Terms and Conditions 2013
NOTIFICATION
Information contained in Viking River Cruises brochures, website or advertising materials (“Viking Advertising”) is not an offer or a contract. Cruises / tours and air fare offers herein are listed in Australian dollar currency and are only available for sale to Australian and New Zealand residents. The transportation of guests and baggage on all river cruise vessels is provided solely by the operator and is governed by the terms and conditions printed on the Passenger Ticket Contract. For complete information on terms and conditions, itinerary, liability of Viking River Cruises, Inc., liability limits and all sections mentioned below, refer to the Passenger Ticket Contract. A copy of the Passenger Ticket Contract is available by contacting Viking River Cruises or visiting www.vikingrivercruises.com.au.
PAYMENT POLICY
A non-refundable deposit of $1,500 per person is required to secure a confirmed reservation within 7 days of making the cruise / tour reservation. When more than one cruise is booked, deposit and payment policies apply per cruise.
Full payment is due no later than 120 days prior to sailing. Important Notice: Promotions or offers may have different payment terms, please refer to the offer conditions specified when making the booking. The final balance is due no later than 120 days prior to sailing.
All reservations are subject to cancellation if payments are not received by the due date or paid as per payment instruction. Please contact Viking River Cruises for payment instruction. Upon full payment by the participant(s) of the amount specified as the Full Fare (see Invoice), Viking River Cruises, Inc. agrees to arrange for the provision of the services as described in this brochure and as modified by supplementary materials.
Upon receipt of your deposit or full payment or upon the issuance of the Passenger Ticket Contract directly or by a travel agent or upon receipt of a confirmation letter or final Invoice from us, both the Passenger and the Carrier will be fully bound by all of the terms and conditions of the Passenger Ticket Contract. Enrolment in and payment for a tour shall constitute agreement and acceptance by the passenger of the terms and conditions set forth in this brochure which cannot be varied except in writing by an officer of the company.
PRICING NOTES
All prices listed in this catalogue are per person based on double occupancy, in Australian dollars and valid at time of printing (March 2012). Limited single pricing is available; call for details. Offers and fares are subject to availability and additional restrictions may apply. Viking River Cruises reserves the right to correct, revise or omit pricing, dates or offers throughout the season without prior notice. For up-to-date prices, please call Viking River Cruises at 1800 829 138 (Australia), 0800 447 913 (New Zealand).
VIKING AIR OFFER CONDITIONS
Viking air offer is only valid if booked in conjunction with a Viking River Cruise itinerary for travel in 2013. Viking air is a strictly limited offer, conditions apply, subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time.
Viking air offers Guests booked on a cruise / tour itinerary a return economy class airfare from Australia to Europe. Full air fare payment is due at the time of booking.
Price is in Australian currency, per person and includes seasonal surcharges, all government fees and taxes and air fuel surcharges. Flights are available from Australian gateway cities of ADL/BNE/MEL/PER/SYD, for travel to Europe. Guests may choose date for travel and major European gateway destination, for full list click here or request at the time of booking. Viking will book the most suitable routing with a carrier chosen from a pool of airlines such as: Qantas/British Airways, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Thai Airways, Cathay Pacific, Scandinavian Airlines or Finnair.
Flights may be currently out of the system date range and Viking will advise you when flights are within system range. If you request a customised route you will be responsible for all additional costs. Viking air is fully non-refundable, non-changeable, not redeemable for cash, non-transferrable and non-redeemable for cruise credits. Viking air offer does guarantee that you will be on the same carrier/flight as others in your travel group.
If guests want to specify airline, stopover city or if guests want to travel together with another couple on the same flights Custom Air will endeavour to meet their needs for a fee of $200 per person.
Full airline terms and conditions will apply. Airline schedules are subject to change without notice. With Viking air, Viking River Cruises pays government fees and taxes, air fuel surcharges therefore at no point will these be refunded to you by Viking River Cruises.
RESERVATIONS
To make a reservation, contact Viking River Cruises, Inc. at 1800 829 138 (Australia) or 0800 447 913 (New Zealand) or call your local travel agent.
PAYMENTS
Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Electronic Funds Transfer are all acceptable forms of payments. Please contact Viking River Cruises for payment instruction.
CANCELLATION POLICY
For any cruise booking, whether under deposit, partially paid, or paid in full, the following travel agent or guest requested situations are considered cancellations and penalties will apply as noted below: changes to departure date; substitutions of itinerary; substitution of another person for original booked guest(s); or changing to a promotional fare. All cancellations must be in writing.
The following cancellation charges will be assessed for all written cancellations received prior to departure up to the scheduled time of departure.
Cancellation received. Following charges will apply: (Days before departure)
121 days loss of deposit
120-60 days 50% of full fare
59-0 days 100% of full fare
Full Fare is defined as the full cost of any cruise, land or air component purchased from Viking.
REVISIONS/CHANGES
Once a cruise booking has a deposit, all changes are subject to a $30 charge per change. See prior section under Cancellation Policy for additional details on situations which are classified as cancellations rather than changes.
