Terms and Conditions
Click on any of the links below for IMPORTANT RESERVATION INFORMATION, relevant disclaimers and our Reservations and cancellation policies.
- Land Rates
- Payments
- Revision Fees
- Cancellation Charges
- Cancellation Waiver & Insurance Plan
- Cancellation Waiver & Insurance Plan Pricing (Per Person)
- Consumer Protection Plans
- Currency
- Proof of Citizenship
- Travel Conditions
- Complimentary Door to Door Transfer Service
- travellers Needing Special Assistance
- Baggage Disclaimer
- Holiday and Museum Closures
- Motorcoach Washrooms
- Maps and Photos
- Explanation of Responsibilities and Tour Conditions for Collette Vacations
- General Disclaimer
- Family Tours Disclaimer
Land Rates
Land rates are on a per person, double occupancy basis. Availability of departures at the prices noted in the brochure is limited. Government taxes and fees are additional. For current prices, please see our website www.collettevacations.ca. Land rates are guaranteed at the time that the deposit is received by Collette Vacations. Air rates (including fuel surcharges) will be protected against rate changes when you have paid in full within 11 months prior to departure.
Certain local taxes, charges and/or fees are to be paid upon exiting the country in local currencies. Such local taxes, charges and/or fees are not included in the total price. Please refer to the appropriate tour itinerary for details.
Payments
A $250 per person non-refundable deposit is required at time of booking to secure your reservation, except for Antarctica. For Antarctica, a $500 per person, non-refundable deposit is required at time of booking, with an additional per person deposit of $1000 non-refundable is due 180 days prior to departure. Should you decide to purchase our trip cancellation waiver, you must do so at the time of booking. Payment of a per person waiver fee guarantees a full refund of all payments (including deposits), except for the waiver fee itself, in case of cancellation of your travel plans for any reason prior to the day of departure. The balance is due 60 days before departure on all tours, except cruises. The balance is due 120 days before departure for cruises.
All payments of deposit, purchase price and cancellation waiver fees may be made by charging to your MasterCard, Visa, or American Express (card imprint and signature required) or by sending a cheque or money order made payable to "Collette Vacations".
TRAVEL AGENTS PLEASE CONTACT:
Collette Vacations 1-800-468-5955
reservations@collettevacations.ca
PLEASE SEND PAYMENTS TO:
Collette Vacations, 40 Queen Street South, Mississauga, ON L5M 1K3
Attn: Accounts Receivable
REVISION FEES
Upon receipt of your itinerary, you must review it and report any discrepancies to Collette Vacations immediately in order to avoid any supplier incurred penalties. A handling fee of $25.00 per transaction will be assessed for any change or revision made to a reservation. A change of departure date within 11 months of the departure date will be treated as a cancellation and cancellation charges will apply.
CANCELLATION CHARGES
Both cancellations of confirmed bookings and transfers to new travel dates will result in penalties and fees assessed by travel suppliers. If you have not purchased waivers, and you need to transfer or cancel for any reason prior to departure, the following cancellation fees will be assessed on your land or cruise product. Air is 100% non-refundable once paid in full. If cancelled prior to being paid in full, the following cancellation fees will also apply to air. (*See cancellation and unused services waiver fees and exceptions set out below.):
- More than 60 days prior to departure: a non-refundable deposit will be retained
- 60 - 16 days prior to departure: 30% of total price
- 15 - 1 day prior to departure: 50% of total price
- Day of departure and after: 100% of total price
EXCEPTIONS:
Ocean Cruises:
- More than 90 days prior to departure, a non-refundable deposit will be retained.
- 90 - 61 days prior to departure: 35% of total price
- 60 - 31 days prior to departure: 60% of total price
- 30 - 0 days prior to departure: 100% of total price
- More than 90 days prior to departure, a non-refundable deposit will be retained.
- 90 - 61 days prior to departure: 50% of total price
- 60 - 31 days prior to departure: 85% of total price
- 30 - 0 days prior to departure: 100% of total price
- More than 120 days prior to departure: non-refundable deposits will be retained
- 120 - 90 days prior to departure: 60% of total price
- 89 - 0 days prior to departure: 100% of total price
Upon cancellation of transportation or travel services where you, the client, are not at fault and have not cancelled in violation of these terms and conditions, you will be refunded 100%.
Cancellation Waiver & Insurance Plan
Payment of a per person cancellation waiver fee ("Waiver Fee") to Collette Vacations at the time of booking guarantees a full refund of all payments (including deposits), except the Waiver Fee itself, for travel arrangements in case of cancellation of your travel plans for any reason prior to the day of departure. The Waiver Fee with air only covers airline tickets that you purchase from Collette Vacations.
