Terms and Conditions - Deb Roberts' Tours

 The following information applies to all tours and cruises associated with Deb Roberts’ Tours/World of Quilts Travel. 

INTERNET ACCESS: Effective June 1, 2008: The information age has fully enveloped the travel industry. As such, it is imperative for the quick dissemination of information, that all traveling with me have internet access available to them with an active email address. For those who do not, beginning 6/1/2008 there will be a $50 per person surcharge to cover time, telephone, traveling and shipping expenses associated with the additional processing of necessary documents and update information.  For international residents (including Canada) the fee will be $100. Please notify us promptly of email or other address change.

THE TOTAL TOUR PRICE: Cruise and Tour prices, are based on airfare (if included), cruise and land rates and rates of exchange in effect at the time of arrangements. If airfare is included, government fees, airline surcharges and taxes will be added onto the total price of the tour at time of ticketing. All rates are subject to change without prior notice. Should the currency exchange rates go up or down more than 2% from the original quote and as such a discount or increase in price occurs through the tour supplier to Deb Roberts' Tours prior to departure, an adjustment may be made. As all services are contracted through established tour companies in the United States and abroad, once the final payment has been made, services are prepaid on a group basis and no refunds can be granted for any accommodations, services or events which are not used after this point. If you deviate from the planned tour, no consideration can be given to a refund for unused services. Our tours are subject to a minimum number of people. Should fewer than the minimum people participate we reserve the right to cancel the tour or a price adjustment may be necessary, the choice is at our discretion. Some restrictions apply. Deb Roberts Tours is a registered seller of travel in the State of California.  

AIR TRANSPORTATION: If Deb Roberts through any company, including IATA carriers, consolidators, or tour suppliers, is providing your group flight arrangements, flight reservations are being held on behalf of the group on discounted group fares. If a promotional group airfare is broken or extended for any reason, an additional fare will be applied. Any deviations from the scheduled itinerary may incur additional fees and charges. Once your ticket is issued there is a mandatory $250 charge plus any airline deviation charge. There are no group fare air refunds after published registration deadlines on the registration form. Additional non-recoverable airline penalties of up to $250 may be assessed for changes received within 90 days of departure. Once the registration deadline has passed, participation in a group air rate cannot be guaranteed, in this case it is the passenger's responsibility to make their own air arrangements.

Due to fluctuations in energy costs, airline fees and taxes, airfares included as part of a tour package do not include these charges as these  are subject to change until ticketing, without prior notice. By accepting the terms and conditions you agree to pay any the addition of air transportation fees or taxes associated with your tour. You always have the option of electing to arrange your own airfare, which comes in handy if you wish to use your miles or awards program.

For cruises:  When making your own cruise flight arrangements, please be certain that your flight on embarkation day arrives no later than 12 noon.   On disembarkation day, please be certain your flight does not leave before 12:30pm.

LAND ONLY ARRANGEMENTS:   When selecting a "land only" portion of a tour that includes airfare, airport transfers to or from the hotel are not included with your tour.  These arrangements are to be made independently by the traveler.  No assumptions should be made about the availability of early arrival or late departure hotel room accommodations.    It is the responsibility of the traveler to ascertain and secure such reservations unless a general offer has been made for pre-tour room arrangements.  When booking independent air, please be certain of the itinerary, departures and arrival of the group.  Deb Roberts' Tours will not be responsible for missed flights, transfers or activities when someone is traveling independently.

FREE TO FLY PROGRAM - to assist clients in using reward program air miles, Deb offers the Free to Fly program which allows one to make their own air arrangements on specified tours where air is not included. Please be aware, that minimum enrollment requirements are mandatory on all tours and one should NOT book non-refundable air transportation on their own until there has been confirmation that the trip will be a definite go. Should one proceed to make air arrangements before a trip is announced as a go, Deb Roberts Tours cannot be responsible for any associated costs. It will be announced by the final payment deadline whether a trip is a go, on hold as a go, or will be canceled. All trips are subject to cancellation for any reason – again, it is advised that you hold off on booking non-refundable air until your tour has been confirmed as a "go".

