, hotels, rail tickets, entrance tickets, etc, all have their own refund policies by which ETCS must abide; any funds that ETCS still holds for the passenger at the time ETCS is informed that the passenger will not be able participate in the re-scheduled tour, will be returned to the passenger minus a $75 charge). If the travel funds are held by a government or air carrier, that government or air carrier has the right to change of venue, change of restrictions and all other such matters including cancellation with the resultant funds held on a voucher which is administered by said government or air carrier and subject to the rules and regulations of that government or air carrier. After the 100 day prior to departure date has passed, additional cancellation fees as may be assessed by land/air operators up to 100% of the total paid. No refunds can be made for services, meals, admissions, extra tickets, or all other costs that are not used or are missed on the tour whatever the reason. Cancellation requests MUST be made in writing and are effective upon date of receipt by ETCS/RTT/MRT.
LEVEL OF TOUR DIFFICULTY: by submitting the reservation form, I attest to having understood the difficulty level of the tour and agree to it. I realize that this includes carrying and caring for my own luggage and mobility issues if any. I realize there may be stairs, cobblestones, uneven surfaces and that walks may be up to several miles over a period of time if necessary.
INJURIES: before, during or after the tour are NOT the responsibility of ETCS/RTT/MRT or the guide(s). The participant should have the proper type of Travel Insurance to cover such instances. Each participant is responsible entirely for themselves in regards to health and safety. If the participant feels an activity/event is not proper for themselves, they can choose, at their own expense, to pay for an alternative. ETCS/RTT/MRT or Michael Ross bears no responsibility for any physical or health issue or problem regardless of the circumstances. Each participant is responsible for the cost of any health related care before, during and after the tour.
Meals: Breakfast: many tours include a breakfast, either "continental" or a larger buffet style breakfast; amount, size, quality, gluten or non-gluten, choices for restrictive diets and portions cannot be guaranteed.
Lunches / Dinners / Snacks / Beverages are not included.
Cost: could vary by 8.0%-14.0% because of currency fluctuations or additional taxes and/or fees, security charges, fuel charges.
Enrollment: most groups are 8-10 passengers but may exceed that. Generally this is done to maximize savings for the individual members. Special groups that sign up as a "group", such as schools or clubs where the number is expected to exceed 8-10, are excepted and all members of that larger group automatically agree to that in advance.
Unforeseen events: In the case of unforeseen events, Acts of God, national emergencies, such as but not limited to missed connections, airline delays, civil unrest, national health emergencies, each participant is responsible for his or her own accommodations and meals. Travel Protection in the form of travel insurance is recommended.
Travel Protection: I recommend that you purchase a travel protection plan to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. Travel protection plans can include coverage for Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Emergency Medical and Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation, Trip Delay, Baggage Delay and more.
For more information on the available plans or to enroll, go to www.mikerosstravels.com and click on the link to ROAM RIGHT INSURANCE or Travelex.
Please Note: To be eligible for the waiver of pre-existing medical condition exclusion, the protection plan must be purchased within a specified number of days after the initial deposit. Find those rules on Roam Right or Travelex by clicking on their links on the home page of www.mikerosstravels.com. However, the plan can be purchased any time prior to departure including the day before departure.
Documents: valid passport, visa(s) if necessary, shots as required.
What is not included: anything not specifically noted, such as additional food, items of a personal nature, passport fees, etc.
In the event of cancellation by Educational Travel Consultant Services, Inc. (ETCS) and/or ROSS TRAVEL & TOUR (RTT) or MIKE ROSS TRAVEL (MRT) due to events within the agency´s control, a refund of a minimum of 50% of moneys held is made; any funds still under the control of ETCS will be refunded if ETCS cancels the tour. ETCS/RTT retains the right to decline any prospective tour member or to make alternative arrangements while on the tour, at extra expense to the participant, for any participant whose behavior or health is not compatible or who is harmful to the welfare of the group. ETCS/RTT/MRT is responsible for making arrangements for the described tour, and contracts with airlines and European tour operators to provide you with the services you purchase. The carriers, hotels and other suppliers are not agents, employees or jointly involved with ETCS/RTT/MRT. All services provided by ETCS/RTT/MRT are subject to the terms and conditions listed by the supplier and subject to the laws of the countries where services are supplied. ETCS/RTT/MRT is not responsible for claims or losses arising out of injury, accident/death, damage, loss or delay of baggage or property, default of independent suppliers, delay in transit or dissatisfaction arising from circumstances beyond the control of ETCS/RTT/MRT, such as weather, mechanical breakdown, omissions by anyone other than an employee of ETCS/RTT/MRT, or the purchaser's failure to have valid documents, or any health problems. If events dictate, the right is reserved to substitute one guide/host for another without cancellation of the tour or refunds. Example: if I, Michael Ross, due to health reasons must substitute another guide/host that is allowed without a refund nor a cancellation.
Personal responsibilities and limitations: Participants must inform ETCS/RTT/MRT immediately upon registration of any physical or health limitations or conditions requiring special needs, plans or accommodations or considerations. Failure to do so may result in additional charges to make accommodations, limitation of itinerary or involuntary cancellation up to and including the day of departure with all attendant costs, up to 100% of monies paid, borne by the participant. ETCS/RTT/MRT cannot assume any responsibility for health or physical conditions of the travel participants. ETCS/RTT/MRT retains the right to decline or cancel any prospective tour member or to make alternative arrangements while on the tour, at extra expense to the participant, for any participant whose physical or mental limitations, behavior or health in general is not compatible with or who is harmful to the welfare of the group. ETCS/RTT/MRT is responsible for making arrangements for the described tour, and contracts with airlines and European tour operators to provide the services purchased. The carriers, hotels and other suppliers are not agents, employees or jointly involved with ETCS/RTT/MRT. All services provided by ETCS/RTT/MRT are subject to the terms and conditions listed by the supplier and subject to the laws of the countries where services are supplied. ETCS/RTT/MRT is not responsible for claims or losses arising out of involuntary cancellation due to any and all health concerns, injury, accident/death, damage, loss or delay of baggage or property, default of independent suppliers, weather, mechanical breakdown, omissions by anyone other than an employee of ETCS/RTT/MRT or the purchaser's failure to have valid documents, travel insurance, health insurance or any health problems.
Submitting the on-line reservation form indicates that "I, the passenger" have read the general information and agree to it. All requests for air or land arrangements (dates, etc.) other than those published on the web site, must be made in writing; all subsequent changes must also be made in writing. All requests, within the guidelines of the air and land carriers, will be honored if possible.