Exception: If you originally purchased non-refundable airline tickets, the Waiver Fee does not provide a refund for any such non-refundable airline tickets in the event of a cancellation. Cancellation waiver protects you from penalties in the event you have a need to cancel your entire inclusive vacation package up to the day prior to departure. Cancellation waiver does not indemnify you from penalties if you chose to cancel partial tour components or air. If you chose to partially cancel your vacation, you will be responsible for a revision fee as well as any penalties that are incurred at the time of the cancellation.
The Waiver Fee does not cover any single supplement charges which arise from an individual's travelling companion electing to cancel for any reason prior to departure. In this case, the single supplement will be deducted from the refund due to the person who cancels. Division of any such single supplement charge between the two or more companion clients involved is solely their responsibility. If insufficient funds are deducted from the cancelling client, the travelling client will be charged the remaining portion of the single supplement charge. Payment of the Waiver Fee (if chosen) must be received by Collette Vacations with your deposit at the time of booking.
The Waiver Fee is non-transferable and valid for each applicant (paying client) only. Collette Vacations assumes no responsibility for and cannot and will not be held liable for any wrongful, negligent or unauthorized acts or omissions of any travel agent or travel agency other than that of Collette Tours Canada, Ltd. and its own employees, directors and officers.
On tour, travel protection benefits may be purchased and can provide coverage if you: must interrupt your trip or return home early for a covered reason; incur medical expenses for a covered sickness or injury; need medical assistance or evacuation; suffer a baggage loss or delay; or are delayed on tour for 12 hours or more for a covered reason.
Following is a schedule of coverages and benefits provided.
| SCHEDULE OF COVERAGES |
MAXIMUM BENEFIT AMOUNT |
| PART A – Benefits Provided By Collette Vacations | |
| Pre-Departure Cancellation Fee Waiver |
Up to Trip/Tour Cost (excluding Waiver Fee itself) |
| PART B – Benefits Provided by the Insurance Company Listed Below | |
| Accidental Death & Dismemberment | $25,000 |
| Trip Interruption (Missed Connection) | $1,000 |
| Medical Expense/Emergency Assistance | |
| Accident & Sickness Medical Expense, Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation | $1,000,000 |
| Baggage/Travel Documents | $2,000 |
| Baggage Delay (Up to $150 Per Day for a Maximum of 6 Days) | $750 |
*The Medical Expense/Emergency Assistance benefits of this plan are subject to a maximum benefit limit of $10,000 for those persons who at the time of a covered injury or sickness do not have valid hospital and medical insurance under a Government Health Insurance Plan of a province or territory of Canada.
PART B CONDITIONS & LIMITATIONS
Certain exclusions and limitations apply and are detailed in the Certificate of Coverage. For example, coverage does not apply to: any sickness or condition of you, a Travelling Companion, a business partner or an immediate family member travelling with you that existed during the 60 days prior to the effective date of the coverages (this exclusion is waived if your coverage plan payment is received by Collette Vacations within 7 days of your initial deposit/payment for your trip and you are not disabled from travel at the time your plan payment is received), suicide, normal pregnancy, war or any act of war, mental or nervous disorders. A "Travelling Companion" is defined as a person booked to share accommodations in the same room with you during your trip. Sickness or injury must require care by a physician and must commence while the travel protection plan is in effect for you. This plan does not cover a loss that results from an illness, disease, or other condition (of you, an immediate family member, Travelling Companion or business partner), event or circumstance which occurs at a time when this plan is not in effect for you.
Part B of the plan is underwritten by:
Stonebridge Casualty Insurance Company, Columbus, Ohio 464-03
Where to Present Part A Claims
To request a refund under the Waiver Fee, please call Collette Vacations and send any unused airline tickets to:
Collette Vacations
ATTN: Customer Service Department
40 Queen Street South, Mississauga, ON L5M 1K3
If cancellation occurs prior to departure, contact the Collette Vacations' Reservations Department. When a client cancels prior to departure, any refunds are processed through the booking agent. Agent commissions are only protected when cancellation penalties of 100% of the tour cost apply.
All Inquiries and Claims under Part B should be reported to the Plan Administrator:
Trip Mate, Inc.*
www.tripmate.com
9225 Ward Parkway, Suite 200, Kansas City, MO 64114
Tel: 800-888-7292
* In CA, dba Trip Mate Insurance Agency
CANCELLATION WAIVER & COVERAGE (Per Person)
Land Only Clients:- $65 adult/$65 child for all North American escorted tours under 6 days
- $160 adult/$85 child for all North American escorted tours of 6 days or more
- $160 adult/$85 child for all international tours 9 days or under (except cruises, Canadian Rockies Train tours, Australia, New Zealand, South America, Africa, South Africa & Egypt tours)
- $280 adult/$110 child for all international tours 10 days or more (except cruises, Canadian Rockies Train tours, Australia, New Zealand, South America, Africa, South Africa & Egypt tours)
- $310 adult/$130 child for all Australia, New Zealand, South America, Africa, South Africa & Egypt tours
- $330 adult/$135 child for all cruises & Canadian Rockies Train tours
When purchasing pre and post night accommodations, including optional extensions, the number of days will be added to the total number of tour days, and may subsequently alter your Waiver Fees. Please confirm with your reservation agent at time of booking.