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS: Deluxe 3*, 4* and 5* hotels are selected and the price is based on twin occupancy with private bath. A single room supplement will be charged where requested and if available. Every attempt is made to find suitable roommates when requested. If you do not have a roommate and Deb Roberts is unable to arrange one, you will have a choice to be billed for the single room supplement or cancel your tour with full refund. All singles are subject to availability. Deb will keep you updated as to possible roommate choices. Compatibility is something that cannot be guaranteed and as such, once assignments have been made, roommate changes are not possible. This must be understood when requesting unknown roommates. Any personally incurred hotel expenses, such as room service charges, mini bar service, etc. will be at the traveler’s sole expense and are not included in the tour cost.  

Unless traveling with an arranged group airfare, when traveling overnight to your destination, please be aware that hotel check-in policies will not guarantee a room until 2pm in most cities.  Most hotels will make every attempt to accommodate you as soon as possible if your room is not available on arrival, but this cannot be guaranteed.  Most hotels will securely hold your luggage until your room is ready so that you can explore the area or grab a bite to eat.  Deb Roberts Tours will not be responsible for any incurred charges while clients are waiting for hotel room availability.

ESCORTED TOURS: Escorted tours to private and public places are arranged for your enjoyment. Please regard our timetable as announced each day or at the drop-off point. It is important to take heed as to the location of the coach, and the time the group is told to return. Often, the coach moves and you need to be aware of where the new location is - you will be told. If one has not returned to the coach by the appointed time, it will be assumed that they have decided to deviate from the day's activity and the coach will depart. If one should miss the coach, fees to return to the hotel, cruise or tour are their sole responsibility.

Deb Roberts' Tours is not financially or otherwise responsible for anyone's reunion with the tour should a scheduled coach departure be missed.

CRUISES: Quilt Cruises are not guided tours per se, but they are always escorted by our owner, Deb Roberts.  Cruises are group cruise bookings with pre-arranged meeting times for scheduled quilting or other classes of interest, and occasionally scheduled group meals and activities onboard the ship.  At times, and according to the itinerary, there will be pre-planned group excursion options to be held in conjunction with the cruise.  This will ALWAYS be listed under the "inclusions" section of the cruise's website from the onset or offered as an option.   Most cruise adventures are arranged so that group time is only during the announced (with inclusions) activities.  In most instances optional cruise port tours are not planned in order to allow travelers the flexibility to see what they would like to see in each port.  Should a group tour or side trip be planned, it will either be included in all information on the tour - as in the "included in your cruise" section of the website, or by special announcement before the tour commences.  By traveling on a quilt cruise, it is important to realize that  your port time will be independent and it will be your responsibility to ascertain and arrange your private shore tours and for assistance as needed.

With any cruise line, in the event of tax, port charge, or government fee increases prior to the sailing date of a cruise, we are required to collect these additional fees from each guest.  Currently, fuel supplements are on hold by all cruise lines, but each, reserves the right to reinstate a fuel supplement if fuel prices increase before the sailing date of the cruise. 

It is important to be aware of port departure times on all cruises. If a cruise participant is late for any reason and the ship sails without them, Deb Roberts' Tours is not financially or otherwise responsible for their reunion with the ship or return to their home.

CRUISE LINE DISCLAIMER: Be aware, while it is extremely rare, all cruise lines include in their passage contract,  "In the event of strikes, lockouts, stoppages of labor, riots, weather conditions, mechanical difficulties or any other reason whatsoever (ANY CRUISE LINE) has the right to cancel, advance, postpone or substitute any scheduled sailing or itinerary without prior notice." As such, travel insurance is strongly recommended.
 

MEALS: On European and Pacific/Asian tours, full American breakfast is provided daily. Tours within the United States will have breakfast if stipulated on the itinerary. Other provided meals are as per itinerary, while on cruises all meals are provided while onboard ship. An extra charge will be made when beverages are not included in the menu of the day with meals. Please provide any dietary restrictions in writing on the registration form.

INSURANCE: Purchasing of travel insurance is optional on all tours and cruises, however highly recommended as it is more than just trip cancellation insurance - it is a travel package with medical coverage, baggage loss and other features.

Insurance may be purchased from any carrier, but, please be certain of your coverage.  Especially if purchased from a cruise line, your coverage reimbursement amount may not include the full amount of your quilt cruise purchase.  If you choose to be covered by a cruise line, you are accepting responsibility for the differences in coverage amounts should they exist.