DOCUMENTS
Documents will be issued approximately 3 weeks prior to departure. All early document requests will be charged a $25 early processing fee. All guests are required to fill out a Passenger Information Form (PIF) by final pay date. PIF is found on www.vikingrivercruises.com.au or by contacting Viking River Cruises 1800 829 138 (Australia) and 0800 447 913 (New Zealand).
TRANSFERS
When you purchase international air fares from Viking River Cruises, airport transfers are included in your air cost if air arrival and departure dates coincide with the first and the last day and destination of the cruise/tour itinerary. If guests arrive and depart of different dates to these, then airport transfers are not included. There is no cash refund for unused airport transfers. Guests who are not arriving or departing to the destination on the first and the last date of the cruise/tour itinerary will have to make their own way to the hotel or vessel at their own expense.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION/VISAS
All guests must have passports valid for six months following disembarkation and necessary visas when boarding. Guests are advised to check with their travel agent or the Australian or New Zealand Consulate Service to determine which documents they must obtain. If incorrect documents are obtained, guests will be unable to participate in particular shore excursions and may be denied boarding and/or entry into certain countries. Note: Due to airline security measures, your passport name must match your airline ticket name or you may be denied boarding. Viking River Cruises accepts no responsibility for obtaining required visas nor for advising guests of passport, visa or other immigration requirements.
HEALTH
You must ensure you are aware of any health requirements for your travel and ensure that you carry all necessary vaccination documentation. Guests are advised to check with their travel agent to determine if any vaccinations or health documents are required.
CHILDREN/MINORS
Due to the nature of our cruise itineraries, Viking River Cruises does not maintain facilities or services for children aboard river cruise vessels. On all cruises and cruise journeys, minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied and share a stateroom with a parent, legal guardian or other responsible adult over the age of 21. We reserve the right to limit the number of minors under the age of 18 years on board.
DISABLED GUESTS
You must report any disability requiring special attention while on your Viking River Cruises itinerary to Viking at the time the reservation is made. All vessels and motorcoaches are equipped to European standards. Most transportation services, including the vessels and motorcoaches, are not equipped with elevators or wheelchair ramps. Viking 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 vessel operators, air carriers, hotels, restaurants or other independent suppliers. We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to a holiday participant for walking, dining, getting on and off vessels, 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. The guest assumes the full risk of use and of any prohibitions imposed by vendors. Motorized scooters are not typically suited on international cruises and cannot be accommodated.
GRATUITIES/TIPS
Shipboard gratuities for shipboard personnel and local guides are included in your cruise fare on Viking River Cruises Europe, Russia, and Ukraine cruise / tour programs. Shipboard gratuities are included in our China itineraries. Gratuities for Program Directors are included on Viking River Cruises Russia, Ukraine and China itineraries. Additional tipping is at the guest’s discretion.
EUROPE OPERATORS
The ships described in this brochure are operated by Viking River Cruises Ltd., Viking River Tours Ltd., Viking Croisičres S.A. or Viking River Cruises AG.
CHINA OPERATORS
The ships and/or cruises described in this brochure are operated by one or more of the following: Chongqing New Century Cruise Co. Ltd., Viking River Cruises AG, Viking River Tours Ltd., Viking River Tours (China) Ltd. and China International Travel Service Beijing Co., Ltd.
VIKING RIVER CRUISES, INC. / VIKING RIVER CRUISES AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
Viking River Cruises Australia Pty Ltd & Viking River Cruises Inc. act solely as a Sales Agents for the above-mentioned operators of the vessels described in Viking Advertising. Viking River Cruises Australia Pty Ltd neither owns nor operates any of the vessels described herein and thus assumes no responsibility or liability for acts or omissions of the vessel owners or operators in regard to the cruises described herein. Viking River Cruises Australia Pty Ltd acts solely as a Sales & Marketing Agent for Viking River Cruises, Inc. and neither owns nor operates any of the vessels described herein and thus assumes no responsibility or liability for acts or omissions of the vessel owners or operators in regard to the cruises described herein.