Air Inclusive Clients:- $110 adult/child for all North American vacations under 6 days
- $200 adult/child for all North American vacations of 6 days or more
- $200 adult/child for all international vacations 9 days or under (except cruises, Canadian Rockies Train tours, Australia, New Zealand, South America, Africa, South Africa & Egypt tours)
- $320 adult/child for all international vacations 10 days or more (except cruises, Canadian Rockies Train tours, Australia, New Zealand, South America, Africa, South Africa & Egypt tours)
- $350 adult/child for all Australia, New Zealand, South America, Africa, South Africa & Egypt tours
- $370 adult/child for all cruises & Canadian Rockies Train tours
The Cancellation Waiver fee with air can only be purchased by individuals who have purchased refundable airline tickets through Collette Vacations. The air waiver does not cover non-refundable airline tickets.
CONSUMER PROTECTION PLANS
Collette Vacations is a member of the following organizations: The National Tour Association, The United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA), The Alliance of Canadian Travel Associations, the Travel Industry Council of Ontario, and the Association of British Travel Agents. Some of these associations operate a consumer protection plan to cover deposits placed with any tour operator member. In the case of USTOA, the consumer protection bond is $1 million. Full details are available from these organizations or Collette Vacations. Collette Vacations is pleased to give this additional protection to our clients.
CURRENCY
Unless specified otherwise, all statements of or references to dollar amounts in these terms and conditions are to lawful money of Canada.
PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP
Documentation is required by foreign governments for all trips outside Canada. Clients/passengers should check with the appropriate foreign consulate/embassy for entry requirements, including whether you need to obtain a visa before entering your destination country and, if you do need to get a visa, its cost and timing. Please remember that the possession of valid passports and necessary visas are the responsibility of each client/passenger. If you would like assistance in ensuring you have the proper visa(s) for your trip outside of Canada, we would be happy to refer you to a company that can assist you.
Government issued photo identification is required for flying.
Passports are required for all Canadians entering the United States.
We strongly recommend that you have a valid passport (with six-month validity) for all travel outside Canada.
When travelling outside Canada, health insurance is required. Contact your booking agent for more details.
TRAVEL CONDITIONS
There may be different living standards and practices and different standards and conditions with respect to the provision of services and accommodations outside of Canada.
COMPLIMENTARY DOOR TO DOOR TRANSFER SERVICE
Return complimentary door to door transfers are offered up to 100 kilometers from most major Canadian gateways with the purchase of an air-inclusive vacation.
TRAVELERS NEEDING SPECIAL ASSISTANCE
You must report any disability requiring special attention to Collette Vacations at the time your booking is made. Collette Vacations will make reasonable efforts to accommodate the special needs of tour participants. It is strongly recommended that persons requiring assistance be accompanied by a companion who is capable of and totally responsible for providing the assistance. None of Collette Vacations, its employees and personnel, and its suppliers, may physically lift or assist clients into transportation vehicles. If a traveller thinks he or she might need assistance during a trip, he or she should call Collette Vacations to determine what assistance might reasonably be given. Collette Vacations cannot provide special individual assistance to tour members with special needs for walking, dining or other routine activities.
BAGGAGE DISCLAIMER
Although every effort is made to handle passengers' luggage as carefully as possible, Collette Vacations is not responsible for and does not assume liability or accept claims for loss of or damage to luggage due to breakage, theft or wear and tear through airline/airport, hotel and group carrier handling. It is recommended for your own self interest and protection that you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Check with your sales agent for low cost insurance to cover these risks.
Checked Baggage Charges: Some airlines impose additional charges if you choose to check baggage. Please contact your airline or refer to its website for detailed information regarding your airline's checked baggage policies.
HOLIDAY AND MUSEUM CLOSURES
Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or many religious, state and local holidays observed throughout the world.
MOTORCOACH WASHROOMS
Most motorcoaches used on our tours are equipped with washrooms (except safari vehicles, exotic locations, and some of our Explorations by Collette Vacations tours). These are typically for emergency use, as we make plenty of comfort stops, allowing you the opportunity to use public restrooms and/or stretch your legs.
MAPS AND PHOTOS
Maps shown on tour pages are current at the time of printing and may not reflect actual tour routing should the tour change. Photos shown on tour pages are reflective of the area(s) visited, but may not be included in the actual tour itinerary.