If you have a pre-existing condition, please ask for a copy and review the policy for pre-existing conditions; most pre-existing condition coverage is not provided unless insurance is requested at the time of initial deposit, a note documenting the condition will be required at that time which states you are fit to travel as of that date. Travel insurance is not in effect until final payments are received. Once insurance has been purchased, that portion of your invoice is non-refundable.

If you choose to decline coverage, your registration must include a 'decline insurance form'.

For information on the coverage I provide, see the insurance plan link on the trip's website.  Insurance coverage for all tours and cruises includes coverage for what you purchase from me.  For example, if your tour does not include airfare, air you purchase is not covered by the insurance included in your trip plan. Should you have a pre-existing condition, please request information on a policy that may cover most of these.

LUGGAGE: Unless otherwise indicated,  on all tours, coaching requirements allow 1 (one) suitcase and 1 (one) personal size carry on bag per person. (This bag must fit inside of the coach.) No exceptions. (I guess this is why they make huge suitcases!!) This is not my rule but the rule of the multiple coaching associations throughout the world. Additional luggage may incur an additional fee by the carrier at your expense - and your luggage may travel separately from you to the final destination by way of another carrier.

TIPS AND TAXES: Tips and taxes normally appearing on hotel and restaurant bills as "service" are included, as are all government and local taxes on hotels and meals, housekeeping, reception and dining room staffs. Airport departure taxes, surcharges and fuel taxes are not included, and government taxes on cruises is not included; these will be added onto the final invoicing for the tour.  Tips to guides on land tours are not included unless otherwise stated.  Cruise tips are not included and are at each individual passenger's discretion.

ROOMMATES:  When someone does not have a roommate and would like one, I will make suggestions and provide contact information based upon others in the group with the same need.  It is up to the prospective roommates to make contact with each other to determine compatibility.  Once roommates have been assigned and the trip begins, it will not be possible to make changes.

REFUNDS, DEPOSITS AND CANCELLATIONS: Deposits are as indicated per tour registration and are required to secure reservations and hold your place on land tours, additional deposits may be necessary if tour includes group air. Cruise deposits are subject to the individual cruise line regulations. Refunds from tour operators vary. Thus unless otherwise indicated on the registration form, the deposit for a tour is not refundable unless and a written and signed (no-email) request is received within the specified time, to insure delivery, send by certified mail. For all bookings, after the indicated deposit refund deadline, any refunds are subject to a 200.00 administration fee.  Should a request be made to have a check returned - the check will be voided and put into return mail, however, responsibility ends when the check is mailed. 

Should a tour fill to capacity potential travelers will be turned away, as such, there will be no deposit refunds once a tour fills, unless a replacement traveler can be found by the final payment deadline.  Deposit refunds cannot be made with less than 120 days until departure or the tour begins.

Deb Roberts' Tours will not be liable for checks lost in the mail.

Individual cruise company refund policies apply on all cruise bookings. Please refer to the individual cruise company's procedure. All deposits and payments will be applied to the price of your cruise or tour.  Should an individual space be deposited and held and a tour fills to capacity before the final payment deadline, a refund will not be made unless a replacement is found.  Replacements must be found prior to final invoice date, usually 30 days prior to the final payment deadline.

Refunds are not allowed for unused portions of any scheduled services.  Refunds are not allowed for unused tickets, transfers or entry fees.  Should an optional service be canceled by the traveler, refunds are not possible.  Insurance is strongly recommended.

Refunds will only be made in US Dollars.

CANCELLATION PENALTIES and DEADLINES:   If you are traveling on a cruise with us, the individual cruise line penalties apply to your booking.   Insurance is strongly recommended.

For land tours the following applies:  Once the final payment has passed, there are no refunds.   Insurance is strongly recommended.

Should a tour or cruise be canceled by Deb Roberts' Tours, your funds will be cheerfully refunded.

PAYMENTS: Invoices will be sent only by email.  It is the responsibility of the traveler to provide an email address and notify if it changes.  There will be a late payment penalty assessed for payments received after the final payment deadline no matter the reason.  Please note payment deadlines associated with your cruise or tour. Final payments received after the indicated date or 90 days before departure must include the indicated late payment fee. (This does not apply for new reservations made after the 90 days deadline.) There can be no refunds after the final payment deadline - insurance is strongly recommended. Again, we are not able to refund cruise deposits or payments after the final payment deadline under any circumstance. Reservations made within 90 days of departure must include full payment at time of registration.