RESPONSIBILITY
Viking River Cruises, Inc. and Viking River Cruises Australia Pty Ltd accept no liability or responsibility, whether occasioned by railroad, motorcoach, private car, boat, aircraft or any other conveyance, for any injury, damages, loss, accident, delay or irregularity which may be occasioned either by reason or defect, through the acts or defaults of any company or person, or in carrying out the arrangements of the cruise, as a result of any cause beyond the control of Viking River Cruises, Inc and Viking River Cruises Australia Pty Ltd. Guests specifically release Viking River Cruises, Inc. and Viking River Cruises Australia Pty Ltd from any and all claims for loss or damage to baggage or property or from personal injuries or death, or from loss or delay, arising out of the acts, omissions or negligence of any independent contractors, such as air carriers, hotels, shore excursion operators, restaurateurs, transportation providers, medical personnel or other providers of services or facilities. All arrangements made for guests with independent contractors, including medical services, are made solely for convenience to participants and are done at the participant’s own risk. Medical personnel are independent contractors. Viking River Cruises, Inc. and Viking River Cruises Australia Pty Ltd specifically disclaims all liability for damages for emotional distress, mental suffering or psychological injury of any kind, except to the extent prohibited by any applicable law including 46 U.S.C. §183c(b). Travel documents are subject to all terms and conditions of the respective suppliers (some of which may limit supplier’s liability). Under no circumstances shall Viking River Cruises, Inc. or Viking River Cruises Australia Pty Ltd be construed as a carrier under a contract for safe carriage of the guest or his or her belongings. Viking River Cruises, Inc. and the owners and operators of the vessels identified in this brochure shall be entitled to any and all liability limitations, immunities and rights applicable to them or any of them under the Strasbourg Convention on the Limitation of Liability of Owners of Inland Navigation Vessels (CLNI), with protocols and amendments, together with the further provisions of the International Convention of Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims, 1976, with revisions and amendments (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Convention”), if and as applicable, and by those other and further limitations of liability set forth in the statutory and general maritime law of the United States, (including Title 46 U.S. Code Section 181-186, 188), as well as any other applicable nation’s laws limiting liability. Viking River Cruises, Inc. and Viking River Cruises Australia Pty Ltd and the owners and operators of the vessels identified in this brochure shall be entitled to claim the benefit of whichever law, regulation, treaty or doctrine provides the greatest legal protections to Viking River Cruises, Inc. and Viking River Cruises Australia Pty Ltd and the owners and operators of the vessels identified in this brochure.
REFUSAL OF PASSAGE
Viking River Cruises, Inc. shall not be required to refund any amount paid by any guest who must leave the cruise prematurely for any reason, nor shall Viking River Cruises, Inc. or the owners or operators of the vessels identified in this brochure be responsible for the lodging, meals, return transportation or other expenses incurred by such guest.
ADVANCED, CANCELLED OR DELAYED SAILING
Viking River Cruises, Inc. reserves the right to withdraw and/or cancel a cruise or to make changes in the itinerary and hotel accommodations whenever, in its sole judgment, or in the judgment of the vessel owner or operator, conditions warrant it. In the event of charters of the vessels, truces, lockouts, riots or stoppage of labour from whatever cause or for any other reason whatsoever, the owner or operator of the vessels identified in this brochure may, at any time, cancel, advance or postpone any scheduled cruise and may, but is not obliged to, substitute another vessel or itinerary and shall not be liable for any loss whatsoever to guests by reason of any such cancellation, advancement or postponement.
ACTS OF GOD, STRIKE, OR OTHER CONDITIONS BEYOND CONTROL
Neither Viking River Cruises, Inc., Viking River Cruises Australia Pty Ltd nor the owners or operators of the vessels identified in this brochure shall be liable for delay or inability to perform any condition in this brochure or any part thereof caused by or arising out of strikes, lockout or labour difficulties or shortages whether or not the carrier is party thereto, or explosion, fire, collision, standing or foundering of the vessel or breakdown or failure of or damage to the vessel or its hull or machinery or fittings howsoever and wheresoever any or the same may arise or be caused, or civil commotion, riot, insurrection, war, government restraint, requisitioning of the vessel, political disturbance, acts or threats of terrorism, inability to secure or failure of supplies including fuel, Acts of God, or other circumstances beyond their control.
LAND PACKAGES / EXTENSIONS
The extension packages as listed in this brochure have been developed in association with various international hotels. Situations may arise, voluntarily or involuntarily, that necessitate changes. Viking River Cruises, Inc. reserves the right to substitute hotels as it is deemed necessary and to provide comparable alternatives.
ITINERARIES, PRICES/INCREASES AND OMISSIONS
Itineraries are subject to change and may need to be altered or cancelled specifically because of water levels or wind factors. Prices shown in this brochure are subject to change with or without notice. Adjustments for currency and/or fuel fluctuations may apply. Optional shore excursions/tours/concerts, excess baggage charges, drinks, beverages and meals not included in the package are additional costs to the guest. Viking River Cruises Australia Pty Ltd is not responsible for omissions, printing and/or presentation errors and reserves the right to make corrections as required. Check www.vikingrivercruises.com.au for the most up-to-date prices, terms and conditions.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Viking River Cruises strongly recommends that you obtain travel insurance to cover any unforeseen circumstances that may occur before or during any cruise or associated travel.
AUSTRALIAN CONSUMER LAW
Nothing in these Terms and Conditions operates to exclude, restrict or modify any provision of the Australian Consumer Law or any equivalent laws applicable in any State or Territory in Australia.
LICENSED TRAVEL AGENT
Viking River Cruises Australia Pty Limited trading as Viking River Cruises is a licensed international travel agent in New South Wales, licence no. 2TA09283
CALIFORNIA SELLER OF TRAVEL LAW
Viking River Cruises, Inc. is registered in California as a seller of travel. Viking River Cruises, Inc.’s seller of travel registration number is 2052644-40.
Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California.
PRIVACY POLICY
Viking Australia Pty Limited is committed to protecting your personal information. View our privacy policy at www.vikingrivercruises.com.au