EXPLANATION OF RESPONSIBILITIES AND TOUR CONDITIONS FOR COLLETTE VACATIONS
Any person reserving or purchasing any Collette Vacations product published in this brochure accepts the condition that Collette Vacations reserves to itself the exclusive right to change or cancel itineraries, hotels, and other tour components whenever it is deemed necessary. If this occurs, every effort will be made to offer alternate dates and/or programs. Published times on itineraries are as accurate as possible but subject to change due to traffic, weather, mechanical and any other conditions beyond Collette Vacations' control that prevent Collette Vacations from operating as scheduled. Collette Vacations expressly disclaims any liability for any damages that may be incurred for any changes, cancellations or delays on any itinerary on any Collette Vacations tour.
All rates on foreign tours are subject to fluctuations of currency and may be changed when necessary without advance notice prior to deposit. All rates published are per person basis as indicated and are based on double occupancy when only one rate is shown. Reservations will be accepted subject to availability at the time of a request and will be considered confirmed only upon receipt of a minimum deposit. Child land rates are available and are valid for ages 5-12, sharing a room with two full paying adults. Collette Vacations does not accept liability in the case of any passenger being denied boarding by any airline carrier due to the carrier's over-booking of a flight. All cancellation charges, fees and refunds for any tour within this brochure are in effect as of the effective date as indicated below and supersede any other previously printed policies relating to these same charges.
GENERAL DISCLAIMER
None of Collette Tours Canada, Ltd., its affiliated entities, subsidiary companies and its and their respective employees, shareholders, officers, directors, successors, representatives, agents, and assigns (collectively "Collette"), own or operate any person or entity which is to or does provide goods or services for these trips and tours. Collette acts only as agent for the airlines, hotels, bus companies, railroads, tour operators, cruise lines, car rental companies and other contractors providing accommodations, transportation or other suppliers (the "suppliers"). All such services are furnished by suppliers that are independent of, and do not act for or on behalf of, or in the name of Collette, are not servants of Collette and with whom Collette is not a partner or joint venture partner. Because none maintains any control over the personnel, equipment, or operations of the suppliers, Collette assumes no responsibility for and cannot be held liable for any loss, costs, expense, personal injury, death, property damage or other loss, accident, delay, inconvenience, or irregularity which may be occasioned by reason of (1) any wrongful, negligent, willful or unauthorized acts or omissions on the part of any of the suppliers or their respective employees and agents, including delays or cancellation of services, cessation of operations, changes in fares, itineraries or schedules, (2) any defect in or failure of any vehicle, equipment, or instrument owned, operated or otherwise used by any of the suppliers, and/or (3) any wrongful, willful or negligent act or omission on the part of any other party not under the supervision and control of Collette. Additionally, responsibility is not accepted for loss, cost or expenses due to sickness, lack of appropriate medical facilities or practitioners, weather, strikes, theft or other criminal acts, computer problems, acts of God, dangers incident to sea, fire, acts of government or other authorities, war, acts of terrorism, civil unrest, riots, pilferage, epidemics, quarantines, other disease, climatic aberrations or other such causes beyond Collette's control. All services and accommodations are subject to the terms and conditions specified by the suppliers and the laws of the country in which they are provided. Collette reserves the right to make changes in the published itinerary whenever, in their sole judgment, conditions warrant, or if they deem it necessary for the comfort, convenience, or safety of any tour. They reserve the right to withdraw any tour announced. Both Collette and the suppliers reserve the right to decline to accept any person as a member of the tour, or to require any participant to withdraw from the tour at any time, when such action is determined by the tour manager to be in the best interests of the health, safety, and general welfare of the tour group or of the individual participant. Neither does Collette accept liability for any carrier's cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a non-refundable airline or other ticket to the tour departure city and return or otherwise. Baggage and personal effects are the sole responsibility of the owner at all times. Participants may be photographed for the promotional purposes of Collette.
You, the client, agree to the terms and conditions set forth in any and all brochures or advertisements describing any tour, cruise, accommodations, transportation and other services, and to any and all conditions set out in documents for any such services, including, without limitation, all cancellation fees.
No employee of Collette has authority to vary these terms and conditions.
Payment of the deposit to Collette Vacations constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions.
FAMILY TOURS DISCLAIMER
Any minor child (under the age of majority) who shall participate in a Collette Family Tour program must be accompanied by an adult and supervised by an adult during the entire length of the tour. Collette will make reasonable efforts to accommodate the special needs of any minor child during the tour. However, Collette cannot provide special individual assistance to any minor tour participant. The adult travel companion shall be primarily responsible for the conduct and care of the minor tour participant. Collette will not accept any parental responsibility for the minor tour participant.