Credit Cards are not accepted at this time. If a tour supplier allows it, if one would like to pay by credit card a credit card authorization form must be requested. If such payment it is available, credit card payments are between you and the travel supplier only - and not Deb Roberts Tours. As such any rules, surcharges or other conditions for use of the card are that of the supplier and not Deb Roberts Tours.

Funds for checks returned for any reason must be returned by overnight mail in the form of a certified check or money order and must include a $50 return check fee. Where entrance fees and/or tickets or any other services are included within a tour package, there are no refunds for any unused portion. This would also include any show tickets purchased for you and which you may have also purchased a second set for any reason.

Terms and Conditions apply once registration is received. Should any part of the terms and conditions not be adhered to or if any part of contractual agreements are broken by a client, Deb Roberts or any travel supplier retain the right to refuse further services and payments and deposits are at risk of being retained for "cost of services to date".

CHANGE FEE: Any changes not received in writing by certified mail at least 120 days prior to departure will incur a $150 change fee per person for each revision plus applicable charges by tour company, airline, train, etc.

DEVIATIONS: Deviations to the itinerary cannot be guaranteed. A service charge of $200 per change will be applied for any deviations made in tour, (where possible). Plus any additional air or land charges incurred by the tour or cruise company.

LAND/SEA ARRANGEMENTS: Deb Roberts and/or any supplier reserve the right to change the itinerary due to unforeseen circumstances or emergencies.

PASSPORTS and VISAS: Passport and visa fees are not included on any tour or cruise program. For international travel and tours please be certain that your passports are still valid for 6 months after your return. For those who are traveling with me that are not US citizens, please check the visa requirements for the country/countries we are visiting with regard to your country of passport. While I will inform you about any requirements to the best of my knowledge, ultimately it is your responsibility to know and to have secured all necessary visa stamps before departure, or be fully prepared to receive an entry visa upon arrival if this is the case.

VACCINATIONS/IMMUNIZATIONS: It is incumbent upon the traveler to understand each international region's vaccination requirements and suggestions. These can be found at the CDC website for travelers: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentVaccinations.aspx. It is the traveler's responsibility to know their own health history and what may or may not be allowed as far as vaccinations or prophylactic medications apply. Deb Roberts' Tours will not be liable for any vaccination issues, nor illnesses developed because of, or lack of vaccines related to any trip, cruise or tour. It is the traveler's responsibility to check with their physician or travel medicine provider regarding vaccinations needed. With certain medical conditions, immunizations are contraindicated - be sure to check with your physician.

MEDICAL ISSUES: Many of our tours include a lot of walking on uneven surfaces and may be strenuous for some people.  It is each traveler's responsibility to check with their medical provider regarding any health issue that may arise by participating on the trip, and NOT participate should this be in question.  If you are in a situation requiring any assistance at any time, you must bring and be responsible for all necessary items related to your condition.  If any such condition arises after the trip is booked, you must advise us in writing immediately. Deborah Roberts shall not be liable for any circumstances relating to your condition, before, during or after the tour. Refund deadlines apply, even in all medical situations - insurance strongly recommended. If you require a wheelchair, you must provide your own small, collapsible wheelchair and on cruises you must comply with the cruise line's individual wheelchair policy. Some features on our trips may not be wheelchair-accessible. We cannot guarantee any wheelchair or walking assistance or accessibility at any destinations, if assistance is required, please bring someone along to assist you.  For those requiring assistance of a cane or a walker,  many of our destinations require a lot of strenuous walking and are hampered by cobblestones or poor pavement.  Coaches are only accessible by stairs.  It is your ultimate responsibility to know your limitations and not undertake activity that might be restrictive to you.  You are responsible for your own assistant during the tour, if you require someone to assist you in any way, you need to secure someone to travel with you before departing on the trip. Deborah Roberts is not responsible for the costs of any medical treatment you may require during the trip. Under no circumstances is Deborah Roberts responsible or liable for the quality of medical care, or lack thereof, you may receive while on the trip. In some areas medical care may not be possible without additional travel expenses being incurred. Deborah Roberts is not responsible or liable for the lack of medical care in any area or any additional fees associated with finding and securing medical care.   Insurance is highly recommended.

AGAIN: Many of our tours include walking up hills, on stairways, cobblestone streets and other uneven areas. At times the walking pace may be fast and somewhat strenuous. If any medical condition exists or there is ANY question regarding your ability to participate in a safe and healthy manner in our schedule of activities, please consult your physician before registering for the trip   Failure to comply may result in refusal to accommodate you on the trip and all penalties will apply.  Deb Roberts will not be responsible for any expenses incurred in this situation.

VIDEOS, PHOTOGRAPHS and IMAGES: Images taken of private individuals,  in museums, galleries, or private industries on ALL trip itineraries are to be used for personal use and study only. Permission to publish or otherwise use for profit is expressly forbidden.

Trips, itineraries and provided information are the intellectual property of Deb Roberts Tours and are protected by copyright law.  No passenger or guest shall attempt to duplicate, sell or otherwise profit from this or a similar tour at any time.  

Photographs and images of the group are randomly taken throughout the trip. Registration implies permission to use your photograph in any and all marketing materials by Deb Roberts or selected organizations. If you choose not to have your photo taken and used for publicity, you must send a signed letter stating this request before the trip departure date.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Deborah Roberts reserves the right to cancel any tour for any reason as well as the right to decline at any time, the registration of a trip participant who in her opinion, may affect the health, safety or enjoyment of other participants or has a potential conflict of interest. 

The registration of employees of agencies or agents who provide similar travel experiences will be considered a conflict of interest and will not be allowed. Should it be discovered that an agent, friend or employee acting on behalf of another tour provider has registered for a cruise or tour offered by Deb Roberts' Tours or World of Quilts Travel, immediate cancellation will occur without refund.

Deborah Roberts is an independent organizer for your cruise or tour, utilizing the services of a CLIA cruise line, or USTOA tour operator as "suppliers". As such, Deborah Roberts and her representatives act only organizers for the tour members, while the suppliers make arrangements for hotels, transportation, sightseeing, entrance fees, restaurants or any other services in connection with the itinerary. Deborah Roberts and suppliers will exercise reasonable care in making such arrangements, however, they do not assume any liability whatsoever, for any injury, damage, loss, accident or delay to person or property because of any acts of war or terrorism, any act of default of any hotel, carrier, coaching company, restaurant, company or person rendering any of the services included in the tours. The tickets, coupons, tariffs, rules or contracts currently in use by any carrier, hotel, restaurant or other contractor rendering services shall constitute the sole contract between such contractor and the individual tour member. Deborah Roberts or suppliers, accept no responsibility for any damage or delay due to sickness, pilferage, labor disputes, machinery breakdown, quarantine, government restraints, weather, or any other cause beyond their personal control. No carrier shall be responsible for any act, omission or event during the time passengers are not on board its own conveyance. The right is reserved to cancel or change itineraries, or substitute teachers or services without notice and to decline to accept or retain any passenger at any time. In view of statutory or contractual limitations that may apply to personal injury or property damage losses, the purchase of accident and baggage insurance is strongly recommended.

CONTACT INFORMATION:  It is the responsibility of the traveler to keep Deb Roberts' Tours updated to changes in any contact information, including email and regular mail addresses.  Failure to do so may result in loss of space and/or deposit should you not receive your final payment invoice.  As per above, not having an email address incurs additional charges as all communications (including invoicing) is done in this manner.

Terms and conditions apply once registration has been received.

Apart from supplier cancellation, refund deadlines will still apply - insurance is strongly recommended. 

Trips, itineraries and provided information are the intellectual property of Deb Roberts Tours and are protected by copyright law.  No passenger or guest shall attempt to duplicate, sell or escort or otherwise profit from a similar tour at any time after completing travel with Deb Roberts' Tours or World of Quilts Travel. Exceptions apply, please contact Deb Roberts for specific details.

One should periodically review these Terms and Conditions as Deb Roberts' Tours may revise them from time to time as may be appropriate.  Registering for a cruise or tour constitutes your agreement to each term and condition and complete acceptance of these terms even as revised.

Deb Roberts Tours is a registered seller of travel in the State of California #2090634-40 and is a participant in the Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation.